Twitter has introduced a series of new charts to reflect current trends as part of its #music service roll out for the web.

These are broken down by genre and include a number of custom categories such as ‘superstars’ and ‘unearthed’ to document the rise and fall of specific artists.

Uniquely these are constructed from a blend of all the data streams which Twitter commands, be that from tweets or embedded links to popular and emerging artists.

Arranged via a sequence of interactive tiles, the new look charts are designed to make finding new artists and songs a breeze.

It is hoped that the service will encourage artists to engage more directly with their followers to boost their presence in addition to drawing the eye of record labels.

The experience provided by a shopping centre cannot be replicated online, according to Liverpool ONE's marketing director Donna Howitt as it prepares to roll out a new £2.5m advertising campaign.

“e-commerce simply cannot compete with the experience and enlivenment a shopping centre like Liverpool ONE provides, that feeling of shopping can’t be replicated online,” Howitt told The Drum.

The new campaign, which debuts today (Thursday 23 May) on ITV Granada stars two of the city’s most famous figures, the Liver Birds, brought to life and transformed into two straight-talking girls – Liv and Liz - whose love of shopping and fashion epitomises the spirit of Liverpool ONE.

“The Liver Birds are so symbolic of the city and I think in such a crowded marketplace we have to have a very strong brand personality to help create cut through. What we’ve found through huge amounts of research and insight into how people shop and their shopping behaviours is that there are a whole number of things that are universal, whether it’s hiding the bags when you get home or feeling a bit guilty about spending too more than you intended to.

“The fact that we’ve engaged on such an emotional level with this campaign fulfils the ultimate requirement of the brief from the outset.”

Nine months in the making the campaign, created by McCann Manchester, aims to drive footfall to the centre and is Liverpool ONE’s first TV campaign out with the Christmas period, something which Howitt believes is vital to the centre’s continued success.

“Coordinating and using budget very wisely is the key thing, we’ve constantly looked at our performance over the last five years and without a doubt it’s obvious that when we spend on advertising we see uplift in footfall. It’s proven that brands that spend are often the ones who benefit in the longer term, yes, we’ve spent but we’re spending wisely,” said Howitt of the six-figure budget allocated to the campaign.

The TV execution will be supported by radio and digital display creatives, included in the campaign is cinema advertising, press and outdoor collateral and digital assets as well as in-centre signage.

Crowdsourcing website DesignCrowd has launched a contest in the UK to redesign the ‘dated’ Manchester United logo.

The contest comes in the wake of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, with the company suggesting ‘it's high time for the club's current logo to retire’.

It admits “While DesignCrowd is currently reaching out to Manchester United Football Club, this contest is not officially endorsed by the organisation.”

Graphic designer and football logo designer Saurabh, owner of the crest redesign site www.lovefootballhatefootball.com will be selecting the winner.

The winner will receive £260.

Manchester United declined to comment on the competition.

Jeremy Kyle’s unique brand of TV tears and tantrums has been branded revolting by a rival television presenter.

Matthew Wright took to the Mirror newspaper to accuse Kyle of ‘humiliating failures for entertainment’ during a strongly worded attack.

Wright, who presents the Wright Stuff on Channel 5, said of his schedule neighbour: “It’s revolting. I have no respect for it. His old radio phone-in [on Capital FM] was inspiring and wonderful.

“Now his TV show is about humiliating failures for entertainment. It’s vile.

“I have no time to watch it. I have better things to do. He is a nice enough bloke but he has sold his soul.”

Wright also took the opportunity to voice disappointment at being unable to convince the prime minister to appear on his show, claiming this was a result of “… backward-thinking -politicians, that you should only do business with ITV and the BBC.”

The FIA Formula E Championships has appiointed MediaCom as its media planning and buying agency of record for its inaugural season.

The appointment will see two speciality businesses; MediaCom Sport and MediaCom Beyond Advertising, tasked with servicing the account in an attempt to synergise its brand parternships ahead of the upcoming season.

Formula E will see fully-electric cars race on 10 street circuits around the world, including Bangkok, Los Angeles, and London.

