Advertising Round-Up: Oodle/AdTrader, Ofcom Backs Behavioural; Specific Media; Platform-A

Oodle: The online classifieds aggregator network has signed a deal to spread its listings across Trader Media Group’s AdTrader.co.uk, as well as to power the site’s own search. It’s a marker of the rise of California-based Oodle, which has a UK GM in Duncan Dunlop – as print classifieds go through a downturn, the site powers digital classifieds for The Sun, The Daily Star, Magic Radio and Everyclick in this country, bundling ads from each in to its own network. Disclosure: ContentNext, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian News & Media, whose parent GMG jointly owns Trader Media Group with Apax Partners.

Ofcom backs behavioural: The regulator’s CEO said (via FT.com): “In our view the underlying idea that ISPs can enable delivery of behavioural targeted advertising has much potential – if done sensibly and done correctly, transparently to the user and with the consent of the user.” It came as the IAB launched a campaign to convince users behavioural targeting is not intrusive. IAB chair Richard Eyre: “The problem with behavioural targeting is it is easier to attack than defend. We must get the rules of engagement sorted quickly.”

Specific Media: Independent digital ad network Specific Media has moved into Scandanavia with the opening of an office in Copenhagen as part of “aggressive” European expansion plans. The company has made three hires to oversee the move: Michael Chabert joins from Advertising.com as AP for Northern Europe; Claus Osterby also joins from Advertising.com as sales director for Denmark and Birgitte Johncke moves over from Yahoo (NSDQ: YHOO) as MD for the Denmark office.

Platform-A: AOL’s vast digital ad network Platform-A (NYSE: TWX) has lost its head of UK agency sales Duncan George, one month after the departure of its global president Lynda Clazino. George joined from GCap Media in November 2007 and replaced Giles Ivey who then went on to become Times Media’s first commercial director. From Mediaweek.