WebProNews

The Apple Of Your Eye Is a Trick

Lots of studies have shown that subliminal advertising doesn't work—at least it doesn't work as a direct cause of desired behavior. For example, imperceptibly flashing a hot dog in front of an audience does not increase hot dog sales. A recent study from Duke, though, says Apples might make you more creative.

Enterprise Software Up Google's Alley?

Google is the king of advertising, and it's made moves toward productivity software, with Gmail and Google Docs. But what about enterprise software, the stuff that powers businesses, even large ones? Does Google harbor ambitions to be an enterprise software player?

eComm 2008 is Coming Up

I noticed that eComm 2008 is coming up, 3/12-14. Take a look at what Martin Gedd, on the advisory board, said on his blog:

Oracle Closes BEA Deal For $8.5 Billion

The valuation comes as Oracle and BEA agree on terms that will have Oracle pay $19.375 per share in cash for outstanding shares in the web application company.

How Long Will Your Agency Relationship Last?

Research shows that half of the agency/client relationships out there last less than two years. This is from a sample of about 140 companies with an annual marketing spend of at least $2 million, including Citibank, General Mills, IBM, GE, and ESPN.After nearly 15 years in agencies, this percentage sounds about right. But where the research tries to determine why this is the case, I take issue with it.

IBM, Yahoo Update Free Enterprise Search

The IBM Omnifind Yahoo Edition enterprise search product received some tweaks and improvements to its functionality.

Tigers Need Computer Infrastructure Too

IBM and Cisco did their part to make it easier to care for the big cats and several other species residing at North Carolina's Carnivore Preservation Trust.

Profitable Niche Publishing Business Models

Via TC, I discovered IBM released a report on how the they think the $550 billion global ad market might change in the coming years. The predictions look bleak for most ad agencies and traditional media gatekeepers, but good for niche publishers who have a solid stream of attention:

IBM: End Of The Advertising World

There won't be unstoppable viruses, implacable zombies, or nuclear weapons involved in the end of the advertising world as we know it (though I think I just wrote the logline for next summer's blockbuster), but the times will be a-changin' for advertising through the next five years.

Microsoft Issues Free Enterprise Search Challenge

Search Server 2008 Express arrived as a free download from Microsoft, which launched the release candidate during a California conference.