QUADRANT ONE is a new online ad-sales network being established as a joint venture by Gannett Co., the New York Times Co., Tribune Co. and Hearst Corp. QuadrantOne will allow advertisers to place ads in 120 print and online newspapers without relying on a media buyer. The combined monthly online audience of the venture will be over 50 million. The deal does not include Gannett’s USA Today or the NY Times paper. QuadrantOne is another sign of embattled newspapers banding together in a deteriorating business environment. In related news, the NY Times announced layoffs of 100 employees.
CBS announced that it will hold upfront presentations in May at Carnegie Hall. The other major networks have been planning to scale back their involvement in the upfront. However, ABC, NBC, Fox and the CW are still expected to make some sort of presentation for advertisers in May.
NIELSEN has acquired set-top box analysis co. AUDIENCE ANALYTICS and its Audience Watch software. The acquisition will provide technology for Nielsen DigitalPlus, offering an array of usage data, VOD measurement and more. It comes as Nielsen faces growing demands for more detailed viewing data and the challenge of new ratings offerings from TiVo and TNS Media.
GOOGLE has begun testing video ads on its search results pages. The shift to video ads will be gradual, starting with a small “plus sign” that reveals the video and eventually adding thumbnail images.
BEN SILVERMAN announced that Reveille has been sold to Elisabeth Murdoch’s Shine Group for $125 million upfront and a possible $250 million total based on future performance. Reveille is responsible for The Office, The Biggest Loser and more. Silverman decided to sell the company to focus solely on his NBC duties.
REVVER has been bought by LiveUniverse for around $5 million.
MGM has launched MGM HD in Chicago, offering content from the company’s impressive library of titles.
QUARTERLIFE will premiere on MTV before inhabiting its weekly spot on NBC.