A new Potomac-based start-up aims to provide Internet users with an entertaining forum for ranking just about anything, from "top NFL quarterbacks" to "best iPhone apps." Rankpad, launched by DC-area entrepreneur Andre Averbug, is currently in open beta testing, with plans to roll out new features over the next few months that will focus on deeper integration with social networks and expanding its revenue model.

Parents who are concerned about their children’s online privacy should know that only Sulake's Habbo Hotel and Xbox Live meet the privacy standards established by the European Commission for the Digital Agenda. A new report by the commission found they were the only social networking sites that protected minors’ personal profiles by default, ensuring this information was accessible only to each member’s approved list of contacts.

Whooznxt has expanded the opportunities it offers member bands, thanks to a partnership with Virgin Mobile USA. Big Bang Presented by Whooznxt is an original weekly series hosted on Virgin Mobile's Facebook lifestyle portal, Virgin Mobile Live, that showcases a chosen band with exclusive content. The bands will also be featured on Virgin Mobile Live 2.0, Virgin Mobile's streaming music station available on all Android devices.

Vevo has made its first foray into original scripted content with “Tim Timebomb’s RockNRoll Theater.” Created by Tim Armstrong, best known as the singer/guitarist for punk band Rancid, the series is a collection of 12 stories tied together by Armstrong as host (in the Rod Serling/Alfred Hitchcock mold). Each half-hour segment features roles played by other musicians along with dark, sexy song and dance numbers. The series debuts on Oct. 21 with “Dante.”

Sony has added a new package to PlayStation Home that encourages users to generate and share their own content. Called the Loot Active Camera and developed by Sony DADC Digital Services, it lets users record video from within in the PlayStation Home social game platform and enables creators to upload directly to YouTube. The Loot Active Camera eliminates the need for a separate capture card, third-party software or other equipment, making it possible to experiment with machinima inexpensively and without a steep learning curve.

Viewers are being offered a new way to engage with the most important part of the Super Bowl following an announcement from USA Today and Facebook. The Gannett Co. publication is opening its annual Super Bowl Ad Meter to participation by all Facebook members for Super Bowl XLVI, which will be held Feb. 5, 2012, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Enrique Iglesias, one of the most popular Latin musicians of all time, wants to add some additional venues to his upcoming tour. These new stages will be built by his fans, and they will exist only in Zynga’s "CityVille." Between Oct. 4 and 10, players who have attained at least level six will encounter Iglesias in their city and can get him to say a few words. Among other things, they also can collect the brown boots, leather bracelet and military cap familiar to all of his fans, along with a two-seater plane commemorating his love of flying. The more dedicated can enhance their cities with a limited-edition “Enrique” speedboat and a high-rise like those near his Miami home.

Video sharing service Twitvid disclosed it had raised $6.5 million of Series B funding in a round led by Azure Capital Partners and with participation from existing investor Draper Fisher Jurvetson. The company said it will use the proceeds to build out the product and technology infrastructure, and to acquire the personnel necessary to do so. Following this latest round of investment, Cameron Lester, general partner of Azure Capital will join Twitvid’s board of directors.

Rather than let Cambio continue its slide into oblivion, partners AOL, talent management company The Jonas Group and brand strategy specialists MGX Lab have decided to inject the site with new life in the form of top talent, original content, additional strategic deals and a significant budget commitment. Cambio, which is an online entertainment destination for teens and young adults, announced deals with Mark Burnett, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and Dolphin Digital Media as part of a wide-ranging revitalization.