by Mark Walsh on Apr 24, 3:06 PM
Citing strong demand, Barnes & Noble said Tuesday it began shipping its new glow-in-the dark Nook model two weeks ahead of schedule to customers who had pre-ordered the device. The $139
Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight is the first e-reader to hit the market allowing users to read in bed with the lights out. “Due to very strong pre-order demand, the company recommends that customers who wish to gift the device for Mother’s Day pre-order now, as orders will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-serve basis,” the company stated in a release today. Beginning this week, Barnes & Noble …
by Mark Walsh on Apr 24, 10:33 AM
Pivotal Research Group lowered its valuation of Facebook to $75 billion from $82 billion a day after the social networking giant reported first-quarter results that showed rising costs and slowing growth since the prior quarter. Facebook’s Q1 revenue of $1.06 billion was up 45% from a year ago but fell 6% from the fourth quarter in part because of a seasonal decline in ad sales. Net income in the first quarter dropped to $205 million from $302 million in the fourth quarter. Calling the first-quarter numbers “disappointing,” Pivotal’s Brian Wieser said in a research note Tuesday said the results raise …
by Joe Mandese on Apr 23, 4:09 PM
WPP flagship JWT has re-branded its Minneapolis office as an office of Digitaria, the San Diego-based digital agency it acquired nearly two years ago to become its central digital marketing services hub. The Minneapolis office already was a dedicated digital shop servicing clients such as UnitedHealth Group.
by Mark Walsh on Apr 23, 12:47 PM
Gavin Kim, who served as general manager for Windows Phone product marketing at Microsoft, has
joined mobile security firm NQ Mobile as chief product officer. In his prior post, Kim led product marketing and platform planning teams as well as Windows Phone application and developer ecosystem efforts. Before joining Microsoft in November, he was VP, consumer and enterprises services at Samsung Telecommunications Americas. (NQ Mobile co-CEO Omar Khan is former VO of strategy for the Samsung.) In his new job, Kim will oversee product, solutions and strategic partnerships for NQ Mobile, which makes mobile security, privacy and productivity applications. …
by Wayne Friedman on Apr 19, 10:46 PM
Looking to boost its important “NFL Sunday Ticket” package, DirecTV is lowering its price for the season worth of the game by 40% for the upcoming season. The price – which allows viewers to access all games in all markets – will now be $199.95. Last season, DirecTV was able to grow to some 1 million customers from around 300,000 the year before through a special promotional two-year deal. But if you want to pay – and get -- even more NFL, that’s also available. “NFL Sunday Ticket Max is available for $299.95 (and only $100 for existing NFL Sunday …
by Joe Mandese on Apr 19, 1:13 PM
Susan Claxton has joined GroupM's MEC unit as senior partner-content integration of MEC Entertainment.
by Joe Mandese on Apr 19, 12:33 PM
Rosabel Tao has been named senior vice president-communications at CBS Interactive, overseeing all communications and public relations for CBS Interactive and its digital brands, including CBS.com, CBSNews.com, CBSSports.com, CNET, GameSpot, and TV.com.
by Joe Mandese on Apr 19, 11:28 AM
Melanie DiMemmo and Sarah Iooss have been named senior vice president-digital ad sales for music and entertainment at Viacom, with responsibility for sales of the digital platforms of MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Comedy Central, Spike and TV Land, including mobile.
by Joe Mandese on Apr 19, 11:11 AM
Martha Stewart will be the host of "Martha Stewart's Cooking School," a new weekly series debuting on PBS stations this fall. Each 30-minute episode will feature Stewart demonstrating classic cooking techniques and basics.
by Wayne Friedman on Apr 18, 10:29 PM
Not all cable networks are so digital accessible – but Cartoon Network will be one of the few that will soon begin streaming its on-air content live across multiple platforms. The announcement was made at the network's upfront presentation to national advertisers. Streaming of content includes shows on CartoonNetwork.com and access for mobile viewers on the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. This is all part of Cartoon Network’s parent company Time Warner overall emphasis to give consumers so-called ‘TV Everywhere.” TV Everywhere is an initiative -- now industry wide -- giving subscribers of cable, satellite and telco video services access …