Marcus John, global head of sport at MediaCom Sport, commented: “We are excited to begin working with Championship promoter Formula E Holdings and briefing global brands about how they can partner this ground-breaking sport, which is transforming the future of transportation. Formula E offers the perfect platform for companies to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability in an authentic way.”

MediaCom Sport will be tasked with enabling clients who wish to be associated with the sport and its sustainability message as part of their marketing communications, while MediaCom Beyond Advertising will provide brands with maximising the property through activiation and content strategies.

Hotel booking website Hotels.com has named Stuart Silberg as chief technology officer.

Silberg previously held the role of vice president of technology at Hotels.com and brings with him more than 20 years’ worth of industry experience to the role. Prior to joining Hotels.com he held technology leadership positions at Move.com, Kaiser Permanente, and K-Mart.

“Stuart’s wealth of technology experience and innovative approach to development perfectly equips him for the role of CTO.” says Scott Booker, president of Hotels.com.

“Having led and implemented many successful technology projects during his time at Hotels.com, we are delighted that he’s now taking on an even bigger role in driving Hotels.com’s product offering forward.”

The position of chief technology officer was created following the formation of the Hotels.com technology team, which was set up by Silberg.

London 2012 volunteer legacy charity Join-In has announced that BT is to be its first commercial partner, paving the way for both to raise the profile of volunteering.

Join-In will stage thousands of events over the coming months at sports clubs and community groups throughout the UK to encourage more people to volunteer; including a series of summer events at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with London 2012 volunteers.

Research conducted by the charity found that 84 per cent of clubs need more volunteers to function with 87 per cent citing a lack of spare hands as hindering expansion of their membership.

Sir Charles Allen, chairman, Join In, said: “We want to re-capture the spirit of London 2012 and channel the enthusiasm of the London 2012 volunteers to support local sports clubs and community groups across the UK. In the same way BT boldly championed the Paralympic movement, we know with their support we can create a movement of engaged, dedicated volunteers.”

Sir Michael Rake, chairman, BT Group, added: “We have been actively promoting skills-based doing, not just charitable giving, at BT for a number of years and we know that it is both sustainable and replicable – and can transform communities. Through partnering with Join In, we look forward to issuing a new rallying cry to volunteers, as well as to businesses who might be considering replicating our BT Volunteer programme for their own employees.”

Checkatrade.com has been announced as the sponsor of The Americans, a new US import which is set to be aired on ITV from 1 June.

The Americans is a period drama focusing on the complex marriage of two KGB spies who pose as Americans in suburban Washington D.C. shortly after Ronald Reagan is elected President.

The broadcast sponsorship package, negotiated by ITV Commercial and Mediate Advertising, will feature idents by Sassy Films.

Matt Corse, business manager at ITV, said: “We are delighted that Checkatrade.com have come on board as the sponsors of our exciting new series, The Americans. We believe that the highly anticipated drama is a great platform for Checkatrade.com to present the brand to the audience in a completely new way.”

Checkatrade.com is an online directory of recommended tradesmen.

Privacy concerns and irritation with social media marketing has led Facebook use in the UK to drop by nine per cent year-on-year, according to a YouGov SixthSense report.

The number of UK internet users who have quit social media sites because of social media marketing promotions is up 28 per cent points from April last year, while one fifth stopped using sites because of fears their information could be given to third parties.

The report revealed 45 per cent of social media users liked or joined the page of a brand or company compared to half that number (22 per cent) following a brand on Twitter. However, overall findings showed 35 per cent of users hid companies' updates if they updated to often and users responded negatively towards marketing strategies.

Only one in 20 Facebook users said they had clicked on an ad in the last year and less than one in 10 felt it had any relevance to them, indicating the increase in Facebook advertising and marketing is putting people off the network.

Moving slightly against the overall flow were men aged between 25 and 39, who were found to be significantly more likely than average to agree that targeted advertising was relevant to them, at 21 per cent.

YouGov SixthSense research director James McCoy said: "This report shows that reaching potential customers through social media is rather different from doing so through traditional media channels.

