Web measuring services start including dayparts
Internet measurement companies comScore and Nielsen//NetRatings both debut new daypart tools this week. The comScore Media Metrix device covers daypart and reach/frequency analysis. The daypart analysis module will segment online properties with a more concentrated number of visitors Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the online equivalent to TV’s primetime. Other daypart measuring, including early weekday mornings, weekday evenings and weekends, is also available. Media Metrix measures 50,000 home, 35,000 work and 35,000 university internet users. Nielsen//NetRatings’ Pocketpiece will offer audience data and analysis across dayparts, with Primedia’s About as the charter client. The new device provides a view of 250 ad-supported web sites. Daypart measurement will include active reach, unique visitors, percent of time spent and demographic breakdowns.

Pump up the volume for this video game
Want to hear the latest from DMX, Method Man or 10 other Def Jam artists? You’ll have to buy the game. The best way to reach males 11-25 is via video game, and that’s where Island Def Jam will debut new songs from some of its top attractions, eschewing the traditional radio rollout. It will be several months before any of the songs are even released on CD, which is sure to boost sales of Electronic Arts wrestling game Vendetta. In the game, players can choose one of the Def Jam artists, also including Ludacris, Redman, Scarface and more, as their wrestler. Then, as the artist jabs and kicks, his or her single plays on the soundtrack. With CD sales falling by 9 percent in 2002, music labels are desperate to find new ways to market their wares. Video game console sales, meanwhile, have gone up by double-digit percentages for virtually every game maker. Other video games, such as Grand Theft Auto, have used soundtracks before, but those songs had already been released. Traditionally record companies send singles to radio stations three to six weeks before albums are released.

Scam asks EarthLink users for credit card info 
Internet service provider (ISP) EarthLink reports that it thwarted an attempt to scam credit card and bank account info from its subscribers last week. The hoaxers sent many EarthLink customers an email with a link instructing them to re-submit their personal information. The message said that formerly supplied information had been lost after a “recent system flush,” and that those who did not respond immediately would have their internet access cut off. The link to www.el-network.net, which carried EarthLink logos and a link to the ISP’s customer pages, had blanks for name, address, credit card info and bank account numbers. Those who sent info received a message saying their account had been terminated. By Friday morning EarthLink officials had received word of the scam and had the offending site blocked. Register.com said that the address was assigned to a California address. America Online, eBay and PayPal have all endured similar schemes in the past year. EarthLink warned customers once again on Monday that ISPs do not ask for sensitive information via email.

Disney tech search ends with Google
Disney has evolved from Go to Google. The conglomerate’s internet unit said Monday that it will begin using Google.com’s search technology for most of company web sites. Starting this spring, Disney sites Disney.com, Movies.com and FamilyFun.com will begin using the technology. The Go.com gateway already employed Google. It’s another small victory for the hugely popular internet search site, which has been on alert ever since rival Overture bought Alta Vista and Fast Search and Transfer two weeks ago. There’s also speculation that Yahoo will stop using Google soon, once sale of the Japanese search software producer Inktomi is complete.

OPA adds five companies, including Primedia
Five companies have joined the Online Publishers Association (OPA), the organization said Friday. About/Primedia, Belo Interactive, Edmunds.com, SportingNews.com and Meredith Corporation have swelled the OPA’s membership to 24, representing more than 400 web sites. Several representatives from these companies have also joined the OPA board: About vice president of marketing and business development Mark Josephson, Belo Interactive vice president and general manager Eric Christensen and Meredith Corporation vice president and general manager of interactive media Doug Olson. Accipiter, RealNetworks, Interep Interactive and Viewpoint Corporation also have become OPA associates.

March 11, 2003© 2003 Media Life


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