2008 04-08 MediaBytes: Yahoo - Microsoft - Chrysler - ATAS - Imeem - Snocap - Google

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YAHOO rejected MICROSOFT’s takeover bid once again and denied Steve Ballmer’s claim that its business is slowing down. Yahoo says it is open to a deal with Microsoft but only if the price is right. For now, it will continue to explore other options.

CHRYSLER announced that 29% of the ad budget for the 2009 Dodge Journey will go to interactive media. The company will utilize homepage takeovers on AOL, Yahoo and MSN starting today. It will also purchase targeted ads on HGTV.com, Univision.com and the top search engines. The campaign will be Chrysler’s biggest commitment to online advertising so far.

ATAS is seeking entries for its 2008 PrimeTime Emmy Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media. Winners will be selected for both Fiction and Nonfiction. Visit emmys.org/interactive for the submission details.

IMEEM has acquired SNOCAP, a company that fingerprints digital media files to determine the copyright owners. Snocap was created by Napster founder Shawn Fanning and is currently used by MySpace.

GOOGLE announced App Engine, a new set of web services and a hosting platform for developers. The service will compete with Amazon’s S3, EC2 and SimpleDB. Google also announced an interesting initiative with the NY Times to overlay articles by location on Google Earth.

NIELSEN will acquire IAG RESEARCH, a company that analyzes the effectiveness of television and online advertising. The acquisition will cost $225 million and give Nielsen access to IAG’s extensive industry data.

FACEBOOK is settling a lawsuit with CONNECTU that claims the idea for the popular social-networking site was stolen. Terms of the settlement have not been disclosed.

NBCU has filed suit against WEINSTEIN CO. for selling the “Project Runway” rights to Lifetime Networks, which would force it off NBCU’s Bravo. NBCU claims the sale violates its right of first refusal. Weinstein Co. maintains that no such right exists. Harvey Weinstein reportedly continued to negotiate with NBCU for two months after signing the Lifetime deal.

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