Mary Elizabeth Hurn

On Tuesday night, social media agency Buddy Media threw an event at Hiro Ballroom in Manhattan. The party, which had the tagline "Social Media is No Laughing Matter," featured a great performance by Seth Meyers of SNL fame.

Valpak has launched two direct campaigns using augmented reality, including an effort with The Martha Stewart Show to build the two companies' databases.

Digital agency Zeta Interactive launched digital coupon and insert software through Zeta Next Page, its Web-based publishing platform, on March 1. The platform allows brands to create digital coupons to replace their print counterparts, as well as circular and newspaper inserts.

The Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Council will launch a contest on March 15 inviting advertising professionals and digital media buffs to create a campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup host country, South Africa.

'The New York Times' began distributing content through 850 digital out-of-home screens in coffee shops, cafes and airport newsstands on March 1. The partnership with RMG Networks, a video entertainment and media company, is targeting five cities: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Boston.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will take advantage of the March 7 Academy Awards ceremony with consumer engagement, database building and mobile marketing efforts.

Amtrak has launched MyBlackJourney.com, a Web site targeting black consumers. The organization is planning social media outreach to promote the site.

Tree.com, parent company of loan comparison engine LendingTree, will launch a pay-per-performance customer acquisition channel in this year's second quarter. At the Web address Tree.com, the site will aggregate vendors in the education, automotive, personal finance, home services, real estate, health and insurance verticals.

Bacardi USA, whose brands include Bacardi rum, Grey Goose vodka and Bombay Sapphire gin, has selected KSL Media to manage all of its media planning and buying services.

Kroenke Sports Enterprises, the owner of Denver's Pepsi Center arena, has named Txtstation its mobile marketing provider. The companies are promoting the three teams that use the venue: the Denver Nuggets NBA team, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and the Colorado Mammoth professional lacrosse team.