Execs and Accounts for June 30, 2003

Rich media developer Flashtalking has begun two European deployments of its Flash video technology. Volvo is launching a series of online video skyscrapers in support of the new Volvo R, featuring film shot exclusively for use on the Web. Appearing in European markets, the ads use Flashtalking’s big screen format, which allows high-quality video to be played on narrowband with a relatively small delay. In the executions, the Volvo R is seen in action on a race track, with more footage allowing consumers to choose their preferred camera angle.

The Flashtalking video ads will run across Yahoo, MSN, Tiscali and local news sites. mOne, a joint venture between OgilvyOne and Mindshare, handled media buying for the campaign; Burrows, a unit of Wunderman Worldwide, did creative.

Flashtalking has also signed a contract with TV2 Nettavisen in Norway to run video ads across its three sites.

Since its launch two months ago, Unicast’s Full Screen Superstitial has been tried by several agencies and advertisers in the entertainment sector. Among them are a campaign for HBO’s Project Greenlight, led by Earthquake Media with creative execution by its sister agency, Glow Interactive. itraffic launched another Unicast deployment for its client FOX.

“These new ad formats allow us to take our creative work a step further,” said Blair Shapiro, VP of creative for itraffic. “The full screen Superstitial enables us to create campaigns that have the emotional appeal of television along with the interactivity [of] the Internet.”

Search marketer Oneupweb has won a long-term contract with Unisys.com after a bidding and review process.

“We looked at the top providers in this space and chose Oneupweb due to their flexibility, desire to understand our business and previous successes with other top companies,” said John Carson, a spokesperson for Unisys.com.

CheetahMail has picked up several clients, furthering its email marketing business. Among the company’s latest account wins are The Container Store, Brooks Brothers, and Peet’s Coffee & Tea.

“We sought out the email marketing company that would understand our unique needs and the needs, not to mention privacy, of our customers and potential customers,” said Colleen Monroe, marketing and advertising director of The Container Store.

TornadoPromotions.com has been named the official online marketing firm of Lebron James, the NBA rookie who recently signed a $90 million deal with Nike. His site was officially launched on June 23 with information about James’ future career, statistics, pictures, signed memorabilia and upcoming news.

RedNova.com, a site for space and technology enthusiasts, has tapped Interep Interactive to be its exclusive national online ad sales rep firm for RedNova.com.

“With subject matter a bit more intellectually oriented than most, the average RedNova.com visitors tend to be well educated, with a median income significantly higher than that of Internet users as a whole. This is an audience we can sell to advertisers,” said John Durham, COO of Interep Interactive.

For more breaking news on account action and executive moves, visit ChannelSeven.com.