The Ticker: CNN Wire, ABC Girlfriends, MSNBC Maddow…

> One thing we learned on our visit to CNN’s Atlanta HQ last week is that the veteran news network has a robust R&D department — always looking for the next new thing to communicate with their audience. Now, the company that brought 24-hour news to TV, is wooing old media (and their websites) with a new wire service that could take on the AP.

> For the second year in a row, six ABC Newsers gathered to discuss lessons learned from their experiences with breast cancer. Political commentator Cokie Roberts, GMA co-anchor Robin Roberts, correspondent Laura Marquez, SVP Amy Entelis, ABC NewsOne Exec. Fiona Conway and ABC News Digital’s Jessica Guff participated in the “Girlfriends Guide to Breast Cancer.” It can be seen online now at ABCNews.com.

> msnbc.com has launched a new “online experience” for Rachel Maddow fans. rachel.msnbc.com includes clips from the previous night’s show, Rachel’s Twitter feed, and links to her bio, nightly features and Maddow’s Air America site.