04/30, 6:00pm
Jensen had focused on women, lifestyle projects
A senior Yahoo executive who had been in charge of its Shine site for women's issues, health and lifestyle content has left the company to take a position at Apple's iAd mobile advertising division, AllThingsD is reporting. Jessica Jensen was the public face of Yahoo's efforts to beef up its own content away from sports, finances and celebrity news. Jensen originally came to Yahoo three years ago through her own site LowImpactLiving.com.
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04/25, 11:00pm
Search giant makes more money through iOS ads
In testimony that appeared to be crafted specifically to downplay any revenue generated by Android, Google's mobile head Andy Rubin told prosecutors in the ongoing trial with Oracle over Java licensing that the system exists mainly to "make it easier to access Google services" and that he did not expect the OS would contribute significantly to Google's ad revenues. While Google makes around $2.5 billion in mobile ad revenue every year, a substantial portion of that comes from iOS advertising rather than Android ads.
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04/02, 9:50am
Company struggling to make iAd relevant
As previously expected, Apple has announced an increase in iAd developer payouts from 60 to 70 percent. The change took effect April 1st, and was signaled by a memo sent to developers over the weekend. The iAd pay ratio is now equivalent to the App Store, where Apple claims a 30 percent cut of revenue.
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03/02, 10:40am
Complaint accused Apple of misleading public
The UK Advertising Standards Agency has ruled in defense of Apple in the case of a complaint brought by an iPhone owner. The person specifically complained about an online Vodafone ad for the iPhone 4S, originally posted in October of last year. Even though the ad was devised by Vodafone, the carrier directed the ASA to Apple as the source of the offending text. "Simply ask Siri to help you send messages, set reminders or search for information, the ad read. "It can even use information from your iPhone -- such as your location, contacts and contact relationships -- to provide intelligent, personal assistance."
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02/28, 4:50pm
Phones previously a safe haven
Twitter is now allowing promoted tweets to appear in the feeds of iOS and Android apps, according to an announcement. While promoted tweets are nothing new, these have so far only been displayed via the twitter.com web client. Advertisers will initially be limited to displaying tweets to people who already follow them on Twitter, but in coming months that restriction will disappear. For now, iPads will remain without the extra ads.
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02/14, 9:20pm
Share of mobile ad revenue slips to 15 percent
In a sign that softening mobile ad budgets and strong competition from Google and other ad agencies has hurt its high-end intentions, Apple's iAd program has cut the minimum amount it charges advertisers to run a campaign on iAd from its original price of $1 million to just $100,000, and is increasing the percentage of ad revenues developers will receive to 70 percent from the previous 60 percent. The company is also making other competitive adjustments.
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02/13, 8:00pm
DVR company to acces U-Verse viewing data
TiVo has announced that it has established a licensing agreement with AT&T's advertising division, AdWorks. The deal will enable TiVo to access data detailing household viewing habits of AT&T's U-Verse television subscribers.
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02/10, 12:10pm
iPad painted as integral tool
Apple has updated its "iPad in Business" promotional page with a new profile, the Theatre Consultants Collaborative. The firm designs and builds theater spaces around the world, and Apple is marketing the iPad as an essential part of TCC operations. The company is said to use the tablet for functions like conference calls via GoToMeeting, and handling architectural drawings in AutoCAD WS. An app called AudioTools is used to judge sound frequencies in a space.
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01/26, 3:25pm
Apple co-founder may have been too involved
Apple's iAd network may actually be in a position to improve without Steve Jobs as company CEO, according to a Business Insider source described as "familiar with the situation." The person says that Jobs used to make many of the decisions at iAd, and that as he became sicker, it became increasingly difficult for the iAd team to accomplish anything. With Jobs gone, Eddy Cue is said to be free to properly take charge of iAd, and make decisions on issues like pricing and technology that weren't discussed while Jobs was alive.
