For the movie rental industry, the news of closure at Blockbusters' 609
stores this month marks the end of an era. In the same week Amazon took
on Netflix with streaming service for Prime customers, and online music
streaming giant Spotify landed a $1bn valuation (thanks to the Russian
Facebook backers). Channels are changing and most brands are well behind
getting their own channel mix lined up with what consumers are asking
for.
No surprise then that Google is taking on Apple with the 'One Pass'
system - a one-stop destination where users can pay for publications
online. Listen out for this becoming fused with YouTube to enable the
migration of pay-TV; a step that will destabilise part of the value
chain and economics in the pay-TV markets. And with new research showing
almost three-quarters of European web users download or watch online
video there will be no shortage of viewers.
Whatever your digital content strategy, the shift to video needs
attention. So if you missed our online video special report, then
here's
the link.
Best from all @ Digital
Danny Meadows-Klue
Founder and Chief Executive
Digital Strategy Consulting |
Social networking
www.digitaltrainingacademy.com/socialmedia |
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YouTube to stream live NBA and NHL games?
YouTube is in talks with the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League to show live games, according to a news report. Bloomberg reports that the Google-owned video sharing site is hoping to build on the popularity of cricket's Indian Premier League last year, to become the number one destination for live sport on the web.
Keep reading...
25/02/2011
Facebook to sue The Daily Mail over headline controversy
Facebook has said it is prepared to sue the Daily Mail for the way it titled a recent story about a gang of paedophiles in the UK. The paper has retracted the headline but has failed to apologise. On Friday, the paper ran a front-page story with the headline: "How many more victims of Facebook sex gang?"
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25/02/2011
London graduate sells social media app 'for $15m'
A London Met graduate who started his Twitter business two years ago whilst studying for his MBA has now sold it for an estimated $10-15 million. Plixi is the brainchild of former London Met Business School (LMBS) student Sean Callahan. Sean envisioned a way users of Twitter, Facebook and other social media could share images online from their mobile devices. He turned his original concept into a successful business which has now been sold to social commerce network Lockerz.
Keep reading...
23/02/2011
Facebook updates search tools
Facebook is improving the search tools on its social network to help users more easily locate the results they are seeking. The new search design eliminates the tabs format, and lets users interact via the Facebook Page directly.
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22/02/2011
Google includes personalised social links in users' search results
Google has updated its search results, including more information related to a users' social connections, including Twitter and Facebook, in its search results. The new changes will apply to anyone who searches when logged into their Google account, and will begin to roll out across all English language Google sites this week.
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18/02/2011
Corporate policies 'hindering social media recruitment success'
Corporate policies and lack of understanding are stifling recruiters' use of social media such as Facebook and LinkedIn to acquire new talent, despite the fact that two thirds of employers say they want to hire more people in the coming year, according to a new survey.
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18/02/2011
Facebook stress linked to 'too many friends'
The more Facebook 'friends' you have, the more likely you are to feel stressed out by the social networking site, according to a new study by Scottish researchers. Psychologists from Edinburgh Napier University quizzed around 200 students on their use of the phenomenally successful site, which now has more than 500 million users worldwide. And they concluded that for a significant number of users the negative effects of Facebook outweighed the benefits of staying in touch with friends and family.
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17/02/2011
UK social media app TweetDeck 'sold for $30m'
TweetDeck is to be bought for $30m (£19m) by Silicon Valley firm UberMedia, according to a news report. The Financial Times said the takeover will be finalised next month. UberMedia, which has already bought other Twitter tools and services, such as UberTwitter and EchoFon.
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15/02/2011
Sony tests Foursquare scheme across Europe
Sony has teamed up with location based service to provide customers exclusive offers based on their mobile locations. Foursquare users can now 'check-in' to selected locations across Europe to receive special promotions on Sony 3D products in store. The FourSquare partnership will invite users to visit and 'check-in' to stores where Sony's 3D BRAVIA TVs, Blu-ray players and PlayStation 3 can be experienced and demonstrated by Sony promoters.
Keep reading...
14/02/2011
Facebook brand 'Pages' get profile-style revamp
Facebook Pages are getting an upgrade that will make them look and work more like user profiles. These new features will "help you manage communication, express yourself, and increase engagement," Facebook said in a blog post.
Keep reading...
