Marketing Metrics

Nate Silver, the nerdy economist and 'New York Times' blogger, apparently used big data algorithms to correctly project the presidential vote in all 50 states before a single ballot was cast. Having seen Mr. Silver in action on "The Colbert Report," I am not certain it would be any less painful to feature his predictions in place of the absurd pre-election analysis of say, a Fox or MSNBC News, both of which traffic in unnecessary partisan hyperbole. But give math its due credit. And now let's get the Nate Silvers of this world redeployed to more important tasks.

Media buyers and publishers continue to struggle with bot nets, fraudulent clicks and mechanical thieves stealing impressions. RadiumOne execs call it "pixel jacking" -- using a pixel to create fraud on the Web, the "land of the new pirates."

Media buyers and publishers continue to struggle with bot nets, fraudulent clicks and mechanical thieves stealing impressions. RadiumOne execs call it "pixel jacking" -- using a pixel to create fraud on the Web, the "land of the new pirates."

Pivotal Research Group's Brian Wieser points to factors including flat ad spending overall, a slowing shift of ad dollars to digital, and the stronger negotiating position of advertisers in digital media as evidence that display advertising's prospects are poor.

Pivotal Research Group's Brian Wieser points to factors including flat ad spending overall, a slowing shift of ad dollars to digital, and the stronger negotiating position of advertisers in digital media as evidence that display advertising's prospects are poor.

Pivot's Brian Wieser points to factors including flat ad spending overall, a slowing shift of ad dollars to digital, and the stronger negotiating position of advertisers in digital media as evidence that display advertising's prospects are poor.

Pivot's Brian Wieser points to factors including flat ad spending overall, a slowing shift of ad dollars to digital, and the stronger negotiating position of advertisers in digital media as evidence that display advertising's prospects are poor.

Jennings Social Media Marketing, a Kansas City, Mo., social media agency, is betting marketing pros and digital strategists want $15,000 in social media services.

Jennings Social Media Marketing, a Kansas City, Mo., social media agency, is betting marketing pros and digital strategists want $15,000 in social media services.

A proposed class-action settlement that would require Facebook to allow minors to permanently opt out of "sponsored stories" should be rejected, two advocacy groups argue in new court papers.

A proposed class-action settlement that would require Facebook to allow minors to permanently opt out of "sponsored stories" should be rejected, two advocacy groups argue in new court papers.

IgnitionOne released support for Facebook Exchange in its Digital Marketing Suite on Thursday. The function adds cross-channel capabilities, from search to display to social, supporting what some call a hybrid ad model.

IgnitionOne released support for Facebook Exchange in its Digital Marketing Suite on Thursday. The function adds cross-channel capabilities, from search to display to social, supporting what some call a hybrid ad model.

Barnes & Noble has kicked off a new TV campaign promoting its Nook HD and Nook HD+ tablets introduced in September.

Barnes & Noble has kicked off a new TV campaign promoting its Nook HD and Nook HD+ tablets introduced in September.

Web- and mobile-ready retailers can expect an upbeat holiday shopping season. In line with other estimates, Forrester predicts the coming holidays to generate $68.4 billion in domestic online sales -- a 15% increase year-over-year.

Web- and mobile-ready retailers can expect an upbeat holiday shopping season. In line with other estimates, Forrester predicts the coming holidays to generate $68.4 billion in domestic online sales -- a 15% increase year-over-year.

More than half (52%) of smartphone owners are looking up health information on their devices, compared to just 6% of regular cell phone users, reports Pew. Exercise, diet and weight apps are the most popular types of health apps.

More than half (52%) of smartphone owners are looking up health information on their devices, compared to just 6% of regular cell phone users, reports Pew. Exercise, diet and weight apps are the most popular types of health apps.

Marketing services and consulting company Sapient reported a 10% revenue gain in the third quarter to $288 million on an 11.4% profit gain to nearly $33 million. The company said its digital agency SapientNitro accounted for about 68% of total revenues or a little more than $196 million.