Facebook launches real-time bidding for online ads | IAB UK

Facebook launches real-time bidding for online ads | IAB UK

Facebook is launching an Exchange service, which will enable marketers to bid for online advertising in real-time across the web.

The service will also allow marketers to reach specific types of people based on their browsing history, including what they look at on third-party websites, on the social network itself.

Cookies will be employed in creating 'retargeted' online ads on Facebook, which internet users now have the option of opting out of.

Company spokeswoman Annie Ta told Bloomberg: "Prices will be based on the cost per thousand viewers and spots will be sold via third-party technology partners."

Facebook Exchange is expected to be rolled out within weeks, she added.

This is just one of the ways in which the social media site has tried to expand its presence in the online advertising sector in recent weeks.

On May 29th, Facebook launched a scheme offering up to £60 worth of free ad credits to around 500,000 small companies in the UK.

Innocent top social brand | IAB UK - 30/5/12

Innocent top social brand | IAB UK

Innocent has been named the top social brand in Headstream's Social Brands 100 report, which was released yesterday (May 29th).

The report uses data collected from Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and other social networks.

The ranking was based on the brand's ability to built effective customer relationships and to actively listen to consumers through social media.

Innocent was one of 300 brands nominated by the public via Twitter in January.

In second place was Starbucks, while GiffGaff was third. Cancer Research UK, British Red Cross and ARKive complete the top five.

The report found that charities and non-profit organisations are starting to make the most of social media as they account for 25 per cent of the top 100 social brands.

It was also discovered that 49 per cent of the brands included in the ranking have signed up to Google+ in the ten months since it launched.

The same percentage have pages on upcoming social media site Pinterest.

In terms of social media engagement, retailer New Look is the top brand, according to Stickyeyes, as the firm's friends like its comments and share its content with online friends.

Sophia Amin, Director of Marketing and Communications at the IAB was one of the Social Brands 100 judges. She comments: "The social sphere is so active and diverse, it can be hard to keep track of who is doing what and doing it well. The Social Brands 100 Index is a really useful barometer and also brings to light some lesser known contenders making waves in this space."

Markets: 

FMCG & Retail

Online adspend | IAB UK - Full Year 2011

Online adspend | IAB UK

Internet Trends - D10 Conference 5/30/12

KPCB Internet Trends 2012

Search engine visits up 4% YoY - Hitwise

http://press.experian.com/United-Kingdom/Press-Release/experian%20hitwise%20reveals%20latest%20uk%20search%20engine%20analysis.aspx

IAB/PwC Online Adspend Study Full Year 2011 - Online Ad spends increased by 14.4% to GBP £4.8 bn

Invisible Mercedes

When Mercedes wanted to promote its new fuel cell vehicle, instead of placing it squarely in front of everyone in the world, the company decided to make the car invisible. 

Citroën pushes DS5 model with interactive mailer

Citroën has invested in a direct mail campaign, designed with a personalised digital dimension, for its DS5 model.



Citroën: Acuity designs interactive direct mailer for DS5 campaign
The mailers, designed by Acuity, have gone out to 120,000 potential customers with a further 80,000 going to dealerships.

Smartphone users will be able to activate the digital watermark using a special app, developed by Digital Space.

Once the app is triggered, customers will be invited to call their local dealership, book a test drive, order a brochure, request a call back from their local dealer or register for dealership events.

Nearly 200 variants of the mailer will be sent, depending on the recipient, and personalised for dealers and specific DS models.

Jules Tilstone, marketing director, Citroën UK said: "Acuity's latest idea to create an engaging experience that bridges the gap between print and online, is just one in a long line of innovative ideas they have presented to us since we started working together".

Peter Cronin, managing director of Acuity said: "Most non-premium automotive brands are trying to move their products 'up-market' in attempts to increase margins. Brands in this space are particularly keen to engage with customers and build themselves into a lifestyle.

"Social media is particularly topical, as well as emerging technologies and apps. However, print is still a default method of communicating with customers en masse.
In spite of the unprecedented levels of personalisation now achievable by digital print, the vast majority of direct mail still follows a fairly generic model of a standard print piece, possibly personalised with a dealer's details. This represented an opportunity for Citroën UK to stand out from its competitors."

The campaign was developed with CRM agency The Listening Company.

Article from Brand Republic

Marin Software Reports Share of Paid Search Clicks on Smartphones and Tablets Double

A new mobile generation for search, really interesting trend from Marin to check out!

Marin Software Reports Share of Paid Search Clicks on Smartphones and Tablets Double