What earnings reports have revealed about ads

Several companies that sell advertising have been reporting their quarterly earnings. Here are highlights from selected Internet and media companies and what they say about the state of spending on advertising:

? July 16: Gannett Co. says advertising demand was "uneven" and "choppy." Ad revenue at Gannett's newspaper publishing segment fell 8 percent to $594 million. Broadcasting revenue climbed 11 percent to $205 million, helped by stronger political and auto-related TV advertising, as well as growth at Gannett's Captivate business, which shows ads in elevators. The company expects the Olympics and political spending to bolster results in the second half of the year.

? July 17: Yahoo Inc. says revenue for the latest quarter dipped 1 percent to $1.22 billion. After taking out ad commissions, Yahoo's net revenue totaled $1.08 billion. That figure fell about $16 million below analyst estimates. The net revenue, a focal point for investors, was slightly higher than the same time last year. That marked the second consecutive quarter that Yahoo had posted modestly higher net revenue.

Omnicom Group Inc., which owns marketing agencies, says its U.S. business helped lift second-quarter net income 1.5 percent, making up for a decline overseas. Domestic revenue grew 5.4 percent, while international revenue fell 1.3 percent.

? July 19: Google Inc's earnings hit analysts' target as refinements to the company's Internet search technology lured more Web surfers to click on its revenue-producing ads. Google's revenue, excluding that from a recent Motorola purchase, stood at $8.36 billion after subtracting the ad commissions paid to its advertising partners. That was about $70 million below analyst projections. The number of total clicks on Google's ads during the second quarter increased 42 percent from the same time last year. The increasing volume in clicks helped Google shake off a deepening decline in its ad prices.

Microsoft Corp. takes a $6.2 billion accounting charge because its 2007 purchase of online ad service aQuantive hasn't yielded the returns envisioned by management. With that, Microsoft's online services division reported a loss of $6.7 billion, compared with a loss of $745 million a year ago. Revenue fell 8 percent to $735 million.

? July 25: AOL Inc. reports stronger-than-expected revenue and its fifth straight quarter of advertising growth ? signs that its efforts to turn its business around are starting to pay off. AOL's advertising revenue grew 6 percent to $338 million.

IAC/InterActiveCorp reports better-than-expected results for the second quarter thanks to sharply higher revenue from its family of websites and applications. Revenue from IAC's search segment, which includes ads and applications, grew 46 percent to $349 million.

? July 26: Interpublic Group of Cos., a holding company for advertising and marketing agencies, says second-quarter net income fell 3 percent, hurt by some U.S. account losses in 2011 and the stronger dollar. Account losses included consumer products maker S.C. Johnson & Son Inc.

The New York Times Co. reports that second-quarter revenue increased slightly. Most of the revenue gain stemmed from higher newspaper circulation, especially in its digital editions. That helped to offset advertising revenue declines. The company says its advertising revenue decreased 7 percent to $244 million.

Meredith Corp., publisher of Better Homes and Gardens and Fitness magazines, says advertising revenue rose 11 percent to $210.3 million, helped by the acquisitions of the Allrecipes.com, EveryDay with Rachael Ray and FamilyFun brands.

? July 31: Discovery Communications Inc. says ad revenue grew 7 percent in the U.S. thanks to higher pricing, while ad revenue grew 11 percent abroad.

? Aug. 1: Time Warner Inc. says ad revenue at its TV networks increased 2 percent largely because of higher ad rates and an increase in the number of NBA games shown on its channels. But ad revenue at news networks in the U.S. and entertainment networks abroad fell. Ad revenue at the Time Inc. magazine division fell 7 percent. The company says ad sales may be slower in the current quarter partly because advertisers are diverting money to the Olympics. It also expects to be showing fewer baseball games during the quarter, but that will be made up with a heavier fourth-quarter schedule.

Comcast Corp. says ad revenue at NBCUniversal cable networks increased 4 percent. The networks include CNBC, MSNBC and Bravo.

TV station operator Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. says political ad spending has been three times higher than the company expected. Political ad revenue came to $11.4 million in the quarter, up from $1.2 million a year ago. Some of that is from buying additional stations.

? Aug. 2: CBS Corp. says advertising revenue fell 3 percent to $2.14 billion. In the current quarter, CEO Les Moonves conceded that the market for last-minute ad buys is showing some "softness". He blamed NBC's coverage of the London Olympics for taking away a lot of the available viewers and ad dollars.

