Abbott Web site hosting live chats with diabetes experts

Abbott Web site hosting live chats with diabetes experts

Abbott is hosting live online chats on the new Web site www.abbottdiabetescare.com to help parents manage children's diabetes during the holidays.

Available November 8 through January 3, the chats and other tools will connect users with diabetes specialists for advice about diabetes and the holidays and provide social support. According to Abbott, 93% of parents of diabetic children say it's challenging to stick to regular diabetes routines during the holidays, and their children experience more periods of uncontrolled blood glucose during this time. Almost 60% of surveyed parents said stress levels increase when it comes to caring for children with diabetes during the holiday season, and most said educational tools, such as Web chats and online forums, would help decrease their anxiety.

Not only are more people online, they spend average of 11 hours per week

Not only are more people online, they spend average of 11 hours per week

Seventy-nine percent of adults are now online, according to the latest Harris Poll of 2,062 U.S. adults. It's a rise that's continued steadily, up from 77% in February/April 2006, 74% in February/April 2005, and 66% in the spring of 2002. In fact, in the past year, the number of online users has reached an estimated 178 million, a 10% increase. People are also spending more time online, at an average of 11 hours per week, up from nine hours last year and eight hours in 2005.

J&J, other advertisers sign onto social network for disabled community

J&J, other advertisers sign onto social network for disabled community

Johnson & Johnson is among the companies already signed on to advertise with Disaboom.com, a new social network for the more than 650 million adults living with disabilities worldwide. The site launched at the beginning of October and according to The New York Times, it's reaching an audience that's too large to be called a "niche" group. Disaboom.com features videos, discussion boards, and product and service reviews. There are also a health channel, news, and a career center, according to the site. Howard Lieber, Disaboom's vice president for sales, told The Times that he doesn't think "mainstream advertisers realize the magnitude of the marketplace."

Facebook's Big Ad Plan: If Users Like You, They'll Be Your Campaign

Zuckerberg's Big Unveiling Leaves Some Marketers Salivating at Access to Social Graph

 

By Abbey Klaassen

 

Published: November 06, 2007 NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- About 150 clients (and a few reporters) were packed into a long, narrow room in a West Manhattan rental space today to hear Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg declare that the days of waste in media targeting were over and tout a new "pull marketing" era in which consumers voluntarily endorse the brands and products they like.

 

Using social data, Mr. Zuckerberg said, Facebook will "help you create some of the best ad campaigns you've ever built." He was onstage to unveil Facebook Ads, a system by which marketers can marry an ad message to a user-initiated endorsement of a product or service.

Sharing in the brand engagement
Tactically, it's not an easy concept to explain. The first part involves user-initiated recommendations of a brand: When people visit a business' Facebook page, they can choose to share their engagement with the band (by becoming a "fan" or writing on the brand's "wall") with their peer network using a newsfeed or mini-feed. Facebook users can also share their interaction on a brand's own website through a program coined Beacon. For example, users can share with their network when they post an item for sale on eBay, rent a movie on Blockbuster.com or rate a book on Amazon.com.

The idea is that communication moves not from the brand to the consumer but from the consumer to his or her friends and family.

Then there's the actual paid-advertising part: Facebook will permit advertisers to attach an ad message to those user notifications. To do so, marketers make a Facebook ad buy targeting users by any number of traits users volunteer on their profiles, such as age, political leanings or interests and activities. Facebook will then serve up those ads -- fairly simple text-plus-graphic creative -- either without the social element or, if a friend has sent notification of a brand engagement, within that.

"We are putting advertising back in the hands of people," said Chamath Palihapitiya, VP-product marketing and operations, Facebook. He said it would create a system for user recommendations "so ads are less like ads and more like information and content."

Facebook is offering the Beacon placement and branded pages for free. In return, the social-networking site gains access to potentially valuable targeting data about what kinds of brands users interact with.

A Trojan Horse
"It's a brilliant Trojan Horse," said Mark Kingdon, CEO of Organic. Overall, he called the platform "a natural evolution, both advertiser-friendly and user-friendly."

Marketer reaction ranged from modest skepticism to major enthusiasm.

Jeffrey Glueck, chief marketing officer at Travelocity, which was a launch partner of Facebook's Social Ads platform, said he was excited about the opportunities, but he admitted his brand has an inherent social aspect to it.

"Travel is very social, people like to talk about travel, invite their friends ... and Facebook users like to share information with friends," he said.

James Warner, exec VP-Avenue A/Razorfish East Region, said he liked the ability to linking a user action into an ad. "It's unique," he said, reservedly.

John Harrobin, senior VP-marketing and digital media at Verizon, was perhaps the most effusive, calling it exciting in the same way Google's launch of AdWords was exciting. The difference, he said, is Facebook's plan not only drives ads to those people who are in the bottom of the sales funnel but also the overall marketing effort.

