Two hundred and fifty Web sites have implimented Unicast’s three-month-old Online Format Suite. The pile of publishers now selling the rich media player’s ad units includes Bicycling.com, Homestore.com, HowStuffWorks.com, NASDAQ.com, Organicgardening.com, Prevention.com and Scubadiving.com. Unicast said many of the sites come from the Tribal Fusion Network and Rodale Publishing Group, which actively sell the “between-page,” “over-page” and “in-page” formats.
The Online Format Suite collection of ad formats seems to be winning converts on both the buyer and supplier side. Earlier this month, Unicast announced the first group of advertisers to use the suite, including Buena Vista Films/Disney, Celebrity Cruise Lines, General Motors, Honda, and Universal Pictures.
Avenue A/NYC, an interactive agency and operating unit of Avenue A, has hired Ritesh Patel as VP and general manager of client services. In his most recent post as head of Agency.com’s New York office, Patel led interactive projects for clients such as Cushman & Wakefield, Goldman Sachs, Texaco and Sprint. Prior to Agency.com, Patel served London-based Conduit Communications as managing director of its New York office.
“We are fortunate to have added someone to our executive team who has such an extraordinary understanding of the Internet marketing and technology landscape,” said Jim Warner, president of Avenue A/NYC.
Patel will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the agency’s client service organization. This includes Avenue A/NYC’s client relationships, strategy, account management, analytics, creative management and new products.
Ben Isaacson, departing executive director of the Association for Interactive Marketing (AIM), has launched a new consulting practice. Called The Isaacson Group, the agency will assist organizations with their digital marketing and business development efforts.
The new practice will feature an e-mail development program, designed to help companies use e-mail “both ethically and effectively.” The program will also be offered to agencies and resellers to pass on to their clients.
Isaacson added that the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) soon plan to announce a new executive director for AIM, which is a subsidiary of the DMA. He also said he would maintain his responsibilities until that happens.
“AIM and the DMA will remain clients of mine through the end of the year, ensuring that the leadership transition is a smooth one,” he said.
24/7 Canada has signed a one year ad sales deal with GlobalMedic, the Internet technology subsidiary of the 52,000 member Canadian Medical Association (CMA). 24/7 Canada, a unit of New York-based 24/7 Real Media, will create sponsorships and sell ads on the CMA’s Web site, a bilingual Internet portal serving the needs of approximately 14,000 Canadian doctors.
“I can’t tell you how many times our clients have asked us to deliver an online audience of Canadian medical professionals,” said Jay Aber, president 24/7 Canada. “This deal with GlobalMedic has been in the works for months, and we’re thrilled that we can now accurately target our client’s messages to this elusive market segment.”
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