Showing nothing but ads results in predictable failure March 5, 2008 by Dave HaynesThe New York Times is reporting through one of its blogs that an NBC-backed online and broadcast experiment called Firebrand is being shut down. The idea was to provide content that was nothing but well-done advertising, with the idea that it’s just as compelling as a lot of scripted stuff on TV and online. Well …
A rare peek at the books of a DS company March 4, 2008 by Dave HaynesOne of the great things about going public is getting a lot more cash in the door to execute on plans. One of the not-so-great things is that everyone gets to see how you’re doing. Such is the case with Wireless Ronin (disclosure: competitor to my masters), which since its IPO is required to release …
Screens.TV pushes out DSE roundup February 29, 2008 by Dave HaynesI would love to say I had the time on Day Two to look around, talk with other vendors and relay my impressions of what was up. But it was another blur of a day, and I was still talking to people as the trades guys were pulling the booth apart. One thing I did …
Scala picks up media management software company and re-brands as Scala Canada February 28, 2008 by Dave HaynesMarketing Information Services Canada (MISC) is a small but long-established software play that specializes in charting (scheduling) software for the outdoor advertising industry. Its acquisition, by Scala, was announced yesterday at Digital Signage Expo. The company, located in Toronto, will be re-branded as Scala Canada and will, presumably, put most of its focus going forward …
Akoo bridges digital and cell phone screens February 25, 2008 by Dave Haynes A little Chicago-area start-up is getting some big attention lately, particularly this past weekend with a credibility-boosting feature in the New York Times. The paper was interested in how Akoo has developed an interactive relationship between mobile phones and digital screens, something Boston-based LocaModa has been doing for the last couple of years, but in …
More evidence that the money is moving February 24, 2008 by Dave HaynesThere’s a modestly interesting piece in BrandWeek that digs up some of the most recent digital of home spending estimates and looks at some big brands planning to put dollars into the space. Nickelodeon joins marketers ranging from Miller Brewing to McDonald’s to the Mexico Tourism Board, brands which are targeting TVs, kiosks and digital …
U Choose Network unveils ad portal for venue operators February 19, 2008 by Dave Haynes (Disclaimer: these guys are loosely a competitor to my guys.) There’s word this morning of a new third-party ad network going after the same sort of space as guys like Danoo and Ripple, but taking a decidedly different approach. The U Choose Network is built around a Web portal that allows advertisers to post spots …
News from Screen Expo February 6, 2008 by Dave HaynesBarnaby Page of Screens.TV and Adrian Cotterill of Daily DOOH are both roaming the aisles and hitting the presentations at the big Screen Expo industry event this week in London, and both have reports on what’s shaking. Screens.TV Daily DOOH I think they are both hitting the DSE show later this month, which is good, …
Microsoft demos its ideas on next-gen advertising technologies February 6, 2008 by Dave Haynes People love to kick around Microsoft for often being a little behind the real curve, but Steve and the guys have market share, money and a lot of very bright people … so scoff at your peril. That said, the Microsoft demo fest the company did for its next-generation digital advertising technologies Tuesday in Redmond …
MediaLife dissects Ripple TV's efforts February 5, 2008 by Dave HaynesMediaLife does a regular in-depth look at various out of home advertising efforts, from coffee cup sleeve ads to ambitious ones like Ripple TV, which does hyper-local advertising screens and now, according to the piece, has screens installed in every US state. If you have been following these guys, there is not much new, But …
