UK operator ad sales venture begins trading
Ronan ShieldsWeve, the UK’s mobile operator joint venture, has already begun trading with agencies booking marketing campaigns for clients ahead of a more comprehensive roll out in 2013.
Facebook furthers real-money gambling play
Ronan ShieldsFacebook will offer real-money gambling services such as bingo, casino and slot games after striking an agreement with 888 Holdings.
Contactless payments suffer from lack of marketing
Ronan ShieldsA lack of marketing support from retailers is stifling uptake of contactless payments this Christmas, despite high consumer awareness, according to research.
App obsession asks the question: ‘Do many marketers get mobile?’
Ronan ShieldsIn yesterday’s ‘2012: The year in digital’ round up my colleague Lara O’Reilly quite rightly pointed out that mobile is no longer a siloed discipline within digital marketing mainly due to the ubiquity of smartphones.
Retailers ramp up radio advertising
Ronan ShieldsTesco has inked the “biggest ever” deal any brand has negotiated with Absolute Radio as retailers look to cross-platform radio advertising following the negative publicity around press advertising in the wake of the News of the World scandal.
Firebox uses mobile gaming to boost engagement
Ronan ShieldsOnline retailer Firebox is distributing gift coupons via an emerging mobile gaming platform Kiip in its first serious foray into mobile display marketing as it looks to bolster sales in the run-up to Christmas.
American Apparel slammed for ‘overtly sexual imagery’
Ronan ShieldsAmerican Apparel has incurred the wrath of the advertising watchdog again after separate ads were banned for featuring “overtly sexual” images of models that appeared to be under 16 and using “unnecessarily sexual and inappropriate” imagery.
KISS launches Remixer app
Ronan ShieldsBauer’s KISS eyes new track distribution platform through tie-up with Soniqplay.
YouTube reveals 2012’s most popular ads
Ronan ShieldsYouTube has advised brands to insert humour and interactivity into their online video campaigns in order to maximise viewing figures as it releases a list of its most popular UK video ads in 2012.
Mobile operators’ JV hits the ground running but momentum must follow
Ronan ShieldsAn uncharacteristically swift debut from the UK’s operators must receive decisive follow through to survive the cut and thrust of the marketing arena.
Lovestruck readies TV debut
Ronan ShieldsLovestruck is poised to launch its first TV advertising slots this Boxing Day as part of a major push to grab market share ahead of the New Year and the peak online dating season.
Consumers prefer search over branded apps for product research
Ronan ShieldsConsumers prefer using search engine apps over branded ones for discovering new information on products and services via mobile, according to research.
Yahoo! unveils email overhaul
Ronan ShieldsYahoo! has unveiled an overhaul to its suite of email services in the first major product launch since ex-Googler Marissa Mayer joined as CEO in July.
Google evolves ‘Get Mobile’ message
Ronan ShieldsGoogle has switched gears in its efforts to encourage mobile strategy development among brands to incorporate “multi-screening” after its GetMo scheme, a.k.a. Get Mobile, generated awareness but little by way of direct sales.
Ofcom confirms 4G auction bidders
Ronan ShieldsOfcom has announced the participants in the UK’s largest-ever telecoms spectrum auction which is predicted to kick off the widespread take-up of super fast 4G mobile internet services.