Yahoo Cold Calls

undermining Ambassador program?

[batleon]

I've completed the Ambassador program and have been using it's benefits to sell sponsored search to our clients. However, it seems Yahoo is cold calling random website owners offering Yahoo Sponsored Search and their fast track service for free. However, two of my clients, who already had sponsored search accounts, were called. One of them actually decided to cancel with us, believing the free fast track service was all they needed to manage their account, and our expertise was no longer necessary. The other client referred the cold caller to me, saying we handled ppc for them. This guy had the nerve to ask me to refer any new customers we have to HIM.

I'm glad I paid to become an Ambassador just to have my clients stolen out from underneath me. Not to mention Yahoo gains nothing from this, seeing as how this client already had an account set up. If more of my clients get calls like this I'm going to be very frustrated.

[UnitedRigo]

Whoever is running the show at Yahoo needs to start taking a long hard look at these new short-term revenue growth practices that will hurt Yahoo in the long run.

[pageoneresults]

I'd agree that this is bad business. I've seen the slow migration of manufacturers doing the same thing by selling direct to the consumer, they need to expand their income streams.

Some have set a standard where they will not undercut their affiliates/distributors and have a fixed retail price. There are others who will gladly undercut you to get the "big fish" in house.

There are still many who follow the old school premise of not biting the hand that feeds you.

[Brett_Tabke]

We ran into a similar case while I was on the Board of SEMPO. In that instance, it was simply one lone employee who wasn't following policy. The item self corrected within a week. In large orgs - the left hand does not always know what the right hand is doing. Without further info - I would give them the full benefit of all doubt.

[batleon]

I hope that is the case Brett. I have no problem with Yahoo wanting to bring in new sites to advertise with PPC. But I would think it would save a lot of time and confusion on all sides if they refrained from making these offers to sites that are already enrolled in Yahoo Sponsored Search.

[OvertureRep]

Hi All,

I appreciate you posting this information and I’ve passed it along to our sales and agency teams as a heads up.

Batleon- Congrats on making Ambassador status. I’d like to address your concern. YSM values the role agencies play in the SEM value chain, and respects the contributions agencies bring to the engagement. We have strict guidelines for our sales team – and those guidelines are designed not to disrupt the relationship that advertisers have with SEMs or agencies.

Please feel free to send me a private message if you want to address further.

YahooSarah

[ScottG13]

The question is: What are those guidelines? Are your sales reps strictly prohibited from contacting current YSM advertisers in this manner?

[mike_ppc]

Hi OvertureRep (Sarah),
I appreciate your answer on this post. But I think that many people here would like to hear what is going on with the traffic quality in YSM - and not only a very official and polite answer!
Many people have complained (myself included) about "unqualified traffic", so it is impossible to be an isolated incident.

[ScottG13]

OvertureRep doing a phenomenal job answering questions. Almost the identical experience as talking on the phone! (Read: sarcasm)