Business & Finance World News

Hey FTC! Clear The Google/AdMob Deal Already!

April 28th, 2010

AdMob is (was?) the leader in mobile advertising, and Google is the leader in online advertising, with a search marketshare that looks a lot like a monopoly. So when Google tried to acquire AdMob for $750 million the FTC decided to put the deal under review and maybe block it, which seems reasonable enough given Google’s size.

The problem is that, since then, Apple acquired Quattro Wireless, the number 2 in the space, and from that basis, built iAd, an ad product that looks set to own advertising on the iPhone (which itself has the lion’s share of mobile advertising overall).

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Can Launching A Blog Still Help Your Small Business?

April 27th, 2010

Blogs were the “in” medium a few years ago. Before the huge explosion and demand for social media where you could get micro-bites and small chunks of updates from friends, family, and other interesting people, there were blogs. People followed, read, and commented on their favorite blogs, and they even decided to start one of their own. Businesses found the value of blogging as a way to attract customers and improve their SEO with regular blog posts and updates.

However, now that the blog frenzy has switched to social media sites, can a blog still work for your business? The answer is “yes” if you start a blog with a strategic plan.

Start A Blog For Free

Blogs are easy to start and maintain with free online hosts like Blogger or WordPress. This me

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Washington Trust Annual Meeting Highlights Success

April 26th, 2010

WESTERLY, R.I., Apr 27, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select; symbol: WASH), parent company of The Washington Trust Company, today held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2009. The Meeting, attended by approximately 100 shareholders and guests, also marked the retirement of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John C. Warren, who is retiring effective April 30, 2010 after serving 14 years in executive management positions at Washington Trust.

Washington Trust’s current President and Chief Operating Officer Joseph MarcAurele will succeed Warren in his position.

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Do You Really Need a Four-Year Degree for a Good Job?

April 26th, 2010

When my dad was growing up on a farm, my grandfather made him and all my uncles work at the nearby sugar factory. The pay wasn’t that great, and the work was dirty and difficult. My grandfather had a motive for sending them to participate in this job.

“Do you like working there? No?” he asked. Then he continued, “Get an education. If you want a good job, you need to go to school and get a college degree.”

As a result, my dad and his brothers all have excelled in education and earned advanced degrees with little surprises.

But, as my husband nears the end of his Ph.D. work, and as I stare at the Master’s diploma on my wall, I wonder if an advanced degree is really worth what you pay to get it. How cost ef

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HostMonster Review: Top Web Hosting Service

April 25th, 2010

If you’re thinking of starting your own blog or online business, chances are that you’ll need a web host. Especially if you’re thinking of becoming a problogger one day! So today, I’ll take a look at a popular web hosting service which is also my personal choice: HostMonster.

Starting and maintaining a website can involve the use of a few tools, and HostMonster has a lot of options for all of its hosting accounts. Benefits include unlimited web hosting space, a free domain name, the ability to host an unlimited number of domains, plus it also supports international domain names.

There’s also an unlimited number of site transfers available. If you wa

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Get Frugal on Gas to Save Cash All Year Long

April 22nd, 2010

There is no way to avoid fueling up from time to time. How much you pay and how much you use is a variable dependent upon things like the time of year and how well you plan your excursions. Ensuring that your tires are properly inflated, your car is in good operating condition, and that you stay within the speed limit all help reduce your fuel usages. When combined with other basic strategies you should see some significant savings. Here are some more tips on a much needed topic: How do I save on gas and use less money?

Seasonal Fluctuations and Full Priced Gas

As we all know, the gas companies like to stick it to the driver by raising prices just when we are about to hit the road more.

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