MEC, has strengthened its digital and mobile offering with three new senior appointments, including a Head of Mobile Jide Sobo.

Jide, previously Mobile Strategist at Media Brands, will work alongside Justin Taylor, Managing Director, Digital. Mobile is an ongoing priority for MEC in 2012, and Jide brings twelve years of mobile experience to the agency.  He will be responsible for driving the growth of the channel.

With nine years’ experience in research, and previously holding the Digital Research Director role at Media Planning Group, Emma Ellis has been hired as Social Insight Director.  Emma will be working closely with MEC’s Analytics and Insight department to develop its social insight and support the planning process.  This will enable the agency to create social strategies for its clients based on in-depth analysis to achieve greater ROI.

James Graver joins a team of four digital strategists, who drive cutting-edge digital and innovation strategies for MEC’s clients. Previously Digital Account Manager and then Ideation Strategist at UM London, James brings experience in developing creative strategies across multi-channel campaigns. 

Justin Taylor, Managing Director, Digital at MEC said:
“We are delighted to be welcoming Jide, Emma and James to the MEC team. They are top talent and their complementary expertise will be a great addition to our experience in the areas when clients are seeking leadership: namely insight, social, strategy and mobile.”

TBS and Rooftop Comedy are teaming up for the fifth annual TBS Presents Rooftop Comedy National College Comedy Competition (NCCC), a nationwide search for America’s funniest college students. Students from 32 colleges and universities from around the country will take part in the stand-up comedy competition, presented by TBS and sponsored this year for the first time by Wendy's. The top comedians will then have the opportunity to perform at the TBS Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Chicago this June.

“It’s been amazing to watch this competition grow over the past four years into one of the largest comedy series of its kind,” says Rooftop CEO Will Rogers “Every year the NCCC has gotten bigger and more dynamic.  This year, we’ll have thousands of students attending our expanded lineup of live events and hundreds of thousands viewing new types of comedy content and voting online.”

The high-stakes, no-holds-barred competition begins with talent search events that are free and open to all students on 32 competing campuses (complete schedule and Official Rules attached). At each event, students perform live stand-up routines, and the audience selects the funniest eight to represent their school. The competition narrows the field through a series of additional live events and online voting rounds, concluding in May with the announcement of the winning team and four MVPs, all of whom will have the chance to perform alongside comedy greats at the TBS Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Chicago in June.

“This competition is a great opportunity for us to engage directly with college students all over the country and get an up-close view of what makes them laugh,” said Dennis Adamovich, Senior VP of Brand and Digital Activation/General Manager of Festivals for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “We are thrilled to be joining up with Rooftop Comedy once again on this exciting event.”

New York : The Wall Street Journal today launched a dedicated channel for YouTube, featuring on-demand content from the Journal’s growing stable of video programming . In conjunction with the launch, the channel will showcase “Off Duty,” a daily lifestyle show debuting today based on the eponymous section of WSJ Weekend, the Journal’s Saturday paper. 

Hosted by Wall Street Journal reporter Wendy Bounds, “Off Duty” will bring to life many of its namesake’s features, as well as other culture coverage from the Journal – from food to fashion, music and movies, travel to tech. The show will air each business day at 6 p.m. ET on WSJ.com and WSJ Live, the Journal’s interactive video application, followed immediately by on-demand availability on YouTube and additional channels. Live episodes begin Monday, February 6.

Wall Street Journal video includes multiple shows, news updates, reporting from the field, exclusive interviews and special events coverage. YouTube is the latest distribution channel for WSJ Live, which currently features up to four hours of live programming per business day as well as on-demand video via the iPad, Internet-televisions and set-top boxes. “Off Duty” joins Digits, Lunch Break, Mean Street, Markets Hub, Opinion Journal and the News Hub, as well as an extensive archive of clips showcasing news and reporting from the more than 2,000 journalists across the Journal and Dow Jones.

In addition to YouTube, the WSJ Live app is available via Apple TV, Google TV and Roku as well as Boxee, Etisalat, Hulu, Panasonic’s VIERA ConnectTM -enabled HDTVs, Samsung 2011 Smart TVs, Sony Internet TV, VIZIO Internet Apps HDTVs, and the Yahoo! Connected TV platform. The WSJ Live app for iPad has been downloaded more than 160,000 times since launch in September 2011.

Tweet As US online ad spending closes in this year on $40 billion, the bulk of that spending will go toward just a few formats: search, banners and video advertising.

These three formats will make up upwards of 80% of all spending through 2016, eMarketer predicts. Search is and will remain by far the leading format, although its share of total online ad spending will slip slightly from 2012 to 2016 as online video ad spending nearly doubles its share from 7.9% in 2012 to 15% in 2016.

Video continues to be the fastest-growing online ad format, with spending increasing by nearly 55% this year, following growth of 42.1% in 2011. Strong double-digit growth will continue throughout eMarketer’s forecast period. Growth for several other formats remains strong as well, especially with the prospect of a major national election and summer Olympic Games in 2012 to boost rates.