"This lets us tap into the Facebook community's potential to drive results," he said.

But will consumers share?
Still, the service hinges on several things, not the least of which is users wanting to share their purchase behavior with friends. The targeting aspect assumes people honestly share their profile info. It also doesn't take into account what is happening in the offline world. (To hear Mr. Zuckerberg describe it, Facebook is the reflection of people's connections in the offline world.)

Rob Norman, CEO of Group M Interaction, blogged about the announcement and said it was encouraging concept but also posed a "massive challenge in reputation management and just one more destination to deal with in terms of driving the traffic with messaging that shapes opinion." He cautioned that clutter could become impenetrable, that people who share information about brands with friends might not actually like that being co-opted by advertisers; an easy slip up could, of course, broadcast something like a porn purchase to an entire social network.

There needs to be, he wrote, some "smart thinking about how to harvest the eggs without killing the golden goose."

DestinationRx's New Online Tool Helps Seniors Navigate Medicare Part D

DestinationRx's New Online Tool Helps Seniors Navigate Medicare Part D

Business Wire via NewsEdge Corporation :

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--November 6, 2007--DestinationRx ®is encouragingseniors and their families and caretakers to educate themselves and shop around before selecting a Medicare Part D health plan this enrollment season (November 15 – December 31). Their new site offers an easy to use, senior-friendly online comparison tool to help consumers understand their options, compare Medicare plans, and find the right plan for themselves or their loved ones.

Comfort, Control, Continuity and Cost Savings

Consumers will be able to use the online tool beginning November 15th. Seniors will simply enter their zip code and prescription drug requirements, and the program will provide a list of Part D plans in their area. Seniors will also be able to conduct side-by-side comparisons based on monthly and annual premiums, deductible amounts, coverage gap or “donut hole” coverage and estimated annual cost for their prescription drugs, and ultimately apply to the Part D plan of their choice.

By using advanced technology behind a simple, senior-friendly online tool, DestinationRx is able to give seniors important information about their options and the means to choose a plan – and ultimately save money. “Seniors can save money by comparing plans to find the most cost-efficient plan in their area. They can take control by being informed about their options and making educated decisions to avoid the surprises of changing premiums and drug costs,” said Michael Cho, CEO of DestinationRx.

The potential benefits go beyond cost savings. Changes in many aspects of drug plans are a certainty this year, and consumers that take the time to understand their current plan and the changes taking effect will have a clearer picture of whether they should stay in their current plan or switch plans. For seniors who want to switch, this new online comparison tool can help inform them of their options and make the switch to a plan that better suits their needs.

Expanding the Comfort Zone

As many as 91% of Medicare beneficiaries could see significant cost savings by switching plans – those who don’ t can expect an average 21% increase in their plan premiums. Comfort and convenience are two reasons consumers tend not to change their health plans year to year – but this could prevent seniors from making necessary changes to minimize their healthcare spending. And with the possibility of Medicare members having up to 50 different Part D plans to choose from in their zip code, making decisions about changing plans can be a very complex and daunting task.

“Research shows the majority of seniors will make a choice about their health plan based on isolated decision-making and without consulting additional sources. Hence, most seniors will not switch plans although they have the opportunity to do so once each year. We are trying to turn that fact around,” added Cho. “We want to raise awareness among seniors and other eligibles already enrolled in Medicare Part D plans, as well as caretakers of these seniors, and simplify the process of choosing a plan, with the potential for real cost savings.”

Giving Seniors Tools They Can Use

Today’ s technology is encouraging better use of resources for plan comparisons and purchasing options for a variety of prescription drug and other healthcare transactions. An increasing number of consumers over 50 – who are often the caretakers or family members of Medicare beneficiaries – are Internet-savvy and are using technology to manage health spending. These consumers often influence the health decisions made by elderly family members, and the new online comparison tool can be a resource for family members in addition to seniors.

As the cost of prescription drugs continues to soar, seniors also need to empower themselves as consumers. Tools that offer advanced technology, but take into account seniors’ specific needs, can help them make informed decisions and save on healthcare costs. “In the past, the savings we’ ve seen seniors achieve has been pretty amazing,” Cho said.

“A key weapon for consumers in all industries is independent research. For example, few people would walk into a car lot and buy the first vehicle they laid eyes on. They would do some research on their own and weigh the pros and cons of various models,” said Cho. “This same principle applies to prescription drug insurance. Patients who want to save money need to become savvy consumers.”

The online Medicare Part D comparison tool will be live on November 15, but seniors can currently sign up on the site to be reminded as the Open Enrollment period draws closer.

