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Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Free Online Game Sites Are More Popular Than Ever; Gamesville, Wasting Time Since 1996

Whether watching movies, or playing free online games, people turn to inexpensive escapism during tough economic times.  In fact, a new eMarketer report issued this week indicates free online gaming sites are now more popular than ever, due in part to the economic climate. 

According to comScore, free online gaming sites "racked up 27% more unique visits and 42% more total playing time in December 2008 than in December 2007.  Overall Internet traffic grew only 4% over the same period, the research company said."

Wasting your time since 1996, Gamesville has also experienced similar growth over the past quarter, seeing a 23% jump in unique visitors from Nov. through Dec. 2008, and a 67% rise in site traffic from Dec. 2007 through Dec. 2008.  Part of the Lycos Network of sites, Gamesville is the web's premier destination for free, massively multi-player online game shows.  But unlike TV game shows, where only a handful of gamers play while the rest of the world watches, Gamesville game shows let everyone play together in real-time.      

Paul Verna, eMarketer senior analyst  describes the shift from high-cost, console-based gaming toward free alternatives is not new.  "This trend has been underway for some time, but the economic crisis has accelerated it...Given current economic and consumer behavior patterns, we expect to see ad-supported, casual games continue on an upward trajectory in 2009.” 

Chris Cummings, senior product manager for Gamesville, was way ahead of the curve when he discussed the growth of casual games in an October blog post titled, Is Casual Gaming Recession Proof?  The obvious answer is YES.


Posted by buzz at 10:54 AM EST
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Monday, 2 February 2009
Lycos Enhances Local Search and People Search on WhoWhere.com

Since 1996, Whowhere has been the premier people search engine, helping users find information to locate the people they are searching for, based on street addresses. Now, Lycos has teamed with Multiplied Media Corporation to integrate Poynt’s local search functionality and mapping technology, delivering people and business social search results, giving users the ability to locate nearby people, businesses, movies and events.

Other features of the new Whowhere.com now include driving directions, business contact information, movie showtimes, movie and event ticket purchase, and a weather feed.  And coming soon, online web, mobile web and applications for mobile platforms including iPhone, Windows Mobile and BlackBerry.

The new Whowhere.com takes users from finding people and businesses to connecting them with the people, businesses and events that are key to their day-to-day interactions. Lycos anticipates a mid-February launch for the redesigned Whowhere.com site, with mobile versions to follow.

Posted by buzz at 5:32 PM EST
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Sunday, 18 January 2009
Lycos is not shutting down it's Tripod and Mail Services

In an article appearing this morning, TechCrunch erroneously reported that Lycos will be closing its Tripod and Lycos Mail services on Feb. 15.  The information contained in the blog posting pertains to Lycos Europe products and services and affects Lycos Europe users only.

The closing of these two products by Lycos Europe does not impact Lycos users in the U.S.  Lycos, Inc. and Lycos Europe are two completely separate entities and business units.  Lycos, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daum Communications, Corp., while Lycos Europe is owned by Telefonica.  Late last year, Lycos Europe's parent company announced  it would be shutting down its operations and seeking a sale of its remaining assetts. 

Lycos Inc. (www.lycos.com) continues to operate social media, publishing and search services including both Tripod and Lycos Mail. Currently, Tripod is the #17 social networking site worldwide (comScore MM Dec. 2008), with millions of member pages hosted, published and visited each month.

A message has been posted to the Tripod Community assuring all Tripod members that Tripod is not shutting down and all free and paid member sites are just fine. 

Lycos reached out to Mr. Arrington directly, requesting an immediate correction to the erroneous posting.  An updated post is now live; but still contains the wrong logo.


Posted by buzz at 1:31 PM EST
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Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Lycos Cinema Presents Exclusive Watch & Chat with Hot NYC Band, The Bad Eliots

"Cat’s Meow (Give it to me Now)" is best known as Snapple’s AntiOxidant Water signature song, which made its debut in a national TV spot, transforming The Bad Eliots from a relatively unknown NYC group to a buzzing national indie rock band.  Join James Rotondi, a.k.a. Roto, lead singer of The Bad Eliots, in an exclusive watch & chat event, only on Lycos Cinema

When the Snapple commercial featuring the song "Cat’s Meow" first aired in early 2008, the song was downloaded by thousands of fans, propelling The Bad Eliots into the national spotlight. The official video for the full-length "Cat’s Meow" song was created by the band in a show of appreciation to many fans who wanted to know more about the band. The video, shot live by director Tim Wilson (Go Robot) on a New York City subway train, features band members as pixilated internet people.

"Normally, a band is born, and then gets plucked to do something like this. In our case, creating the Snapple song helped give birth to the band," lead singer Roto said. "When Snapple approached us, our attitude was very much, ‘hey, let’s throw it against the wall and see what sticks,’ which I actually think gave our song a certain levity and irreverence it might not have had otherwise," Roto added.

The exclusive chat also features Lycos Cinema’s first Watch, Chat & Win  Sweepstakes, giving 10 chat participants a chance to win an iPod Touch and other prizes. Beginning today, users can RSVP to the live chat with Roto, on Thursday, Jan. 15 beginning at 9pm ET/6pm PT and enter the iPod Touch Sweepstakes immediately following the chat.

