Domino’s Pizza is claiming a world first by trialing a new ‘Social Affiliate’ tool, a widget that combines social media and affiliate marketing. The tool enables anyone with a personal web space, such as a social network page or blog, to host advertising from nominated brands. It aims to complement more orthodox affiliate marketing strategies, which use 'professional affiliates', by enabling any consumer to promote products or services within a framework of designated brand guidelines. Internet users can earn revenue whenever a sale is driven from their social network or blog page.
» Read more: Domino’s Pizza trials world’s first ‘Social Affiliate’ tool

Brainjuicer, the online market research firm which recently recruited the Marketing Society chairman Alex Batchelor as its chief operating officer, has reported a 21% increase in pre-tax profit to £1.66m for 2009. The company says it has experienced significant growth despite the market declining for the first time in decades and has opened new offices in Switzerland and Germany. Batchelor is bases in its London offices and oversees European and US operations. It says it has now increased product development investment to drive innovative growth and has increased investment in technology platforms to drive profit and capacity. Other highlights in its 2009 full year results include a 27% revenue growth to £11.8m, 27% growth in operating profit to £1.6m.
» Read more: Brainjuicer sees pre-tax profits rise 21% in 2009

Judy Franks is the founder and president of The Marketing Democracy, a consultancy that helps marketers to bridge the creative / media divide.

1. Less will get done: until we learn to do more with less.

» Read more: The top 10 integrated Marketing trends for 2010

ITV has returned to an annual profit thanks to cost-cutting and increasing its share of a declining television advertising market.

The broadcaster made a pre-tax profit of £25m in 2009, compared with a loss of £2.7bn in 2008.

» Read more: ITV returns to profit after cost cuts

Richard Branson’s cable operator Virgin Media has added a better-than-expected 28,600 more cable users in the fourth quarter despite the downturn. Although uptake of Virgin Media is still a way behind BSkyB, which added 482,000 customers in the last quarter, revenues topped £980 million.

» Read more: Virgin Media attracts another 28,600 customers

England 2018, the team leading England’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup, has signed Morrisons as a sponsor.

The supermarket becomes the bid team’s third partner. As part of the sponsorship, Morrisons says it will launch a campaign on 8 March in its stores to collect more than two million customer signatures.

» Read more: England 2018 signs Morrisons as a sponsor

Travel firm Thomas Cook has credited its latest TV advertising campaign for helping to boost holiday bookings for this summer by 15%. The adverts feature former footballer Jamie Redknapp and his wife Louise.

» Read more: Thomas Cook sales helped by ad campaign

Diet Coke is partnering with online fashion retailer ASOS.com and Bauer Media in a bid to appeal to girls who ‘Love it Light’. In a new advertising campaign, which will feature TV, on-pack promotion, social media, digital and outdoor activity, Diet Coke celebrates the lighter side of life with a series of show-stopping fashion-led creatives with the aim of tapping into women’s passion for hot trends, fashion content and fun.

» Read more: Diet Coke chases the lighter side of life

YouTube, which now clocks up more than 1 billion views a day, is 5 years old, and I am struggling to remember what we ever did without it.

What in the world did we ever do without YouTube? What did we do during boring lunch breaks at our desk, where did we go to watch some of the world’s funniest ads?

» Read more: You Tube – 5 years old today!

Doritos has launched a new marketing campaign that will see the chip maker hand put its brand in the hands of its consumers. The ‘King of Ads’ campaign encourages budding young directors or anyone with a video camera, to create the next big Doritos TV ad.

» Read more: Doritos hands brand over to budding film makers