USA Today launched a new version of its iPad app that presents news differently based on the time of day and lets users select the kind of updates they want to see most. The updated design also offers a more visual experience, adding more photos and video to stories along with increased audio. Larry Kramer, USA Today president and publisher, said the redesign “goes beyond a news-reader and provides greater utility and a more dynamic experience that allows consumers to get their news quickly when and how they want it.” In that vein, users will see a quick-scan text …

Now, half-way into the key November viewing period and two networks have figured out some new shows aren't going to make the grade -- in this case CBS and ABC. On Friday ABC pulled the plug on two dramas. The nuclear submarine series "Last Resort" has been cancelled, averaging just a 1.7 rating among 18-49ers on a tough Thursday night, with its most recent effort grabbed just a 1.3 number. Sunday soap drama "666 Park Avenue" also pulled the same rating number for its most recent episode, a 1.3. It was averaging a 1.6 rating.  …

In time for the holiday season, Facebook late Thursday announced adding hundreds of gifts users can buy and send to friends through the e-commerce offering it rolled out in September. New retail partners through Fadcebook Gifts include babyGap, Fab, Brookstone, Dean & Deluca,L'Occitane, Lindt, ProFlowers, Random House, Inc. and NARS Cosmetics. People can also opt to give subscriptions to services such as Hulu Plus, Pandora and Rdio. Facebook said more gift partners are on the way including Robert Mondavi Winery and Chandon.

Thanks to an 8% surge in digital ad sales, overall radio advertising revenues avoided a fiscal cliff, and "remained flat," according to just-released estimates from the Radio Advertising Bureau.

In her first big shakeup as president of ad sales for all of NBCUniversal, Linda Yaccarino just announced a restructuring of the sales teams running Telemundo, its cable entertainment and news networks, digital media, and, taking a play our of her old Turner Broadcasting Sales book, created a "Client Solutions Group."

John Cate has been named president-COO of San Francisco-based digital media shop Mediasmith. Cate, who joined Mediasmith three years ago from Carat, has been executive vice president and COO.

Mobile video service Vuclip on Wednesday announced raising $13 million in a series D round led by SingTel Inov8, the Singapore telecom giant’s venture capital arm, and including prior investors NEA and Jafco Ventures. That brings the company’s total raised to date to $27 million. Vuclip, based in Milpitas, Calif., says it delivers more than 22 million mobile videos a day to an audience of 45 million unique users globally. It powers mobile video for wireless operators such as Vodafone and Airtel as well as content providers such as the Associated Press and UTV.  On the advertising side, Vuclip offers …

Not only will Viacom's MTV that will be seeing big programming changes soon, but now sister network Nickelodeon is ending a major series. The kids network's "iCarly" is ending its five-year-old run later this month on November 23 with a special hour-long series ender. Nickelodeon says the live-action series currently ranks as the network's number-one show with kids 6-11 and tweens 9-14 -- this, according to Nielsen. Still, the series won't go away -- at least on digital platforms:  iCarly.com will feature a brand-new game, "The Epic iCarly Game," as well as …

McCann World Group revenues were down as much as 25% under the tenure of just-ousted CEO Nick Brien according to Adweek. The magazine also reported that Brien was "surprised and angry" when informed yesterday that he was out. He must not read the Wall Street Journal, which reported last week he'd likely out the door by the end of the year. And while Adweek reports he doesn't have a new job lined up, his landing will be cushioned by a $4.2 million contract buy-out.

Mobile location ad company JiWire has named former AT&T executive Michael Fordyce as its new CEO. He succeeds David Staas, who has served as JiWire’s interim president and CEO since March. Fordyce most recently served as SVP, business development, publisher products, and strategic partnership management at YP Holdings (formerly known as AT&T Interactive). During his tenure, digital revenue at YP grew to almost $1 billion. Prior to working at YP, Fordyce led national advertiser sales, business development, and partnership management for Ingenio, leading up to its 2007 acquisition by AT&T. His background also includes management positions at telecom and …