14/02/2011 |
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Trends
www.DigitalStrategyConsulting.com/intelligence |
European digital review Brits spent most time online in 2010
Web users in The Netherlands and UK spent the most time online in 2010, according to a new study looking at digital media use in Europe last year. The comScore 2010 Europe Digital Year in Review provides an overview of key trends in the European digital media landscape, including market-level data on user demographics, social networking, online video, mobile, and search.
Keep reading...
25/02/2011
One third of US 'does not have broadband'
Large portions of the western and southern US population have no access to wired or fixed broadband, according to new data. The findings, from a new national broadband map released by two US agencies, shows that between 5 percent and 10 percent of the US population lacks access to broadband that supports basic applications, including downloading Web pages, photos and video.
Keep reading...
22/02/2011
UK cyber crime 'costs £27bn a year'
Cyber crime costs the UK economy £27bn a year, the government has said. Businesses are the hardest hit losing £21 billion to hackers, while UK citizens lost out to the tune of £3.1 billion and the government was £2.2 billion out of pocket.
Keep reading...
21/02/2011
Top 50 brands in terms of social media success
eBay, Apple, Google, Blackberry and Amazon are the top performing brands in terms of social media buzz, according to a new study. The world's most social brands have been revealed in a new 'Social Brands Index' that charts the performance of the top 50 brands on social media.
Keep reading...
18/02/2011
Most Europeans watch video news on web
Almost three-quarters of European web users download or watch online video, and of those video news users, more than two-thirds watch or download video news at least once a week, according to a new study. The Online Publishers Association Europe has announced the results of research done in partnership with Ipsos MediaCT.
Keep reading...
15/02/2011 |
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Mobile
www.DigitalTrainingAcademy.com/mobilemarketing |
Mobile music sales to reach $5.5bn by 2015
Music consumed on mobile handsets will generate $5.5 billion annually in 2015, a rise of $3.1 billion from 2010, but piracy will still hamper its growth, according to a new report. The report finds that mobile music is becoming an increasingly important part of the digital music sector, which is propping up a failing industry hit by over a decade of widespread online piracy.
Keep reading...
23/02/2011
Orange and T-Mobile launch 'Big Switch On' campaign for Everything Everywhere
Everything Everywhere, the communications brand formed out of the merger between T-Mobile and Orange, has launched a multi-million pound advertising campaign that will appear on TV, outdoor, in print and online. The campaign, led by Saatchi & Saatchi working in partnership with Fallon, is based on the company's two famous brands appearing 'head to head' and in conversation.
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17/02/2011
First look: Nokia reveals Windows 7 phone designs
Nokia has unveiled the first concept designs of its Windows 7 Mobile phones, following its tie-up with Microsoft. The mobile giant used the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona to showcase two Windows Phone 7 concept devices that look slim and sleek, but the company did not say when they would be available. The concept unveiling comes days after Nokia's announcement Friday that it will partner with Microsoft to create new top-range devices.
Keep reading...
16/02/2011
Microsoft revamps Windows Phone 7 ahead of Nokia partnership
This week, in Steve Ballmer's keynote address at Mobile World Congress 2011, Microsoft announced a variety of new features coming to its Windows Phone 7 smartphone operating system.
Keep reading...
16/02/2011 |
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Accelerating Digital Brands: Could we help your team achieve more?
www.DigitalTrainingAcademy.com/skillsassessment |
It's never mattered more. The web, search,
email and social media have become the critical tools every firm has
to get right. Yet most digital strategies deliver less than half their
potential. Why?
We've spent ten years helping agencies, brands, business services and
governments find the right digital strategy for them. From building
new online entertainment sites to finding new ways to connect with
customers, we're front-line practitioners who share our knowledge and
skills with others.
Not only do we help companies get this right we also coach their teams
to build their knowledge and intuition. Email the trainers at
Admissions@DigitalTrainingAcademy.com. |
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Ecommerce
www.DigitalStrategyConsulting.com/intelligence |
January sales - how was it for you? Top e-tailers give their views
UK online retailers enjoyed a bumper month in January, with many pure player' enjoying most of the spoils. In this article, a number of top industry figures give their views on how the UK online retail sector is doing.
Keep reading...
24/02/2011
Brits spend £5.1bn on online travel sites in January
The latest figures from the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index reveal that shoppers in the UK spent a total of £5.1 billion online during January, equivalent to £83 per person; an impressive 21% more than the same time last year. With limited disposable income available, it appears that rather than blitzing the high street January sales, shoppers opted instead for seasonal discounts on furniture and early bookings of annual holidays.
