Top Story

• Search still top traffic driver for retail websites
  Search engines such as Google and Bing were the top sources of traffic for retail websites in 2012, accounting for almost half of all visits, according to an Experian analysis. E-mail links accounted for about 6% of retailers' traffic, while Facebook generated less than 4% of visits. MediaPost Communications/SearchBlog (1/17)     

Trendwatch

• Privacy bill would put app users in the driving seat
  The House is considering a mobile privacy bill floated by Rep. Hank Johnson. The Georgia Democrat's "Apps Act" would require application makers to give consumers prior notice about how their data will be collected, stored and used, and would also give consumers the right to opt out of data collection and to have their personal data deleted. Adweek (1/17)     

• E-mail marketers should take up new standards, expert says
  A group of 15 tech companies -- including AOL, Google, Microsoft and Yahoo -- founded an e-mail-security standard called DMARC last year in a bid to clamp down on phishing and other e-mail scams. Though wide adoption hasn't happened, some e-mail clients are now automatically flagging DMARC-compliant messages, and marketers should take note, Message Systems' Ralph Lentz says. "Marketers who ignore DMARC do so at their peril. ... Do you want your email to be the only messages in your customer's inbox not flagged as DMARC-secure?" BtoB Magazine (1/17)     

Getting the Word Out

• 7 ways for B2B firms to shine on Pinterest
  Making an impression on Pinterest isn't rocket science, Monika Jansen writes. Be sure to pin your own original images alongside repins from others, create boards related to your business and add enough detail to draw in potential customers. "You want to grab people’s attention so they’re eager to see more," Jansen writes. NetworkSolutions.com (1/16)     

• Some marketers cool on Super Bowl ad previews
  Some marketers say they won't be previewing their Super Bowl ads online ahead of the big day, hoping their ads will generate more buzz if they're able to genuinely surprise game watchers. Others, including Kraft, will release a teaser and save the full spot for the game. Kraft will release a teaser of the ad for its MiO Fit liquid water enhancer before unveiling the full 30-second spot during the third quarter. "We prefer keeping it a surprise for our consumers," said Doug Weekes, vice president for refreshment beverages at Kraft. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (1/17)     

Developer Update

• Why developers should stop building mobile apps
  The best mobile-application developers aren't just mobile-app developers, writes Jeffrey Hammond. Good mobile apps are written as omni-channel programs capable of responding flexibly to a range of contexts and delivery tools, Hammond explains. "[S]ince modern applications are composed of systems of systems, you shouldn't separate your mobile strategy from your cloud strategy or your big data strategy," he writes. Forrester.com/Jeffrey Hammond's Blog (1/17)     

Design Corner

• What does your "about" page say about your brand?
  Your website's "about" page is an opportunity to distinguish yourself from your rivals and whet potential customers' appetites for your services. This article profiles 15 creative "about" pages that communicate the necessary information clearly without being bland or uninspiring. DesignFestival.com (1/17)     

Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs

• How Gannett helps SMBs reach local shoppers
  Gannett Digital Marketing Services now offers a range of tools for small businesses that are "overwhelmed with trying to understand how to work in a world where the consumer has become increasingly digital," says CEO Vikram Sharma. Digital-flyer tools and social discounting services can help SMBs put their promotions in front of a local and engaged online audience, Sharma says. eMarketer (1/18)     

Association News

• Do you work for an award-winning interactive agency?
  If not, now's your chance. Enter the 2013 IAC Awards and prove to the world the quality of your work, recognized by your peers. Entering is easy. Simply create a Nominator Account or log in to an existing Nominator Account. Upload your creative and pick you industry and format. We'll send our judges to evaluate it based on creativity, innovation, impact, design, copywriting, and use of the medium. If you have the highest average score in your industry, you're a winner!     

On Leadership

Top five news stories from SmartBrief on Leadership this week. Want more leadership news?

• 6 ways to give a stupendous presentation (SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership)

• 6 questions to help you define your work balance (ThoughtLeaders blog)

• Want to freak out prospective hires? Ask these questions (GlassDoor.com)

• How to make your workers hate you (SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership)

• Before hiring, find out how people act around their spouses (The New York Times (tiered subscription model))

SmartQuote

If I had my life to live over, I would perhaps have more actual troubles but I'd have fewer imaginary ones." --Don Herold, American humorist, writer and cartoonist