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01/13, 8:15pm
Friend Lee Clow will present legendary ads
The One Club, a non-profit professional organization for recognizing excellence in the advertising and design industries will induct Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, along with creative talent Paula Green and commercial director Joe Pytka, into its Creative Hall of Fame on January 17th at a ceremony in New York City. Chiat/Day and TBWA/Media Arts Lab pioneer Lee Clow, himself a Hall of Famer, will present some of the 100 Apple ads or designs that have received One Club awards.
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01/04, 3:45pm
iAd without leader since August
Apple has managed to poach an Adobe executive, Todd Teresi, to put in charge of its iAd division, Bloomberg reports. Until this week, Teresi was a VP and general manager of media solutions at Adobe. Before that he served as the chief revenue officer for Quantcast, and earlier still, he was a senior VP with Yahoo.
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09/28, 1:40pm
Survey based on mix of industry, consumer opinions
Aston Martin has beaten Apple to the top spot on annual CoolBrands UK rankings for a second year in a row, the BBC notes. CoolBrands' charts are based on a mix of public polling and opinions taken from marketers and business people. Aston Martin's win is thought to be linked with James Bond, since the movie spy's most popular cars have typically been DB5s or DBSs.
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09/14, 4:50pm
Steps up e-book marketing efforts
Apple today launched an official iBookstore Twitter feed. The page promises information about "new releases, exclusive book offers, and more," and is currently up to four posts. Two of these push the Erin Morgenstern book The Night Circus, which is also this week's Pick of the Week sample giveaway at Starbucks.
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08/17, 12:15pm
Company's mobile ads still on shaky ground
(Updated with Highland Capital confirmation) Apple's VP of mobile advertising, Andy Miller, is preparing to depart the company, say sources described as "close to the situation." The executive's staff was reportedly told about the departure today. Miller is tipped to become a general partner at Highland Capital, a venture capital firm based in Boston.
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08/15, 4:10pm
Apple's iPhone leads other single brands
Mogreet, a mobile platform marketing agency that measures video-based MMS advertising, released its second-quarter 2011 analytics report analyzing consumer behavior in viewing and reacting to video advertising. The survey showed that Verizon lead the pack in mobile messaging views by carrier, while Apple's iPhone was the dominant choice for viewing MMS ads by handset type.
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08/12, 9:50am
BlackBerry Curve holds surprise second place
The iPhone remains the most targeted mobile platform when it comes to advertising, quarterly data from Millennial Media shows. Apple has held the position since 2009, when most high-ranking devices on the list were basic feature phones. All devices in the top 20 are now smartphones, and dominated by Google's Android platform, which represents more than two-thirds of the top hardware. Ranking second in terms of ad impressions however is RIM's BlackBerry Curve, in spite of RIM's general decline in the smartphone world.
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07/26, 3:55pm
Ads already present in trial markets
Comcast and NBC have announced a new initiative that will bring advertisements into on-demand television programming. The companies have partnered to develop dynamic ad injections, enabling advertisers to change between different advertisements or engage local markets. Most of the existing advertisements in on-demand programs are said to be permanently placed for the entire duration of the show's availability.
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06/28, 9:50pm
Carrier settles with Competition Bureau
Bell Canada is currently facing a $10 million fine to settle an investigation into the company's advertising practices. Canada's Competition Bureau accused the telecommunications provider of using misleading advertising for its range of products, which includes landline phone service, Internet, satellite television and cellular.
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06/17, 4:35pm
Multiple parties call technology security risk
Apple will be supporting WebGL in iOS 5, but only for iAd developers, says Apple's Chris Marrin on a WebGL mailing list. The technology is a new rendering standard which allows 3D on websites without loading a plugin. Restricted to iAd, however, it will likely be used mostly for Flash-style advertising, including 2D animated sprites.
