VERY WELL DONE: The interactive pediatrician

The interactive pediatrician

BLOG SOURCE: http://www.adverblog.com/archives/002923.htm

November 30, 2006

From Adverblog: "From Sweden, an unusual (and innovative) interactive tool to understand if your kid, who is sick at home with a cold, needs to see a doctor. Of course, as Martin explained me, F&B (together with B-Reel) developed the tool for Apoteket (Swedish Pharmacy) in collaboration with doctors. The idea is to help parents decide if they need to take their kid to a pediatrician but also to offer personalized advice, including a list of relevant products."

http://demo.fb.se/e/apoteket/sneezeaid/index_en.html

Clever TV Spot

Beyondthe news II
Video sent by FRANCE_24

A new animated short film brought to you by the new 24/7 International News Channel
(www.france24.com)

Subservient Sam?

Samsung has launched a campaign to promote it's new mini-computer called the Q1.  Sam the dog is suppose to be your guide on their new campaign micro-site.  Yes, it's cute.  Yes, it's different.  But it's no subservient chicken.  And, it's really not that helpful at all.  Would I send this to my dad to help him learn more about the Q1?  Never.

 

http://samcanhelp.samsungusa.com/samcanhelp/index.jsp

TNS: Online Display Ad Spend Up $1 Billion

TNS: Online Display Ad Spend Up $1 Billion

source: http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2006/12/06/tns-online-display-ad-spend-up-1-billion/

The rate of U.S. ad spending seems to be slowing down, and at fault may be internet advertising - which is, seemingly incongruously, the fastest-growing medium.

U.S. advertisers spent $7.2 billion on online advertising in the first three quarters of 2006 - more than a billion dollars more than the $6.1 billion spent in the same period in 2005, according to estimates released Tuesday by ad tracking firm TNS Media Intelligence, MediaPost reports. Those numbers don't include online search advertising.

TNS MI estimates that online display ad budgets are growing at an 18 percent rate, but search is growing at more than 30 percent a year according to TNS MI President-CEO Steven Fredericks. That growth, however, is being fueled by midsize and smaller advertisers.

The top 50 advertisers remain focused on traditional media, and although they are upping their online ad budgets… those online dollars are going further than their traditional media dollars - and the savings are being invested in traditional media, Fredericks said.

Darfur Genocide Photo Exhibit in Second Life

Darfur Genocide Photo Exhibit in Second Life

source: http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2006/12/08/darfur-genocide-photo-exhibit-in-second-life/

Actress and activist Mia Farrow, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, will on Friday discuss and answer questions about the worsening situation in Darfur and neighboring Chad at a virtual event in Second Life.

The Darfur program, to be held Friday, Dec. 8, 12 Noon to 1 p.m. (Eastern Time), will feature a virtual replica of the "Our Walls Bear Witness - Darfur: Who Will Survive Today?" - a photography exhibit of Darfur images that were projected onto the exterior of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. 

The live appearance by Farrow in Second Life and the exhibit are being held at Lichtenstein Creative Media's The Infinite Mind virtual broadcast center in Second Life, and will be open to the public in Second Life until Dec. 12.

Farrow just returned from Chad, following three earlier trips to Darfur. "We're seeing atrocities of an indescribable kind [with people] clustered under trees, dazed and terrified," she told the Associated Press.

John Heffernan, Acting Director of the Committee on Conscience of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the sponsor of the program, will also make a presentation at the online world event. The Committee works to raise public awareness and alert the national conscience to contemporary genocide and related crimes against humanity

Virgin/EMI to Hold Virtual Concert in Whyville.com

Virgin/EMI to Hold Virtual Concert in Whyville.com

source: http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2006/12/08/virginemi-to-hold-virtual-concert-in-whyvillecom/

Virgin/EMI is promoting a concert this weekend for one of its young recording artists, pop/R&B singer Stacie Orrico, but don't look for it in a stadium or theater - it will be presented on the virtual world of www.Whyville.com.

Whyville.com, described as an edu-tainment virtual world for the tween-age generation, is creating the concert for Orrico, whose target audience is 8-15-year-old kids, reports ClickZ. The event will include 45 minutes of songs performed by an Orrico avatar and will also make it possible for attendees to purchase Orrico's songs or ringtones, in addition to virtual souvenir sales and an eBay-based charity auction for the virtual clothing that Orrico's avatar will wear during the event.

"We're excited about it. We think it's a perfect target to hit Stacie's primary demographic, which are teens," Aaron Simon, director of marketing for Virgin Records, is quoted as saying. "It's the very first virtual program that we have done with any of our artists. We would definitely want to continue it. It's something that is so important when you're a teen artist to really get in front of your buyers. In front of your fans."

Whyville has just under two million "tween citizens" and is preparing for as many as 6,000 of them to attend the concert, said Jay Goss, COO of Numedeon, Whyville’s parent company. The concert is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m. Pacific time.

