Beth Cox

Dutch publishing giant VNU NV, through its U.S. subsidiary VNU USA Inc., said Monday it will acquire television ratings firm Nielsen Media Research Inc. in a deal valued at $2.7 billion. A Nielsen exec was later quoted as saying that the companies may plan an IPO for the Nielsen//NetRatings Web measurement service venture with NetRatings […]

WPP Group plc said it has agreed to acquire IntelliQuest Information Group Inc. on behalf of its Millward Brown subsidiary. IntelliQuest provides information services for technology companies. Advertising research firm Millward Brown is a member of The Kantar Group, WPP’s information and consulting division. Financial terms were not disclosed. IntelliQuest clients include Internet companies, consulting […]

Digital marketing agency SF Interactive launched a new Web site for Mistic beverages, designed to promote Mistic’s line of juices and iced teas. The Mistic Web site invites users to think of “optimisticisms,” which refer to whimsical phrases that appear under-the-cap of Mistic beverages. While online, consumers can develop personal “optimisticisms” and submit them to […]

Interactive marketing management solutions company NetGravity said that ICONOCAST signed up to use its NetGravity AdCenter for Publishers to manage advertising inventory, target ads and measure ad performance. ICONOCAST is a source of interactive marketing news and analysis. “NetGravity’s AdCenter for Publishers is a reliable and effective service for ICONOCAST,” said Michael Tchong, founder and […]

The most clicked-on ad banner for the week ending Aug. 8 was Betty Crocker’s Pop Secret ad with a 10.2 percent CTR, according to measurement firm Nielsen//NetRatings. It marks one of the few times a traditional consumer company has captured the highest click rate, the firm said. Other consumer companies that have scored the No. […]

Grey Advertising Inc. reported a net loss of $6.63 million for the second quarter of 1999 and a loss of $6.52 million for the six months ended June 30. That compares to net income of $8.31 million and $13.35 million respectively, for the same periods in 1998. Gross billings were $1.74 billion for the second […]

SINA.com, an Internet portal for Chinese consumers around the world, has engaged Admerasia to create a million-dollar branding campaign to build awareness of the cyber-community among the North American advertising community. The multimedia effort is aimed at establishing SINA as the best advertising vehicle and retail channel to target Chinese consumers worldwide. “SINA.com delivers to […]

24/7 Europe launched its Finnish operation — 24/7 Suomi, calling it “Finland’s only online ad sales house which is a fully integrated, wholly owned part of an international network.” 24/7 Suomi will provide online advertising, sponsorship, e-commerce and direct marketing opportunities. Pertti Hakala, from Finnish agency Datum OMD and former area sales manager for online […]

Outsourced ad management and delivery company AdForce Inc. named Tim DePriest as director of worldwide strategic marketing. He will work VP of Worldwide Marketing Dee Cravens to further define the company’s global marketing strategy and development and will manage the strategic corporate development of AdForce and explore new opportunities including partnerships, alliances, and acquisitions. He […]

eBags, an online retailer of bags, luggage and accessories, is giving away a million ClickMiles, redeemable for frequent flyer miles, in a “Win a Million Miles” sweepstakes. Geared toward demonstrating its customer appreciation and extending its online reach, eBags said it plans to host the sweepstakes once per quarter for as long as consumers find […]

A report to be issued next week says that online advertising is expected to reach $33 billion by 2004, one-third of which will be spent outside of the United States. Despite cries that online ads don’t work, spending for Internet advertising will continue to grow at a furious pace, according to Forrester Research, author of […]

Modem Media.Poppe Tyson won an $11 million-plus account with General Electric, covering a range of Internet services. The deal builds upon earlier agreements under which Modem Media has provided support for General Electric’s Internet planning, building, and marketing initiatives. Modem Media will provide Internet and intranet planning and development services to GE Corporate and its […]