The continued dominance of search as the leading digital advertising format comes as little surprise, with its near-universal adoption rates among consumers and popularity on both the desktop and mobile web. Meanwhile, the continued strength of banner ads across desktop and mobile devices, coupled with a surge in video ad spending on both platforms, constitute the two most important and related storylines in display advertising.

eMarketer forms its forecast for online advertising spending though a meta-analysis of reported revenues from major ad-selling companies; results from benchmark sources the Interactive Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers; and research estimates and methodologies from dozens of firms that track ad spending.

Source:eMarketer

CBBC has today announced an exciting new children’s fantasy drama series, which will be filmed on location in the North East of England in the coming months.

The brand new programme, Wolfblood, which will be filmed in and around Rowlands Gill in Tyne and Wear, will be a series of 13 half-hour episodes and will air later this year.

The show tells the story of Maddy Smith, who seems like an ordinary girl – but things are not what they seem. After all, when you can hear ultrasound, pick out a scent from a mile away or see in the dark, it can be hard to act “ordinary”. She’s faster and stronger than she appears, her senses are razor-sharp – and every full moon she has to lock her parents in the cellar. The truth is Maddy hides a secret even her closest friends don’t know about. Look into her eyes, but don’t get too close… because Maddy is a wolfblood.

Wolfbloods have lived amongst us for centuries, disguising their abilities and blending in. When new boy Rhydian turns up at school her world gets a lot more complicated. If you think being a teenager is hard enough, try being a wolfblood teenager!

Gina Cronk, Executive Producer of Wolfblood, said: “We were looking for a rural location to film the series. The Charles Thorp comprehensive school, Hookergate Campus at Rowlands Gill is perfect. It is surrounded by beautiful countryside and near the extraordinary village of Blanchlands. We knew it would work brilliantly on screen.

“We’ve filmed in the North East many times, including most recently for the Tracy Beaker Returns series, and it’s great to be back – we’re looking forward to getting started!”

Damian Kavanagh, Controller, CBBC, commissioned the programme. He said: “We’re always looking for programmes which bring something new to the channel for our audience to enjoy, and Wolfblood is a really exciting concept and one I believe will capture the imagination of our viewers. CBBC has always had a strong record of producing acclaimed children’s dramas and with such a strong team working on this show, I can’t wait to see the end result.”

The programme will be executive produced by Gina Cronk and produced by Foz Allan. The line producer is Alan Fairholm.

Wolfblood was created by Debbie Moon and is a co-production between CBBC and ZDF/ZDFE.

Bonn: Deutsche Welle (DW) is reinforcing its position in the international media landscape with a comprehensively revised television programme, a new online presence — at the new web address ( dw.de) and a new corporate design. At a press conference in Berlin on January 31, Deutsche Welle Director General Erik Bettermann referred to the set of changes as "a milestone for representing Germany better around the world."

On February 6, 2012, DW will expand its Spanish television program for Latin America from two to 20 hours daily. The 24-hour schedule is completed with fours of German programming. According to Bettermann, this is all part of the reform process for Germany's international broadcaster. The core of this process is being able to better communicate with the target audience through new, focused, language-based channels, regionalized programming and a variety of multimedia content that can be used online.

After receiving an introduction to the expanded Spanish-language program at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 26, Mexican President Felipe Calderón said: "It is great to have a partner like Deutsche Welle broadcasting for 20 hours in Spanish. It opens up new opportunities in Latin America. The program will be a bridge to Europe, and Germany in particular."

DW has tailored its TV lineups for other regions as well. The basis will be a new channel with 24 hours of English programming and will broadcast in North America, Africa, Asia and Australia. That will be expanded worldwide with regional channels focusing on other languages: In North and Latin America and Asia, the second channel will be made up of 20 hours of programming in German and four hours in English. In the Arab world, there will be a channel featuring 10 hours of Arabic programming and 14 hours of English; and in Europe, DW will broadcast 18 hours of English and six hours of German during primetime.

DW will also make use of more programming from the German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF for its new television lineups.

Berlin: Predictive Behavioural Targeting market leaders, nugg.ad, have appointed Uli Heimann to the newly created position of Director of Data Solutions. Based from Hamburg, Heimann is assuming responsibility for the development of the nugg.ad Data Solutions product range. 

The German Digital Industry Association (BVDW, Bundesverband Digitale Wirtschaft) has also selected Heimann to head up the Unit Targeting division. Over the next two years, Heimann’s role within the German targeting sector will cover everything from data protection to market development and public information. Active in the targeting sector since 2007, Heimann was previously the Director of International Consulting for nugg.ad in Hamburg until now. Prior to that he headed up the nugg.ad Consulting division in the Berlin office.

"I am delighted about the confidence nugg.ad have invested in me. This year will without doubt bea year of significant challenges for the targeting sector, both from the point of view of data protection as well as managing continuing rapid growth", says Uli Heimann, Director of Data Solutions at nugg.ad and Head of Unit Targeting at BVDW . "My roles at nugg.ad and the BVDW will now give me the opportunity to help develop the sector from two vantage points".

