LookingConfident

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    • Fri Oct 24th 02:56 AM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Time for Interactive to Go Shopping?
      Great thought you have expressed there. But I do feel that both Looksmart and MIVA (rather than becoming a part of IAC), should consider their own mutual type "get-together&quo... and a strong argument could be put for them to do so. Time will tell for both of them, I guess.

      Cheers!!

      Disclosure: Long LOOK
      View article »
    • Tue Jun 10th 20:52 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      What Magazines Don’t Understand About the Web
      "You can embargo the newsstand, but you can’t embargo Google, which is the new newsstand".

      And should the "newsstand" enact ACAP on Google one day .....?

      :)
      View article »
    • Sun May 25th 19:29 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Why Do Traditional Advertising Formats Fail on the Web?
      Yes ......"This is a classic point of view of an outsider who doesn't understand internet advertising....."

      And I couldn't agree more. It's still only early days, but there is no doubt that quality "vertical-ised&qu... content will always attract special interest audiences more-so in time and 'Geo-d' contextualised Ads will see both publishers & advertisers with much improved returns.

      The quality publisher will always be sought after and advertisers will (in turn), be willing to "bid-up", to gain a position on such sites.

      It's quickly becoming a Global marketplace & on such a scale that both Global "brands" and likewise "Local" retail will both get to see tremendous value when target-ing.

      Ad/Pub Networks along with OPEN Exchange "interconnectors&... will soon see much improved (and a more fairer) returns for both/all parties concerned. Niche content (vertical) sites attracting 'users' Globally, will in-turn attract strong bidding for placement alongside, from advertisers coming from all corners of the world market-place.

      Any future (site) introduction of ACAP will then ensure publisher protection of their unique work that they offer. Yes, it's still "early days" as yet and that we can be sure of....... And as print media becomes increasingly, no longer ...........

      :)
      View article »
    • Sun May 25th 00:36 AM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      While Microsoft and Yahoo Fiddle, Google Burns
      Marcel has it correct .......

      "What actually will happen is something unexpected and unimagined and GOOG will stumble."

      Google have "telegraphed"... it, too ..... Few want to take notice.

      And very little "fan-fare" about this story, yet it appears that Google may have already succumbed (yes, "rolled over") to Ads Networks (Ads/Pubs Exchanges), with it's apparent willingness to accept "other's" Ads directly, not only onto it's own publisher sites, but it's content network.

      Link - www.google.com.au/sear...=

      From within the 1st of the above linked stories, (marketingpilgrim.com)... Google (apparently?), have stated:

      "Ad servers, rich media ad agencies and research firms can now go through a certification process that ensures the highest level of advertiser service and user experience. In fact, advertisers and agencies now have the ability to serve ads and measure performance through these certified third parties:"

      This is a "buckle" by Google in admitting that they will give them access (the means of controlling their own spend and placements), or, lose them completely to another service or, other Networks. In a short time, (sooner than later) the "flood gates" will open for ALL (both advertisers & publishers) to be able to access each other's content or, Ads "bids/asks" from an efficient "common" (to all), "bids/ask" platform. There may be a few contenders or, pretender Network "interconnectors&... (besides the likes of Looksmart), no doubt.

      Is this the very beginning of the "us and them", I'm wondering? The "great" divide? A form of polarisation? Where both advertisers and publishers get a number of more meaningful options.

      Where Google quickly becomes somewhat "isolated" by the likes of Yahoo, MSN, ask.com and lots of smaller players? - Yet, Google may get the likes of AOL through it's historical 5% investment, in AOL?).

      Oh ...It's happening and Globally, too .....

      :)

      View article »
    • Sat May 24th 23:36 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      While Microsoft and Yahoo Fiddle, Google Burns
      Marcel has it correct .......

      "What actually will happen is something unexpected and unimagined and GOOG will stumble."

      Google have "telegraphed"... it, too ..... Few want to take notice.

      And very little "fan-fare" about this story, yet it appears that Google may have already succumbed (yes, "rolled over") to Ads Networks (Ads/Pubs Exchanges), with it's apparent willingness to accept "other's" Ads directly, not only onto it's own publisher sites, but it's content network.

      Link - www.google.com.au/sear...=

      From within the 1st of the above linked stories, (marketingpilgrim.com)... Google (apparently?), have stated:

      "Ad servers, rich media ad agencies and research firms can now go through a certification process that ensures the highest level of advertiser service and user experience. In fact, advertisers and agencies now have the ability to serve ads and measure performance through these certified third parties:"

      This is a "buckle" by Google in admitting that they will give them access (the means of controlling their own spend and placements), or, lose them completely to another service or, other Networks. In a short time, (sooner than later) the "flood gates" will open for ALL (both advertisers & publishers) to be able to access each other's content or, Ads "bids/asks" from an efficient "common" (to all), "bids/ask" platform. There may be a few contenders or, pretender Network "interconnectors&... (besides the likes of Looksmart), no doubt.

      Is this the very beginning of the "us and them", I'm wondering? The "great" divide? A form of polarisation? Where both advertisers and publishers get a number of more meaningful options.