About DestinationRx

Founded in 1999, DestinationRx, Inc. is a leader in consumer drug comparison and purchasing technology. The company provides government and commercial plan providers with the resources to create fully integrated and comprehensive decision-support capabilities for their members. DestinationRx is also a leading consumer resource, providing education, price comparisons, and purchasing options for a variety of prescription drug and other healthcare transactions with in the context of the DestinationRx Medicine Cabinet ™. The company’ s client roster includes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs), large health plans, Fortune 100 employers, and advocacy organizations.

For more information,

DestinationRx http://www.drx.com.

Medicare Part D Plan online comparison tool http://www.drx.com/medicare-partd/compare/intermediate.aspx.

DestinationRx

Russell LaMontagne, 212-255-5340

Russell@corinthgroup.com

State Keywords: California

Industry Keywords: Seniors; Health; Other Health; Professional Services; Insurance; Consumer

Source: DestinationRx, Inc.

NIH launches Spanish-language diabetes, digestive, kidney disease portals

NIH launches Spanish-language diabetes, digestive, kidney disease portals

Three new Web portals from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) aim to provide information about digestive, kidney, and urologic diseases in Spanish. The portals, launched by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), features an A to Z list of topics and Spanish titles that includes 40 diabetes-related publications, 10 publications about digestive diseases, and 18 kidney and urologic publications. NIDDK says it will be adding more than 30 additional Spanish-language publications in the future, including one-page fact sheets that are part of its Awareness and Prevention Series. The NIDDK Web site also links to the Spanish portals for MedlinePlus, the National Kidney Disease Education Program, the NIDDK Reference Collection, the National Diabetes Education Program home page, and the NIDDK Interactive Tools page. In related news, a study presented last week showed that despite a rapidly growing demand for Spanish-language online cancer information, few resources provide it.

MySpace breaks down ad targeting into hundreds of subcategories

MySpace breaks down ad targeting into hundreds of subcategories

More than 50 advertisers, including Procter & Gamble, have completed phase one of MySpace's new advertising platform, HyperTargeting by MySpace. The platform enables marketers to target specific user groups based on the interests that they list in their MySpace profiles. Whereas the first phase targeted consumers based on 10 categories, phase two will break each of them down into hundreds of subcategories for more precise targeting. For example, if phase one targeted movie fans, then phase two will target horror movie fans. MySpace also announced the launch of SelfServe by MySpace, a new advertising platform that allows small-business owners, bands, and politicians to purchase, create, and analyze ads throughout the network. Click the supporting links below to read more.

MySpace Expands Program for Targeted Ads
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/11/04/financial/f210144S86.DTL

MySpace Completes First Phase of 'HyperTargeting by MySpace' Advertising Platform
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/071105/20071105005655.html?.v=1

MySpace Announces 'SelfServe by MySpace' Advertising Platform
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/071105/20071105005665.html?.v=1

New Independent Research Study Shows the Everyday Health Network is the Number 2 Commercial Health Property Online

New Independent Research Study Shows the Everyday Health Network is the Number 2 Commercial Health Property Online

Business Wire via NewsEdge Corporation :

Business Editors/Health Editors

BROOKLYN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--November 5, 2007--In just one year, The Everyday Health Network* (www.everydayhealth.com) has become the stickiest online health property with a higher percentage of people visiting its flagship site, EverydayHealth.com, on a daily basis than any other health online health site according to a new study by Manhattan Research, LLC. Published by Waterfront Media (www.waterfrontmedia.com), The Everyday Health Network also ranked as the number two commercial health property online. The Manhattan Research data also showed that 31% of Everyday Health serious health users return to the site on at least a weekly basis.

"We created Everyday Health on the principle that consumers need unique tools and communities to help them to proactively manage their medical conditions on a regular basis. Now, the research demonstrates how effective our strategy and first year execution have been. In just twelve months, we have become the second most visited commercial health property online. Our assets will certainly help us become the leader because Everyday Health visitors are serious about improving their health online. Unlike casual visitors at other properties who rely on them as a dictionary or encyclopedia, our users rely on our site’ s interactive resources to help them live better with diabetes, cancer, and a variety of other conditions on a day-to-day basis,” said Ben Wolin, Waterfront Media's CEO.

Everyday Health provides consumers with health and wellness information from its 60 condition centers and features Q&A sessions on various topics from physicians from leading institutions like New York-Presbyterian, Harvard Medical, and Duke Medicine. Featuring a highly sophisticated personalization capability which allows consumers to receive information that pertains specifically to them, the site allows users to manage their health conditions online in the easiest and most efficient way possible as well as create meal plans, shopping lists and blood sugar and cholesterol trackers.

Manhattan Research, LLC is a healthcare market research and services firm that focuses on the intersection of digital technology and healthcare business trends. “The Cybercitizen ® Health v7.0” study surveyed over 4,300 U.S. adults from July through October 2007. The study also found that more adults obtained health information from the Web than any other media source, including books, newspapers, magazines, television, and radio.

