Digital Marketing Blog

uSuggest launches shopping comparison site

uSuggest is a social shopping site that allows its users to earn commission by reviewing, tagging and recommending products displayed on the site.

Users can tag and recommend products on the site, or add a link to their blogs, and earn commission on any sales the generated by these links. On the face of it, it looks a good way for bloggers to earn some cash.

by Graham Charlton 04 January 2007 17:22pm 0 comments

Google services begin to trump rivals

The popularity of two of Google's key Web 2.0-style applications has overtaken those of rival portals in recent weeks, according to the latest data.

Google Calendar last week overtook MSN's competing offering and is due to beat even Yahoo!'s sector-leading calendar in the next couple of months, after the Mountain View outfit's schedule tool surged in popularity, Hitwise statistics show.

by Robert Andrews 04 January 2007 17:20pm 0 comments

Social networks to boom while net spend 'slows'?

Growth in internet advertising spend could slow in 2007, according to predictions from the US.

Trend analysis aggregator eMarketer suggests online advertising will grow from $16.4bn in 2006 to $19.5bn this year.

by Robert Andrews 03 January 2007 13:35pm 1 comment

ITV launches broadband TV assault

ITV aims to launch the UK's first mass-market free broadband TV portal before the end of March, beating rival BBC in the internet television race.

Britain's biggest commercial broadcaster today announced it has hired a new broadband managing director in Annelies van den Belt, who previously led a digital convergence strategy as the Telegraph's new media director and took the paper to a new multimedia headquarters.

by Robert Andrews 03 January 2007 13:14pm 0 comments

UK portals to launch promotional network

Several UK portals have formed a partnership to act as a distribution channel for large-scale voucher and discount campaigns.

The CouponNET service, created by online vouchering company Couponstar, will see it hosting ‘voucher galleries’ on third party sites and effectively creating a UK affiliate network focusing purely on freebies and discounts.

by Richard Maven 03 January 2007 12:09pm 0 comments

New Year: New Customer Management?

First, a Happy New Year to the E-consultancy community. I was delighted to be asked by E-consultancy to write a blog about customer management. I am a passionate believer in providing customers with a great experience and, like many people, the start of a New Year is a good time for looking forward. I want to use my first blog here to kick off a discussion, so here’s a starter for ten.

2006 was the year when Web 2.0 generated a following in the business community. I think 2007 will be the year when it really starts to change how those companies think about managing their customers.

by David Jackson 03 January 2007 09:48am 2 comments

Mobile users 'annoyed' by text ads

Mobile marketers have been warned they must ditch intrusive SMS ads in favour of text-message coupons, quiet banner ads and ad-supported widgets if their straight-to-phone messages are to succeed.

A report published by technology research firm Forrester after Christmas found that 79% of mobile users surveyed are "annoyed" by the prospect of receiving advertising on their handset.

by Robert Andrews 02 January 2007 17:36pm 0 comments

Q&A: Synature’s John Woods on attitudinal matching

John Woods is the CEO of Synature, a UK firm developing ‘attitudinal matching’ solutions for etailers and portals.

Like a cleverer version of Amazon-style book suggestions, its technology offers a social search tool for internet shoppers to find products that similarly-minded people recommend. Companies can also use it to segment their customer bases and target users with personalised content and advertising.

We spoke to John about a new partnership Synature has formed with MyTravel to provide holiday ideas to its customers, and to ask him a bit more about the technology.

by Richard Maven 02 January 2007 12:23pm 0 comments

Boo.com fails to relaunch (again)

Last year saw some glitz and glamour return to the industry (the E-consultancy boat trip , for example), but where was the much-anticipated re-launch of infamous etailer Boo.com ?

by Richard Maven 02 January 2007 12:19pm 1 comment

Behavioural targeting key to more brand advertising

The web’s success as a direct response medium has made its failure to attract brand advertising even more apparent. However, as the main hurdles are overcome all of that could change for Web 2.0 enabled sites in 2007.

by Paul Cook 02 January 2007 11:43am 0 comments