UN survey: Only 3 out of 100 Web sites accessible to disabled

UN survey: Only 3 out of 100 Web sites accessible to disabled

 

Most of the world's Web sites aren't accessible to people with disabilities, according to a global, United Nations-commissioned study. The study reviewed 100 Web sites from 20 countries and found that only three met minimum accessibility standards for disabled people, reports CommwebNews.com. The review looked at whether the sites had alternatives for audio and visual content, contrasting colors, graphics, language, and other elements that may make the sites easier to use. For example, 78% of sites used color combinations with poor contrast, which makes it hard for color blind people to read the content. Ninety-eight percent of sites didn't follow standards for the programming code needed for site accessibility and 97% used "fixed measurements," which prevent people from changing text or page size. Click the supporting link below to read more of the survey results.

 

FULL STORY BELOW:

 

Web Sites Fail To Reach People With Disabilities, UN-Backed Survey Shows

CommwebNews.com via NewsEdge Corporation :

Only three of 100 Web sites tested in what researchers call the first global Web site accessibility survey met minimum accessibility standards for disabled people.

Nomensa released the results of the United Nations commissioned study this week to coincide with the International Day of Persons With Disabilities. The British agency provides assistance with Web site design, as well as consultation and training on accessibility.

The agency used manual and automated systems to test the accessibility of leading Web sites in five sectors in 20 countries. It examined Web sites of heads of states, airlines, banks, newspapers, and retailers.

Central government, retailers, and banks offered the best accessibility around the world, Simon Norris, managing director of Nomensa said in a statement. The German Chancellor, the Spanish government, and the British Prime Minister's Web sites were the only three to achieve minimum standards.

"While only three Web sites made it onto the first rung of the accessibility ladder, many Web sites were in grasping distance of achieving minimum levels of accessibility," Norris said.

Nomensa used World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) guidelines to measure accessibility. The W3C recommends alternatives for audio and visual content, contrasting colors, as well as graphics, elements, and language that people using special software, devices, or techniques to overcome impairments can easily interpret and convert.

Nomensa said the tests revealed systemic weaknesses that make it difficult or impossible for businesses and governments to reach 600 million people with disabilities.

"The results from the survey are consistent and identify many common themes that cross borders and cultures, many of which must be addressed," Leonie Watson, Nomensa's accessibility chief, said.

Ninety-eight percent of the Web sites didn't follow standards for programming code needed for strong foundations for accessibility, according to the survey. Ninety-seven percent used fixed measurements, which prevent people from changing text size or page size to meet their needs, the survey found. Ninety-three percent of the Web sites tested didn't provide adequate text descriptions of graphical content to help visually impaired people, according to Nomensa.

The survey revealed that 89% of the Web sites failed to convey document structure with headings that allow easier navigation for visually impaired people. Eighty-seven percent released pop-ups without warning the user, which disorients people who use screen magnification software, Nomensa said.

Seventy-eight percent used color combinations with poor contrast, which makes it difficult for people with color blindness to read information, according to the survey. Seventy-three percent relied on JavaScript for important functions, making it impossible for about 10% of Internet users to access key information.

The 20 countries audited were Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

<<CommwebNews.com -- 12/07/06>>

IT changes on the way for FDA's Rx safety reporting system

IT changes on the way for FDA's Rx safety reporting system

Data mining and improving the FDA's Web portal so that anyone can report adverse drug events are some of the changes that are coming for the FDA's drug safety system. The FDA will also produce regular reports about the adverse events being reported. The information will be available to the public. Scott Gottlieb, the FDA's deputy commissioner for medical and scientific affairs, detailed the changes in a speech last month, reports Government Health IT. There will also be EMR-compatible software for healthcare practitioners to download and use to report drug events. According to Government Health IT, there is no set timetable for implementing the changes. However, Gottlieb said over the summer that the FDA plans to have in place within two years a single electronic reporting system for adverse drug and device events.

Word-of-mouth influencers more likely to visit brand Web sites

Word-of-mouth influencers more likely to visit brand Web sites

 

A new survey has identified some of the key habits of "social persuaders and influencers" (SPIs)--people who are the most influential when it comes to word-of-mouth marketing. According to the researchers, the study shows that these consumers are not only influential, but very reachable by marketers. SPIs are 65% more likely to visit manufacturer or brand Web sites than the average consumer and are 88% more likely to share information at a product or social event than average consumers. Also, the study revealed that SPIs generally follow a four-step word-of-mouth marketing process: awareness, research, personal experiences, and recommendation. The research is from online product sampling firm StartSampling and interactive marketing firm McElroy.

