Digital Marketing Blog

CBS buys London-based Last.fm for $280m

Web radio service Last.fm has been snapped up by CBS in a $280m (£142m) deal, which is the largest ever UK Web 2.0 acquisition.

The move follows ongoing rumours that Last.fm would be acquired, but Viacom was believed to have been the likely buyer, and at a much higher price of $450m (£226m).

by Graham Charlton 30 May 2007 14:11pm 0 comments

Google and Microsoft launch 3D maps

Microsoft and Google have both announced new 3D mapping services this week, giving users street level views of different locations.

by Graham Charlton 30 May 2007 13:07pm 0 comments

Microsoft unveils coffee table PC

Microsoft has launched a new touch-sensitive table-shaped computer called 'surface'. It will not require a keyboard or mouse, so users can operate the PC with their fingers.

Microsoft Surface

by Graham Charlton 30 May 2007 11:26am 0 comments

Women and men 'view Google differently'

A survey has revealed that women have different attitudes to search giant Google from men, and are less likely to criticise it for being too commercial.

In a survey of 1,000 UK internet users by search agency bigmouthmedia, less than a third thought that Google was becoming too commercial.

by Graham Charlton 30 May 2007 09:29am 1 comment

Online shoppers want more information

Providing customers with plenty of information during the buying process can help convert more browsers to buyers, according to a new survey of US web users.

Harris Interactive's Online Retail Report (pdf) surveyed 2,873 US adults, finding that 48% of respondents have increased their online shopping habits.

by Graham Charlton 29 May 2007 16:09pm 0 comments

Lastminute.com founders to launch new site

The co-founders of Lastminute.com, Brent Hoberman and Martha Lane Fox are reuniting for a new web venture - an interior design website.

Mydeco.com aims to become a one-stop shop for people who want to redecorate their homes, selling furniture and other items, as well as giving help and advice.

by Graham Charlton 29 May 2007 16:08pm 0 comments

Google/DoubleClick deal to be investigated

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has opened an antitrust probe into Google's recent acquisition of DoubleClick, according to The New York Times.

A source told the NYT that a preliminary investigation has been launched into the deal, in which Google paid $3.1bn for the ad company.

by Graham Charlton 29 May 2007 12:24pm 0 comments

Which are your best keywords? (you’ll never guess)

People who write regularly for online publications generally enjoy the process of writing and many don't want to get sidetracked into the technical area of doing keyword research.

Yet when one keyword can bring ten times as much traffic as another, we need to be very careful in our choice of words and use the best keywords wherever possible.

by Ken McGaffin 29 May 2007 10:43am 0 comments

Google rolls out new video ad formats

Google has launched its AdSense video ads in three new-size formats, a move coinciding with the first anniversary of the service.

The click-to-play blocks pay cost-per-thousand publishers for every ad impression, regardless of video plays.

by Robert Andrews 29 May 2007 10:30am 0 comments

Yahoo! readies Panama for UK launch

Yahoo! has started testing its Panama contextual search advertising platform in the UK and will roll out the full service shortly.

The company last week invited search marketing professionals to a preview of the service, which seeks to improve return on advertising investment by better targeting ads to users.

by Robert Andrews 29 May 2007 10:18am 0 comments