At the Casual Connect conference in Seattle, WorldWinner a provider of online game competitions, announced the results of a survey in which more than 500 online game lovers revealed how playing casual games affects their mood, particularly during the current state of the economy.

Transpera and InsightExpress, announced a consumer research survey of consumers' reactions and feedback to mobile video advertising, which finds that avid mobile video users represent a unique audience that may not be reachable via other digital media, as well as an audience profile that is attractive to brand advertisers. Mobile video users rely on their device, spending more time on their mobile than they do on their computer, compared to non mobile video viewers, says the report. 62% of mobile video users surveyed, use their mobile phone more than they use a computer to browse the Internet, vs. just 9% …

According to a new study by Engine Ready, based on traffic to 26 e-retail sites in a 12-month period that ended June 30, visitors who arrive at a retailer's site from paid search ads are 50% more likely to buy than those who come from clicking on a natural search link. The conversion rate from paid search is 2.03% versus 1.26% from organic search, according to the study as reported by Internet Retailer.

Veronis Suhler Stevenson (VSS), in its newest Communications Industry Forecast covering the years 2003-2013, predicts that total communications spending will decline 1% in 2009 to $882.6 billion, but grow 3.6% per year over the next five years to over $1 trillion making communications the third fastest-growing sector of the U.S. economy over that period.

Data from Ipsos MediaCT's MOTION study illustrates that in the past 30 days, 26% of online Americans have streamed a full-length TV show and 14% have streamed a full-length movie. This is more than two times the levels measured in September 2008. Young adults 18 to 24 years of age have been the most ardent supporters of this medium, as 30% have streamed a full-length movie in the past 30 days, and 51% have streamed a full-length TV show, dramatic increases from last year.

According to early data from MORI Research, announced by the Newspaper Association of America, 59% of adults identify newspapers as the medium they use for planning, shopping and purchase decisions, making newspapers the leading advertising medium cited by consumers for these activities. NAA President and CEO, John Sturm, says "... while new technologies have their place in any total marketing program... newspaper advertising remains the most powerful tool for advertisers who want to motivate consumers to take action... "

An independent study by Nucleus Research finds that companies that allow access to Facebook lose an average of 1.5% in total employee productivity. Nearly half of employees in the study, and 77% of those with an account, use Facebook during work hours, with some employees using Facebook as much as 2 hours per day while at work. One in 33 employees use Facebook exclusively while at work.

According to the latest ChangeWave survey of business professionals between the ages of 45 and 63 on TV viewing habits vs. home Internet usage, these Boomers spend more free time online than they do watching traditional TV. And, by a five-to-one margin, Boomers are watching less traditional television than they did a year ago. Among this group, 62% say it's because they're not as interested in what's on TV these days, and another 26% say they're spending more time surfing the web.

According to new research from PQ Media, spending on word-of-mouth marketing rose 14.2% to $1.54 billion in 2008, despite the worst economic recession in 70 years. However, WoM spending is on pace to grow another 10.2% this year, placing it among the fastest growing advertising and marketing segments. By comparison, the U.S. economy, as well as the advertising and marketing services sectors are all expected to decline in 2009 for the first time since the Great Depression of the 1930's.

According to the National Retail Federation's 2009 Back to School Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, by BIGresearch, back-to-school shoppers buy only what you need, check for coupons and sales, and grab perfect computer at the right price. The average family with students in grades Kindergarten through 12 is expected to spend $548.72 on school merchandise, down 7.7% from 2008. Total spending on back to school is expected to reach $17.42 billion. 2009 back-to-college and back-to-school spending combined will total $47.50 billion, says the study.