 

FULL STORY BELOW:

 

New Research Findings Unearth Unique Path to Recommendation for Word of Mouth Marketing

Business Wire via NewsEdge Corporation :

Engagement Rank as Top Touch Points for Enhancing Recommendation Likelihood Business Editors/Marketing Writers CHICAGO & MARINA DEL REY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 6, 2006--Findings from the first-ever SPI Report, a new quarterly research offering from StartSampling Inc. and McElroy Inc., have uncovered a unique path to recommendation and distinct marketing preferences among the population's most influential consumers. SPIs (or "Social Persuaders and Influencers") appear to follow a four-step Word of Mouth process: awareness, research, personal experience and recommendation. And, unlike average consumers, SPIs say that product reviews, brand and shopping Web sites, and in-store trial and dialog are among the marketing tactics most likely to influence their recommendations.

"While there is a lot of good research out there on Word of Mouth marketing, we think the SPI Report is the first research offering to really 'peel back the onion' for marketers," said Larry Burns, president and chief executive officer of StartSampling. "Everyone knows that influential consumers are extremely important to WOM marketing, but what the SPI Report shows is that they are also extremely reachable."

Developed by marketers for marketers to deliver actionable insights to the practice of Word of Mouth marketing, the SPI Report taps into a panel of more than 2,000 qualified Social Persuaders and Influencers to unearth and analyze the characteristics, attitudes, behaviors and media consumption habits of this influential group. Offered on a quarterly and annual review basis, each SPI Report also includes insight and analysis from leading, experienced research and marketing professionals at StartSampling and McElroy.

Detailed findings from the January 2007 SPI Report indicate that, in the awareness phase, SPIs are:

-- 61 percent more likely than total respondents surveyed to learn about products or services through online and offline product reviews

-- More than 40 percent more likely to become aware through shopping Web sites and online portals

In the research phase, SPIs are:

-- 76 percent more likely to seek out information from store employees

-- 65 percent more likely to read offline reviews, and

-- 65 percent more likely to visit manufacturer or brand Web sites

In the experience phase, SPIs are:

-- 49 percent more likely to participate in an in-store training or class

-- 36 percent more likely to encounter a product at an event they are attending

-- 30 percent more likely to encounter a product in an in-store demo

In the recommendation phase, SPIs are:

-- 88 percent more likely to share information at a meeting or social event

-- 81 percent more likely to email information to others

-- 76 percent more likely to call others with information

And, among those under the age of 35, SPIs are 50 percent more likely than total respondents surveyed to use blogs, text messaging and instant messaging to communicate about products and services.

"Most companies today say they want to do Word of Mouth marketing programs, but they are unsure about how to design targeted and effective campaigns," said Dani Mariano, vice president of business insights for McElroy. "With the SPI Report, our goal is to help marketers build media plans based on sources that SPIs consider relevant, design communications plans to engage SPIs and foster WOM, and ensure that advertising and PR breaks through the clutter to resonate with this unique group of consumers."

SPIs are individuals at the top of the Word of Mouth pyramid; they are the 10 percent of the population who influence the social choices of the remaining 90 percent. SPIs have universal characteristics and behavioral traits that are identified in three intersecting dimensions: size of social network, persuasive power and propensity to disseminate product or service information. The SPI profile does not compete or conflict with other existing definitions of influential consumers, but rather it builds a high-level construct that effectively captures the coveted "10 percent" regardless of demographics or category-specific viral activity.

SPIs are different from total respondents in several ways:

-- SPIs are four times more likely to belong to five or more organizations

-- SPIs are four times more likely to be considered "experts" by others

-- SPIs are twice as likely to recommend a product they like, and when they do, they are four times more likely to tell 11 or more people

The SPI Report is the first offering from Innovision, a new consumer and business insights division of McElroy and StartSampling. Innovision brings together experts in CRM, product promotion, marketing and research to deliver innovative research products that penetrate the inner workings of consumer behavior and offer actionable insights that can be readily applied.

The SPI Report will be available on January 15, 2007 for a price of $9,500. Custom research using the SPI Report consumer panel will also be available beginning in January of 2007. For more information, or to purchase the SPI Report, please visit www.spi-report.com.

About StartSampling Inc.

A pioneer in online product sampling, StartSampling is a digital marketing services company that facilitates direct online and off-line links between brand owners and interested, engaged consumers to achieve its mission of "Helping people connect with brands ... to turn trying into buying." With major clients from consumer packaged goods as well as other industries, StartSampling provides services that span the entire promotions process - from website design and development, physical fulfillment, data handling and cleansing/storage-related activities to real-time online reporting and information tools that illustrate consumer reaction to clients' brand marketing efforts. The company also offers valuable, proprietary research based on its unique membership panel of more than 2.5 million engaged consumers. StartSampling was founded in 1998 and is based in Carol Stream, Ill. For more information, please visit www.startsampling.com.

About McElroy Inc.

With expertise spanning creative, marketing, technology and business analytics, McElroy is a full-service interactive marketing agency that delivers effective, measurable multi-media campaigns born from expert data analysis and actionable consumer insights.

