Peer39 Raises $10.5 Million in Series C
by Frank Mash on May 27th, 2009
As Peer39 moves away from building its own ad network to focusing on allowing publishers to clear their remnant ad inventory at premium prices based on its semantic ad platform, it announced an injunction of $10.5 million in Series C funding from Evergreen Venture Partners.
FDA Issues Warning Over Sponsored Search
by Frank Mash on April 6th, 2009
FDA has issued warning to 14 pharmaceutical companies over their sponsored search advertising (aka pay-per-click advertising) practices. These sponsored search results appear on search engines such as Google when users search for a search term. In one of the warning letters to Biogen Idec for advertising it’s drug, TYSABRI, FDA said:
The sponsored links are misleading because they make representations and/or suggestions about the efficacy of TYSABRI, but fail to communicate any risk information associated with the use of this product. In addition, the sponsored links inadequately communicate TYSABRI’s indication and fail to use the required established name. Thus, the sponsored links misbrand TYSABRI in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) and FDA implementing regulations.
Virtual Goods and Advertising Generate $74 Million for Habbo in Revenues
by Frank Mash on April 2nd, 2009
It seems Habbo’s virtual economy isn’t under recession. Instead, the virtual goods business seems to be booming for Habbo.
While most other social networks are trying to get into virtual goods and finding ways to monetize international audience, Habbo is enjoying being the leader in the space. In 2008, Habbo generated $74 million in revenues from selling virtual goods and advertising.
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AdSense sunsets Video Ad Units
by Frank Mash on April 1st, 2009
Google AdSense is saying buh bye to video ad units.
In a posting on AdSense blog regarding termination of video ad units, Google announced:
Starting today, the option to sign up for video units is no longer available to new publishers. If you’re currently displaying video units, we recommend that you start removing the video unit code from your pages as soon as possible so you can optimize your available ad space in advance. Please be assured that any earnings you’ve generated from video units in the past will still be credited to your AdSense account.
Behavioral Targeting: Good Practice Principles by IAB UK
by Frank Mash on March 30th, 2009
Many people don’t like the sound of behavioral targeting, perhaps because of a poor choice of words. However, Behaviorally targeted advertising is important, not just for the advertising companies that implement it but also for consumers! I will go on to say that advanced targeting solutions that are implemented responsibly are important for the entire Internet ecosphere. Google recognizes that and for that reason it recently decided to enter this space. Although understandably, Google chose to give the name “interest based targeting” to it’s behavioral targeting efforts.
Behavioral targeting is important because it helps generates relevant advertising which helps users discover content, products and services that’s relevant to them. At the same time relevant advertising helps businesses find a more relevant way of engaging and informing consumers.
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Pay Per Click and Budget
by Frank Mash on March 29th, 2009
John Ellis talks about pay-per-click advertising and budget during tough times in his post, “Budget? What Budget? it’s pay-per-click.” He argues, “PPC does not follow the old marketing budget rules.”
The whole notion of pay-per-click advertising is based on performance. An advertiser pays a high price for a pay-per-click campaign because he/she expects the conversions to happen relatively easy. Read more