About Waterfront Media and The Everyday Health Network

The Everyday Health Network is published by Waterfront Media, the largest privately held online health company. One of the largest and the most rapidly growing online health properties, the Everyday Health Network receives over nine million unique users per month; it is also the fourth largest destination for women on the Web. Through its network of sites, including the flagship EverydayHealth.com, Waterfront Media enables consumers to manage their health online and make positive life changes through unique interactive features and personalized advice, tools, and online communities. For more information, please visit www.waterfrontmedia.com.

*The Everyday Health Network includes, among others, EverydayHealth.com, SouthBeachDiet.com, WhatToExpect.com, DeniseAustin.com, DukeDiet.com, FiveFactorDiet.com, JillianMichaels.com, Dr. Weil’ s MyOptimumHealthPlan.com, and SonomaDiet.com.

Krupp Kommunications, Inc.

Kim Newman, 212-886-6712

knewman@kruppnyc.com

State Keywords: New York

Industry Keywords: Health; Other Health; Blogging; Search Engine Marketing; Search Engine Optimization; Social Media; Communications; Advertising; Marketing; Public Relations/Investor Relations; Publishing; Other Communications

Source: Waterfront Media

 

FW: Breaking News: Facebook to Turn Users Into Endorsers

Facebook to Turn Users Into Endorsers

By SAUL HANSELL <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/h/saul_hansell/index.html?inline=nyt-per>

Published: November 6, 2007

Facebook <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/facebook_inc/index.html?inline=nyt-org> wants to turn every member into a spokesman for its advertisers. Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and chief executive of the superhot social network, today announced what the company calls "social ads."

The ads expand what has been one of the most powerful features of Facebook, the news feed, where members see a list of what their friends are doing - photos from their parties, new friends, favorite bands and so on.

Facebook now will give advertisers the ability to create their own profile pages on its system that will let users identify themselves as fans of a product. Each user's news feed will contain items like "Bobby Smith is now a fan of Toyota Prius."

News feeds can be linked to outside Web sites as well, so users can tell friends about what they rented at Blockbuster <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/blockbuster_inc/index.html?inline=nyt-org> or are auctioning on eBay <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/ebay_inc/index.html?inline=nyt-org> .

Facebook will offer all of those features to advertisers free. What it will charge for, however, is appending an advertisement to these news items. Toyota <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/toyota_motor_corporation/index.html?inline=nyt-org> could buy the right to put a photo and a short message under every news-feed post that links to the Prius.

In addition, Friends of Bobby, to continue this example, will see banner ads for Toyota throughout Facebook's site. At the top of each of these ads will be a photo of Bobby and the fact that he likes the Prius.

"Nothing influences a person more than the recommendation of a trusted friend," said Mr. Zuckerberg.

In addition, Facebook will allow advertisers to tap into the vast stores of data that its users provide. They can display ads limited to people with certain interests, location, political views, favorite media, education and relationship status.

Mr. Zuckerberg did not discuss the prices for these advertisements. But he did say that they would be enabled tonight. The company announced an initial roster of advertisers including Coca-Cola <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/coca_cola_company/index.html?inline=nyt-org> , Blockbuster, Verizon <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/verizon_communications_inc/index.html?inline=nyt-org> , Travelocity and Condé Nast.

James W. Keyes , the chief executive of Blockbuster, said his company wanted to take part in a low-key way.

"There is a fine line we walk," he said. "We debated long and hard about whether to put the Blockbuster logo on the Facebook site. We are not trying to induce a particular behavior. If users accept us as a place to share ideas with their friends about their favorite movies, over time that will stimulate purchase behavior. "

Mr. Zuckerberg said Facebook had had 50 million users in the last month. And 25 million users visit Facebook each day. The company displays 65 billion pages on which advertisements can be displayed each month.

Manhattan Research: Consumers in 50s most likely to search Web for Rx info

Manhattan Research: Consumers in 50s most likely to search Web for Rx info

Consumers in their 50s are more likely than those in their 30s and 40s to research pharmaceutical information online, according to the latest Cybercitizen Health data from Manhattan Research. This means marketers have to reevaluate the way they think older consumers use the Internet, says Mark Bard, president of Manhattan Research. Overall, more than 130 million consumers research health information online, and the number of consumers researching pharmaceutical information online has seen a 26% annualized growth in the past five years, the research shows. Manhattan Research is hosting a free Webcast discussing the research on November 7 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (EST), and attendees will receive the white paper Pharmaceutical Consumer Marketing Innovation Trends for 2008.

Click here <http://www.manhattanresearch.com/products/Strategic_Advisory/cch/>  to register. 
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