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New Media News Every Morning

Travel Ad Network to rep Kayak.com eNewsletters

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kayakcom.jpgTravel Ad Network (TAN), a vertical ad network in travel, announced that it has become the exclusive sales representative for the ad inventory in Kayak.com’s weekly Trip Ideas newsletter. TAN will also rep inventory in Kayak’s daily Fare Alerts and Buzz Alerts. This is also the first time that advertisers will be able to reach the Kayak audience with graphical ads.

The Kayak newsletter is a weekly mix of unique travel destinations, one-of-a-kind themes, and pop-culture infused humor e-mailed every Wednesday. A Destination Spotlight in the emails will give tourism destinations a particularly prominent position to promote themselves to Kayak subscribers.
Consumers who have opted-in to receive Fare Alerts and Buzz Alerts specify where and when they want to travel, along with the price they want to pay. Kayak then searches millions of available flights and alerts the user when the fare meets or beats their desired price. Users can request alerts either daily or weekly.

Originally posted on July 18, 2007 @ 12:20 pm

MyMedicalRecords.com offers free advanced drug information and interaction tool

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mymedicalrecords.jpgMyMedicalRecords.com (MMR), provider of web-based Personal Health Records (PHRs), has integrated the Cerner Multum Drug Content Database, which gives subscribers the ability to access detailed information on over 20,000 prescription and over the counter drugs to learn more about medications they are taking and to check for interactions.

The database links to the prescription list in each user’s MMR account. Users can click on any entry to get comprehensive information on that drug, or obtain a complete list of interactions, including with food. The system automatically checks for interactions with all drugs MMR members have entered in their prescription list and reports on potential threats between multiple medications.

“This potentially life-saving tool separates MyMedicalRecords.com from any other on-line Personal Health Record,” said Robert H. “Bob” Lorsch, MyMedicalRecords.com CEO. “Not only can our subscribers manage their prescriptions safely on-line, they also benefit from a knowledge base that provides greater insight into any dangerous drug interactions or side effects. This is the latest in a series of enhancements that make MMR the most user friendly Personal Health Record on the market.”

Originally posted on July 19, 2007 @ 11:59 am

Searchles puts social spin on video search

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sarchles.jpgSearchles recently launched an independent, highly effective video search that indexes videos from multiple sources including YouTube, Google, MySpace, etc., while also taking advantage of the fully- integrated social search users have generated. Many video sites only offer users the capability to search within said site, while Searchles enables users to do only one search to access a pool of videos that spans all of your favorite video sites as well as Searchles TV Channels users have created. Furthermore, the social search features optimize the search experience with results that are weighted towards those trusted users in your circle of groups and friends on Searchles.

“While there are a few other venues out there powered by Google, YouTube, and Yahoo, which to enable users to search for videos, the reality is that they are all in the online video business. Even if they help you find videos from other sources, the search results may still be biased toward their own videos” said Chris Seline, CTO & Founder of Searchles. “Searchles offers an independent video search platform. While Searchles TV Channels may be included in video search results, the channel’s videos are still indexed from various outside sources.

Video search relevancy is enhanced by analyzing several user-generated features within Searchles: rating the videos, assigning relevant tag words, associating videos with common interest groups, and adding videos to Searchles TV Channels. The text/keywords from the source page are automatically indexed as well – adding another layer of results to video search. Use of these features continually strengthens the efficiency of video search results and also allows you to effectively manage/track the videos you have posted.

Originally posted on July 18, 2007 @ 1:00 pm

SaySwap, Cheat Code Central partner to launch social video gaming shopping platform

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cheatcc.jpgSaySwap, the first video game social network that allows users to trade for new games at a small fraction of the retail or used cost, has announced a major expansion of potential members with the launch of its white label partnership with Cheat Code Central, the largest video game cheat code site in the world with well over 5 million monthly unique visitors.

Cheat Code Central will leverage the SaySwap platform to facilitate video game trades for its members through a combination of trading tokens and purchase points (a virtual currency for each game).

SaySwap reduces costs of new games to the user, facilitating trades, through a combination of trading tokens and purchase points. Through the deal, SaySwap will provide a completely customized platform that enables CheatCC.com users to create their own profile pages with the ability to create game trading lists (including all PS3, Xbox 360 and Way titles). In addition, the SaySwap solution allows CheatCC.com members to bypass the negotiation phase, since all games have a predefined value.

Dave Allison, CEO of CheatCC.com said, “We are excited to allow our millions of users the ability get games like Guitar Hero 2 and Super Paper Mario for under $5 in our new social video game shopping platform.”

Originally posted on July 17, 2007 @ 9:25 am

RealNetworks and Mattel sign multi-year agreement for casual games development

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mattel_real.jpgRealNetworks, Inc. announced today an agreement with Mattel, Inc. to develop, publish and distribute Scrabble, UNO and several Mattel game titles for downloadable PC and online play throughout the world (excluding the U.S. and Canada for Scrabble).

Mattel selected Real for its strong casual games development team and distribution channel. Real has developed some of the industry’s most popular casual game titles, including award-winners like Super Collapse and South Park 10: The Game, and develops major brand titles on a global level via its design studios GameHouse and Zylom.

According to the Casual Games Association, more than 200 million people worldwide play casual games via the Internet – with the casual gaming industry expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2008. With this growing market and demand, there is great opportunity for both Real and Mattel to bring the fun and enjoyment of classic board games online.

The first game titles of this partnership are expected to come out in mid- 2008.

Originally posted on July 17, 2007 @ 9:37 am