The Interactive Advertising Bureau introduced a set of guidelines, rather suggestions, aimed at bringing more standards to online video advertising. The laws are presented to cover the three basic forms of online video ad formats: linear, non-linear, and companion ads. The IAB’s new rules cover everything from how long pre-roll spots should be to specific [...]
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is closing its orginial Hypermart, the predecessor to its Supercenter concept, and replacing the historic store with what is being called its first “Hispanic community’ store. An estimated 14 percent of Wal-Mart shoppers in the U.S. are Latino. While Wal-Mart has been tailoring stores in recent years to meet this demand, the [...]
BusinessWeek is planning on launching the first of several free, online video courses. In the first series, Gene Marcial, of Inside Wall Street, gives nine lessons on investing in the stock market. Expect to see American Express, FedEx, and SAS among the advertisements. MediaWeek (May 5, 2008)
Barnes & Noble Inc. announced today that will begin selling magazine subscriptions, both in digital and print formats, via its website BN.com. BN.com has partnered with Zinio to fulfill digital magazines and M2 Media Group will fulfill paper-based subscriptions. In addition to the over 1,000 magazine titles available, more than 12,000 back issues of selected [...]
Baird Davis’ recent column takes a look at declining circulation levels and asks ‘Are circ levels too high?’ Folio (May 5, 2008)
Playboy Enterprises announced that its first quarter 2008 revenues were $78.5 million, a 8% decrease over the same period in 2007. Revenues in the publishing division, home to Playboy magazine, fell 14%, down to $23.3 million, for the same period. Folio (May 6, 2008)
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) ” U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2008″ report, released yesterday at the FMI Show in Las Vegas, showed that consumer economic concerns are compelling Americans to shop, cook, and dine differently. “When deciding where to shop, 37 percent of consumers cite “low prices” as the overriding factor — up from 31 [...]
After participating in a Florida environmental conference last year, Publix has made new efforts to focus on sustainability, including the development of a cross-functional team to focus sustainability. The company also plans to launch a website dedicated to its efforts later this year. Supermarket News (May 6, 2008)
TV Guide is expected to name editor Debra Birnbaum, formerly of Life & Style, as replacement for the outgoing editor-in-chief Ian Birch. Mediaweek (May 5, 2008)
Seventeen magazine has joined with Internet radio startup Jango to launch a series of co-branded music widgets on Seventeen.com. Users will be able to listen to their celebrities’ favorite music and in turn put the widgets on their own sites. The widgets go live on Seventeen.com on May 5, and will be featured [...]