Articles of the Day
Earnings: CNET Users Up, Views Down, Webshots To Be Scaled Back - CNET Networks’ net losses grew from $1.3 million in Q106 to $9.1 million this time around, thanks in part to costs of $4.4 million paid to auditors, accountants and general counsel associated with investigating a stock options scandal. The company had restated financial statements between 1996 and 2005 after discovering irregularities in stock options practices. But quarter revenue grew 10 percent to $92.1 million. Without the investigation costs, operating income was $11.8 million - up 18 percent from Q106’s $10 million figure. Accounting for those costs, operating income was $7.3 million.
Earnings: TheStreet.com Revenue Booms On Advertising Growth - The online ad boom and syndication partnerships helped financial news site TheStreet.com report record revenue of $14.5 million for the first quarter ending March 31 - up 30 percent from the same quarter last year and marginally better than the $14.4 million expected. The company said advertising revenue was up 56 percent to $5.1 million, subscription revenue up 15 percent to $8.7 million and other revenue, comprised mainly from syndication revenue, was up by an eye-popping 152 percent.
Sony To Unveil Its Second Video Sharing Site Friday - Sony has created an ad-supported video-sharing site that will be launched in Japan on Friday called eyeVio, Reuters reported. If the site achieves a measure of popularity in Sony’s home country, the company will issue additional eyeVios globally. And to ensure its popularity with content providers, Sony promises to strictly police the site for copyright violations. The site will also allow users to have a degree of control over content they put on the site, as they will be able to select who can watch their videos and for how long.
Broadband Conquers the World - The number of adult Internet users who connect via wired broadband may be peaking, according to Ipsos Insight’s “The Face of the Web” study. More than three-quarters of the online population in 12 major countries used broadband at the end of 2006, while just one-fifth used dial-up. In 2003, Ipsos Insight reported that 45% of adult Internet users were on dial-up connections while 56% used broadband.
WPP May Buy 24/7 Real Media: What’s It Mean? - Analysts don’t quite know what to make of reports that WPP is pursuing online ad company 24/7 Real Media in the wake of Google’s agreement to buy online ad giant DoubleClick. Said JEGI’s David Clark: It would mean WPP breaking out of its agency role into an operator’s role representing clients’ campaigns. Estimated price: Easily upwards of $600 million.
Quantcast Offers Alternative To Panel Web Measurement - In the wake of the Interactive Advertising Bureau’s call for an audit of panel-based Web measurement firms, a San Francisco-based startup named Quantcast is raising its hand as the first open Internet ratings site claiming direct audience measurement and total transparency.
Mashups, Wikis Let Consumers Follow the Money - Mashups and wiki-based programs are making it easier for everyday consumers to keep an eye on the flow of special-interest money in Washington. Beware politicians; custom data mashups allow the layman to cross-reference public databases containing information about public spending and lobbying dollars to votes cast in Congress.
Google Shouldn’t Overlook Microsoft - Few would argue that Google is eating Microsoft’s lunch when it comes to Web advertising. The software giant has tried to build its way (piecemeal) into a position to compete with Google, but its efforts have failed to gain traction–or at least, so goes the consensus in tech circles. Nevertheless, a pair of Gartner analysts paint a picture of Microsoft as a sleeping giant, overlooked by an increasingly complacent Google. In other words, the tables have turned: Google isn’t going after Microsoft, as much as Microsoft is Google.
Joost Adds 30-Plus Advertisers To Beta Program - Online video startup Joost has added 31 big-brand advertisers to its roster, including P&G, Coca-Cola, Nike, GM and Visa. The fledgling company is offering a series of units–from 30-second mid-roll videos to digital overlays, display ads, even widgets (embedded programs)–to these marketers on a three-month contract.
Study Confirms Popularity Of Wikipedia - The collaborative encyclopedia Wikipedia has become one of the most popular sites on the Web, according to a report issued this week by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Eight percent of American Web users visited Wikipedia during a typical day this winter — a higher proportion than those who made an online purchase, visited a dating site or chat room during a typical day, according to Pew.
