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GOOGLE is teaming up with MEDIA RIGHTS CAPITAL to distribute free ad-supported video content. MRC talent will produce short videos that contain paid product placement and advertising. The content will then be spread across the web via the Google AdSense network. The two companies will split all advertising revenue. SPRINT unveiled its WiMax plans. The Continue Reading →

THE NTIA has contracted IBM to provide $120 million worth of services for the “Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program.” Services will include consumer education, coupon distribution, and financial processing for coupons. The contract begins immediately, and will expire in September 2009. FOX INTERACTIVE MEDIA will begin managing websites for 160 Fox-affiliated stations. The sites will Continue Reading →

YAHOO is seeing positive results from its new SmartAds, which were introduced to travel-industry advertisers last month. SmartAds utilize consumer data to personalize ads on the fly, changing design and content to fit a specific user’s preference. In a test of the technology, Yahoo found that consumers clicked on SmartAds up to three times more Continue Reading →

TIVO‘s STOP/WATCH service announced the top commercials for the June ratings period. According to TiVo data, the ten most-watched commercials all ran during the May 29th season finale of “House” on Fox. The commercials ranged from a 9.4 rating to a 12.1 rating, when all views were accounted for. However, the episode itself received a Continue Reading →

GOOGLE will shutdown the paid portion of its Google Video service on August 15. The service has offered paid downloads for the past 19 months, but will now shift its focus to ad-supported video. When the service shuts down on Wednesday, purchased downloads will completely stop working, leaving consumers with worthless, unplayable DRM-ed files. TV Continue Reading →

The National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) has joined an existing lawsuit accusing YouTube of copyright infringement. Since their purchase of YouTube, it has been open season on Google. Rights-holders know that Google is truly made-of-money and aggrieved content owners now have a target with very deep pockets to sue. Lawsuits will not solve the problem, Continue Reading →

OMNICOM‘s ZIMMERMAN ADVERTISING has added the Z-Media Exchange to its “virtual advertising agency” concept. The virtual exchange will allow local businesses to purchase radio and TV spots. Agency executives will be able to view a market’s inventory, and make an offer. The exchange is a Zimmerman-branded version of the SoftWave Media Exchange. UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP Continue Reading →

THE TELEVISION BUREAU OF ADVERTISING announced that ePort is set to launch this November. ePort is the open-standard electronic exchange for buyers and sellers of TV spots, supported by CBS Television Stations, E.W. Scripps, Gannett Broadcasting, NBCU Stations, and several other broadcasters. The full suite of online transactions will be available in March 2008. FACEBOOK Continue Reading →

NBCU plans to launch DIDJA.com early next year. The site is an on-demand advertising site, and will offer an archive of TV commercials,, movie trailers, and other branded content. It will offer brand-specific channels, featuring all commercials by one company. NBCU is hoping advertisers will eventually pay for prominent placement on the site. ESPN plans Continue Reading →

MTV NETWORKS has signed a deal to use TNS Media Research‘s audience measurement service in Los Angeles. The service offers second-by-second audience data, using information collected from 300,000 Charter Communications boxes. Nielsen is working on a similar offering. MUSIC PUBLISHERS have joined a copyright infringement lawsuit against YOUTUBE. YouTube has signed licensing agreements with all Continue Reading →