Search report shows obsession with behavioral targeting
The official version of the SEMPO report was released today and it shows search engines have advertisers right where they want them. It shows "overwhelming interest" in newly developed behavioral targeting opportunities, with three-quarters of advertisers claiming they would pay bid more for clicks targeted to in-market consumers.
The Search Engine Marketing Professionals Organization "The State of Search Engine Marketing 2008" shows behavioral targeting has moved demographic targeting down on the priority list. In previous years SEMPO respondents showed a stronger interest in demographic targeting, but this year, advertisers on average would pay 10 percent more for both demographic targeting and daypart targeting; they would pay 13 percent more for behavioral targeting. Behavioral-based search retargeting was unchanged in terms of spending. Two in five advertisers said they are not currently targeting or retargeting searchers but plan to in the next 12 months, while another third (34 percent) said they are not currently targeting or retargeting searchers and have no plans to do so in the next year. Another 44 percent said they were targeting searchers either through an ad network, a portal or consumers who had previously visited their site.
Google hangs sales tag with new products
Another day, two more upgrades for Google's ad capabilities. Google TV now has hourly breakdowns to correlate TV spots and search performance; AdWords now has a template for quickie promotional ads.
The Google TV tracking builds on its analytics platforms that enabled advertisers to track search keyword activity immediately after an ad spot. Now an hourly breakdown of TV impressions and site visits data shows how specific ad airings are performing. Data on how many people viewed the ad is also available. The tool will index audience characteristics and interests at the specific time that the TV ad aired. For index values, 100 is the average. For example, an index of 129 for an interest like photography, means that the program that ran the spot draws 29 percent more photographers than average.
Research findings split on economic impact for social media
Social media is becoming a tough game to call for research companies. Several recent reports present divergent looks at ad spending projections and the potential size of key players, all pointing to the possibility that spending in this area is more spontaneous than search, display, or even traditional media.
Take, for example, two reports issued today on ad spending projections. The first, from eMarketer, predicts $2.3 billion in worldwide on social network advertising in 2009. In 2013, spending will reach an estimated $3.5 billion. Those numbers are positive on the surface, but they represent a 50 percent reduction from eMarketer's last projection, delivered in December 2008. The company, which culled research from Deloitte and comScore for its projections, says the limiting factor is the worldwide economic crisis.
Harvard fellow develops opt-out for ad targeting
While the industry continues to wrestle with the logistics of opting-in to consumer behavioral targeting, a Harvard University researcher has developed a way to opt-out.
Christopher Soghoian, a fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School, told The Harvard Crimson that he has developed a browser extension that prevents advertising networks from tracking internet usage habits. The Google plug-in, entitled Targeted Advertising Cookie Opt-Out (TACO), allows users to opt out of 27 advertising networks.
Google could face FTC judgment on cloud services
It's either one more swipe at the 800-pound gorilla, or it's a serious problem brewing for Google. Today a Washington-based advocacy group filed a complaint asking the FTC to review Google's security standards for its cloud computing services. Among those services: Gmail, Docs, and Picasa.
The source of the complaint, and its target, are definitely serious matters. The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) wants the trade commission to investigate "the adequacy of the privacy and security safeguards" of Gmail, Calendar, Docs, and Picasa. Earlier this month Google had to report a breach of its Docs application, which is one of the reasons EPIC filed with the FTC, it's petition states. Docs has 4.4 million users; Gmail has 26 million.
Mobile marketers need to rattle telecom cage
Tina Whitfield believes there is one secret to unlocking mobile marketing success. That secret is accessing the treasure trove of customer data stored by wireless carriers and handset manufacturers.
As CEO of Equis Global, and veteran of several digital marketing companies, Whitfield says she is trying help brands bridge the gap between what they think mobile customers will interact with and what data shows they will interact with.
CMO Council study supports modest online ad increase
If the latest CMO Council study translates into dollars, 2009 will be about five percent better for internet advertising than 2008. Last week was filled with analysts making downward adjustments to this year's internet ad spend outlook, but the more forward-looking CMO study is more optimistic. Consistent, but optimistic.
Specifically, the 650 CMOs surveyed said unanimously that they plan to cut or hold steady on traditional ad spend in TV, print, and radio. 43 percent of them plan to increase spending on interactive and web media by up to five percent this year, and 30 percent will increase internet budgets more than five percent. Last week Bernstein Research put internet ad growth at 5.9 percent after predicting more than 16 percent just five months ago.
Leveraging the power of 50 Cent
His fans know him as "Fitty." Call him whatever you want, but the ex-con turned rapper and pitchman has established a brand among the 15-to-35 year-old internet content user. Two of 50 Cent's allied brands are claiming to have scored big numbers by attaching his name to peer-to-peer (P2P) related content.
The brands were Glaceau's Vitaminwater Formula 50 and Right Guard's Pure 50, a deodorant. Both brands worked with Brand Asset in 2008 to attach search results to branded content which could then be shared with other users. The results were reported at Wednesday's P2P Market Conference in New York City. Both campaigns generated click-through rates over 4 percent and post-click engagement times of more than two minutes. Better yet, the campaigns were tied to legit content, linked from paid keywords. No illegal file sharing issues, which so often go along with P2P shared content, and no intellectual property disputes.
Verizon (that's right) rates highest in online service
Face it, no one likes their phone company. But a new study shows progress toward closing the gap between "my phone company" and "my arrrgggghhh phone company." That gap is closing online, and Verizon is winning.
Go figure. A recent J.D. Power survey shows that only 27% of smartphone users are satisfied with their phone service. But in this area of great opportunity the effectiveness of online customer service solutions is playing a bigger role in customer satisfaction, retention and growth.
Five keys to social media launch planning
Companies planning a social media launch, upgrade, or even adjustment have a lot to live up to. Innovation has been impressive so far this year, and results have kept brands focused on making their own imprint.
Like most areas of internet marketing best practices are evident for social media, but rules are unwritten. As planning for the fourth quarter gets underway, many companies are starting their first social media initiative, or rethinking their entire strategy. Before you hit "send" on that meeting request or book the WebEx URL, five points to consider:
Social media: the best and worst of 2009
Email marketing: six steps to improving customer engagement in 2010
Web 2.0
Graham Charlton
Strategy & Planning
