Digital news & analysis

Sony partners Blinkx to expand video content

Sony has partnered with video search engine Blinkx to give users of its internet-enabled home entertainment devices easy access to high quality video content.

My Media Week: Ellie Edwards

This week, Ellie Edwards, managing director at WPP performance marketing agency Quisma, catches up on her Sunday supplement reading, gets hiring at the rapidly expanding agency, and steals a go on her husband's iPad 3 birthday gift.

Twitter's Dorsey named Cannes Lions Media Person of 2012

Jack Dorsey, the creator, co-founder and executive chairman of Twitter, is set to be recognised as the Cannes Lions Media Person of the Year in the south of France next month, for creating "an entirely new way for people to communicate".

Ronaldo to star in Facebook challenge for Castrol documentary

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portugal and Real Madrid player, is to take part in a live-streamed football challenge against fans through Facebook tomorrow (17 May), to promote the release of a Castrol-funded documentary about him on iTunes.

GM's Facebook strategy labelled 'shortsighted'

General Motors' decision to cut adspend on Facebook in favour of an "aggressive content" strategy is "short-sighted", according to TBG Digital's chief executive Simon Mansell.

Premier Foods backs Great Little Ideas with social media push

Premier Foods is making another push for its 'Great Little Ideas' multi-brand recipe platform, with a social media campaign that capitalises on the theme of street parties around the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Hub Digital Networks launches into digital out of home sector

James Thornton, a former head of agency sales at Amscreen, has launched Hub Digital Networks, which will act as a sales house and consultancy for owners of digital out-of-home media networks including Toni & Guy.

General Motors confirms it is 'reassessing' Facebook ad spend

14:00 UPDATE: General Motors, the global car giant and parent to Vauxhall in the UK, has confirmed it is stopping its $10 million media spend with Facebook, amid suggestions it has been unsatisfied with its return on investment.

Paddy Power ad banned for being offensive to transgender community

Paddy Power's TV and online ad asking viewers to spot "transgendered" ladies among a crowd of racing fans has been banned by the advertising watchdog after a flurry of complaints.

Ladbrokes bolsters eCRM to cope with diversifying platforms

Ladbrokes is looking to improve its digital capabilities with an eCRM push designed to cope with the complexity caused by the increasing range of online platforms through which customers interact with it.

BT enlists Tom Jones to perform free Olympics gig

BT has revealed that Tom Jones will perform on 28 July for the first in a series of free events to mark the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

OMD retains £10m Shop Direct search business

Shop Direct Group, the owner of Littlewoods and Very, has reappointed OMD UK to its £10m paid search strategy and management account following a final shootout against MediaCom.

Q&A: Tony Wang, general manager Twitter UK

Tony Wang, who came to the UK a year ago to set up a European sales house to enable Twitter to roll out the long-awaited advertising opportunities on the platform, discusses how brands have responded.

Ikea turns to Pinterest for first Indian-inspired range

Ikea is running a Pinterest and Facebook campaign to draw attention to its first Indian-inspired range, which sources all products from India.

O2 Priority Moments crowdsourcing favours Nando's

O2 has invited customers to put forwards brands it should add to its Priority Moments offers line-up, with Nando's, Cineworld and Amazon among the popular early nominations.

Groupon nearly in the black as it cuts losses by 96%

Groupon, the daily deals service, has narrowed its net losses by 96% to $3.59m (£2.2m) for the three months ended 31 March 2012, while slashing marketing costs by nearly 50%.

McDonald's launches content portal in latest phase of UK 'McMakeover'

McDonald's is replacing its consumer dialogue website with a new portal, WhatMakesMcDonalds.co.uk, marking a key milestone in its transformation of the UK business.

Twitter boss: UK brands 'driving ad innovation'

UK brands are 'leading the charge' in the way they use Twitter's ad products, according to Tony Wang, the social-media platform's UK boss.

Look launches 'Look What I'm Wearing'

Look, IPC Media's weekly fashion title, is launching a multiplatform street style franchise driven by user generated content.

Channel 4 advertising feels loss of Big Brother

Channel 4 has reported a near £20 million fall in ad revenues for its main network in its first year without reality stalwart show Big Brother, but losses were partially offset by rights sales for The Inbetweeners and double-digit growth in so-called...