Google Meets Resistance Over Offline Ad Efforts

By Ed Oswald | Published March 29, 2007, 12:13 PM

Google's efforts to bring its advertising successes offline are not panning out as the company expected, even as it attempts to move into television advertising, the New York Times reports.

Although the search giant had lofty goals to expand its dominance to other mediums, it has run into several roadblocks. Its radio ad efforts have seen some resistance from radio stations that would rather control their own ad sales and pricing.

900 stations in about 200 markets have so far signed up to be part of the program, although many are low-budget and low-power stations outside of major metropolitan areas.

Some feel that allowing Google in could do more harm than good by causing ad rates to drop. Rather than buying ads through a sales team, companies can purchase ads on their own. Naturally, these companies expect lower rates as a result.

The newspaper ads initiative is doing better, according to Google. Unlike its radio ads division, it has been able to attract larger papers such as the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and the San Jose Mercury News. Ad sales are currently running at double the company's initial projections.

Google's foray into television advertising, meanwhile, seems to be following a similar path to that of its radio ads business, as companies Google approached have so far rebuffed the offering.

Comments

View comments by with a score of at least

Like all advertising, I'll ignore it.

Score: 0

|

Sincere and warmest greetings to Ed Oswald at BetaNews. Once again, we have a very unbalanced article that lacks a single quote and lacks any references to source material. At least part articles that were heavy laden with quotes from Jupiter Research were able to pin viewpoints on a responsible party.

My personal spin on this 'spin' is that Google's offline ad program is picking up steam and has attracted some big names.

'Some feel that allowing Google in could do more harm...' -- Who are 'some'? Bloggers on BetaNews? Writers at BetaNews?

This artcile states that 'ad sales are currentely running at double the company's initial projects'

So why the negative article title? All initiatives face roadblocks - the roadblocks here sound incidental compared with the success. iTunes has had roadblocks in licensing contracts -- especially with bands like the Beatles.

I think Google's offline ads program is wonderful as it will help players big and small expand their ad sales range. It may be a bad things for people whose jobs are to sell ads - but you know, Ford Motors really f'ed over the horse drawn carriage industry. I think that community newspapers and other small companies stand to REALLY benefit here.

Score: 0

|

google ads dont even work. thayre all dead

Score: 0

|

Google...The New Microsoft ;)

Score: 0

|

What kind of advertising can Google offer to television anyway? TV ads really need to be catchy and unique in order to catch the larger audience. Do they plan on having a large "flee market" like approach that anyone that gives Google their ads can have corny, cheesy TV personas?

Or are we talking about internal Google product ads?

Score: 0

|

Report: Microsoft to randomize Europe's browser screen choices

The fact that "A" is for "Apple" was apparently at the heart of browser vendor objections to Microsoft's alternative to listing IE first.

Acer eclipses Dell for #2 spot in global PC shipments, says iSuppli data

It literally does look like a 360-degree turnaround in Dell's fortunes, as the bells of bad tidings now toll solely for Dell.

Microsoft, don't hang up on Windows Mobile, but do call for help

Only a Manhattan Project can save Microsoft's phone strategy now.

See ya later, WinMo: Microsoft's mobile strategy needs a reboot

Carmi Levy | Wide Angle Zoom: Hands up if you're considering upgrading to a Windows phone for the holidays...Anybody?

Playing catch-up in 2010: Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, and Symbian

Microsoft, RIM, and Nokia are each working on improved mobile operating systems. But could these efforts add up to too little, too late?

Will Nokia's plans further alienate American consumers?

A look at Nokia's plans for the coming years does little to shine up the company's increasingly dull image.

Bing bonked by service outage Thursday, Microsoft configured the wrong server

It's always nice to have a backup, but it's even nicer to remember which one is the backup. That's the lesson Bing's admins learned yesterday evening.

Survey reveals there are more women then men, including on social networks

If you think you can market your products and services online as though you're selling car batteries in the middle of halftime, think again. And again.

Android team updates 'Donut' and 'Eclair' SDKs

The Android SDK includes components which optimize app development for each version of the mobile operating system. Today, the 1.6 and 2.0 components got updates.

The Black Screen Syndrome, or, Tech news in search of the apocalypse

Scott Fulton On Point: This is a story about something that should not have been a story, about something that at one time was a story.

Online advertising evolves away from display, toward interactive software

Marketing departments and agencies are increasingly establishing positions for "creative technologists" who can steer designers and developers toward platforms that enable direct connections with consumers.