MSNBC.com recently began running a rectangle ad on the site homepage that showcases the individually-branded sites of Countdown, Nightly News, Scoop, Today, NBC Sports and recently-acquired Newsvine.

The ad allows users to click arrow buttons on either side of the container to show the next site screen shot, which appears after a quick transition effect.

This is a creative way to promote sites, but also runs the risk of being tuned out since it’s in the same position as regular ads normally are.

This also marks one of the first times MSNBC has promoted Newsvine. MSNBC has been linking to conversations and topic pages on Newsvine for select stories, but this marks one of the most prominent cross promotions.

The fourth hour of “Today” has stopped using the outdoor area of Rockefeller Plaza as a broadcast space. Apparently, nearby commercial tenants were complaining the show, hosted by Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford, was generating too much noise and becoming a “distraction.”

NBC has a standing agreement in place that prohibits the show from using the outdoor space past 10 a.m, but the show moved outside when Gifford joined the show.

Despite that, NBC may still use the plaza for its Memorial Day editions since nearby offices will be mostly empty on the holiday.