This new update affects about 35% of searches, but as Google has also reported, that means there may be just one or two different result listings in 35% of searches.   Bottom line: the average searcher will probably not notice the change, but websites with a large online presence may see a  significant gain or loss in their rankings.

For another take on this see: Google’s SSL change

As one might expect, some of the “winners” of this algorithm change include news sites  and online retailers.  However, we are surprised to see pizza chains and communications companies among those who came out on top:

Just as with the “winning” sites, those sites on the losing end also came from diverse industries, and some news sites were also unexpectedly included:

© 2011, TechJournal South. All rights reserved.

Sometimes reading these surveys, we’re reminded of what one venture capitalist said at a recent TechMedia digital conference (the next is Digital East in Tysons Corner, VA in September). What do you see looming in the future, he was asked. “Mobile, mobile, mobile,” he said, adding ironically, “Wow, big insight.” This survey, like a good bit of other data, certainly bears that out.

According to exclusive research from Experian Simmons, a part of Experian Marketing Services, 29 percent of cell phone owners today believe their phone will be the primary device for their entertainment needs in the future.

The report provides marketers with vivid insights that they need to prepare for the mobile revolution, including how consumers use their phones to manage social connections, consume media, get information, plan shopping trips, interact with mobile advertising and more.

“The explosion in usage of mobile technologies is an industry game-changer, and marketers need reliable insights to better understand this rapidly changing landscape,” said Ken Wollenberg, general manager of Experian Simmons. “This report will help them devise plans that are timely, relevant and more effective in driving incremental sales and building brand awareness in the mobile space.”

Other findings from the report include:

• More than nine out of 10 adults, seven out of 10 teens and one out of five kids own a mobile phone
• Fifty-six percent of smartphone owners access the Internet from their phone; 27 percent watch video
• Thirty percent of iPhone owners want to make purchases in stores using their phone
• Twenty percent of social networkers access their account from their phone
• Sixteen percent of mobile owners downloaded a mobile app last month

This report also includes an illuminating profile of five distinct mobile consumer segments developed by Experian Simmons, including a look at each segment’s receptivity to traditional and mobile advertising.

To download a copy of the Experian Simmons 2011 Mobile Consumer Report, see: www.experian.com/simmons/mobile2011.

© 2011, TechJournal South. All rights reserved.

The IND acceptance will permit Metastatix to commence Phase I clinical studies in the U.S. to determine the safety and tolerability of MSX-122 for the treatment of solid tumors.
MSX-122 inhibits the CXCR4 receptor implicated in many cancers and inflammatory diseases. The company’s research may eventually result in a treatment to halt or prevent the metastatic spread of cancer, hence its name.

Using technology licensed from Emory University, combined with world-class expertise in medicinal chemistry, Metastatix is developing a robust portfolio of chemical compounds that block the CXCR4 receptor.

In numerous studies, these compounds have shown efficacy in validated pre-clinical models of cancer, inflammation, and T-tropic HIV infection. This groundbreaking technology was initially developed by Emory chemist, Dr. Dennis Liotta, one of the foremost experts in small-molecule drug design.
On the Web: www.metastatix.com

For TechJournal South’s profile of Metastatix, see: http://techjournalsouth.com/search/search.html

© 2007, TechJournal South. All rights reserved.

The company plans to expand its sales and marketing efforts with the investment.

Founded in 2002, VersionOne says it has been profitable since its second year of operations. More than 3,000 development teams, including 20 of the Fortune 100, user the company’s products to plan and manage their software development projects.

Robert Holler, VersionOne president and CEO said, “This investment was the right strategy at the right time for capitalizing on the fundamental shift in the way software is delivered in today’s rapidly changing business environment.”

For more see: www.versionone.com

© 2007, TechJournal South. All rights reserved.

ATLANTA—IVOX, which tracks drivers of commercial vehicles via a GPS/GIS system that rates the operator’s performance, won the $300,000, 2007 Georgia Research Alliance/Technology Association of Georgia business launch competition. “We learned there are a lot of great companies and entrepreneurs in Atlanta,” said IVOX co-founder and CEO Gregg Warren.

Peter Sinisgalli, a judge from Manhattan Associates, said the panel chose IVOX because “it is closer to launching and has a bit more experience than the other companies and a better developed business plan.” Sinisgalli also said Georgia has the entrepreneurial talent it needs but not enough venture capital funding.

For more information on IVOX, see TechJournal South’s profile of the company that ran prior to the event: http://techjournalsouth.com/news/article.html?item_id=3116.

This was only the second year for the GRA/TAG event, which added nearly $100,000 in additional professional services from TAG members to the winner’s prize package this year. IVOX also receives $100,000 in cash. Last year’s winner, REACHMDconsult, reported that useful as the cash was, the services were equally valuable. They provide the winner with expert advise in marketing, PR, accounting, and legal issues.

Tino Mantella, president of TAG, said this year the event was not tied to university spinouts the way it was in 2006. “It also focused on what a start-up company needs to take it to the next level using TAG mentoring.”

Warren said he was surprised at the sophistication of the support provided by TAG. He appreciated the advice from mentor John Baker, who provided good feedback during the competition. Warren said the level of competition in the event was high.

Finalist James Jones of Forecasting Grid Systems did not win but found the competition valuable. “Getting the face time with mentors and practice judges to learn which questions I wasn’t addressing in my business plan, dealing with really hard questions and trying to find the best answer to those,” was a learning experience, he said. For the TJS profile of FGS, see: http://techjournalsouth.com/search/search.html.

Bakari Brooks of Integrated Software Systems, another finalist, said the competition “is really about sharpening your pencil and dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s. Our advisor looked at us from a different perspective. He taught us how to step back and look at the big picture. For the TJS profile of ISS, see: http://techjournalsouth.com/news/article.html?item_id=3162.

Cash Flow Analytics was also a finalist. For the TJS profile of CFA: see http://techjournalsouth.com/search/search.html

For more information on TAG see: http://www.tagonline.org/

For more on the Georgia Research Alliance see: http://www.atlantahighered.org/resources/georgia/gra.asp

© 2007, TechJournal South. All rights reserved.