.. worth noting 18th Aug 2003

net1

:: Interactive marketing group 24/7 Real Media has announced that it is re-branding its Web Site Results division 24/7 Search to reflect the expanded product line that includes Web analytics and pay-per-click bidding software, as well as its paid inclusion and XML feeds.

:: Overture is to unleash a number of new tools and features on its PPC search advertising service. The company has informed its advertisers of the changes, which it said will provide them with more opportunities to connect with customers online and offer additional control over their account.

:: iTV software developer emuse technologies and Press Red, a specialist in iTV advertising, have teamed up in a joint venture aimed at enhancing functionality for iTV campaigns. The venture will enable the two companies to produce high-end i-Ad functionality for TV advertising, with Press Red becoming emuse's agent for the sale of its Modelstream suite of products to the ad industry in the UK. In addition, Press Red will use emuse's Modelstream suite of products for the layout and design of i-Ads. Press Red said the ModelStream tools compliment its own BlackBox Designer tool set, used for creating content for templated i-Ads.

:: The Rolling Stones are making their music available online. The group's game plan will be revealed later today as part of a massive campaign in partnership with RealNetworks' Rhapsody service and major retailer Best Buy. Songs included in the deal span the group's career, including material from ABKCO/Universal Music and EMI/Virgin, and will be available exclusively on Rhapsody for a two-week period. After the exclusive period ends, the Rolling Stones' EMI/Virgin catalogue will be made available to other legal online music sites through EMI's Digital Distribution programmes.

:: New research published by Datamonitor suggests that, although growth in online banking continues unabated, many UK citizens still need to visit their branch for many services, such as to pay in cheques, withdraw cash, or exchange currency - forcing the major banks to maintain a presence in the high street.