McElroy's core offerings include interactive, database and relationship marketing services that form a centralized online control point for clients' integrated marketing campaigns. An award-winning, independently-owned agency that has served clients including Nestle, Kraft, Heinz, Sara-Lee, Creative Artists Agency, Alterna Hair Care, 21st Century Insurance and numerous other well-known brands, McElroy is one of Los Angeles' longest running ad firms and has been a pioneer of numerous marketing innovations over its more than 50-year history. For more information, visit www.mcelroyLA.com.

Spending online impacts how many people search for your Rx

Spending online impacts how many people search for your Rx

 

Combining search and display ads delivers better results than either tactic can deliver alone, according to a new study from Yahoo! and comScore Networks. The research examined real advertising campaigns from Fortune 100 companies and found that offline purchases of advertised products increased 89% among consumers who were exposed to both search and display ads compared to those with similar behavior who were not exposed to these ads. "The findings confirmed what we've always thought to be true--that a combination of search and display ads is more effective--and this study gives us the data to support that theory," Jack Barrette, Yahoo!'s chief development officer for pharmaceutical, tells ePharm5. In addition, the study found that exposure to a display advertisement increased related trademark searches, such as the brand or company names, by an average of 26% during the campaign flight. Click the supporting link below to read more about the study.

 

FULL STORY

 

Yahoo! Helps Close the Loop Between Search and Display Advertising

Business Wire via NewsEdge Corporation :

Display Ad Campaigns Result in Deeper Engagement, Increased Sales Business Editors SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2006--Yahoo! Inc., a leading global Internet company, today announced the results of a new Web-wide study, conducted by comScore Networks, which measures the impact of display and search advertising campaigns. The study, entitled "Close the Loop: Understanding Search and Display Synergy," found that when combined, search and display advertising deliver profoundly better results than when used independently. The study showed a significant lift in onsite engagement and an increase in online and offline purchasing by consumers who are exposed to integrated campaigns that employ both types of online advertising.

The research was based on results from actual advertising campaigns from Fortune 100 companies in several vertical categories. The overall results showed that when viewed together, campaigns that take advantage of both search and display advertising are far more engaging and effective than those viewed individually. Online users who were exposed to both the search and display advertising campaigns increased their share of page views relative to competitive sites by 68 percent, and time spent by 66 percent. More importantly, among those exposed to both the search and display ads, purchases of the advertiser's products and services increased by 244 percent online and 89 percent offline compared to online users with similar behavior who were not exposed to these ads.

"Our clients have asked us to help them understand the value of running coordinated search and display campaigns, and until now, much of the data in the marketplace has been anecdotal," said, Beth Taylor, vice president of media for Digitas. "Compelling research like this will help agencies and marketers' alike better leverage the combined strengths of search and display advertising to improve customer engagement."

The study also found that exposure to a display advertisement increased related trademark term searches (brand, company or product names) by an average of 26 percent during the campaign flight. This shows that interest generated from display advertising carries over to consumer search behavior, making it crucial that marketers utilize both to take full advantage of their online brand presence.

"This research clearly shows that search and display advertising, which are each very effective on their own, work more effectively in tandem," said Greg Coleman, executive vice president of sales for Yahoo!. "Advertisers who approach their marketing holistically drive greater engagement, generate more purchases both online and offline and steal share from their direct competitors."

About the Study

Through its representative panel of more than one million consumers in the U.S., comScore identified consumers who were exposed to search and display ads for a given advertiser across the entire Internet, and compared their online behaviors to control groups of online users. With the exception of the exposure to the advertising, these groups were behaviorally and demographically identical. By examining the lifts in behavior between the control and exposed groups, comScore isolated and analyzed the effectiveness of the advertising in driving specific activities, including Web site visitation, engagement and online and offline purchase behavior.

About Yahoo!

Yahoo! Inc. is a leading global internet brand and one of the most trafficked Internet destinations worldwide. Yahoo! seeks to provide online products and services essential to users' lives, and offers a full range of tools and marketing solutions for businesses to connect with Internet users around the world. Yahoo! is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.

About comScore Networks

comScore Networks is a global leader in measuring the digital age. This capability is based on a massive, global cross-section of more than 2 million consumers who have given comScore permission to confidentially capture their browsing and transaction behavior, including online and offline purchasing. comScore panelists also participate in survey research that captures and integrates their attitudes and intentions. Through its proprietary technology, comScore measures what matters across a broad spectrum of behavior and attitudes. comScore consultants apply this deep knowledge of customers and competitors to help clients design powerful marketing strategies and tactics that deliver superior ROI. comScore services are used by global leaders such as AOL, Microsoft, Yahoo!, Verizon, Best Buy, The Newspaper Association of America, Tribune Interactive, ESPN, Fox Sports, Nestle, MBNA, Universal McCann, the United States Postal Service, Merck and Expedia. For more information, please visit www.comscore.com.

