Hasta La Creative!

LONDON – The BBC Trust has approved revised plans from the BBC to extend its local TV and radio services across the country.

LONDON – IBC, an annual international event for the electronic media industry, has appointed business-to-business data firm Cyance to manage the sale of its database for the first time.

LONDON – The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association has backed calls for reform of Telephone Preference Service regulations.

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) — In our continuing look at how agencies are creating their social-media capabilities and services, we talk with MediaCom North America CEO Doug Checkeris. Some agencies, like Edelman, have hired in-house social media teams. Others, like BBDO, are using young mentors to teach all their executives how to Facebook, blog, Twitter and otherwise function and think like authentic social-media players. But MediaCom is taking a different route.

LONDON – Firefox, the most popular alternative to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer will shortly pass the one billion download mark and is preparing an online promotion to celebrate.

LONDON – Utarget, the online ad network, has merged its sales and publisher services with Fox Networks, the UK sales and ad network of Fox International Channels (FIC), its majority stake owner.

LONDON – Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has appointed Fox Kalomaski to its advertising account.

LONDON – Spotify, the online music streaming service that enables users to listen to tracks for free in return for listening to ads, has today (31 July) launched a new video player advertising format in conjunction with Sony Pictures.

LONDON – Ofcom has outlined plans to change its media ownership and local radio rules – potentially paving the way for major changes to the local media landscape.

LONDON – ESPN has unveiled its on-air talent, as it gears up for coverage of the English and Scottish Premier Leagues, naming former Setanta anchor Rebecca Lowe and BBC Radio 5 journalist Mark Chapman.