UK set for "most comprehensive" online ad regulation in the world

Neil Davey — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:08:28 +0100

The UK is to introduce one of the world’s most ambitious attempts to police online marketing next year when the Advertising Standards Authority starts regulating messages on both corporate web and social media sites.

The new rules, which come into force on 1 March 2011, were devised in response to the more than 4,500 complaints that the ASA has received since 2008, but which it was unable to deal with as they fell outside of its remit.

Alterian plots Intrepid adventures in social marketing

Neil Davey — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:00:56 +0100

Alterian has further demonstrated its intent to expand its influence in the social media space by acquiring social media analytics consultancy Intrepid.

The deal, which takes the form of a cash and shares deal estimated to be worth £11.5 million, will expand Alterian's presence by providing customers with packaged software and services bundles based around the acquisition.

Will MySpace's rebuild push it into your social media plans?

Neil Davey — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:41:45 +0100

Social network MySpace has been undergoing a major overhaul ahead of its relaunch later this year. What has it changed and how will it impact users and brands?

Google buys social games firm SocialDeck

Neil Davey — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:08:17 +0100

Google has snapped up yet another ‘social’ start-up in its bid to create a social networking offering capable of rivalling Facebook.

The search giant has bought start-up SocialDeck for an undisclosed sum, which enables users to play social games simultaneously across various social networking sites using a range of mobile devices. It has already launched several titles for Apple’s iPhone, Research in Motion’s Blackberry and Facebook.

DOWNLOAD: Forrester whitepaper - evaluating CRM and improving customer loyalty

Neil Davey — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:07:06 +0100

PR firm rapped by FTC for fake iTunes reviews

Neil Davey — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:56:32 +0100

A PR agency hired by video game developers has agreed to settle over allegations by the US Federal Trade Commission that staff posing as consumers posted positive reviews on Apple’s iTunes store.

HP and Dell in extraordinary bidding war for data firm

Neil Davey — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:30:46 +0100

Long time computing rivals Dell and Hewlett Packard are locked in an increasingly aggressive bidding war for data storage solutions provider 3PAR.

Twitter: Ten tips for customer engagement

Neil Davey — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:35:20 +0100

An increasing number of businesses are now using social network Twitter to engage with customers. But exactly how? Follow this guide to tweeting success.

Facebook 'fans' of brands not more likely to make purchases

Neil Davey — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:55:19 +0100

Although two out of five Facebook users become brand ‘fans’ to either receive discounts and promotions or for ‘social badging’ purposes, only 17% are more likely to make a purchase after doing so.

Unhappy bank customers made to wait on the phone

Neil Davey — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:49:22 +0100

Two out of five UK consumers are unhappy with the customer service provided by their high street bank, with an average phone call taking 74 seconds to answer and only one financial services provider deigning to respond to tweets.