Keep reading...
23/02/2011
Top 50 online retailers: Thomas Cook and First Choice lead travel boom
The UK online travel sector has enjoyed a strong few months, with Thomas Cook and First Choice leading the way, according to the latest 'Hot Shops' list from the IMRG and Hitwise. Travel had a very strong quarter with the five fastest moving brands all coming from the travel sector.
Keep reading...
17/02/2011 |
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Companies making the news
www.DigitalStrategyConsulting.com/intelligence |
Online vs. store rentals: Blockbuster goes up for sale, closes 609 US stores
Blockbuster has signed a $290m deal to be brought out of bankruptcy by a group of investors, as the movie rental store struggles to compete with online rivals such as Netflix and LoveFilm. The offer from Cobalt Video Holdco LLC is a so-called "stalking horse" bid, which Blockbuster hopes will attract other bidders who will offer more.
Keep reading...
24/02/2011
Amazon takes on Netflix with streaming service for Prime customers
Amazon has launched its streaming video service for paying Amazon Prime customers in the US. The 'Amazon Prime Instant Video' service has a catalogue of more than 5,000 commercial-free streaming movies and TV shows. The service is a free add-on for subscribers to Amazon's £49-per-year Amazon Prime membership, which grants free two-day shipping, no minimum order size requirement and a price reduction on one-day shipping.
Keep reading...
24/02/2011
Spotify valued at $1bn after investment from Russian Facebook backer
Spotify has raised $100m (£61.7m) in a new investment round that values the music streaming service at $1bn. Yuri Milner, the Russian technology investor who has already bought stakes in Facebook, Groupon and Zynga, is reportedly leading the $100m financing via his Digital Sky Technologies (DST) investment fund.
Keep reading...
22/02/2011
Google takes on Apple with 'One Pass' system for paid content online
Google has launched One Pass, a one-stop destination where users can pay for publications online, taking a 10% commission fee from all transactions. One Pass will work on tablets and smartphones, as well as Google-related websites. The service will launch initially in the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Keep reading...
18/02/2011
Morrisons buys baby goods website Kiddicare
Morrisons has bought baby goods website Kiddicare for £70m, marking the supermarket chain's first move in building an online non-food business. Morrisons said it would use Kiddicare's technology platform to develop its own non-food business, with the first products due in 2012.
Keep reading...
16/02/2011
App store GetJar gets 25m funding boost
Open app store GetJar has raised $25 million in Series C funding from Tiger Global Management. Accel Partners, which provided its series A and B rounds, will also participate in the series C funding. The company said the extra money will be applied to continued innovations in its market approach and to support its growth by expanding sales, marketing and engineering initiatives.
Keep reading...
16/02/2011
First press release search engine goes live
PRFilter, the first press release search engine, has been launched this week, designed to let web users find recent and relevant press releases. The service indexes thousands of releases each day and is designed to save journalists and bloggers time and get PR stories in front of the most relevant media.
Keep reading...
16/02/2011
JPMorgan to invest $500m in online media firms
JPMorgan is planning on starting a fund of between $500 million and $750 million to invest in internet and digital media companies, according to a news report. The Wall Street Journal reports that marketing materials were sent to prospective investors about two weeks ago.
Keep reading...
15/02/2011
Search wars Bing and Yahoo gain ground on Google in US
Google continued to dominate market share for Internet searches in January, although its lead narrowed while Yahoo and Microsoft saw their share inch up, according to new data. Monthly figures from comScore show that Google's search market share was 65.6%, down one percentage point, while Yahoo's share grew 0.1 percentage point to 16.1%. Microsoft's sites, including its Bing engine, again came in third with a 13.1% share, or up 1.1 percentage points from December's level.
Keep reading...
15/02/2011
Starbucks CEO Schultz joins Groupon board
Online coupon firm company Groupon has elected Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks Coffee, to its board amid media reports that it is preparing for an initial public offering in the spring. Groupon says a venture capital firm founded by Schultz has invested in the company alongside the appointment.
Keep reading...
14/02/2011
Ebay predicts PayPal will account for half its revenue by 2013
Ebay shares hit their highest point in more than three years last week after the online marketplace operator said it will double revenue from its PayPal online payment service by 2013. EBay is forecasting total revenue between $13 billion and $15 billion in 2013, which would mark an increase of 41 to 63 percent from the $9.2 billion in revenue it reported in 2010.
Keep reading...
14/02/2011
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