Time Warner Cable Inc. says ad revenue increased 18 percent to $265 million, in part because of increased in political spending.

? Aug. 3: Viacom Inc. says U.S. advertising at its TV networks fell 7 percent. Viacom has been struggling with a ratings decline for key channels, particularly Nickelodeon. The company says the timing of certain awards shows also cut into advertising revenue. Last year, both shows were in the third quarter; this year, neither was.

? Aug. 7: The Walt Disney Co. says ad revenue at ESPN rose in the "mid-teen" percentages thanks to higher prices, sales volume and bigger audiences.

? Aug. 8: News Corp. says ad revenue at its U.S. cable channels grew 5 percent in the latest quarter, led by growth at its regional sports networks and National Geographic channels. Ad revenue at channels abroad grew 18 percent because of improving ad markets and viewership. Broadcast television saw lower national advertising revenue largely because of lower ratings for "American Idol."

Coming up:

? Thursday: WPP Group PLC

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/earnings-reports-revealed-ads-230629505.html

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Bystanders help nab 2 in iPhone heist

Two men were accused of stealing an iPhone and iPad outside a downtown Starbucks on Thursday, and bystanders who tried to catch them were pepper-sprayed, police and witnesses said.

The pair finally were caught by a judge and his bailiff who were walking back to the courthouse after lunch.

?It was very surreal,? said County Court at Law Judge Jason Pulliam, who saw the pepper-spraying and helped detain the suspects with court bailiff Charles Cook.

Olga Adrian said she was sitting outside the Starbucks talking on her phone at lunchtime when a young man walking out of the shop grabbed her Apple gear and ran to a car parked near the Majestic Theatre on Houston Street, where an accomplice was waiting.

?I started screaming, ?Get him! Get him! Get him!'? Adrian said.

Aaron Palacios-Parro, 23, and his brother Jacob, 24, got out of their car to help.

?We were checking out that cutie over there and saw it all happen,? Aaron Palacios-Parro said. ?So (Jacob) got out and said, ?Let's go.'?

The brothers ran to the parked car and tried grabbing the iPad. Then one of the occupants pulled out a canister of pepper spray.

?He probably got half the can on me,? said Jacob Palacios-Parro, whose eyes were red and puffy as paramedics treated him.

The car drove away, tires squealing, and Cook and Pulliam gave chase. They stopped it about a half a block away and detained the two occupants until police arrived.

It was a chaotic scene as officers blocked Houston Street and paramedics treated the pepper-sprayed brothers.

The two suspects sat on a curb in handcuffs, saying nothing. Police did not immediately provide their names Thursday.

jtedesco@express-news.net

Source: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Bystanders-help-nab-2-in-iPhone-heist-3810609.php

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For mitochondria, bigger may not be better: Optimal length of mitochondria is essential to preventing Alzheimer's

ScienceDaily (Aug. 23, 2012) ? Goldilocks was on to something when she preferred everything "just right." Harvard Medical School researchers have found that when it comes to the length of mitochondria, the power-producing organelles, applying the fairy tale's mantra is crucial to the health of a cell. More specifically, abnormalities in mitochondrial length promote the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

"There had been a fair amount of interest in mitochondria in Alzheimer's and tau-related diseases, but causality was unknown," said Brian DuBoff, first author of the study and a post-doctoral research fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital.

"Ultimately, a deeper understanding of the relationship between mitochondrial function and Alzheimer's may guide us to develop more targeted therapies in the future," said Mel Feany, HMS professor of pathology at Brigham and Women's Hospital and senior author of the paper.

The findings will be published online in the August 23 issue of Neuron.

Tau-related diseases are caused when tau, a protein most commonly found in neurons, malfunctions. Tau binds to microtubules in cells, a process known as stabilization. This binding is necessary so the microtubules can help maintain cell structure and aid in intracellular processes such as transporting molecules. When tau is defective, most often due to changes introduced during protein synthesis, it can accumulate in neurofibrillary tangles, one of the primary markers of Alzheimer's.

In this particular study, conducted in fruit flies with defective tau protein, DuBoff found that the mitochondria in the brain cells of these flies were elongated compared with the mitochondria in flies with normal tau. The elongation, he observed, adversely affected mitochondrial function.

