Blue-chip ads, red-light content

(continued from previous page)

Representatives at VidiLife.com did not return a call seeking comment.

Ads for numerous other mainstream companies were found next to wince-inducing content on eBaum's World, a site that offers cash for user-generated content.

In the extreme-movies section on eBaum's World, ads for Cisco, Dish Network, Verizon Wireless and Monster.com ran adjacent to a video in which a man calmly shows off a huge, gaping hole in his leg. Next to the video of someone pulling a toenail off with pliers were ads from Verizon, Circuit City and, fittingly, Lamisil, a nail fungus treatment. Monster.com also had an ad next to video of a man chewing and swallowing a live mouse.

Dish Network could not be reached for comment late on Wednesday. Spokespeople for Circuit City and Cisco said they were looking into the matter.

"The placement you referenced is a clear violation of our online advertising policy and not something Monster wants to be associated with in any way," a Monster.com spokesperson said. "The ads referenced above have been removed and the issue has already been addressed with our vendor."

A Verizon Wireless representative said: "In this case, Verizon Wireless did not contract to run any ads on eBaum's World and has identified it as a prohibited site. We are seeking out the online ad network in violation of our policy and taking action."

"For Verizon corporate and the wireline business, I can report that our agencies must conform to very strict company guidelines about where any of our ads appear in any media," Jim Smith, director of Verizon media relations, wrote in an e-mail. "When our online ad orders are placed, the insertion orders that we have with network partners are explicit as to prohibitions against appearing in the context of sexual, political or hate content.

"We can opt out of entire content areas and placements are monitored to be sure no inappropriate sites get included inadvertently," Smith said. "As for user-uploaded content, that activity is dynamic and can occur spontaneously. We do scan for such activity. If either in our scans or in reports from others we find such appearances, we can and do immediately opt out of those positions."

Karl Heberger, advertising director at eBaum's World, said mainstream advertisers were attracted to his Web site because of the 900,000 unique visitors it gets each day.

"We're not adult so we don't show nudity. That's pretty much where we draw the line," he said. On the extreme parts of the site, "there is nothing you wouldn't see on cable."

While some companies will try to steer clear of Web sites with mature and extreme content, others will seek them out, said Jupiter Research analyst Card.

"Companies that make skateboards and sneakers and get-out-of-debt-fast (offers) are going to want to reach that audience," he said. "They'll put up with being next to content of dubious morality. And there are some big brands that won't go near it."

[mrwavetheory]

Bubble 2.0 - Most Analysts Are Overestimating the Size of Google's Total Ad

Mr Wave Theory thinks that there is a Bubble 2.0 for Web 2.0 and Most Analysts Are Overestimating the Size of Google's Total Addressable Market for Internet Advertising

I am sick and tired of hearing analysts make wild projections about Google's growth prospects based on wild projections about the size of Google's total addressable market.

Continued ...

[mrwavetheory]

Link to Bubble 2.0

Oops forgot the link. Here it is ...

http://mrwavetheory.blogspot.com/2006/03/bubble-2.html

[djemerson]

We Need a New Story...

"Anybody got an idea?

I know! Elinor, troll the seedier side of the internet and look for
big name ads! I won't be satisfied until you find an Apple ad
next to borderline child pornography. Then, we'll pass the
whole thing off as a story!"

You ROCK, CNET!

[BobBobBobBobBobBobBob]

and they get paid for this?

nt

[jkarnell]

CNET Should Practice What They Preach!!!

http://www.otoinsights.com/2006/03/cnet_should_pra.html

[jzsaxpc]

Twisting relaity

So the beef here is not with Apple, or AT&T, but with stupid bloggers who write about "offencive" stuff.

Well, I'm sorry your sence of ethics is touched, but its called advertising, those companies twisted as they may be, pay for every time its on the page, they have no idea what is going to be on the page.

Right now, I could start talking about having sex with little boys, and ohhh, ummm, is that a story? Just because I'm a perv (not really, honestly...), does that make CNET responcible? Of course not.

ONly time I'll ever stick up for a large corperation and their advertising, in my life.