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Google pulled in revenues of close to $38 billion in 2011, 96% of which came from advertising. The biggest advertisers? Finance and insurance brands with a spend of $4 billion, ahead of retailers ($2.8 billion) and travel and tourism ($2.2 billion).

Facebook is worth €15.3 billion to the 27 member states of the European Union and Switzerland and supports 232,000 jobs in those markets, according to a report, Measuring Facebook’s Economic Impact In Europe, commissioned by the social network, writes Maria Stadtmueller.

Platform effects, notably the app economy servicing the Facebook platform and social activities, represent 19% of the economic impact of Facebook, the report says.

Publicis and France Télécom-Orange are launching a new venture capital fund to finance and develop entrepreneurs in the digital economy, particularly in France and the European Union, to build on the sector’s potential for spectacular creativity and growth. The two partners jointly invest €150 million in the new fund, and invite other investors to join them to reach a target of €300 million.

Despite Greece’s dire financial situation, young Greeks are determined to be the generation who restart the nation – and that’s good news for brands, says Andy Cooper*.

In Athens, there is rubbish in the streets, fuel shortages cause mile-long queues at petrol stations, and there’s no public transport. But while people are angry about political corruption and fear for the future, there is, surprisingly, less a rebellious spirit than a blend of pride, patrotism and dynamism.

There’s a statistically significant correlation between the social media popularity of key brands and their respective share prices, according to a new study conducted by a researcher at Pace University in association with Famecount.com, writes Mark Terry.

In addition, the correlation remained when 10-, and a 30-day lags were introduced, suggesting that social media popularity may be a lead indicator of stock price performance.

Don’t be evil, acquire. After 11 years on the acquisitions trail, Google has notched up purchases such as YouTube ($1.65 billion), DoubleClick ($3.1 billion) and Motorola ($12.5 billion). Around 80% of the search giant’s new assets were from North America, with Germany and the UK accounting for 4% apiece

first direct is planning to crowdsource marketing campaigns via its new first direct Lab co-creation website. Initially the UK bank’s consumers will get a say in the development of a mortgage smartphone app and on QR codes.

American Express has soft-launched its Link-Like-Love social commerce rewards programme. The venture is integrated with Facebook for Amex cardholders and delivers personalised rewards based on Facebook ‘likes’ and check-in activity.