Media buyers and planners might want to take a few minutes this afternoon to hear about the first commercial results from the new BBM radio measurement technology, Portable People Meters (PPM). Astral Media Radio is sharing results from the Montreal market, where the tool was first used, live in real-time on the web starting at 2:15 pm at www.astralmediaradio.com/ppm.

Alicia Olson-Keating, Astral Media Radio's GM of research and marketing services for English Canada, will present and analyze the results and the opportunities they present for increasing radio ad campaign efficacy. The real-time analysis of the PPM tool's debut was preceded by six information and training capsules, available for viewing at http://infoppm.astralmediaradio.ca. Today's broadcast will also be available at http://infoppm.astralmediaradio.ca after the presentation. Measurement results for Toronto and Vancouver will be announced in mid-2009.

To view previous coverage on this topic, go here.

Montreal-based Zoom Media has just announced its acquisition of Smart One Media's digital signage assets, after using the co's technology for its national sport and resto-bar digital network.

The move follows the company's recent acquisition of US-based ClubCom, LLC, as part of its plans to become an OOH digital leader in Canada. Smart One Media president and CEO Patrick Galante will remain on board to provide strategic leadership for digital media projects.

Zoom Media currently has 700 digital screens in its sport and resto-bar networks and plans to increase screen inventory in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City, where it plans to install at least 100 digital screens over the next three to six months.

Zoom Media currently has 30,000 billboards in over 4,000 establishments across 30 markets including Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Of the over 80,000 billboards it owns and operates across North America and Europe, 26,000 are digital.

www.zoommedia.com

Top radio advertisers Sears and Porter Airlines switch places this week and rank #1 and #2, respectively, while HBO Canada remains steady at #3.

The Dairy Farmers of Canada jumps from #36 to #4, while the Ontario Toyota Dealers come in at #5 from off the charts last week. Belairdirect also makes the top 10 at #6, while Rogers Wireless and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair remain at #7 and #8, respectively.

Desjardins Financial Security and Nissan fill the #9 and #10 spots.

To find out which other marketers boosted their radio buys, by category and brand, in the Toronto market this week, visit:

For the third year, VisionTV launched an online Christmas promotion to tout its holiday lineup, which is set to debut Dec. 8. This year's "VisionTV Christmas Challenge" was developed by Toronto's social media platform provider Filemobile. The "Mediafactory" platform lets users develop, collect and manage user-generated content, such as contests.

The challenge has participants uploading their best/worst holiday moments, caught on videos or in photos, until Jan. 5. Registered members can comment and rate submissions, with prizes including an iPod Touch and a copy of Rock Band 2, special edition.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available across the entire Christmas lineup, both on-air and online. The Toronto-HQ'd multi-cultural broadcaster reaches over one million viewers per week (Nielsen).

www.visiontv.ca