Today’s a fun one for retail research.

First, I received an update from Compete’s blog deconstructing the myth of Cyber Monday:

Hearst-Argyle Television first became pals with Google in June, when it put dedicated channels on YouTube.  Now it’s expanding the relationship, as Hearst-Argyle becomes the first TV industry entity to (re)sell Google AdWords.

Sources say Facebook is near to announcing changes to its Beacon marketing platform after pressure from privacy advocates over the last week.

A new report form Nielsen Online examines the reasons shoppers turn to the Internet during the holiday season.

Google and Thailand haven’t always had the best relationship – a certain now-you’re-banned-and-now-you’re-not episode with YouTube was, at best, odd.  But the search giant’s setting those problems aside in pursuit of growth, and is offering AdSense for search in Thai.

Because Google has neglected to make certain links from its site nofollow, webmasters are wondering how, exactly, they differ from paid links. 

Tom Peters suggested that for many big companies the words "We’re No Worse Than the Other Guy" could be the company motto emblazoned in gold letters over the entrance.

He was describing banks but according to a recent survey on customer service the cell phone companies are the lowest on the totem pole.

In my work here at a social media agency, I’ve been noticing recurring trends in false perceptions and misconceptions of social media and social media marketing from new prospects and clients alike.