Although online tracking and data collection has largely been a self-regulated industry in the United States, recent developments suggest lawmakers are re-evaluating consumers’ right to privacy with respect to their personal information. New policy initiatives will drastically impact the way advertisers collect, use and disclose consumer information. All companies with a web presence should be aware of developments in this area to ensure their company’s name stays out of the headlines for violating consumer trust and new policies.

-December 1, 2010 - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a proposed framework for the protection of consumer privacy that calls for, among other things, the development of a “Do Not Track” system, notification to consumers of a company’s...

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A great deal has been written about Groupon’s rejection of a supposed $6 billion offer from Google. Most of the reports breathlessly describe the explosive revenue and customer growth the company has achieved in two short years and what a breakthrough the model represents. With over 40 million email subscribers, Groupon’s success is based on consumers responding to their daily deal emails, and sourcing high-quality offers that compel readers to respond. The story CEO and founder Andrew Mason told in his interview with Charlie Rose last week was that when they offered helicopter flying lessons in one of their daily email blasts, they sold 2,500 in one day. This compares to a business that had acquired only 5,000 customers in its 25 year history.

But haven’t we seen this mo...

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For our final issue of 2010, while others are sifting tea leaves, reading tarot cards, or gazing into crystal balls for what’s in store for capital markets next year, we’ll tell you what our own proprietary super-sophisticated forecasting model is saying.

And if everyone’s bets for 2011 are as accurate as they were for this year, we’ll just take the opposite of their picks, and probably end up right on the money.

Until the Republican sweep in November, everyone expected a capital gains tax increase driving owners to sell their companies before the end of 2010. Didn’t happen.

Then there was agita that the US would slip into a double-dip, market liquidity would dry up, and sellers and buyers would be stranded at the altar. Not.

What about worries that...

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