IPayX processes $2bn in payments

Internet Payment Exchange (IPayX) processed more than two million payments, totalling more than $2.2 billion (R22.5 billion), with a 53% overall increase year-over-year in 2008, says Market Watch.

"This dramatic rise in payment volumes, payment amounts and electronic document deliveries reflects the fact that organisations in healthcare, finance and commercial sectors are embracing targeted technologies that simplify payment processes for their customers," says IPayX president and CEO Douglas Braun.

In December 2008 alone, the electronic billing and payment technology and customer service solutions provider processed 179 563 payments totalling more than $235 million (R2.4 billion), a 20% increase in the number of payments and a 33% increase in payment amount from the previous year.

Media holding company WPP Group and Web analytics solutions provider Omniture have entered into a strategic partnership, states DM News.

The pact includes WPP making a $25 million (R255 million) investment in Omniture and integrating many of WPP's marketing technologies and information products into Omniture's platform. The deal is geared towards providing clients with more effective insights across digital and traditional media channels.

"In the current economic environment and as clients continue to experiment with and develop their online budgets, the need for better analysis, measurability and focus on return on investment is more important than ever,” says WPP group chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell.

Datran has found that e-mail, search and display continue to pace far ahead of offline media, direct mail and mobile as the strongest performing advertising channels, according to PR USA.

The online marketer's third annual e-marketing survey found that e-mail secured the number one rank by more than 80% of marketers. Correspondingly, marketers revealed that available budgets will be allocated towards e-mail, search and display, while they are anticipating at-pace or reduced spending across offline advertising and direct mail.

The one inconsistency in budget allocation responses was the percentage increase in social media budget plans. While inconsistent with present performance responses to the first survey question, the growth expectations are in line with analyst predictions and market forecasts that social media advertising will continue to grow as the model matures.