Spending online impacts how many people search for your Rx

Spending online impacts how many people search for your Rx

 

The number of people searching online for information about a certain condition is a function of the amount of money the marketer spends online, according to Carolina Petrini, vice president of comScore Pharmaceutical Solutions. For example, although more of the general population has diabetes, there are more people looking online for information about bipolar disorder. "The makers of these drugs have embraced the online channel," Petrini tells ePharm5. Thirty-three million consumers visited a prescription medication Web site in the third quarter of 2006, a 13% increase from the same quarter the year before, according to the comScore Pharmaceutical Solutions study. Depression was the most-searched-for condition, with 2.9 million unique visitors, followed by bipolar disorder (1.8 million unique visitors) and insomnia (1.7 million unique visitors). Of those consumers, 66% researched for themselves, 10% researched for a spouse, and 6% for a child.

 

 

[FULL STORY BELOW]

Thirty-Three Million Consumers Researched Prescription Medication Using the Internet in Q3, 2006, Seeking Information on Drug Health and Safety

December 6, 2006, 11:57 AM

RESTON, Va., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- comScore Pharmaceutical Solutions today released an analysis of consumers' use of the Internet as a resource for researching prescription medication information. According to the study, 33 million Internet users visited a prescription medication site in Q3 2006, an increase of 13 percent over Q3 2005.

Two-thirds (66 percent) of visitors to prescription medication sites reported conducting research for themselves, with 10 percent conducting research for a spouse and 6 percent for a child. Consumers sought online information most frequently for specific health conditions, including depression (2.9 million unique visitors), bipolar disorder (1.8 million unique visitors), and insomnia (1.7 million unique visitors).

"Consumers are increasingly looking to the Internet to become more knowledgeable about medications that have been prescribed by their doctors, or that seem relevant for their symptoms," said Carolina Petrini, vice president of comScore Pharmaceutical Solutions. "As pharmaceutical companies continue to evolve their online media strategies, they must become mindful of how their audience researches drug and health information, as well as the type of content they seek, in order to better meet the needs of their consumers."

Search and Online Marketing Programs Drive Traffic

Online marketing has become an important driver of traffic to prescription medication sites, with 31 percent of visitors first becoming aware of the site or product through an online marketing program. One-fifth (20 percent) of all researchers reported that they first became aware of a product via an online search, with individuals age 35-54 accounting for 23 percent of those visitors. Other online marketing programs, such as banner ads, were responsible for driving 10 percent of all traffic.

Drug-Related Information Draws the Most Attention

Two-thirds (66 percent) of researchers reported looking for information on drug side effects, and 53 percent looked for drug safety information. Condition-focused information was sought by 53 percent of visitors, while patient information and support programs were sought by nearly one-third of all visitors (29 percent).

    Information Sought by Consumers Researching Prescription Medications
    Ranked by Percentage of All Respondents
    Source: comScore Networks Prescription Medication Study
                                                        	% of Researchers
    Drug side effect information                                		66%
    General information about the condition                		53%
    Drug safety information                                     		52%
    Drug prescribing information                                		33%
    Drug dosage information                                     		31%
    Patient information and support programs                    	29%
    Information to compare medications                          	29%
    Information about the company that manufactures the drug    	18%

In general, prescription medication sites enjoy a high level of satisfaction among their visitors, who indicated that sites were both credible and easy to use. Nearly three-quarters of researchers reportedly found the information on prescription medication sites to be credible (73 percent), easy to understand (71 percent), and easily found (70 percent).

    Researcher Satisfaction with Web Site
    Percentage of All Respondents (Top 2 Box)
    Source: comScore Networks Prescription Medication Information Study
                                                   			% of Researchers
    Information was credible                              	73%
    Information was easy to understand                    	71%
    Could easily find what I was looking for              	70%
    Made me more knowledgeable about the drug             69%
    Useful and relevant                                   	68%
    Satisfied with quality of information                 	66%
    Made me more knowledgeable about the condition       61%

As another indication of satisfaction, more than half (56 percent) of researchers indicated a high likelihood of returning to the site, and 57 percent reported they would recommend the site to others.

Depression Remains the Leading Condition Researched Online

An analysis of overall traffic to Web sites devoted to prescription medications revealed the conditions with high levels of visitation. Depression was the top-ranked therapeutic area with 2.9 million unique visitors. Bipolar disorder and insomnia ranked second and third with 1.8 million and 1.7 million unique visitors, respectively.

