For the first time, spending on digital/online advertising and marketing will overtake print in 2010, according to new projections from research firm Outsell. Overall US spending on advertising and marketing will increase in 2010, but by just 1.2 percent to $368 billion.

Shipping company Globus Maritime has reported a net revenue of $10.17m for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of 33 percent, compared to $15.19m for the same period in 2008.

Deutsche Bank has launched its new Exchange Traded Commodities (ETC) investment issuance platform with the launch of four new products on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Xetra). The new platform, branded db ETC, will roll out to the rest of Europe in 2010 and include ETCs on Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium.

Transaction Network Services, a data communications company, has renewed its agreement with MasterCard to provide payment server software for MasterCard’s e-commerce platform, the MasterCard Internet Gateway Service (MiGS).

Boeing and Turkish Airlines have finalized an order for 20 Next-Generation 737 airplanes. The order includes 10 737-800s and 10 737-900ER (extended range) airplanes. The 737-900ER will be the latest 737 family member to join the Turkish Airlines fleet.

Dassault Systemes (DS), a provider of product lifecycle management solutions, and German carmaker BMW have signed a strategic five-year global agreement to pave the way to meet the automotive market’s new challenges.

Construction group SNC-Lavalin has won a contract from Sasol Nitro to provide engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) services for a new 400,000 Mtpy calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) production plant in an existing chemical complex in Secunda, South Africa.

Worldwide semiconductor capital equipment spending is projected to surpass $29.4 billion in 2010, a 76.1 percent increase from 2009 spending of $16.7 billion, according to Gartner. Following the significant declines in 2009, all segments of the semiconductor capital equipment market will experience double-digit growth in 2010.

The EDF Group and Total have signed an agreement whereby Total will reserve regasification capacity in the planned Dunkirk LNG terminal being developed by Dunkerque LNG, a wholly-owned EDF subsidiary, and will also acquire an interest in the company.

Visa has named Elizabeth Buse as its new international group executive. In this new role, Ms Buse will oversee the company's global sales and client service functions across Asia-Pacific and Central Europe, the Middle East and Africa (CEMEA).

Walter Energy has named its board member Joseph Leonard, former chairman and CEO of AirTran Holdings, as its interim CEO. Mr Leonard succeeds Victor Patrick, who announced his retirement. The effective date of the transition will be close of business March 12, 2010.

Descartes Systems Group, a federated global logistics network, has unveiled its e-freight solution, Descartes e-Pouch, created specifically to address the IATA e-freight initiative and the needs of the air freight industry to automate and standardize the cargo shipment process.

Oil and gas company Rheochem has acquired the remaining 50 percent shareholding of Zeus Petroleum in a cashless transaction. Following this transaction, Rheochem's fully owned exploration and production subsidiary, Lochard Energy, now owns 100 percent of Zeus.

American International Group (AIG) has signed a definitive agreement for the sale of American Life Insurance Company (ALICO) to MetLife for approximately $15.5 billion, including $6.8 billion in cash and the remainder in equity securities of MetLife, subject to closing adjustments.

UK-based construction firm Costain, in joint venture with Skanska, has bagged a £15m contract from Crossrail, as part of the enabling works framework, to construct the Royal Oak Portal, the first tunnel-related construction contract for the Crossrail project.

Modern Times Group (MTG), a Sweden-based entertainment broadcasting company, has appointed Laurence Miall-d'Aout as chief of staff for its Free-TV operations, and Martin Lewerth for the newly created role of chief of staff for the group’s Pay-TV operations.

James J. Boyle & Company (JJ Boyle), an international freight forwarder and customs broker providing transportation services, has formed a strategic partnership with ComSec International, a cargo screener located at DFW International Airport.

DaVita, a US-based provider of kidney care services, has named Luis Borgen as its new CFO, effective March 29, 2010. Mr Borgen joins the company after spending more than 12 years at Staples.

Eagle Rock Energy Partners, a limited partnership engaged in midstream business, has reported total revenue of $151.41m for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009, compared to $504.18m for the same period in 2008.

Opexa Therapeutics, a developer of patient-specific cellular therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, has reported a net loss of $1.43m, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the full year ended December 31, 2009, compared to $11.85m, or $1.12 per diluted share, for the year ago period.