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AOL realigns business, unveils Platform A

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aol1.jpgAOL today announced a series of changes it is making to position the company as the world’s largest and most effective advertising network, building on its industry-leading Advertising.com network and the recent acquisitions of TACODA, Third Screen Media, Lightningcast and ADTECH. The realignment marks the final stage in AOL’s transition from an access business to a global, ad-supported web company.

The new entity, called Platform A, will offer advertisers access to the most sophisticated targeting and measurement tools available in the marketplace across Platform A’s unmatched network of third-party sites, as well as AOL’s owned and operated sites. Platform A already reaches more than 90% of the domestic online audience, according to comScore Media Metrix. Platform A builds on the success of Advertising.com, which operates the largest third-party display network, and integrates behavioral targeting leader TACODA, Third Screen Media, which operates the largest mobile media network, market leading video ad serving platform Lightningcast, and ADTECH’s global ad serving platform.

AOL also announced that it will move its corporate headquarters to New York City, locating it in the center of the media advertising marketplace.

Originally posted on September 17, 2007 @ 2:04 pm

HandHeld Entertainment launches ZVUE Networks

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zvue.jpgHandHeld Entertainment, Inc., a global digital entertainment company, announced the launch of ZVUE Networks, a premium online video advertising network created to monetize its growing library of professional and user-generated video content.

For advertisers, ZVUE Networks will provide extensive reach to online video through pre- and post-roll video advertisements, in-stream flash overlay advertisements, and banner and other alternative rich media advertisements. ZVUE Networks also will provide advertisers with access to specific psychographics and includes vertical categories such as music, entertainment, and video games.

With the closing of the proposed acquisition of eBaum’s World, Inc., ZVUE Networks will become the sixth largest online video provider in the world and is expected to deliver more than 24 million daily unique visitors per month and serve nearly 3.5 billion page views and video streams annually by the end of 2007. The acquisition will further establish ZVUE Networks as one of the premier online video networks for advertisers wishing to reach the 18- to 34-year-old male demographic, typically one of the most sought after target audiences for advertisers.

Originally posted on September 13, 2007 @ 12:14 pm

Yahoo! announces agreement to acquire BlueLithium

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bluelithium.jpgYahoo! Inc. today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire BlueLithium, one of the largest and fastest growing online global ad networks that offers an array of direct response products and capabilities for advertisers and publishers. Under the terms of the agreement, Yahoo! will acquire BlueLithium for approximately $300 million in cash.

“BlueLithium’s products, technology and team will be an integral part of our drive to build the industry’s leading advertising and publishing network,” said Jerry Yang, chief executive officer, Yahoo! Inc. “This acquisition will extend our ability to deliver powerful data analytics, advanced targeting and innovative media buying strategies to our customers, who are increasingly looking for these insights. By leveraging BlueLithium’s complementary expertise and tools, we will be able to better address the needs of our performance-based display advertisers and enhance the value of our publishers’ inventory.”

The addition of BlueLithium is the logical next step in creating the largest and most effective online ad network globally, which includes inventory on Yahoo!’s owned and operated properties, the Yahoo! Publisher Network, and the Right Media Exchange.

Originally posted on September 4, 2007 @ 9:51 pm

Gay Ad Network launches

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gay.jpgGay Ad Network, an online vertical advertising network, launched with support from an influential group of gay and lesbian publishers. Local gay newspapers, national gay magazines, gay content web sites and popular gay social networking services have aligned to create a new online media platform for national advertisers. With more than two dozen independent publisher partners representing over 200 web sites, Gay Ad Network offers advertisers mass reach into the gay market.

“Independent web publishers have been successful in creating great quality content and attracting loyal and passionate audiences, but they have been less effective in attracting national advertisers due to their limited individual size,” said Elderkin. “By developing content-rich marketing programs that span our aggregated audience, we can provide unique marketing vehicles for our advertising partners.”

Gay Ad Network selected Adify’s Build Your Own Network (BYON) platform as the technical foundation for its offering. Adify enables Gay Ad Network to forge relationships between its advertising and publisher partners by delivering the backend infrastructure to build and manage vertical advertising solutions capable of delivering content sponsorships, image and rich media ad delivery. Adify provides the key network management services required to execute successful advertising campaigns, including ad management, tracking, reporting, billing, payment and technical support functions.

Gay Ad Network was founded by Mark Elderkin, a 13-year industry veteran and pioneer in developing gay online advertising and subscription-based businesses. As president of PlanetOut, Inc., Mark was responsible for global advertising sales, online editorial and business partnerships. Prior to his role with PlanetOut, he was CEO and founder of Gay.com, which he built into the largest gay online community.

Originally posted on August 16, 2007 @ 2:59 pm

Facebook developers monetize applications with VideoEgg Ad Network

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eggnetwork.jpgVideoEgg today announced the release of the Eggnetwork Advertising Platform (EAP) for anyone developing applications for Facebook. The platform allows developers to earn money with the applications they develop for the popular social networking site by leveraging the Eggnetwork’s international sales team and innovative approach to online advertisinng.

Application developers such as Rock You, J. Squared Media, Graffitii, Renkoo and Flixster are among the first companies to incorporate EAP into their Facebook applications.

“The Eggnetwork ad units work very well with the Facebook platform,” said Jia Shen, CTO and co-founder of Rock You, Inc., a leading developer and publisher of Facebook applications and widgets on the web. “RockYou is excited to partner with VideoEgg and share monetization strategies that tap millions of users who access our applications across Facebook.”

Originally posted on August 13, 2007 @ 12:10 pm