Digital happenings this week from MSN, Renren, Baidu and more

MSN China and Renren entered into a strategic cooperation to share applications such as unified account log-ins, content synchronisation and searching for friends. MSN users would be able to sign in on Renren.com using MSN logins but not vice versa.

Aktiv Digital bolstered its team with the appointment of Eliot Connor as commercial director, Fabien Bouhier as senior account manager and Amarpal Singh as marketing manager.  Connor will be responsible for driving the agency’s social media division across the region.

WPP Digital acquired the assets of US digital agency Rockfish Interactive, as part of its strategy of investing in fast-growing sectors and markets and boosting its capabilities in the digital marketing sector. Rockfish Interactive provides strategic consulting, technology, mobile, design and digital marketing services to clients.

Sina Hong Kong appointed Sheta Chow as business development manager for Hong Kong and China. She reports to Tsui Sze-wai, international production director, and will oversee the strengthening partnerships with the brand.

Baidu shut down its Shouba microblogging platform less than a year after its launch. Also known as Baidu Talk, its account verification restrictions are believed to have been the culprit as users were required to sign up with their real names and authenticate their identities through a mobile number and photo.

American Express Singapore launched its Facebook page with the aim of building an online community to connect with current and potential customers. Kicking it off was an online campaign called ‘Snap you Singapore!’ that celebrates the country’s National Day.

Royal Selangor, a department retailer, launched a revamped online store with the brand saying it is one of the earliest Malaysian brands to employ online shopping options for its customers. The company is expanding its online customer base through aligning its online shopping experience with real-world experiences in its boutique stores. 

304 Industrial Park, an industrial real estate company, selected Grey Group Thailand as its agency of record with the remit including digital marketing. The initiatives would run as part of a relaunch campaign for the company with the first campaign slated to roll out in the last quarter of 2011.

Digital media training company Third Space Asia appointed Kanika Sood to a newly created partnership role as part of its efforts to expand in Asia. She will be responsible for the development of the long term strategy and industry outreach as well as developing research and training workshops for new graduates entering the digital media industry.