"The proportion of Facebook users who are tuning out brands' marketing efforts clearly indicates that a savvier approach is needed.

"While there are significant challenges, this report identifies potential opportunities for marketers to build on, such as the relatively high proportion of young men who respond positively to targeted ads on social media."

The report also indicated that followers/likers of companies or brands were more likely to be current customers hunting for a deal and 47 per cent of all social media users would be encouraged to like or follow a company for special offers.

A creepy ad for a Californian chiropractor has beaten big budget viral chart favourites Heineken and Old Spice to the top spot in this week's chart.

Produced by Rhett and Link, the ever so slightly disturbing ad for Ryan Lee Chiropractic Center, in which the eponymous star cracks more than smiles, has racked up more than 4 million views and 25,000 social shares over the last seven days.

We're not sure about you, but it doesn't exactly make The Drum team want to rush out for chiropractic treatment any time soon.

Elsewhere on the chart, Heineken's Negotiation and Old Spice's Baby finally bump Audi down the rankings after two weeks at the top for its entertaining clash of the Spocks.

The charts are compiled with the Viral Ad Network and are based on the number of shares each video has received on social media over the last seven days.

The Daily Mail has faced fierce criticism from readers after publishing the photograph of a British Army sniper who killed two Taliban gunmen in Afghanistan - in a report blasting the MoD for revealing his identity.

The article was published the day before a British soldier in Woolwich was brutally killed in an apparent extreme Islamist attack.

The article referred to "bungling" MoD officials who revealed the soldier's identity, before going on to reveal his name, photograph, home town and family details, as well as more information about his time in Afghanistan.

The soldier was paid £100,000 in compensation by the MoD after his identity was revealed.

Readers made their views known on the comment section of the piece in apparent disbelief at the Mail's irresponsibility.

"DM says he was under stress before. How will he feel today seeing his picture on this site available to any terrorist reading online news. DM adding to a soldiers [sic] stress just for sake of putting a name and pictures on a news story. They are having a go at MoD for revealing identity yet continue the blunder themselves by continuing to put a man life at risk." - Stephen from Dudley

"Well if they didn't know who he was before, the good old DM has certainly made sure they do now!" - Mark from Sheffield

"Excellent idea, lets protect him by putting his photo on the top page of a newspaper. FAIL." - Mr Finlay

"I'm sure publishing his story and photographs are only going to add to his 'cover' being exposed. Not helpful and just another blunder. Thoughtless article." - lavenderpicker

"Good grief get this man's identity off this article NOW - I can hardly believe this." - rwehuman from Chester

Shazam has released a redesigned version of its iPad app, including a new discovery home screen, improved layout for Shazam tag results for both TV and music, and a new way to browse what friends have been watching and listening to.

“We have seen amazing growth and expansion in both the number of people who use Shazam on iPad as well as their level of engagement…we have created an exciting and engaging new iPad experience for existing and new users,” said Rich Riley, Shazam CEO.

The update app sees the launch of a new Auto-Tagging feature to help users continually recognise and engage with all media, including TV programmes and advertisements. The redesigned app features new streams of activity to allow users to see updates in real time and explore the songs others are listening to at that time, users in the US will also be able to see which TV shows other users are watching.

As part of the refresh Shazam’s lightning-fast tagging, which enables recognition in as little as one second, and full-screen LyricPlay lyrics, which plays lyrics on-screen in time with the music, are being introduced to the iPad app. Music fans will also be able to explore what other users are listening too in any city around the world with the addition of a new interactive mapping feature.

During the last year, we have seen triple-digit growth in the number of downloads of the iPad version of our app,” continued Riley. “iPad offers an ideal way to experience more on the second screen as people watch television (the first screen), giving them more space to engage in additional content.”

The new version of the iOS app is universal allowing it to work across iPad 2 and 3 and iPad Mini, iPhone and iPod Touch. Some of the new features of the iPad app will be accessible on iPhone and iPod Touch, with the new features available in the Free, Encore and (SHAZAM)RED versions for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch and come with unlimited tagging. The new design and features are expected to launch on Android in the coming weeks.

