Christopher Saunders

Web publisher Alloy Online is continuing its efforts to diversify the ways it reaches out to its predominately teenaged audience, this week finalizing the purchase of a media buying agency. New York-based Alloy is shelling out about 1.7 million in stock and $9.7 million in cash — about $33 million in all — for Evanston, […]

Several leading Web publishers are seeking to convince advertisers that online advertising is measured best via impression and post-impression action — claiming that the heavy reliance on click-through rates have given the industry a black eye. MarketWatch.com became one of the first major publishers to say it would no longer report click-throughs to clients. Instead, […]

Luxury online gift retailer Ashford.com is aiming to offload some of its slower-moving items by inking a promotional and e-tailing deal with Web auction giant eBay. The arrangement with eBay will promote the Ashford Outlet, which specializes in discontinued or seasonal luxury goods. According to the terms of the deal, eBay will integrate the merchandise […]

Credit card and transaction services giant Visa is narrowing its online account work to a “short list,” following a recent round of eliminations. Now, Organic, Modem Media and AKQA are vying for the account, which is estimated at $10 million to $15 million. The work will entail online media planning and buying, creative execution, and, […]

Ad agency conglomerate Interpublic Group is hoping to make interactive TV more palatable for media buyers, advertisers and consumers through a new agreement with post-production outfit Liberty Livewire. The alliance, which New York-based IPG calls “Covered Bridges,” will bring the companies together to create joint research, help shape the direction of the iTV industry with […]

Onetime Internet device manufacturer Netpliance agreed to settle charges by federal authorities that it ran misleading advertisements promoting its i-opener Web access product. This week, the Federal Trade Commission voted to accept a settlement from the Austin, Texas-based firm, in which Netpliance agreed to pay a fine, but admitted no wrongdoing. The settlement, which stipulates […]

Uncommon Media Group to Acquire TMC Media Alley-based Uncommon Media Group, Inc. said Monday that it has inked a letter of intent to purchase TMC Media. Terms were not disclosed. The deal aims to merge two players that focus heavily on developing compact disc-based interactive marketing. TMC’s services include Web and wireless development, CD-ROM production […]

Ad network ValueClick will buy online ad technology player Mediaplex in a $43.9 million stock deal that both firms said would create a full-service digital marketing powerhouse. Under the terms of the agreement, Mediaplex’s shareholders will receive .4113 shares of Westlake Village, Calif.-based ValueClick for each share of Mediaplex common stock, or about $1.32 per […]

According to New York-based research firm Cyber Dialogue, 86 percent of the Web’s U.S.-based adult population either clicked on advertisements or viewed product information online — and made an offline purchase based on those activities. According to the firm’s Phillip Barone, who authored the study and who heads Cyber Dialogue’s consumer Internet practice, 20 percent […]

Warner Bros. Trots Out Web Campaign for Film Warner Bros. Pictures is throwing millions behind its release of the summer comedy “Cats & Dogs,” although that figure likely won’t include extensive promotion the studio is launching with fellow AOL Time Warner companies. Cartoon Network will host movie content like character profiles and a “Cats & […]

Alley-based ad representation firm Phase2Media is making drastic changes in its internal organization, modifications that could point to a closing or serious ramping down of its sales efforts. Insiders say the company has made drastic staff cuts throughout its businesses, affecting both regional offices and its headquarters. A source at the company, speaking on condition […]

Mediaplex will take over several client relationships from struggling competitor Interadnet, in a move that will boost the San Francisco-based online ad technology player’s outreach to ad agencies. Like Mediaplex, Raleigh-based Interadnet develops and markets a line of online ad servers, and like the larger rival, found moderate success in selling to agencies. But with […]