Google has decided to discontinue its PrintAds program according to a blog post:
While we hoped that Print Ads would create a new revenue stream for newspapers and produce more relevant advertising for consumers, the product has not created the impact that we — or our partners — wanted. As a result, we will stop offering Print Ads on February 28. For advertisers who have campaigns already booked, we will place their ads through March 31.
I’m going to follow up and learn more. I thought it had been relatively popular and successful program — though that may not be as true in terms of comparative revenues (obviously, probably).
January 20, 2009 at 11:44 pm |
I’d be surprised if .001 of their advertisers utilized the service.
January 21, 2009 at 1:32 am |
I’ve always kind of thought that this concept would more effective in the yellow pages space, effectivly cutting out the CMRs…
January 21, 2009 at 10:14 am |
It doesn’t really work for print YP because those ads are placed just once a year … sometimes twice
January 21, 2009 at 10:28 am |
Yes… You’re probably right that the numbers are low. They wouldn’t have stopped it otherwise.
January 21, 2009 at 3:25 pm |
Several years ago a media sales type guy from New York called me out of the blue.
We had a lengthy conversation about Google Adwords which ultimately lead to where and how Google would grow.
The caller was convinced Google’s future revenue growth would come from traditional media advertisers in television, radio and newspapers.
I disagreed with him and never heard from him again.
Although shuttering their print ad campaigns doesn’t necessarily validate my position, I think it illustrates just how old media sales guys are out of tune with Google’s unique selling proposition.
That being said… in their current round of reevaluation will Google pull the plug on Audio Campaigns next?
January 21, 2009 at 3:38 pm |
I does raise the issue of Radio Ads as well.