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Sites experiment w/ larger ad format

         

rcjordan

3:49 pm on Feb 4, 2001 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



"CNET came up with a 360x300 pixel advertisement that appears prominently in the center of the news page, yet loads quickly. The ad is large enough to display individual items for sale and text, just as print retail ads do. The Flash-enabled ads load using iFrames for Internet Explorer browsers and customized code for Netscape 6.0.

Most importantly, the format allows for interactivity within the advertisement without taking the user from the original content page that attracted them..."

mediainfo article [mediainfo.com]

I've seen a few howls about the new ads being distracting, but -like banners- I've already learned to "read around" them.

mnw

4:04 pm on Feb 4, 2001 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member



What broswer were you using to bring up that article? It doesn't like NS 4.72. Came up OK with IE 5.0

rcjordan

4:13 pm on Feb 4, 2001 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



I'm still using NS4, but the browser-only version (NS 4.08). I do keep IE5 open on the toolbar just in case NS locks up, but that article opened fine for me.

Drastic

4:47 pm on Feb 4, 2001 (gmt 0)

WebmasterWorld Senior Member 10+ Year Member



Great article.

I think finding new methods is key for the advertising rebound. The companies who innovate and find working solutions will be the first to bounce back.

I like the new ad style, but it does seem a little large. I have also learned (for the most part) to "read around" them as RC stated, but they could be less intrusive and still as attention-grabbing in a somewhat smaller size. But hey, if this is working, leave it!

It will be an important balance to keep the ad interesting, but not too distracting. I think audio should be off, unless clicked "on" by the user, IMO audio can be very intrusive. I have seen a few of these with some really annoying animation which made it difficult to concentrate on the content. Finding the balance won't be easy, but will be fruitful for publishers and advertisers.

I think the most interesting aspect of these new ads is the visitor stays right on your site - clicking on the ad just activates it for additional copy/interaction, the user is not redirected elsewhere. A huge plus for the publisher, and the advertiser gets visits from seriously interested users.

I see this as the first, though minute, wave of real change for success in website advertising.
Bring it on.