Two steps forward, one step back … gotta love the web and online advertising! There is a proliferation of new computers that run 64-bit processors and 64-bit versions of operating systems (Linux and Windows). Along with that comes all of the wonderful new 64-bit applications … like Internet Explorer. But Adobe Flash does not yet support 64-bit browsers so all those beautiful Flash ads don’t even show up. So, let’s count the places where Flash ads (or Flash in general) don’t show up now: Any 64-bit browser on any operating system (not huge numbers, but growing). Any...

There’s an interesting debate going on in my last blog entry about Ziff’s use of IntelliTXT over whether in-article hyperlink ads are ethical or not. I’m surprised that I haven’t heard much about it, but Google also quietly launched their own version of IntelliTXT in late March as part of their new pay-per-action beta test for AdWords. Here’s a quote straight from the official “Inside AdWords” blog at Google on March 20, 2007 (emphasis mine). “You can create text ads, image ads, or our new text link ad format in your pay-per-action campaign. Text...

I have the utmost respect for Paul Conley and think he is one of the true class acts in media. It is well-known, however, that he and I disagree on the use of in-text ads … particularly Vibrant Media’s IntelliTXT product. Paul believes that there is no place for these kinds of ads on any reputable web site and his latest post takes Ziff to task because they reinstated in-text ads. He calls for the ABM and ASBPE to cut ties with Ziff and for the editors to, in essence, go on strike in protest. To be sure, Paul has a couple good points. First, it really is ridiculous that Ziff would...

Michael Madej, a friend of mine at IndustryWeek, has a knack for finding the funny side of online media. He sent me these screenshots showing the sometimes humorous and ironic juxtaposition of content and online advertising. He assures me these are 100% authentic and not doctored up. Enjoy! Unfortunate ad placement for United Economy Plus Subject says one thing … reality says another If someone at Triscuit actually planned this, they should be promoted...

Just saw a post at Techdirt, “Advertisers Thrilled About New Ways To Irritate Readers” Though the rise of pop-up blockers is a clear indication that users don’t like intrusive advertising, publishers haven’t stopped looking for ways to annoy their readers. The trade magazines tend to be chief offenders as they often employ the dreaded dog-ear pullback and other intrusive flash-based ads that take over the screen. Then of course there are the embedded text ads delivered by Intellitxt and others. When you scroll your mouse over certain words, a small ad pops up on the screen....