Media

A research study on online social networks reveals that networking sites can drive advertising revenue by encouraging the density of social ties, or boosting the level of friendship or social connections between users. According to the findings, in a forthcoming paper in Management Science, more connected users prompt increases in visitation and browsing on the site, which helps stimulate online advertising revenue growth.

The Federal Trade Commission issued a new staff report, “Mobile Apps for Kids: Disclosures report cover Still Not Making the Grade,” examining the privacy disclosures and practices of apps offered for children in the Google Play and Apple App stores. The report details the results of the FTC’s second survey of kids’ mobile apps.

Consumers continue to spend more time with mobile apps, thanks in large part to the growing number of minutes spent with mobile games. According to December data from mobile app analytics company Flurry, US consumers spent an average 127 minutes on mobile apps per day. That’s up 35% from 94 minutes spent per day in December 2011.

The recently launched SuperGol, a fast-paced, one-hour daily Spanish soccer show targeting young Latinos, scored its 25th affiliate. The show started on KWKW ESPN Deportes Los Angeles in order to meet the growing demand of US-born Latinos. Due to strong listener response, Lotus Communications Corp. decided to take it national.

For decades, the RAB and others have preached that selling is about being customer-centric. We’ve all heard it, we’ve all been trained to interview clients about their needs, and there is not one broadcaster on earth who does not know this to be true. So why is radio not getting its fair share of ad dollars nationwide? I’ve discovered what is probably the major reason. By Eric Rhoades / Publisher of Radio Ink

As social media continues to revolutionize the consumer-brand experience, Nielsen and NM Incite’s recent Social Media Report 2012 shows that unique, precision-driven opportunities for advertisers to interact with consumers will continue to grow.

Marketers’ excitement over new social media channels is understandable; these platforms have fundamentally changed the way that companies and their customers interact. But a September poll of adult internet users and marketing decision-makers in the US, the UK, France, Germany and Australia conducted by Pitney Bowes Software found that marketers need to be careful to make sure they are not overcommitting to social channels, and, moreover, that their actions on social media are aligned with consumer preferences.

The promise of Mobile Qualitative Research is huge, and incredibly exciting: Real time, immediate, unobtrusive access to respondents. In a space that can feel fatigued by tried-and-true methodologies and even knowing and experienced respondents, mobile qualitative feels like a fresh and authentic way to engage people as people (not as consumers).

Financial services firm Cowen and Company surveyed 50 major US ad buyers in various industries in September and found that eight in 10 planned to increase their mobile advertising in the next 12 to 18 months. By the end of that time period more than three-quarters of respondents expected to devote at least 5% of their total ad budget to mobile.

Radio Ink magazine has chosen Univision Radio President Jose Valle as its Executive of the Year. Valle, who started out as a receptionist at KTNQ and KLVE in Los Angeles, is now responsible for 70 radio stations in 16 of the top U.S. Hispanic markets and five stations in Puerto Rico, leading 1,100 Univision Radio employees.

The sport of mixed martial arts, more commonly known as MMA, has experienced tremendous growth in its fan base particularly among the Hispanic Millennial demo. Since it’s introduction in 1993, the most famous MMA organizations have exploded and evolved into an empire of pay-per-view fights and large arena events, as well as a lifestyle industry, complete with clothing lines, fighter appearances and dramatic rivalries. Its most famous Latino star is Mexican-American fighter Cain Velasquez. With pride for their humble roots and Hispanic heritage, Velasquez and other Hispanic fighters have helped boost support from the growing Hispanic Millennial populace.