Christopher Saunders

With the debate raging over privacy issues, the exponential growth of so-called “Web bugs” used to track consumer behavior could wind up biting marketers and technology vendors, according to findings from research firm Cyveillance. In a new report from the Arlington, Va.-based firm, eight of the Web’s top 50 brands used Web bugs on their […]

Music download site MP3.com on Wednesday unveiled its plans to offer paid access to a version of its site that lacks ads. Through the new Ad-Free service, the San Diego, Calif.-based firm is offering to let users browse the site free of takeover ads, banners and buttons. But the service comes at a price — […]

In an effort to fix some of the issues plaguing online affiliate marketing, Be Free is preparing to launch a program that would reward “affiliate-friendly” merchants in its programs — while making it harder for less desirable merchants to participate. The Marlborough, Mass.-based firm provides the infrastructure for merchants to place pay-for-performance ads on publishers’ […]

As part of its continuing effort to stem losses and narrow its focus, Online ad network 24/7 Media said it would no longer keep funding its European division, 24/7 Media Europe. “24/7 Media continues to aggressively act upon its strategies to reduce operating costs and to focus on its core businesses in North America,” said […]

Online auction giant eBay will to continue to promote itself via AOL Time Warner, upping its marketing reach with increased exposure on the New York media giant’s offline and online outlets. The two have had a marketing agreement since 1997. But under the new alliance, San Jose, Calif.-based eBay will receive increased promotion across America […]

Two Alley firms posted results that emphasized the slacking spending in marketing and IT spending, with Razorfish and 24/7 Media both seeing hefty losses. Tuesday, i-shop Razorfish posted a pro forma loss of $3.7 million, or $0.04 per share, on $28.7 million in revenue. Wall Street had expected a $0.05 loss per share, according to […]

While European audiences are increasing the amount of time they spend on the Web, traditional advertisers are still reluctant to spend money online, according to a new study from Jupiter Media Metrix’s European unit. According to the study, which surveyed 113 European advertisers last month, 40 percent of the companies polled said they do not […]

Web publisher MarketWatch.com said it plans to streams television ads online in its online ad units, beginning with a spot for American Airlines’s AA.com . In the AA.com execution, the 336×280 pixel ad (the same size as the Internet Advertising Bureau’s “large rectangle” specification but dubbed an “embedded commercial unit”) won’t begin playing until users […]

Despite the worsening climate for online metrics firms, comScore Networks brought home $15 million in its latest round of financing from existing investors. Led by Chicago-based Adams Street Partners, Reston, Va.-based comScore’s latest round also saw funding from Accel Partners, Institutional Venture Partners, J.P. Morgan Partners/Flatiron Partners, and Lehman Brothers Venture Fund. Through the financing, […]

Advance Publications’ CondéNet division is debuting a new ad campaign for Web site Style.com — though it’s bound to be a tricky sell. The New York-based site, which is associated with Advance’s Vogue and W magazines, follows the trend started by the publisher’s other Web sites — such as Epicurious.com, which serves as the site […]

Automobile manufactures are largely striking out when it comes to marketing their products online, according to a new study from Accenture and Online Insight. At the center of the report is a finding that the online experience for car shoppers is less than satisfying, thanks to usability problems with manufacturers’ Web sites. Indeed, only a […]

CoolSavings Revenue Slips Chicago-based online couponer CoolSavings reported lower-than-expected revenue. The firm saw a pro forma loss of $6.4 million, or $0.16 per share, on revenue of $5.3 million. Last quarter, the firm had given revenue guidance of between $6.5 million and $7.5 million. In the previous quarter CoolSavings took in revenue of $6.3 million, […]