News Round-Up (IV): Fastweb-justAd.TV, FourthWall Media, Google TV-Logitech, Tim Kring, iN Demand

Because the [itvt] editorial team has been on the road the past few weeks, we are covering recent news stories in summary/round-up form. We anticipate that it will take a couple of days for us to catch up with all the recent news: so if your company has sent us a press release or briefed us on an announcement, and you don't yet see your news covered in this issue, please bear with us. We apologize for any inconvenience to our readers.

• Italian IPTV operator, Fastweb, has announced the launch of new interactive advertising formats whose sale to advertisers will be managed by WebAds, and which are based on technology from Israeli start-up, justAd.TV. According to Fastweb and justAd.TV, the latter's technology allows Internet ad campaigns to run on IPTV set-top boxes: Internet-sourced banner ads "are displayed on the television screen when the viewer pauses the video or when fast-forwarding, without interrupting the viewer experience," the companies explain in their press materials, thus allowing advertisers to "have a single campaign for both Internet and TV audiences."
• FourthWall Media (formerly BIAP) has released the findings of a new research survey that it has commissioned on consumer interest in interactive TV. According to the company, the research reveals "overwhelming consumer demand for an interactive TV viewing experience." Key highlights, the company says, include: 1) "Nearly 90% of TV watchers are interested in using interactive television applications." 2) "Three times as many respondents would prefer to use their remote over another device to cast a vote on reality shows like 'American Idol.'" 3) "Over 70% of respondents indicated that they would be more interested in watching commercials if they were interactive." 4) "Nearly a third of respondents indicated they would spend less time on their computers if interactive television applications were available to them." "This survey reveals that TV watchers--men, women, young, old--from all across the country are excited about interactive television," Ellen Dudar, FourthWall Media's co-founder and chief product officer, said in a prepared statement. "Viewers spend vastly more leisure time in front of their televisions than their computer screens, and they want one-click engagement with their favorite programs, movies, and even commercials. Apps that deliver immersive experiences and increased convenience to satisfy this consumer appetite are the next killer apps." The survey, which was conducted by Penn Schoen Berland (PSB), is based on 500 online interviews with TV viewers aged 13-65 that took place on April 28th.
• Google has published a new video overview of its recently announced Google TV platform. The video is embedded above. Meanwhile, Engadget reports that Logitech will brand its planned Google TV-powered set-top box (see the article published on itvt.com, May 24th) as the "Logitech Revue with Google TV." Logitech has more on its corporate blog.
• "Heroes" creator, Tim Kring and Nokia have announced the launch of Conspiracy For Good (http://www.conspiracyforgood.com), which they describe as "an inaugural movement that blends online and real-world tasks to effect social change through audience participation. CFG combines Kring's original storytelling (www.conspiracyforgood.com/about) and Nokia's Ovi platform (www.ovi.com) to create a dramatic, fictional experience using interactive theatre, mobile and alternate reality gaming (ARG), music and physical participation to do good in the world," Kring and Nokia state in their press materials, adding that "participants will become part of the plot development and will find the necessary tools and clues to move the narrative forward and into the real world, ultimately creating social and educational change for the Chataika Basic School, located in the village of Chataika in eastern Zambia." Conspiracy For Good was developed in partnership with The Opportunity Management Company.
• Cable industry-backed VOD programming distributor, iN Demand, has announced the promotions of Michael Berman to EVP of programming and general counsel, and of Brooke Smarsh to VP of business and legal affairs and assistant general counsel. According to iN Demand president and CEO, Bob Benya, the pair are "charged with negotiating content deals with more than 100 suppliers, including Hollywood studios and indies, major league sports, the top ring sports and much more." iN Demand has also announced a VOD and PPV golf tutorial program, entitled "Phil Mickelson: Secrets of the Short Game."