After Facebook’s User Agreement Policy firestorm last week, Founder & CEO Mark Zuckerberg decided that he will let the social network’s members have a say on any proposed changes to the “Facebook Principles” and the “Statement of Rights & Responsibilities.”

These policies were issued to the public on Thursday and will be up for discussion until March 29th.  If there is enough of an argument with a policy, Facebook will put that change up to a vote. The decision will be binding if more than 30% of the 175 million active registered members vote for the change.

This is an unprecedented move for a social network; actually letting the people who use and support the service, have a say.  It is no surprise though, after last week’s policy changes – that were subsequently reversed because of the outrage from Facebook users, that something is being done.  In order for a social network like Facebook to survive, people have to feel like their page is theirs and the content that is uploaded belongs to them and cannot be used without their permission for commercial reasons.

For the full article, go to: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2009-02-26-facebook_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

The Advertising Research Foundation analyzed 388 case study histories from seven different research agencies and found that television advertisements are still very effective.

The case studies that were analyzed spanned over 18 years, from 1990 to 2008.  Some of the research used came from IRI, ARS, PM Group, Dratfield, Marketing Evolution and Millward Brown/Dynamic Logic.

For the full article, go to: http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/direct/e3i03e9df1ef7d2112b4dd3f3ed8d4374bb

In fact, Miller’s High Life beer didn’t even need 30 or 60 seconds to make a positive impact on their bottom line.  Miller’s one second Super Bowl spot yielded a 8.6% sales boost post-airing.  Read about their television success here:  http://adage.com/article?article_id=134792

Yahoo has launched three new ad products that focus on better targeting users’ previous Web activities.

Yahoo’s new Search Retargeting product allows companies to target consumers based on specific keywords used in previous Yahoo searches.

The Enhanced Retargeting product targets consumers by using their recently visited specific content or e-commerce sites.  Yahoo believes the product enhances behavioral targeting by delivering more specific, offer-driven messaging.

Finally, Yahoo is hoping to challenge Microsoft by allowing advertisers to target consumers based on user demographics or the time of the day.

For the full article, go to: http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/digital/e3i5fce38b22f140ce56096bd538db5d096?pn=1

Being Consumer-Centric: A Retailer and Manufacturer Update, a new study by IDC Global Retail Insights and sponsored by Demandtec and Precima, found that companies are really seeing the benefits of being consumer focused.  Consumer-centricity, as it is labeled, is a key factor of success in retail and this study proves there are more consumer-centric opportunities to drive business.

•  75% of retailers and 58% of consumer products manufacturers rank consumer-centricity as a top-three success factor.
• 80% of retailers and 67% of manufacturers expect to place an increased focus on it this year.
• The limited availability of team resources is the largest impediment to consumer-centric success for both retailers (37%) and manufacturers (43%).
• Lack of support and executive sponsorship is no longer a significant barrier for retailers (16%) with more than 75% retailers appointing a senior consumer-centricity role.

For the Brandweek article, go to:  http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/shopper-marketing/e3ie05a38638979f59e01422e81254e946c

For a complimentary executive summary of the survey, go to: http://www.demandtec.com/learning-center/whitepapers/idc_survey.php and fill out the form.

Pedigree created the Pedigree Adoption Drive Foundation in 2008 and took a different approach to informing the public about pet adoption and saving dogs from shelters.  The plan to raise awareness and money included the creation of the “Million Dog Mosaic.”  Each time a consumer went to Pedigree.com, Dogsrule.com or Milliondogmosaic.com/pedigree and uploaded a picture of their favorite dog, Pedigree donated $1 to the foundation.  The mosaic was promoted via an advertising campaign, a Facebook app and the Westminister Dog Show Pedigree Pop-up dog store .

In one month there were more than one million page views of the mosaic and there were more than 55,000 photos uploaded.  It set the record for user-generated mosaic participation, beating out American Idol.  Pedigree had a hit!  More than $1 million was raised for the adoption drive and their message was heard.

For more about the Million Dog Mosaic challenge, go to: http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/direct/e3ie05a38638979f59eb3a8ace92ad51a8a

Though the Million Dog Mosaic initiative is now over, the Pedigree Foundation is now donating bowls of food to dogs in shelters for everyone who watches one of their Super Bowl commercials, found here: http://www.pedigree.com/03Adoption/superbowl/ Pedigree has also created an iPhone application so when you make your iPhone “bark,” Pedigree will also donate food to shelter dogs.

To date Pedigree has donated over 2 million meals.  So take 30 seconds to watch their commercial or download the iPhone app and feed a pup today.

The Reader’s Digest Association is introducing a new home-improvement magazine called, Fresh Home.  Although we are in a recession, Fresh Home is not foreseeing any problems with launching at this point because the magazine is re-purposing much of its editorial from a sibling title in Australia, which will help keep its costs down.  The magazine’s focus will be on thrifty, do-it-yourself projects for the younger homeowner.

The magazine will run quarterly and the first issue, released February 27th, has 33 ad pages from marketers including Ikea, Elmira Stoves and Benjamin Moore.  Fresh Home is starting out with a paid circulation of 300,000.  It will be interesting to see if this new/recycled magazine is a hit.

For more information on Fresh Homes, go to: http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=134660

AdweekMedia has launched its own social networking site, AdweekMediaConnect.com. The community site is a place where media, marketing and agency professionals can share best practices, discuss news items and connect with other industry individuals.

The new site will complement the news coverage provided by Adweek, Brandweek, Mediaweek, The Hollywood Reporter and Editor & Publisher.

For more information about the site, go to: http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/digital/e3i096e104f4db9a3d2d0d725e8cc79a51d

Nokia, the world’s biggest phone maker, has partnered with Internet calling company Skype, to preload Skype software onto some of its new smartphones.

Nokia will install Skype in its high-end N-series phones, but the software will also be available to download onto mobile phones.

Skype already has a deal with mobile operator, Hutchison Wampoa’s, 3.  The success of Skype and the 3,  which produced an average revenue increase of 20% for customers using Skype phones, should relieve any worry for operators who are nervous about losing revenue by featuring Skype.  Although Skype does allow consumers to pay little or nothing for calls, 3 has noticed that because subscribers were encouraged to use their flat-rate data plans, it boosted usage of 3′s other services, 3 made money and customer loyalty increased.

For more information about Skype’s success in the mobile community and its new partnership with Nokia, go to: http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/2009/02/reuters_us_mobile_fair_skype_interview