    Top Treatment Categories Researched
    Ranked by Total Unique Visitors (000)
    Q3 2005 vs. Q3 2006
    Source:  comScore Networks Weight Loss Study
                                                      Q3 2005        Q3 2006
                                                       (000)          (000)
    Depression                                      2,950          2,893
    Bipolar                                            1,364          1,782
    Insomnia                                         1,414          1,745
    Cholesterol                                      1,825          1,718
    Acid Reflux/GERD                               2,493          1,402
    Contraception                                     702          1,390
    ADHD                                                900          1,367
    Hypertension                                      646          1,079
    Breast Cancer                                     523            881
    Allergies                                          1,155            738
    Migraine                                             563            723
    Diabetes                                             838            684
    Asthma                                               828            616

"Key players in depression, bipolar and insomnia have invested heavily in the online channel, though banner and search campaigns. Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly realizing the impact of online marketing on patients and prospects, and are re-allocating their marketing funds accordingly," added Ms. Petrini.

Pharmaceutical/ health care professionals and members of the media may request a copy of the full report at: http://www.comscore.com/request/prescription-medication-study.asp.

About This Study

For the purposes of this report, comScore Pharmaceutical Solutions conducted a survey among members of comScore's panel of more than two million online consumers who have given comScore permission to track their complete behavior on the Internet.

    Methodology Details
    Population:  U.S. Internet users who visited at least one pharmaceutical
                 Web site in the last 3 months
    Time Period: October 2006
    Survey Mode: E-mail invitations sent to comScore panelists
    Respondents: 411 completes
    About comScore Pharmaceutical Solutions

comScore Pharmaceutical Solutions deliver the in-depth information needed to understand the impact that brand, condition-specific, and health portal Web sites have on consumers' brand awareness, conversion, and patient compliance. comScore delivers actionable insight to help refine consumer profiles, identify key alliances, optimize interactive marketing initiatives, benchmark against the competition and truly measure the ROI of Web site and online marketing programs.

About comScore Networks

comScore Networks is a global leader in measuring the digital age. This capability is based on a massive, global cross-section of more than 2 million consumers who have given comScore permission to confidentially capture their browsing and transaction behavior, including online and offline purchasing. comScore panelists also participate in survey research that captures and integrates their attitudes and intentions. Through its proprietary technology, comScore measures what matters across a broad spectrum of behavior and attitudes. comScore consultants apply this deep knowledge of customers and competitors to help clients design powerful marketing strategies and tactics that deliver superior ROI. comScore services are used by global leaders such as AOL, Microsoft, Yahoo!, Verizon, Best Buy, The Newspaper Association of America, Tribune Interactive, ESPN, Fox Sports, Nestle, MBNA, Universal McCann, the United States Postal Service, Merck and Expedia. For more information, please visit http://www.comscore.com .

Keyword Prices Sharply Up

Keyword Prices Sharply Up

DECEMBER 7, 2006

Source: eMarketer (http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?1004349&src=article2_newsltr)
Online advertising is up, and so is the cost of keywords. According to Fathom Online, in the second quarter of 2006 the average keyword price was $1.27, down from $1.39 in the first quarter of the year.

That, however, did not jibe with an InsightExpress survey of media executives. Comparing the second quarter of 2006 to the first quarter, 44% of them felt they were paying more for keywords.
http://www.emarketer.com/images/chart_gifs/075001-076000/075014.gif
Now things seem to be coming back in line.

In the third quarter of 2006, Fathom found that the average keyword price paid by online advertisers had increased 16.5% percent to $1.48.

http://www.emarketer.com/images/chart_gifs/079001-080000/079142.gif

"Keyword demand is up as organizations have increased their online advertising budgets and expanded their search marketing capabilities," said Dean DeBiase, CEO of Fathom. "Both online advertising and search marketing are becoming strategic components of the overall marketing mix because of their growing effectiveness."

In November, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) estimated that Internet advertising revenues in the third quarter of 2006 rose to a record $4.2 billion.

http://www.emarketer.com/images/chart_gifs/078001-079000/078560.gif

Obviously, since many organizations are managing as many as 5,000 keywords, an average of 9 cents more a word adds up.

Studies show that online ad budgets continue to surge

Studies show that online ad budgets continue to surge

Two new studies show that online advertising is growing at a faster clip than any other ad-supported media. However, according to TNS Media Intelligence, the growth is largely fueled by small to mid-sized companies, with the top 50 companies still focusing primarily on traditional media, reports MediaPost. However, even without the biggest marketers, TNS says that online display ad spending reached $7.2 billion through the first nine months of 2006, up $1 billion from the same period the year before. ZenithOptimedia predicts that online ad budgets will grow 28.2% in 2007, a rate that is seven times that of the overall ad market. The report also predicts that online ad spending will account for nearly 9% of global ad spending by 2009.