      Where Google quickly becomes somewhat "isolated" by the likes of Yahoo, MSN, ask.com and lots of smaller players? - Yet, Google may get the likes of AOL through it's historical 5% investment, in AOL?).

      Oh ...It's happening and Globally, too .....

      :)



      View article »
    • Tue May 13th 08:44 AM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Avoiding the Internet Death Spiral: More Advice for Yahoo
      What am I (or, the Market) missing along with many of those making the previous comments ?

      Yahoo! Reported Q1 revenues of $1.35 bln - (A rise of 14.3% year/year)

      Yahoo! guided for Q2 revs of $1.73 bln -$1.93 bln - (A projected rise of $0.38 bln - $0.58 bln or, a whopping 28.15% - 42.96% Q/Q)

      Q/Q of +28.15% - +42.96% ???

      Helloooooooo?

      :)
      View article »
    • Wed Apr 30th 19:19 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      AOL's Ad Strategy Yet To Kick In
      Nice post Erick, but I'm not so sure that you may realise EXACTLY what is all happening ....The "real" story is elsewhere. But only an opinion, like yours is, ok?

      You make the point, that ......

      "<.......the bigger problem was that gains in third-party ads sold on other sites were almost completely offset last quarter by an 18 percent drop in display ads on AOL-owned properties."

      Only yesterday I posted (here, in OZ), that ....

      "As a result, the likes of GOOG have realised it's need to "come to the Looksmart party" (along with MSN, Yahoo, AOL etc - who are already there with their ATLAS based platform, the "RME" and AOL with advertising.com) & as a result we will quickly see what will be a "transformation&q... happen (within that previlusly stated 90% "block" of $$$$'s), creating a "spill" that will quickly flow over to the other (currently) poorer, smaller player's pool.."

      Yes ....."...creating a "spill" that will quickly flow over to the other (currently) poorer, smaller player's pool"

      My previously stated posts that I say, may be news to even you Erick? (You may need to register, but it's simple)

      www.ozestock.com.au/bo...

      www.ozestock.com.au/bo...

      Cheers!

      :)

      View article »
    • Thu Apr 24th 18:36 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Microsoft Quick Take: Needs Yahoo More Than Ever
      I would agree that both Yahoo and Microsoft NEED each other and MSFT may need to raise that 'bid' a little higher to see it happen....

      The market has been told, that .....

      Yahoo! Sees Q2 revs of $1.73 bln -$1.93 bln -(A rise of $0.38 bln - $0.58 bln or, 28.15% - 42.96% Q/Q)

      Yes, that's a 28% - 43% rise in revenues, for this Q2 period.

      Where's it all coming from, some may ask?

      In the Yahoo CC Sue (Decker) advises, of:

      "Significant growth in "class 2" remnant CPMs, impressions (Yahoo and it's Right Media Exchange)."

      www.alleyinsider.com/2...

      And in my view, there was never a doubt that Verticals WILL be the next big thing.

      "Vertical businesses are harnessing the network effects of the Internet, much like Expedia and others did for travel in the late 1990s," said Kelsey Group Program Director Peter Krasilovsky, co-chair of Drilling Down on Local '08. "We're seeing an accelerated effect from fragmentation, which will draw ad revenue from traditional media toward online vertically targeted solutions."

      Revenues for interactive classifieds and verticals will grow from US$3.9 billion to US$14.7 billion during the same forecast period, representing a 30.5 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR).

      www.prnewswire.com/cgi...=

      So, raise the bid MSFT and give yourself some chance of being a competitor, in a fast changing space ...... And Yahoo, failure to accept will be at your peril, in your not doing so. IMHO.

      :)
      View article »
    • Thu Apr 24th 17:52 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Microsoft Quick Take: Needs Yahoo More Than Ever
      Norm, you ask ....

      "can someone please tell me the future of yahoo and its stock price??"

      You need to work that out yourself, really. But this may help?

      "The Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions (no doubt) "works" very similar to Yahoo's RME (Right Media Exchange), as was discussed by Yahoo's president Sue Decker, in my previous post."

      The above from a post on the LOK board, on Ozestock.com.au

      And along with Google's (new) Ad Manager I feel they (including AOL) will ALL experience a major problem in regards to BIG brands. The kind (of problem) that is 'half' brushed on, within this article from The NY Time's blog.

      "As for Yahoo’s advertising strategy, Ms. Decker started referring to the company’s focus on “premium partners,” by which she meant newspapers and other media companies, like Forbes, with whom the company is aligning.

      She didn’t say as much, but this seems like a sensible way to contrast Yahoo’s advertising network with those of Google and AOL, both of which work with the broadest range of publishers, big and small.

      Many traditional media companies worry that the rise of advertising networks is undercutting their prices and turning their precious advertising space into a commodity to be traded like pork bellies. There may well be an opportunity for Yahoo to define itself as the "ad network" that is especially friendly to mainstream media.

      Of course, Yahoo is not in reality keeping the online ad world limited to the old country club set. It owns the Blue Lithium ad network, and the Right Media exchange, which is the most active pork-belly pit for cheap online ads.

      But at least Yahoo can say to publishers that it feels their pain. The rise of cheap “non-guaranteed” advertising space has dragged down Yahoo’s revenue, Ms. Decker said.

