NETRATINGS will drop “page views” as a ranking metric, and switch to “time spent” on a web page. COMSCORE will also decrease the impact of page views, and focus on repeat visitors. The tracking firms are trying to measure engagement more precisely.
GOOGLE is preparing a Powerpoint competitor. It has acquired TONIC SYSTEMS for technology related to the web application. Google currently offers online word-processing and spreadsheet software.
ACCENTURE conducted a survey of media executives, and found that they feel threatened by user-generated media. The executives believe that social networking is a long-term trend, not a fad.
ANHEUSER-BUSCH‘s Bud.TV traffic fell 40% in March. The company is trying to create an online branded channel, but it hasn’t caught on, due to a lack of compelling content.
VONAGE admits that it may face bankruptcy.