 

ValueClick launches video ad platform for its 13,000 sites

ValueClick launches video ad platform for its 13,000 sites

A new video ad serving platform from ValueClick allows for in-stream video ads on the more than 13,000 sites in its network. The system will run ads before and after videos and within banners, reports MediaPost. ValueClick is also experimenting with formats, such as pre- and post-roll and ad placements displayed around the video player, according to AdWeek. Even as online video ads become more common around the Web, companies are still trying to figure out the best format. A study last month from video and audio search engine PodZinger showed that viewers are willing to watch 10- to 15-second ads as part of watching video content and prefer shorter ads to the typical 30-second spot.  Also, although more than 90% of online video ads are pre-roll, industry experts say this is not the ad model of the future.

 

AZ-funded study: Need for better cancer clinical trials education

[BRIEF]
AZ-funded study: Need for better cancer clinical trials education

According to an AstraZeneca-sponsored study, more than 80% of cancer patients were unaware of available and appropriate clinical trials when they were exploring treatment options. However, most oncologists believe that they discuss clinical trial participation with eligible patients. According to the researchers, more work needs to be done to make sure that cancer patients receive information about clinical trials. This is especially true because the survey also found that 69% of cancer patients would be very or somewhat interested in participating in a clinical trial if they still needed treatment and a new drug was being developed. The rate of interest was higher for lung cancer patients at 77%. In response to the lack of education and the stated willingness to participate, the Lung Cancer Alliance, which helped develop the survey, offers a toll free number to its Clinical Trials Matching Service.

[FULL STORY]
New Survey Shows Half of Cancer Patients Are Not Aware of Clinical Trials at the Time of Their Treatment Decision

PR Newswire via NewsEdge Corporation :

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Lung Cancer Alliance, a nationally-recognized leader in providing patient support and advocacy solely for those living with or at risk for lung cancer, today announced disconcerting findings from a new national survey of 600 patients and oncologists that show a surprising and significant lack of awareness among cancer patients about clinical trials available to them. Concerns, fears and misperceptions about what to expect as a clinical trial participant, such as the quality of care a patient receives and the chances for treatment benefit, further deter the few who are informed from becoming involved themselves.

The Clinical Trial Awareness, Attitudes and Participation among Cancer Patients and Oncologists study sought to gain further insight into the predominant barriers to participation in clinical trials by cancer patients. The survey specifically examined attitudes and opinions of lung cancer patients as well as those with other types of cancer. It also surveyed attitudes and awareness among oncologists who provide treatment. Though most oncologists believe that they discuss clinical trial participation options with eligible patients, the study revealed that more than 80 percent of cancer patients say they were unaware of available and appropriate clinical trials at the time they were exploring treatment options.

Despite this seeming communication disconnect between oncologists and cancer patients, both oncologists and patients agree on the reasons why many patients do not choose to enroll in clinical trials, including:

* Fear of receiving a placebo or sugar pill (30% patients, 67% physicians)
* Fear of side effects (40% patients, 61% physicians)
* Inconvenience of the trial location (6% patients, 42% physicians)
* Costs associated with participation/insurance coverage issues (2% patients, 38% physicians)

"Clinical trials represent the single, most important step in the process of bringing new, improved cancer therapies to patients and the fact that many patients do not enroll in them because they do not feel they have enough information or even worse, don't know about them, is very troubling," said Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, Chief of the Section of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Professor of Medicine, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, who developed this survey with Lung Cancer Alliance. "Thousands of cancer patients are being helped each day by new therapies under investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This survey shows us that there is more work to be done to ensure information gets into the hands of cancer patients so they are able to make informed decisions about whether or not clinical trials are right for them."

While patients expressed numerous concerns and hesitations about participating in clinical studies, they did report that they would be interested if they had all the appropriate information regarding trials. In fact, seven out of ten cancer patients (69 percent) would be very or somewhat interested in participating in a clinical trial if they still required treatment and a new drug was being developed. Lung cancer patients, in particular, expressed more interest than other cancer patients (77 percent vs. 62 percent).

Additional advantages of joining a clinical trial cited by patients include helping with research to find a cure (30 percent) and exposure to the latest or cutting-edge treatment not yet on the market (26 percent). In terms of obtaining information about these studies, a vast majority of cancer patients (79 percent) learned about a trial from their physician. One out of four patients (26 percent) read about a trial online.

Despite being the primary source of clinical trial information for patients, oncologists expressed concern about the lack of one, central resource they can turn to for information about clinical trials taking place in their geographical area. While 50 percent of oncologists reported they are aware of all or most clinical trials for new cancer drugs, the findings also show that keeping current on these trials can be a time-consuming challenge and improved resources could further engage the treating oncologist community as well.

Another key consideration for patients and oncologists when evaluating the benefits of clinical trial participation is the efficacy and the side effect profile of current, FDA-approved treatments available for the disease. Experimental therapies can be synonymous with hope for patients with especially hard-to-treat cancers, such as lung cancer. This may explain why lung cancer patients are willing to travel further than other cancer patients to receive their treatment in a clinical trial -- 41 percent of lung cancer patients travel 20 miles or more to receive treatment compared to 31 percent of other cancer patients. According to the National Cancer Institute, 70 percent of lung cancer patients receive late-stage diagnoses, further limiting their treatment options by ruling out therapies that are most effective in the earlier stages of the disease.