Gardening product supplier Hozelock has this week unveiled a new campaign, featuring celebrity gardening expert David Domoney and exercise & health scientist, Dr Julie Alexander-Cooper.

The Gardening For Life campaign forms part an integrated digital, press and PR programme being delivered by Cogent Elliott.

Marc Ballu, CEO of Hozelock explained: "This new research proves what we've always suspected: gardening is a great way of keeping fit and active, both physically and mentally. It's great to know a hobby enjoyed by so many millions of Britons is also fantastic for their health and wellbeing.
“Our Gardening For Life campaign is all about encouraging people to get outdoors roll up their sleeves and get out into the garden. Over the next few months we’ll be sharing top tips on how to shape up and feel good – for free – this summer.”

Mike Phillipson, CEO at Cogent Elliott, added: “Gardening for Life is a great campaign illustrating the strong relationship between ourselves, Hozelock, David Domoney and Dr Julie Alexander-Cooper. It’s been fantastic to showcase the benefits to be gained from gardening and to help encourage healthy wellbeing.”

The campaign will run until the end of summer.

Complex nutrients brand Strong has worked with Pearlfisher to create its brand strategy, naming, identity, packaging, retail and digital communications.

Strong tasked Pearlfisher with creating standout for the brand which aims to develop health and beauty at a cellular level, for a strong, more vibrant and younger body. Pearlfisher capitalised on Strong’s idea of ‘beauty from within’ to bring to life the benefits of the product.

The London-based agency crated custom hand-drawn typography for the brand name and commissioned a series of bespoke bird illustrations which symbolise the product benefits, for example, ‘brain box’ uses a picture of an owl to represent optimal brain performance, and a bright yellow canary was used for the ‘sunshine pill’ to illustrate the end benefit of a healthier immune system.

Strong is currently sold exclusively through The Library, a private members training club in London’s Notting Hill. Founder of The Library, Zana Morris, commented: “It has always been a lifelong dream of mine to create a high quality nutrient brand that would offer consumers something new in a world of renowned low quality, low ingredient supplements. Pearlfisher have taken that ambition and translated it into a beautiful and groundbreaking visual expression that will revolutionise the category.”

Pearlfisher has also worked on the communications material and brand website for Strong which is currently under development and set to launch soon. The brand is set to roll out to high-end high street and online retailers shortly as well.

Speaking of the design, Karen Welman, founder partner and chief creative officer at Pearlfisher, said: “The idea was to create an impactful visual story using the metaphor of beautiful and elegant birds that have hidden strength. The brand name – Strong – and the playful variant names and descriptors are simple yet impactful and clearly communicate the brand’s promise of inner strength and outer beauty.”

Netmums.com has announced that both GSK-owned Oilatum and Aquafresh Kids have signed six-figure deals with the parenting site while its advertising spend has increased by nearly half.

Both campaigns will feature branded content with media drivers across different touch points on the site to build reach and relevance, with social media also to be used.

This comes as Netmums.com announces a 46 per cent increase on ad spend on the site in the last 12 months to April 2013.

Netmums.com sales director Niki Preece said: “It’s trusted by parents above all others and that means it’s trusted by the top brands who advertise with us. It’s fantastic that this has been recognised by advertisers - but we’ll be building on it in the months to come.”

Aquafresh has revealed that it has signed a new seven-month deal, the third in three years on Netmums.com.

Aviva has turned to Albion to assist with the launch of ‘General Accident’, Aviva’s insurance offering which provides customers 24/7 support over the phone with help and advice from the first quote up to 35 days from when the policy begins.

The partnership follows Albion’s support of Aviva’s Quotemehappy.com launch in August 2011. This time Aviva tasked Albion with creating the new branding for General Accident which takes its cues from road signage, the bold colour and clear message aim to communicated the offerings transparency and simplicity.

General Accident, a well-known existing brand from the Aviva family, was found to be a respected brand name that has a strong legacy in the motor insurance market and continues to resonate with motor insurance customers today following research, the new brand identity has been design to work well on price comparison sites in order to achieve stand out against competitors.

