—Publicis-Microsoft: Advertising group Publicis has signed an agreement to provide mobile ad technology and metrics across Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) properties MSN, Bing and the Microsoft Media Network. Publicis’ Phonevalley division, part of the VivaKi digital wing, will provide mobile ad “solutions” in six content areas such as retail, travel and entertainment. In return, Publicis will receive better ad rates for advertising on Microsoft sites. From Campaign.

—ESPN (NYSE: DIS) Cricinfo: ESPN’s leading cricket site Cricinfo has re-launched its mobile site with a range of gizmos and features and added country-specific personalisation. The main site’s ball-by-ball live match coverage is now optimsed for mobile and its extensive stats archive and world rankings table are now available too. ESPN’s ScoreCenter iPhone app has been downloaded 2.7 million times.

—Yell-Samsung: UK online directory listings business Yell Group has developed a local business search widget for Samsung’s touch-screen phones. The free app is available from Samsung’s widget gallery and comes installed on three phones, including the Jet S800. Release.

—Mills & Boon: To mark 12 months since it started selling ebooks in partnership with GoSpoken, publisher Mills & Boon is giving away mobile versions of one book from each of the available ebook series at everyonesreading.mobi.