The Huffington Post's new online video network, HuffPost Live, will employ an integrated sponsorship model where advertisers blend their brand into a live broadcast rather than purchasing commercial airtime, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Set to launch Aug. 13, HuffPost Live will generate nearly the entirety of its ad revenue from alternative branding, enabling advertisers to integrate their brand into the name of a block of programming or even take part in the news discussions. The new platform will also generate revenue from the display advertising on its main page.
A source close to HuffPo told the Journal that the integrated sponsorship model was born from the weakening of online video ad rates, which have tumbled recently as more ad slots have become available.
The online network will be powered by a New York-based newsroom that has already hired as many as 100 media professionals, headlined by former staff members from ABC, CNN and al-Jazeera English. (WSJ)
Sales Buzz
J.C. Penney Trims Staff (WSJ)
J.C. Penney plans to shed another 350 jobs from its corporate headquarters in Plano, Texas. The cuts come just three months after the retailer laid off roughly 600 of its 4,400 corporate employees. This round of cuts will affect finance, product development and product procurement departments.
M&S Merchandise Chief Out (Bloomberg)
U.K. retail clothing giant Marks & Spencer is parting ways with its general-merchandise chief, Kate Bostock, following a stark decline in sales over a multiyear period. Bostock will be replaced by John Dixon, head of the company's food unit.
AT&T Hires Vets (WSB Radio)
AT&T announced plans to hire nearly 200 sales support reps, marketing managers, retail sales consultants and other positions in Atlanta. The wireless carrier is placing a particular emphasis on hiring veterans.
Marketing Buzz
Comcast Selling A&E Share (WSJ)
Comcast's newly owned subsidiary, NBCUniversal, has agreed to sell its 15.8% stake in A&E to the network's majority owners, Walt Disney and Hearst, for $3.03 billion.
Time Publisher Heads West (Ad Age)
Time publisher Kim Kelleher is leaving to head Say Media, a San Francisco-based blog network that owns sites such as ReadWriteWeb, Style Bubble and Techdirt. Kelleher succeeds Say Media president Troy Young, who is leaving the company.
Brand Networks Expanding (Boston Globe)
Boston-based ad agency Brand Networks plans to expand its presence into the New York and Los Angeles markets. The 65-person company wants to hire engineers, account managers and social media strategists to its bicoastal team.
Buzz Around the Office
Not a Bad Day's Work (MSN)
Former Duke Energy CEO Bill Johnson, who spent just one day on the job before being forced out by the company's board, is eligible to receive exit payments worth as much as $44.4 million for his 24 hours of service.
List of the Day: Oldies but Goodies
It never hurts to revisit some fundamentals for advancing your career.
1. Reach out to two or three people a week to build relationships.
2. Figure out your added value and tell people about it.
3. Consider the big picture and how you can contribute to it.
(Source: Glassdoor.com)