"Normally, one mitochondrion will split into two, two mitochondria will join into one, and that's a critical process for the health and stability of the mitochondria," said DuBoff. "This mitochondrial dynamic happens continuously in almost all cells. Interruption of this process leads to cell death, and loss of nerve cells in the brain results in loss of function -- memory loss and difficulty in comprehension and coordination." The presence of defective tau, then, interrupts the functioning of mitochondria and contributes to neurodegeneration.

To further observe how mitochondrial dynamics were affected by the presence of defective tau, the researchers modified two sets of genes in human-tau-expressing flies, one that controls how mitochondria divide and another that guides how they come together. When the expression of the gene that causes mitochondrial lengthening, or fusion, was increased, the level of neurodegeneration in the flies increased and the flies were sicker. Conversely, when the expression of the gene that causes mitochondrial division, or fission, was increased, the defect reversed and the flies' condition improved.

The study also showed that, in addition to tau, two other key proteins influenced the neurodegenerative process: DRP1, which helps in the fission of mitochondria, and actin, which is essential to maintaining cell structure and movement. A previous study in Feany's lab had shown that the presence of defective tau hampers the activity of actin. With this knowledge, the researchers were able to piece together the relationship among the three proteins. DRP1 and actin are interdependent: the regulatory state of actin is essential for DRP1 and mitochondria to come together, thus preserving mitochondrial dynamics. But the presence of defective tau harms this relationship, rendering DRP1 incapable of maintaining mitochondrial dynamics, which ultimately leads to neurodegeneration.

"We have a good idea now of where the process starts. We know it ends with neurodegeneration, and with this study, we know some milestones along the way," said Feany. "But we still have to fill in the gaps and learn more about DRP1 and its role in this process."

"Many studies begin by looking at a normal biological process and then finding ways it goes wrong," said DuBoff. "We did the opposite. We started with the disease model, identified this phenomenon of DRP1 and mitochondrial dysfunction, and then followed it back to the basic biological regulation of this process."

The study was supported by the National Institute of Aging and the Ellison Medical Foundation.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Harvard Medical School. The original article was written by Shraddha Chakradhar.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Brian DuBoff, J?rgen G?tz, Mel?B. Feany. Tau Promotes Neurodegeneration via DRP1 Mislocalization In?Vivo. Neuron, 2012; 75 (4): 618 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2012.06.026

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment/~3/iKre8AxzrmQ/120823143749.htm

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Amy Schumer Dumps Dolph Ziggler Because Sex Was "Too Athletic"

Comedian Amy Schumer broke up with WWE star Dolph Ziggler because sex with him was just "too athletic," she admitted on the Howard Stern Show.

She claims he was throwing her around like they were wrestling.

Maybe Ziggler (real name Nick Nemeth) views his time in the sack as a chance to work on professional moves? Who's to say, people. Who's to say.

Clearly whatever he was doing in there was too much for Amy Schumer to handle, though she says she feels bad for dumping the heavyweight champ.

She admitted that she still likes Dolph Ziggler, and that she learned he was a "sweetheart" and a good sport upon texting him to break up ... seriously.

Cautionary note for you ladies: If you are ready, willing and physically able to date a jacked up wrestler with bleach-blonde hair, he is back on the market.

[Photos: WENN.com]

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/08/amy-schumer-breaks-up-with-dolph-ziggler-because-sex-was-too-ath/

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The CIMCIG column: Keeping the value of the brand ? CIMCIG ...

The Chartered Institute of Marketing Construction Industry Group (CIMCIG) is a forum for its members to share knowledge, skills, information and best practice. In our continuing series of articles for construction marketers, CIMCIG committee member Rick Osman of Highwire reminds us of the value of your brand and its vulnerability to easy-to-use technology.

?Bend me shape me, anyway you want me,

Long as you love me, its all right?

Well not if you?re a brand. A brand is about consistency and even seemingly small variations in your brand?s image will affect your brand?s credibility. If you love your brand don?t bend it or shape it anyway way you want to.

?PowerPoint presentations that were not just bad but were truly awful, brand damaging abominations that undermined years of hard work?

Not just for big companies

Your brand is your most important business asset. It is not just giant global companies which ascribe a very high value to their brand. Whilst the Virgin, Coca Cola, Adidas etc brands are undoubtedly worth billions, no matter your turnover the good name of your company is one of the most important assets you have.