"Throughout the cancer-treatment and support communities, we realized that barriers such as education, access and changes in Medicare were preventing patients from making informed decisions about clinical trial enrollment," said Laurie Fenton, President of Lung Cancer Alliance. "This dilemma can only be solved by providing cancer patients with consumer-friendly, unbiased information about clinical trials that debunks common myths and details the benefits of participation, ranging from medical to financial, for all eligible patients."
In response to this problem, Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) encourages interested patients and caregivers to contact a Clinical Trial Matching Specialist by calling, toll-free, (800) 698-0931. The LCA Clinical Trials Matching Service is powered by EmergingMed.

In addition, the 2006-7 LCA Clinical Trials Matching Service Education Series provides lung cancer patients and caregivers in-depth information on the clinical trial process and research results of clinical trials.

The study was made possible with the support of AstraZeneca. Information regarding lung and other cancer clinical trials sponsored by AstraZeneca can be obtained by calling the AstraZeneca Cancer Support Network at 1-(866)-992-9276. AstraZeneca also supports the LCA Clinical Trials Matching Service Education Series. Together, AstraZeneca and Lung Cancer Alliance are striving to make cancer care a more personalized experience for those affected by the disease to ensure better outcomes for all patients in the communities where we live and work.

About the Survey:
Clinical Trial Awareness, Attitudes and Participation among Cancer Patients and Oncologists was conducted online by Shugoll Research with 200 cancer patients, 200 lung cancer patients and 200 oncologists between August 9th and August 18th, 2006. The accuracy for the cancer patient sample, lung cancer patient sample and the oncologist sample of 200 is +/- 7.0 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.

About Lung Cancer Alliance
Lung Cancer Alliance is the only non-profit organization solely dedicated to patient support and advocacy for people living with, or at risk for, lung cancer. As the number one cancer killer, lung cancer will kill more than 160,000 Americans this year alone, causing more deaths than breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney cancers and melanoma combined. For more information about Lung Cancer Alliance, please visit http://www.LungCancerAlliance.org.

About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of $23.95 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infection products. In the United States, AstraZeneca is a $10.77 billion healthcare business with more than 12,000 employees. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index. For more information about AstraZeneca, please visit: http://www.astrazeneca-us.com.

Partnership provides disease management tools via cell phone

Partnership provides disease management tools via cell phone

A new partnership will provide pharma companies, disease management organizations, and other stakeholders with disease management services that are delivered via cell phone. BeWell Mobile, which provides engagement software for cell phones, is partnering with IT firm Wipro Technologies for the new service. According to BeWell, the partnership will allow disease management programs to have real-time communications with patients. Tools include an electronic diary, reminders, surveys, and other patient applications, as well as features for medical research. Currently, BeWell is involved in a National Cancer Institute-funded study with Kaiser Permanente's Division of Research and a pilot study for asthma management at San Mateo Medical Center and Clinics.

 

Company brings gaming to world of physician marketing

Company brings gaming to world of physician marketing

BioLucid Productions is using medical gaming to usher in the next generation of physician engagement. The company, which has already penetrated the pharma and biotech market with 3D medical animation, is now producing MedGames for pharma companies, which use interactive 3D video games for medical education and marketing. According to Jeff Hazelton, founder and president of BioLucid, physicians play the games at pharma booths at trade shows, providing a good opportunity for reps to talk with engaged physicians. He tells ePharm5 that the objective of the game usually involves using the product's mechanism of action to prevent a disease state. There is also educational material mixed in that players need to read before proceeding to the next level. Hazelton says that physicians love it and that there's always a demand for the games at trade shows. BioLucid clients include Elan, which has created a MedGame, as well as Pfizer, Santarus, and Alcon Laboratories.

 

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The Era of TIVOCasting is Upon Us

I have been awaiting the release of TIVO desktop 2.4 for a few months now.  It’s supposed to become available sometime before Christmas.  However, Engadget seemed to have gotten a sneak peek.  For those who own a TIVO, this is very interesting.  For those who don’t, it still speaks to the incredible potential of the IP-TV future (e.g., Television “broadcast” over internet protocols).  Imagine that any person in the world, in similar fashion to YouTube, can post a video on TIVO and that anyone else in the world (who owns a similarly configured TIVO box) can watch it… on THEIR Television!!!  Soon, we will all have our own “cable” channels that anyone in the world can watch (and record).  And TIVO also plans to be launching a “search” feature (think Google on the TV), which will let others find any content by keyword (both professional and amateur).  Welcome to the age of TIVOcasting.  And guess what?   It’s just around the corner.  

 

http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/15/hands-on-with-tivos-new-tivocast-and-pc-to-tivo-functions/