Online music streaming service Spotify is to run a video ad for the new Sony Picture film The Taking of Pelham 123.The campaign, booked by OMD, marks the first time that the service has run a video ad.Showing via Flash, users will be able to pause, play and rewind the ad, which will be joined… Continue reading Spotify to show video advertising

Tory shadow broadcast minister Ed Vaizey has indicated that if the Conservatives win power they will sell off Radio One.In an interview with the Sunday Times, Vaizey said that Radio One’s licence should be put up for auction. “Radio One is not fulfilling its obligation to its audience,” he said.“Its median age is those in… Continue reading Tory minister talks Radio One sell-off

News International has confirmed that the Sunday Times is launching its own website, separate from Timesonline.co.uk.This follows comments from NI that it is pressing ahead with plans for paid content online (see “Too many agencies surviving on share deals to prop up business models”), although it is unknown whether this will feature on the Sunday… Continue reading Sunday Times to get standalone website

Lads’ mag Front and movie mag Hotdog have been sold by Sport Media Group, publisher of the Daily Sport, to a new startup for £87,500.Kane, controlled by 24 year old entrepreneur Dominic McVey and managing director of talent agency Money, Francis Ridley, acquired the mags after SMG decided to focus on its core businesses of… Continue reading Sport Media Group sells Front magazine

The National Readership Survey has unveiled new-look branding today – the culmination of a six-month review.The review was carried out by CEO Mike Ironside in association with partners including Yarrington and Ignition.“The logo is designed to reflect the importance of NRS survey data and its place in the media measurement space, while the blue and… Continue reading NRS unveils rebrand

A new 10 year partnership will see Microsoft’s Bing search engine power Yahoo! search while Yahoo! will provide the worldwide sales force for both companies’ premium search advertising.Under the terms of the deal, Microsoft will acquire an exclusive 10 year license to Yahoo!’s core search technologies, and have the ability to integrate Yahoo! search technologies… Continue reading Microsoft and Yahoo! confirm 10-year ad deal

Microsoft and Yahoo! have agreed a search and advertising deal that will be announced later today, according to reports.It is understood that the deal, which comes after Microsoft’s unsuccessful bid to buy Yahoo! last year (see Microsoft dismisses potential deal with Yahoo!), focuses on revenue sharing.US technology blog AllThingsD reported that for the first two… Continue reading Microsoft and Yahoo! could agree revenue sharing deal

Subscribers to Virgin Media’s XL pack will be able to receive the new ESPN sports channel for free from 3 August.The new channel, available in standard and High Definition, will feature live Barclays Premier League and Clydesdale Bank Premier League football and a range of other sports.As an introductory offer, Virgin is also making the… Continue reading Virgin Media XL subscribers to get free ESPN sports channel

Yahoo! Buzz, the online firm’s news recommendation site, hits the UK this week following its US launch two years ago.Like sites Digg and Reddit, Buzz lets users vote on and share online news stories from around the web.Its UK debut will come alongside a relaunch of Yahoo! Mail and follows last week’s redesign of the… Continue reading Yahoo! Buzz launches in the UK this week

Thinkbox, the marketing body for the main UK commercial broadcasters, is launching a series of free research events examining how TV advertising works for specific advertising categories.Each event will draw on the latest research by Thinkbox and the wider marketing industry into how TV advertising achieves success for specific markets.This includes insights drawn from Thinkbox’s… Continue reading Thinkbox launches free research events