Daily deal fatigue is trending. The e-bubble created by Groupon, LivingSocial and Google Offers is springing leaks. Groupon, the granddaddy of the genus, is hitting the proverbial wall in earnest. Some of its early backers are jumping ship, the Wall Street Journal reports, potentially indicative of a larger loss of faith in the business model as a whole. 

Andreessen Horowitz, purchaser of 5.1 million shares at $7.90 each has sold them all; Fidelity sold one-third of its stake (down to 13.2 million) between March 31 and June 30; Maverick Capital retains fewer than 2 million shares as of June 30, down from 6.3 million three months earlier.

Since its November IPO, Groupon shares have dropped 82%, making it now worth $3 billion, about half of Google’s purchase offer in 2010. Groupon is not alone in disappointing expectations for investors and analysts as Facebook and Zynga join a collective memory of the dot-com bust in 2000. Daily Deal Media reports that 798 daily deal sites closed down between July and December, 2011. Continue reading...

Industries, businesses and governments up and down the Eastern seaboard are still toting up the economic damages created by Hurricane Irene, which included a deep impact on weekend movie box office numbers.

Amazon spends millions to fight Internet sales tax.

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ESPN officially launches the Longhorn Network.

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Kia brings back hamsters for new Soul campaign.

LivingSocial gets used to life in the fast lane.

Mentos produces app to help "improve friends."Continue reading...

As Japan crisis continues and Tokyo Electric Power raises concerns, GE's $1 billion nuclear business is at risk as US ponders future of nuclear energy. The estimated hit to Japan's economy (so far): $200 billion.

AOL is repositioning to attract more women.

Chicago tests 911 cellphone pictures and video.

Daimler weighs paying higher dividends.

Facebook patents curated search.

Guinness to roll out soccer-themed game show in Africa.Continue reading...

A new generation of deal sites is emerging online, marking one positive residual from the economic slump. It's also good news for cautious consumers searching for smart ways to leverage collective-buying power.

The latest: Bizzy, now launching into the crowded space of crowd deals and joining the ranks of Groupon, DealOn, Living Social and Social Buy. And just wait until Facebook Places unveils its grand business plan to take over the space.

As an iPhone app for local deals, Bizzy promises to remain "free of spam and intrusive marketing messages, where customers can stay in touch with the shops, spas and studios they really care about, when and how they want." So what's in it for brands and consumers?Continue reading...