No matter how much your brand is loved or respected or valued by your staff you must still be careful that it does not become devalued by careless or unthinking actions. Consistency is essential to maintaining the value of brand which is why inconsistency will inevitably reduce the value of your brand as a sales tool and as a business asset.

Technology makes it easy

As technologies become more varied and easier to use the opportunities for your brand image to be abused grow every day. At one time MS PowerPoint was often seen as the biggest enemy of a consistent brand image. The program?s ubiquity and ease of use meant that any member of staff could knock up a PowerPoint presentation without the need for input from professional designers and writers. Often the resulting sales tools were useful but frequently the presentations were not just bad but truly awful, brand-damaging abominations that undermined years of hard work and brand management.

It was all too easy to resize, recolour, bend, squeeze and tweak a logo fit the space available; all to easy to use a host of different typefaces, weights and sizes; so simple to incorporate a piece of amusing clip art or a funny picture from the Internet.

The result is that your brand values are at best shown in a slightly skewed manner, at worst completely overturned.

Thoughtless tweets

Today the options available to muck up a brand have moved far beyond PowerPoint. Social marketing has been a global phenomenon not just for people and their leisure activities but in offering opportunities for a new kind of marketing. Social marketing makes your brand both more valuable and more vulnerable. Thoughtless tweets associated with your company, throwaway jokes on Facebook, snide comments on YouTube, inappropriate links can all conspire to damage your brand?s reputation. Do you want your companies semi-official Twitter feed to lead to followers to a dancing dog? Or worse?

And if you don?t pay attention to such things it could get worse. The advent of BYOD (bring your own device) whereby staff use their own iPads and smartphone for company business will further reduce whatever control you might be able to apply to your brand image.

A contemporary conundrum

And therein lies a conundrum of contemporary brand management. You want your company, your products, your brand to be talked about and you want to encourage customers to write comments and recommend your products, yet at the same time you must be aware of the dangers of letting others control your company?s image.

It is easy to lose control of what is happening. Just as it was easy to let staff loose with clumsy brand-destroying PowerPoint presentations so it is easy to let staff use new technology to muddy your message and maybe provoke adverse comments.

To protect what could be your most valuable business asset you need to ensure that everyone understands its value and the potential that staff access to technology has to damage it.

Amen to that.

Rick Osman is a partner in Highwire, http://www.highwiredesign.com/, a design and marketing agency that specialises in the construction industry and one of the team that created http://www.hotel-standards.com/ as well as being a CIMCIG committee member.

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Source: http://bucyrustelegraphforum.com/article/20120806/NEWS01/208060302/1002/rss01

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Lenovo unveils lighter, quicker ThinkPad laptop

8 hrs.

Staff report , AP

Lenovo unveiled a lighter, quicker ThinkPad notebook computer on Monday to appeal to customers who like the convenience of tablets and smartphones.

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon will go on sale later this month, the Chinese computer maker said.

Lenovo Group acquired the ThinkPad brand with IBM Corp.'s personal computer unit in 2005. Lenovo passed Dell Inc. last year to become the second-largest PC manufacturer after Hewlett-Packard Co.

The latest ThinkPad has third-generation wireless connectivity and other features inspired by tablets and smartphones, said Dilip Bhatia, vice president of the ThinkPad business unit. He said that was in response to demands by customers who want a tablet's convenience but need a notebook's wider range of functions.

"They want faster. They want thinner," Bhatia said.

Lenovo shaved the 14-inch (35.5 centimeter) laptop computer's weight to three pounds (1.3 kilograms) from the 3.7 pounds (1.7 kilograms) of last year's model, Bhatia. He said it would have up to eight hours of battery life and the startup time was reduced by as much as half to under 20 seconds.

The ThinkPad unit launched the first tablet version of its computer last year.

Despite tablets' growing popularity, Bhatia said there will still be strong demand for notebooks to perform more complex functions in business, education and government. Forecasts call for global notebook sales to reach 230 million this year, versus 110 million for tablets.

"The clamshell format is going to be around for a long time," Bhatia said. "We see a multi-device environment."

Lenovo took the unusual step of unveiling the new computer in China because of the fast growth of its market and the local popularity of ThinkPads, said Bhatia.

The computer's chief developer, Arimasa Naitoh, vice president of ThinkPad research and development, said he has met a Chinese collector who owns 100 ThinkPads.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.gadgetbox.msnbc.msn.com/technology/gadgetbox/lenovo-unveils-lighter-quicker-thinkpad-laptop-926380

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