Discussion about how Google does what it does so well…
Search Agency Update – What Are Companies Up To?
Jul 23rd
Bits and bobs to keep up with search agency news: Kenshoo and Marin software with Google AdWords, Magnetic, gShift Labs
Kenshoo, the provider of online demand generation solutions, said it won preferred API Pricing from Google’s AdWords for its Kenshoo Search and Kenshoo Local services. The agreement will translate into reduced API costs for Kenshoo clients who run paid search campaigns on AdWords. Marketers will be able “to experiment with new creative strategies and build more comprehensive campaigns to optimal scale” on both its platforms, it said.
Similarly, Marin Software, the provider of paid search management application, also was approved by Google for preferred AdWords API pricing. “Delivering integration with Google that is not only comprehensive, but also cost-effective, is critical to meeting the needs of the world’s most demanding search marketers.” said CEO Chris Lien.
Reminder: Google had launched its AdWords’ Certfication program in April to reshape its relationships with marketers and agencies.
Magnetic, the search data marketplace, said it appointed Mike Peralta Chief Operations Officer. Peralta was previously SVP, North American Advertiser Services at Platform A at AOL, the company said in a statement. His mission will be to “establish a presence in major markets to increase advertising spend with large scale marketers.”
gShift Labs, a young Toronto-based search marketing firm, said it won the Technology Leadership Award by Canada’s York Technology Association as “Most Promising Start-Up of the Year.” Congratulations to them.
Rentrak, the provider of transactional media measurement and analytical services to the entertainment and media industries, said it won a contract from Gray Television Networks for tracking the performances of its local ABC and CBS stations in Kansas, Wichita and Topeka. Financial details of the deal were undisclosed. Rentrak aims to compete on the local market with Nielsen and provides “second-by-second data — and attendant insight into commercial-skipping — on a local level,” it said in a statement.
News Picks From The Weekend: Breaking Records At Facebook, Zynga And Foursquare
Jul 22nd
An overview of some of the weekend’s ad/tech news not to be missed: watch out for multiple records.
Facebook To Top 500 Million Users This Week
The social site will announce its 500-millionth user this week and will celebrate by launching “Facebook Stories,” a page for user tales of 420 characters (the same as for statuses). In an interview with All Things D, Randi Zuckerberg, who does “Creative & Buzz Marketing, Politics, and Social Change” at Facebook, said the site has decided to celebrate users as it breaks another record, instead of focusing exclusively on figures.
Facebook Mobile Has 150 Million Users
Facebook has also reached another milestone: it now records over 150 million users, AllFacebook reported Erick Tseng, head of mobile products, as saying during the MobileBeat Conference. Facebook has sofar already launched a mobile platform called 0.facebook to reach out to users in poorer countries but still has to come up with an overall mobile platform altogether. Seeing that Tseng was poached from Google’s Android team, such development surely is in the pipeline. Point in case, Tseng said the company is moving towards a “platform strategy,” and “going away from a one-off app strategy.” Watch that space.
Zynga’s Frontierville Registers 20-Millionth User
Social gaming platform Zynga also had cause to celebrate as Frontierville reached its 20 millionth player – or virtual pioneer, is it? The game was launched by Facebook’s business partner in early June. According to Forbes, the title is currently Zynga’s third most popular game, behind FarmVille and Zynga Poker. Google is reported to have “secretly” invested $100-200 million in the game platform. If it proves to be true, let’s see how it will impact Zynga’s numbers.
Foursquare Users Surpass 2-Million Mark
Location-based service Foursquare has now over 2 million users. According to TechCrunch, Foursquare is growing faster than its main competitor, Gowalla. Just over a week ago, Foursquare has entered a partnership with the Independent Film Channel to provide users geo-localized/contextualized data when they check in. This might also boost the platform’s uptake… or not. Keep your eyes peeled.





