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New Media News Every Morning

Google Maps allows online users to edit locations

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new media newsTo make its online mapping service more accurate, Google Maps has added a new feature allowing all online users to move the map markers on any location whether it’s a business or a residential listing.

“Sometimes a location can be a little off on a map and your friends can’t find you. Now you can fix that,” Google explained in a video posted on YouTube by software engineer Seth LaForge.

To prevent some nuisance users from monkeying with map markers, Google restricts changes in some locations like hospitals, schools, police stations, and other businesses already included in the Google’s Local Business Center.

Moreover, a “Show original” link is added whenever an address is moved so others can see the original marker. Google will also double check if the marker moves more than 200 meters away from the original location.

This feature is currently available in the U.S., New Zealand, and Australia. A Google account is needed to edit map markers.

As supplement to the Google Lat Long Blog post about this new feature, Search Engine Roundtable offers step-by-step instructions for better understanding.

Originally posted on November 23, 2007 @ 10:29 am

Expedia, IHG sign new long-term agreement

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expedia.pngIHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) and Expedia have entered into a multi-year agreement under which consumers can now book IHG hotels on Expedia sites globally. The agreement will result in the addition of more than 3,700 hotels across all IHG brands, including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites, to the hotel selection on Expedia and hotels.com branded points of sale globally, as well as Hotwire and Expedia Corporate Travel.

IHG is also participating as the launch partner for Expedia’s new media-based pricing model. The dynamic, two-part economic model will blend transaction pricing with media pricing based on clicks on specific IHG properties in Expedia.com and hotels.com search results. Expedia and IHG collaboratively developed this innovative approach to distribution marketing where IHG will receive significant benefits from value-added media placement throughout the Expedia network in addition to the bookings they receive from Expedia.

Originally posted on November 15, 2007 @ 8:44 am

Expedia.com is now the official travel sponsor of the NFL.

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World’s leading online travel service Expedia.com and the National Football League has announced a multi-year sponsorship agreement making Expedia.com the Official Travel Sponsor of the NFL. All NFL-oriented deals and information can be found at http://www.expedia.com/nfl.

Expedia.com is now the ultimate travel planning and booking resource for 170 million NFL fans following their favorite team during football season.

In addition to travel deals and NFL-focused destination information, Expedia.com customers will have the opportunity to purchase vacation packages including tickets to league events such as the 2008 NFL Pro Bowl.

new media news

The online travel service company kicks off “NFL Mondays,” rewarding travelers with up to $100 redeemable for merchandise on NFLShop.com when they book a hotel or vacation package in any NFL city every Monday through Dec. 3, 2007.

It will also launch an NFL-themed sweepstakes in December that will give one fan the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime, grand prize travel package to Super Bowl XLII in Arizona and the 2008 NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Twenty other lucky winners will receive a trip to either the Super Bowl or the Pro Bowl and 11 additional daily winners will receive a gift certificate for merchandise on NFLShop.com.

Originally posted on November 13, 2007 @ 2:57 am

Priceline removes booking fees permanently

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new media newsPriceline.com, a leading U.S. online travel service for value-conscious leisure travelers, has announced that it will permanently eliminate airline ticket booking fees on all published domestic and international fares.

This means that, in most cases, priceline.com customers will pay less for their tickets than they would at other major full-service online travel reservation services, including Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz.

“Today’s announcement reinforces priceline.com’s brand position as the online travel service with the best deals,” said priceline.com President and Chief Executive Officer Jeffery H. Boyd. “We already offer consumers an easy, one-stop way to do comparative ticket searches for most popular airlines, flights and prices. With our new no-booking-fee policy, priceline.com customers can get the best possible price on their tickets no matter which flight they choose.”

The booking fee elimination applies to all priceline.com tickets purchased on a published-price basis and does not apply to priceline.com’s Name Your Own Price airline ticketing service, which already delivers some of the deepest discounts among the so-called opaque ticketing services.

Originally posted on November 6, 2007 @ 4:27 am

Disney Cruise Line adds podcasts

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new media newsIn a cruise industry first, Disney Cruise Line is reaching out to perspective guests through podcasts that offer a new way to get customized information about family-friendly Disney cruise vacations.

Hosted by family travel expert Emily Kaufman, the podcast episodes showcase the unique experiences Disney offers on a cruise vacation, providing guests in-depth, portable information on specific areas of Disney Cruise Line. In each episode, Kaufman, also known as The Travel Mom, offers tips for parents looking to take a cruise vacation.

“The podcasts immerse guests in the Disney Cruise Line experience, bringing to life the way we cater to the specific needs of kids, adults, and the entire family,” said Joe Rand, Director of Marketing for Disney Cruise Line. “Each episode is three to five minutes long, making it easy for on-the- go parents to learn more about specific areas of the Disney cruise vacation experience.”

Originally posted on November 7, 2007 @ 4:43 am