Tag: Advertising

Microsoft still umming and arring over Yahoo bid, decision expected today

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A takeover of Yahoo would be the biggest acquisition in Microsoft’s history and it isn’t about to rush in willy-nilly. Of course, the Redmond giant happily gobbles up smaller companies without batting an eye-lid – the monster corporation probably already ate three before its power-brunch this morning.

However, Yahoo’s refusal of its $41.8bn (£21bn) bid and the passing of the April 26th deadline means that Microsoft has to give up and walk away, increase its offer or start getting hostile…

(Display Name not set) Internet

Spike TV fit NY bus stops with Star Wars lightsabers, just in case

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SpikeTV are advertising the fact they’re about to show the full Star Wars saga on TV (that’s honestly all they’re celebrating, why don’t ITV do this?) with a neat bit of marketing. Bus stop windows in New York are being converted into ‘use in case of emergency’ boxes, complete with lightsabers. Or at least fluorescent lights signifying lightsabers. Either way, being as it’s Star Wars, it won’t be long before we’re hearing reports of fanatics smashing these things open and taking home whatever’s inside.

Richard Gilzene Transport, Weirdness

Social networks need to be more useful, so stop poking me and get a job!

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After last week’s cry from those with the cash that there are too many social networks, more voices are calling for social networks to become more useful.

That follows comments from Google’s co-founder, Sergey Brin, saying that they hadn’t yet found the best way to advertise and monetise social networks, and statistics which suggest that the popularity of social networks are declining a little…

Andy Merrett Web 2.0

PADDED LAMPPOST UPDATE: It was just a shameless PR stunt cooked up by the "hilarious" 118 118 crew

We knew it. We just KNEW IT. Something seemed wrong. Something about this update regarding padded lampposts for the protection of distracted texters seemed too strange. It seemed a little bit too much like the sort of thing the ad agency employed by 118 118 would come up with.

And it was. Bollocks. There’s nothing more sickening than the realisation that you’ve just fallen for a bloody bit of PR. Worst feeling in the world. I haven’t been this upset since Flopsy got run over in 1983.

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The 118 118-branded post pads were…

Gary Cutlack Mobile phones, Weirdness

All-knowing ISPs may start advertising to you based on how you surf

web_image.gifIt would be naïve to think that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) doesn’t hold an incredible amount of information about you. Unless you’re incredibly stealthy / geeky, they have access to every web site you view, every email message you send, every instant messaging conversation you hold… well I could go on, but you get the idea.

Now, a formula: ISP with a lot of personal information about you + ISP wanting to make more money = showing you targeted advertising while you use the Internet.

In reality, some ISPs have probably already been sharing bits of your data with other companies, but now a company called Phorm wants to insert relevant ads as you surf.

Andy Merrett Internet

Opinion: Bluetooth is not the colour when it comes to football technology

Jon_smal.gifWe’ve all experienced it, walking or driving past a mysterious embedded Bluetooth advert somewhere that tries to download itself to your phone automatically because the BT is switched on, ready to receive on your handset.

Of course, you’ve got the option to decline it and unless you are very stupid, you will do so because that download could be anything, from a mobile-type virus to porn.

But now a firm called Bluepod Media is hoping to deluge us with adverts each time we step inside the football stadium of our favourite team…

Jonathan Weinberg Columns & Opinion, Mobile phones