Lycos Cinema is the only platform to offer social interaction around video content, giving Bad Eliot fans the unique opportunity to directly engage with Roto.  Fans of The Bad Eliots can watch a synchronized screening of the band’s video and chat live with Roto in real-time while watching. 


Posted by buzz at 12:08 PM EST
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Wednesday, 7 January 2009
I Want My WebTV...Will PCs Replace TVs?

A recent comScore report says 146 million users watched 12.7 billion videos in Nov. 2008.  And AllThingsDigital tells us something we already know - Video will be the Killer App of 2009. 

So will PCs replace TVs?  The National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) could be thinking "yes"...members of NATPE are speaking at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas this week; marking the first time ever NATPE has had a CES presence.  So why all of the sudden hoopla around TV content on the web?  This isn't anything new. 

Ever hear of Hulu, Joost, or Lycos Cinema?  People have been watching first-run and classic TV episodes online for the past few years.  In fact, hosting online viewing parties where fans can watch their favorite TV shows with others and chat in real-time while viewing has been around for a while; even though CBS just picked up on the idea a few months ago.

Are you planning to ditch your TV remote for your PC mouse?  No need to decide now.  Just sit back, relax, click and watch some classic TV and cool video content.


Posted by buzz at 2:11 PM EST
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Thursday, 18 December 2008
I Win, You Win, We all Win on Gamesville's CatchUp CoverAll

Come on down, you could be the next winner playing CatchUp CoverAll on Gamesville!  Gamesville specializes in FREE online game shows, starring you. 

New this week is CatchUp CoverAll, the first online massively multi-player game to feature Community Cash Winnings: When one lucky player wins the progressive jackpot, up to four other players with the same "Lucky Ball" as the jackpot winner can each take home a bonus $25 cash prize. Cool. 

Gamesville is the web’s premier destination for free, massively multi-player online game shows. But unlike TV game shows, where only a handful of gamers play while the rest of the world watches, Gamesville game shows let everyone play together in real-time.


Posted by buzz at 11:41 AM EST
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Monday, 15 December 2008
What Were the Top Web Search Terms of 2008?

It's that time of year again - when all the top lists of 2008 get released at the same time - including the most popular internet search terms.  The Google Zeitgeist 2008 and the Lycos Top 50 Search Terms of 2008 were each announced on the same day, while both Yahoo and AOL dropped their lists a few weeks ago. 

Poker, Paris and Palin were the top searches on Lycos in 2008, with Poker taking the top spot and Sarah Palin generating more search activity than Britney Spears.  The Jonas Brothers were the web's most wanted band, based on Lycos search activity in 2008, while "The Dark Knight" ranked high as the most- searched film. 

Check out the Top Search Terms of 2008, and get a look at the most-searched Bands, TV shows, Films, Sports Stars, Men, Women, Fads and Top News Stories.  


Posted by buzz at 5:55 PM EST
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Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Just in time for Black Friday & Cyber Monday, Most-Searched Toys & Video Games This Holiday Season

Have you bought the Bakugan Battle Brawlers yet?  If not, good luck.  Toys stores can't keep this hottest toy of 2008 on the shelves.  Based on a Japanese TV show, Bakugan Battle Brawlers involve a strategic card game, played with magnetic spring-loaded marbles, and if web search activity is any indication, every kid in the world wants it this holiday season.

Lycos presents its 9th Annual List of Most Popular Toys and Video Games of 2008, based on web search activity.  New in 2008, KOTA the 3-foot tall Triceratops Dinasaur, with a hefty price tag of $300, and the more moderately priced, and more live than ever, Fisher Price's New Elmo Live. 

Nintendo's Wii tops Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 as the most popular gaming console in 2008, with Guitar Hero and Wii Fit scoring big hits on the video game front.  What else made the Top Toys and Video Games list in 2008?  Be a big hit with everyone on your holiday gift list and check out the complete list and commentary on the Lycos 50


Posted by buzz at 9:37 AM EST
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Thursday, 13 November 2008
Are Avatars Taking Over the World?

Hey news anchors, watch out!  The current issue of NOW Magazine looks at a new website replacing TV news readers with virtual avatars.  Forbes recently examined the business of avatars and how gaming companies and social networks hope to use avatars to drive revenues.  And hot off the heals of their recent 7-Eleven Election promo, the convenience store chain is now stalking gamers and playing up avatars in their new Slurpee Code campaign. 

When avatars take over the world, don't be left out.  Create your avatar today, for free on Gamesville.  Best of all, you can take your Gamesville avatar with you everywhere you go...Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, digg, StumbleUpon, Flickr...create one cool ID for all the places you hangout online. 


Posted by buzz at 11:25 AM EST
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Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Looking to engage your customer base...Host a Webinar

Webinars are a very cost effective, easy way to help build brand image and customer loyalty.  Ever wonder what a product manager REALLY does?  Join Gamesville's Chris Cummings for Product Manager 101, Wed. Nov. 12 at 12 noon ET, and get a closer look at the critical role a product manager plays in an organization. 

Check out the Webinar Blog for additional info on what webinars can do for your brand.  And for more cost effective marketing tips to build brand loyalty and traffic, visit Marketing Profs, and HubSpot Marketing.

Keep the conversation going and follow Chris Cummings on Twitter.


Posted by buzz at 12:01 AM EST
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