Online Advertising Trends in 2012

So far in 2012 online advertising has seen several trends as the amount spent on advertisements is reaching an all time high. Search engines such as Google are seeing an increase in the number of clicks on ads on Google searches because now "users can select results that are more relevant to them compared to a past reliance on blanket keyword advertising". Search engines that were declining in popularity, such as Yahoo and Bing are seeing an increase in the number of advertisement clicks based on their ability to take vague keywords and match them to exactly what the user is looking for. Due to these results advertisers may start investing more money in these types of ads.


Another trend so far this year is mobile searches. Roughly 12% of all search advertising spent in the first quarter of 2012 was spend on mobile ads. This includes searches made on mobile phones as well as tablets, whose growing popularity is creating a new platform for advertisers. In the remainder of 2012 it is estimated that companies will focus more money on search engine ads than they have on social networking sites in the past, since mobile devices and tablets are starting to have full web browsers. 

http://www.cluepaidsearch.com.au/sites/paidsearchcomau/assets/gfx/search_yahoo.jpg


http://econsultancy.com/us/blog/9538-online-advertising-trends-in-q1-2012


http://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthof/2012/04/10/search-will-still-trump-social-in-online-ads-this-year/

2012 Presidential Campaigns Using Online Advertising

With the presidential election coming soon, presidential candidates are aiming towards reaching all voters through every promotional means. Not only are they embracing the traditional commercial advertising, but President Barack Obama, Rick Santorum, and Mitt Romney are also incorporating online marketing as well.

The Obama campaign has targeted potential voters by purchasing Google ad space next to searches such as “Obama bracket, Obama birthday, and Warren Buffett.” Not only is the technique providing President Obama with an advantage such as increases in small donations, but it is also very costly. According to Farnam, the Obama campaign has spent approximately $12.3 million on Internet advertising; which totals to more than his television, radio, and telemarketing promotions. Romney and Santorum also bought ad space next to search results.

The same way companies target a specific demographic is the same way the presidential candidates are promoting to online users. With the millions of online users daily, the candidates’ advertisements are likely to appear at least once throughout one’s Internet activity.

Farnam, T. (2012, April 6). Obama Has Aggressive Internet Strategy to Woo Supporters. Retrieved April 8, 2012, from The Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-has-aggressive-internet-strategy-to-woo-supporters/2012/04/06/gIQAavB2zS_story.html 

http://www.infographicsarchive.com/wp-content/themes/LondonLive-new/thumb.php?src=http://www.infographicsarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/140Proof-PoliticalSpending.jpg&w=340&h=192&zc=1&q=100

Who Monitors Internet Advertising?

The answer is simple: The Interactive Advertising Bureau. The organization was created in 1996 to develop industry standards, conduct research, and provide support for online advertisers during legal disputes. The IAB has created formats for online ads, including the Video Ad Serving template and the Video Player-Ad interface definition format.

The IAB provides us with guidelines, standards, and best practices of online advertising. They have these for topics such as ad verification, email ads, game ads, and social media. The IAB also provides insight on what should go into a websites Terms and Conditions. The standards they set are necessary to create a virtual advertising world that can function in a way that is both helpful to both consumers as well as advertisers themselves. 

PepsiCo Becomes Social

As it appears, PepsiCo actually listened to consumers. They made experts predictions a reality, giving more interactivity. April 27th, 2011 PepsiCo launched a Social Vending Machine. Apparently, people have been anticipating this invention for quite some time. I however, had no idea this existed. Not even the thought. 

Have a look: 

They found a way to have a consumer interact with the product AND service... while also having them interact with the end user! Who knew a vending machine could be so sociable? 

PepsiCo used online commercials which applied modern technology to produce their product, promote their product, price it, and place it. Customers can closely manage inventory levels and delivery scheduling remotely, and update the digital content online which allows them to change messaging and media content as needed. 

Their desire was to create innovative online advertising and become part of social networking in todays society. Though it needs a few tweaks with privacy,  I would say they did a swell job with this innovation. 

However, I think that this process can make getting a Pepsi fairly difficult. What if I want a drink and a group of girls are giggling while recording a video to send to a friend with a gift... for 20 minutes. I feel as though this could frustrate people, having a machine with social capabilities. 

Would you use this machine? 

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/05/05/social.vending.machine.pepsi/index.html