"Uli Heimann has extensive expertise in the field of targeting, which he has demonstrated throughout his various positions at nugg.ad.  This is why we are appointing him as Director of Data Solutions, an absolutely key role for us in terms of company strategy", Stephan Noller, CEO of nugg.ad and Chairman of the Policy Committee at IAB Europe adds. "With him in charge, the Unit Targeting division of the BVDW is now in a very strong position." 

nugg.ad has made a significant contribution to the development of the BVDW Unit Targeting division since its inception. nugg.ad’s Dr. Bernd Henning headed up the division between 2008 and 2010. In addition, alongside his work in the field of targeting at the BVDW in Germany, Stephan Noller represents the interests of the online industry at a European level; at IAB Europe he is Chairman of the Policy Committee in Brussels.

Cannes Lions have announced  the addition of a Young Lions Design Competition to the 2012 International Festival of Creativity, taking place from 17-23 June.

The new competition will see teams of two briefed to work on a special project on behalf of the client, either a charity or non-profit organisation. Given just 24 hours, teams will be required to deliver a brand identity for the project which may be fictional or real depending on the appointed client. Within the allotted time competitors must produce a logo/brand identity, a 150-word description of how the brand identity fits the brief and a 150-word description of how the brand would evolve.

Steve Latham, Cannes Lions Director of Talent & Training, commented, "Cannes Lions prides itself on providing unrivalled opportunities, experiences and training for the rising stars of the industry. With the introduction of the Design Lions category in 2008 it makes sense for us to recognise and encourage the young design community, allowing them to showcase their talents on the global stage at Cannes."

The competition is open to young designers holding positions such as graphic designer, web designer, retail designer, product designer and other specialised design roles. Competitors will be welcomed from design agencies and advertising agencies and should be aged 28 years and under.

The Young Lions Design Competition will see competitors briefed on Sunday 17 June, with the competition running on Monday 18 June. Entries will be judged by the Design Lions Jury. The winners of the competition will be announced and presented with their medals at the Press, Design, Radio and Cyber Lions Awards Ceremony taking place on Wednesday 20 June in Cannes, France.

The Young Lions Design competition will sit alongside the existing Print, Cyber, Media, Film and Marketers competitions. With a dedicated Young Lions Zone providing networking opportunities, other Festival activities for the young in Cannes include a series of master classes given by high-profile speakers, The Cannes Creative Academy for Young Marketers and the newly-launched Young Creative Academy, details of which will be released soon.

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is now open for delegates and entries.

The Newspaper Marketing Agency (NMA) has unveiled a set of stop-frame animation films that bring to life the sports pages of the UK’s national newspapers and celebrate the strong emotional bond that sports fans have with the National newspapers.

Created by McCann London, the films encourage brands to advertise in the sports pages by emphasising the passion that readers have for newspaper sports coverage, under the strapline ‘Newspapers. Bringing Sport To Life in 2012’.

Shot using an innovative stop-frame animation technique and directed by Danny Vaia for Disqo, the films position the newspapers as a special place that readers visit both to stimulate their anticipation for sporting fixtures before they happen, and to immerse themselves in unrivalled analysis after the event.

The films use actual newspaper coverage of sporting events and feature digital devices to show how the reader experience is enhanced by the newspapers’ print and online sports journalism. They were shot in-camera, with minimal digital compositing to create a seamless sequence. A rousing voice over by Shakespearean actor Brian Cox adds to the sense of drama.

The work comprises a one minute 40 sec brand film, a 40-second cutdown, and a special Olympic themed variant.

McCann London was awarded the project in June 2011 following a pitch against an undisclosed agency.

Chris Macdonald, CEO McCann Erickson, says: “The sports pages of our newspapers are unique in their depth of analysis and the debate they create. In these films, we celebrate the brilliance of the writers and editors as they bring newspaper sports coverage to life.”

Rufus Olins, the newly arrived CEO of the Newspaper Marketing Agency observed: “2012 is going to be a huge year for sport, and we wanted to remind marketers of the strong emotional involvement our readers have with the sports pages, and the opportunity for brands to connect with this passionate audience.”

Sunnyvale : Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO) today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011.

Revenue excluding traffic acquisition costs ("revenue ex-TAC") was $1,169 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, a 3 percent decrease from the fourth quarter of 2010. Income from operations increased 10 percent to $242 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to $220 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

GAAP revenue was $1,324 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, a 13 percent decrease from the fourth quarter of 2010.

Revenue ex-TAC was $4,381 million for the full year ended December 31, 2011, a 5 percent decrease from the same period of 2010. The year over year decrease was primarily due to the revenue share related to the Search Agreement with Microsoft. Income from operations increased 4 percent to $800 million for the full year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $773 million for the same period of 2010.

GAAP revenue was $4,984 million for the full year ended December 31, 2011, a 21 percent decrease from the same period of 2010, primarily due to the required change in revenue presentation related to the Search Agreement and the associated revenue share with Microsoft.

Net earnings per diluted share was $0.24 in both the fourth quarter of 2011 and the fourth quarter of 2010.