      I wonder if there is a bit of a conflict between these two strategies. Can Yahoo really be the most open starting point for Web users if it also wants to help bolster old-guard companies?"

      bits.blogs.nytimes.com...

      Very soon, the BIG Portals will not only be competing with each other (for BIG brand Advertisers) but against many "other" quality publisher sites (like NYT), being very much similar/marketable to, (as I'd imagine), Yahoo's own “premium partners” concept, or, to other similar type (existing), publishers within Google's own long-standing, Display Advertising Network.

      www.johnchow.com/googl.../

      With BIG brands reported as quickly moving to take control of their own 'advertising spend', for many more I'm sure that the Looksmart "premium display" (alternative), may suddenly appear very attractive to them.

      www.looksmart.com/adve...

      And in "coming in from the side" through the OPEN Exchange facility (other than as a BIG Portal 'partner'), BIG brands will still be able to access those BIG Portal ("premium partner") sites at a cost that the very same BIG Portals will need to match or, surpass, in servicing those (their) existing “premium partners”, that they may happen to have. Yes, they'll soon need to "out-bid the market-place", to now win the same placement.

      Remembering always, that the new "auction" process is a "two-way" street.

      Interesting times ahead that will most certainly "reflect" (& strongly I feel), in Looksmart's Q2 figures ............. For the BIG Portals will have been well and truly made to have "bitten the bullet" and will be competing on a fairer, much more "equal footing", by then. IMHO.

      Hope it all helps.

      :)


      View article »
    • Sun Apr 20th 17:57 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Why Was Everyone Wrong on Google?
      It's back !! Apologies!!

      :)
      View article »
    • Sun Apr 20th 17:54 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Why Was Everyone Wrong on Google?
      It would be nice if a little more "contrary" thinking were permitted to be posted .....Twice (already) my comments have been removed.

      "Have your say", but only say something in agreeance with the "theme" of the post, it seems?

      How sad it that?
      View article »
    • Sun Apr 20th 17:11 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Why Was Everyone Wrong on Google?
      Analytic's firm Comscore has been strongly "attacked" since Google's report release, by both yourself and MSM. Maybe we see it different?

      A good look at what Google have declared, almost vindicate the Comscore numbers, in spite of the market mostly being "told" otherwise by MSM.(Mainstream media).

      www.topix.net/forum/bu...

      Cheers!

      View article »
    • Fri Apr 11th 03:31 AM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      What Exactly Does a Deal with AOL Do for Yahoo?
      Yahoo's ideal situation may be, to get together with AOL. After-all, it's about "users" (visitors) and AOL/TWX have been known to have wanted to "split" it's internet division, for some time now.

      I'd be giving both "search and search Ads" to Google (in both instances) and sit back and cop the 80% that Google would be paying them. (A similar deal as to what myspace/Google have).

      AOL have spent near on 1 billion (probably more now, with their buying of Bebo - A social site that can be further "developed" by a combo) on suitable Ads type businesses and if combined, they (along with Yahoo's Right Media Exchange and Blue Lithium), represent a pretty solid band of advertisers for their own properties/user and the Global "bid4keywords&quo... OPEN Exchange.

      It's a "no-brainer" that would have Google pretty much, "well boxed" & MSN as an "escape route" for search, if needed. There are many other capable search options, all the same. (Exalead)

      Of course, it will never happen. To much like "common-sense-ica... stuff.

      The Linked article tells us:

      Yahoo's sites had the most U.S. visitors in February, with 137 million, while AOL's 109 million visitors put it fourth behind Google and Microsoft, according to research firm comScore Inc. News Corp.'s Fox Interactive Media Internet unit was fifth with 84 million U.S. visitors.

      online.wsj.com/article...

      :)
      View article »
    • Mon Mar 17th 04:39 AM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Google Ad Manager: It's Bigger Than It Looks
      Helloooo Jeff ....

      www.youtube.com/watch?...

      Hoop-de-do !!

      LookSmart offers advertisers an extensive ad distribution network which includes proprietary websites, syndicated publishers, and search partners such as CNET's Search.com, Kontera, Enhance Interactive, and InfoSpace (Dogpile, Webcrawler)....(Plus ......Marchex, Wikia, Facebook, etc... Whatever is "under the bonnet")

      And, IMHO ............"Unde... the bonnet" is the "Looksmart OPEN Ads Network", for both Advertisers and Publishers ....

      www1.investorvillage.c...

      Cheers !!

      :)

      LC
      View article »
    • Sun Apr 15th 21:27 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Lots of Moving Parts in the Google-DoubleClick Deal
      But are Google hearing footsteps perhaps?

      From the NYT's article on the DoubleClick aquisition ....



      But holding onto them, WILL be Google's biggest problem .... Yet the question remains, has Google "been hearing footsteps", perhaps?

      And there's Plenty happening. And it's all about annual (global) advertising $$$'s, and in the billions.

      Why are Google "hearing footsteps", perhaps ? Full story here:

      www1.investorvillage.c...;mn=516&amp;pt=msg...

      Cheers!

      :)
      LC
      View article »
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