“We're delighted to work with Albion again to develop our new brand. The team totally understand the online space and digital consumers, and worked quick and smart to develop branding that will really stand out and build trust in the busy price comparison environment,” commented Steve Treloar, retail director at Aviva.

The new service is available exclusively on confused.com and is already online with further price comparison sites planned for later this year.

Otex Ear Drops has teamed with Aardman to produce the latest TV ad campaign, which uses radio interference as a metaphor for the problem of hearing impairment due to ear wax build-up.

The campaign, created Bray Leino, includes a 30 second, 20 second and two ten second spots; as well as through consumer and trade press.

Antonia Goldring, Otex brand manager, said: “We’re delighted with Otex’s new TV ad and we believe it will really make us stand out as market leaders. We fell in love with Bray Leino’s concept as soon as it was presented to us and Aardman have done such a fantastic job bringing it to life in a very nostalgic and charming way. A job very well done!”

The ad shows a radio struggling to stay tuned in to a series of sounds, including a frying breakfast, birds chirping and the sea.

Jon Elsom, executive creative director at Bray Leino, said: “This is a bold campaign that we believe will strike a deeper chord than some of the drier, less creative work we see in the OTC arena. This ad distils the essence of the consumer issue and delivers a very clear message in an abstract, appealing way. The Aardman team’s production values and enthusiasm for the project meant that execution of our concept was carried through flawlessly, and I’m pleased to note we have another great piece of creative to add to our growing 2013 portfolio.”

M&S Home has appointed brand communications agency Crave to give the brand a refresh.

Crave was responsible for the rebranding of Marks and Spencer to M&S in 2007 and worked with the retailer on a number of campaigns, including Plan A and the Per Una campaign with Amber Valletta last year.

CEO of Crave, Paul McManus, said: "The new product we have seen is fantastic quality and there's been a massive injection of style. There are lots of pieces you see and you want, immediately.

"The work we're going to be doing will reflect this new direction and help confirm M&S Home's credentials as a seriously credible player in home furnishings and design."

Yorkshire Bank and Clydesdale Bank is set to launch a new brand campaign with Karmarama, which looks to show the commitment the banks have to its communities and customers.

The regional TV ad breaks tomorrow (Friday 24 May) and will be followed by press, outdoor, DM and in branch activity.

Helen Page, chief marketing officer, said: "We've been a key part of the local communities for generations. I wanted us to remember where we came from and why we exist.”

Directed by Vince Squibb through Gorgeous Productions, the ad looks at how different people contribute to the community.

James Denton-Clark, managing director at Karmarama, added: “We built the campaign on a bedrock of truth with a humility that’s rare to the category and a great testament to the vision of Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank.”

The ads feature the new end line ‘We care about here’.

From today (Thursday 23 May), 4Music, heat, Kiss, Kerrang!, Box, Smash Hits and Magic can be viewed for free through a new simulcast service on 4Music.com and the respective channels websites.

The free live streaming service allows audiences to watch Box TV’s linear music channels on the web and on-the-go via mobiles and tablets. In addition a new Freeview portal for all Box TV channels gives 4Music Freeview viewers access to Magic, Kiss and Kerrang! via the red button.

“Music and TV consumption patterns are changing and we are now able to meet our core 16-34 audiences on their preferred connected device and on compatible Freeview devices. We’re offering innovative, editorially curated and legal alternatives to pirate internet TV services and are giving our advertisers exciting new opportunities to market their brands and products,” commented Julie Wright, business development and commercial director at Box TV.

SimpleStream will provide the end-to-end live streaming services to Box TV allowing it to stream its seven channels.

Of the launch, Arquiva managing director of digital platforms, Charles Constable, said: “Connect TV is the smart, simple way to reach the growing connected audience. It enables broadcasters to give connected TV viewers what they want: an enhanced TV experience with more choice, more functionality and more content. Box TV continues to strive for a deeper relationship with their audience and we are pleased to be working with them.”