If it seems like just about every brand is on Facebook, that’s not far from the truth. According to a new study by InSites Consulting, 80% of U.S. companies are on the social networking site. Almost half (48%) are on LinkedIn, 45% have a Twitter account, and 31% use YouTube. When it comes to managing their social media presence, 61% of companies monitor what people are saying about them and more than half (54%) actively participate in online conversations with consumers. At the same time, however, only 11% of companies are integrating their social media approach into their …

Social media marketing firm Unified has named Calvin Lui as president and chief strategy officer, overseeing companywide strategy, business and corporate development. Before taking the new post, Lui was president and CEO of ad technology firm Tumri, whose ad optimization platform was used by clients including HP, Nike, Dell and Publicis. Previously, he served as COO of performance marketing company Connexus, and as SVP of sales and marketing at Ticketmaster. “Calvin’s appointment is a great win for us, and a testament to Unified’s commitment to building a world class team,” said company CEO and co-founder Sheldon, in a statement. Unified …

Mobile ad network TodaCell has raised another $2 million in funding from AfterDox, group of investors from telephony billing solutions provider Amdocs, as well as private investors. The company also announced hiring Mark Lehmann as CEO. Before joining TodaCell, Lehmann was VP, Web and mobile marketing at Universal Music Group/Island Def Jam, and previously led Web marketing at mobile content provider Flycell. New York-based TodaCell says its proprietary optimization technology helps advertisers and agencies improve mobile ad performance by analyzing publisher inventory and the click patterns of prior ad campaigns. That data is combined with targeting attributes such as mobile …

WPP has agreed to acquire AKQA one of the last big independent digital agencies. WPP said the deal was subject to regulatory approval. The shop, founded in 2001 provides an array of services including social media, mobile, interactive experiences, gaming and content creation. Clients include Delta, Diageo, EDF, GAP, Google, Microsoft Xbox, Nike, Target, Unilever and Virgin Money, among others.

In its aggressive effort to woo advertisers and agencies, Facebook last year launched Facebook Studio, site showcasing the best examples of creative campaigns on the site. Following its rocky IPO last month and increased skepticism about its ad model, the company needs to the support of the ad community more than ever. To that end, Facebook has launched the Creative Council, a new initiative bringing together top executives from more than a dozen agencies “to serve as a sounding board for both Facebook product ideas and key agency needs,” according to the social network. Announced at the Cannes Lions …

The Surface: PC is like a tablet, but with many PC features.

Getting a push from his recent "Celebrity Apprentice" appearance, Arsenio Hall will re-start up another late night syndication TV talk show. In the early 90s, Hall had a late night syndication talk show produced and distributed by Paramount Domestic Television. CBS Television Distribution will distribute the new show. Paramount is now part of CBS Corp. The new show will air on big market Tribune Broadcasting stations -- WPIX-TV New York, KTLA-TV Los Angeles, and WGN-TV in Chicago, as well as 14 other TV outlets. Tribune will also be a production partner in the series. Overall TV markets covering 52% of …

Just eight months after taking over as president of J. C. Penney, Michael Francis is out. The Plano, Tex.-based retailer, which has been struggling with slumping sales and negative reactions to its extensive repositioning efforts, says its CEO Ron Johnson "will assume direct responsibility and oversight of the company's marketing and merchandising functions." Until joining Penney last October, Francis had been CMO at Target Corp.

Yahoo has named former AdMeld CEO and Internet veteran Michael Barrett as chief revenue officer, responsible for the company’s advertising revenue and operations worldwide. Since Google’s acquisition of ad optimization platform AdMeld last year, Barrett has led integration efforts between the two companies. Prior to joining Admeld in 2008, Barrett served as chief revenue officer at Fox Interactive Media, where he oversaw revenue for all properties including MySpace and FoxSports.com and worked closely with Yahoo CEO Ross Levinsohn when he led the News Corp. unit. Barrett has also been president of sales and partnerships at AOL Media Networks, and held …

Marketing to TV academy members for Emmy consideration will also benefit some cable subscribers in New York and Los Angeles. Starting this weekend, Friday, June 15 through Sunday, June 17, Showtime will launch a free preview on Time Warner Cable and DirecTV giving all subscribers in New York and Los Angeles free access to the channel. New York and Los Angeles are where the majority Academy of Television Arts and Sciences members reside. The "Best in SHO" Emmy preview weekend will also Academy members and consumers a chance to view and sample shows like "Homeland", "Shameless," "House of Lies," "Californication", …