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05/27, 8:05pm
FTC invites comment for changes to online ad rules
The FTC has invited public comment on ways in which eleven-year old advertising guidelines can be better translated to the Internet. Specifically, FOC staff are updating the “Dot Com Disclosures: Information About Online Advertising” rules. The FTC believes that during that eleven-year period, online advertising has evolved including the emergence of what it refers to as the “App economy”, “pop-up” ads and the emergence of advertising through social networking. These developments, it argues, warrant a review of the current guidelines.
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05/11, 9:35am
iAd network still on shaky ground?
Apple has put a stop to iAd placements in kids' apps, a developer informs. Mike Zornek -- creator of the Dex Pokèmon browser for iPhones and iPods -- notes that last Thursday, his iAd fill rate dropped to an "awful" 5 percent. The next day the rate fell to zero, persisting through Saturday. This prompted Zornek to email Apple, and also to post a question in Apple's developer forums. On Tuesday he received a response.
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04/15, 8:15pm
Offers 'double anonymiztion' to protect info
Even as Google has opted to start using mobile handset "unique device identifiers" (UDIDs) in its mobile advertising efforts, the company will simultaneously roll out new privacy controls and add the ability for users to opt-out of UDID tracking, Search Engine Land reports. Most other mobile ad networks have been using UDID tracking for some time, prompting a grand jury investigation and calls for legislation to protect personally-identifiable consumer information from being misused.
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04/05, 5:05pm
Pushes ads and ad companies
Apple has released iAd Gallery, a free iPhone app it describes as a "celebration of advertising." The app highlights a selection of currently-running iAds, through which people can browse using a wheel interface, or alternately search according to advertiser, category or ad feature. Ads can be "Loved" for later access, and different sections of the app provide more information on the featured advertisers, ad agencies or iAd itself.
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04/05, 4:20pm
Company known to be hostile toward jailbreaking
Toyota's Scion theme for jailbroken iOS devices has been pulled from Cydia as a result of pressure from Apple, according to a report. The theme was created by Velti, an ad agency working on behalf of Toyota. In asking for the Scion theme to be pulled, a contact from Velti is claimed to have explained that the order came from Toyota, which in turn had been pushed by Apple to remove the theme and end the campaign. Toyota complied so as to "maintain their good relationship with Apple," says the Velti contact.
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04/04, 1:30pm
Car maker may be going after tech-savvy
Toyota is advertising the Scion brand through Cydia, the most common distribution platform for unofficial iOS apps, reports claim. In particular Toyota is said to have released a "Scion 2011 Theme" in the Cydia store; the code makes radical changes to the appearance of iOS, replacing original app icons and even the swipe-to-unlock bar. Outside of technical settings, Apple limits most official customization of iOS to wallpapers and ringtones.
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03/31, 9:25am
Negotiations still ongoing, say sources
Apple's VP of worldwide marketing, Allison Johnson, is in the process of leaving the company, several sources are quoted as saying. The executive is reportedly planning to co-found a new marketing and communications business with a former Facebook PR executive, Brandee Barker. The new company currently lacks a name or a client list, but could pull in current Barker clients Quora and Groupon.
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03/25, 10:55am
Apple working to spur interest in Game Center?
While missing from the company's website, Apple has begun airing a new iPhone TV ad, simply dubbed "Game Center." The spot claims that Apple has the "largest selection of games on any phone," and provides two examples in the form of EA's Scrabble and Epic Games' Infinity Blade. Much of the commercial focuses on its namesake service however, which Apple notes can be used to find friends and arrange games with them.
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03/14, 9:00pm
Stronger opt-out policies part enforcement push
As part of a new push to regulate and enforce opt-out policies among web advertising companies and the tracking of web users, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reached a settlement with advertising firm Chitika Incorporated over a "bug" in their software that resumed tracking users who had opted-out of their program after 10 days, The Wall Street Journal reports. The company claims it intended the opt-out to last for 10 years, but was unaware of the problem until the FTC pointed it out last month.
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02/23, 11:40am
Likely meant to address network's low fill rates
Apple has slashed the minimum spend needed to get into iAd in half, says All Things Digital. While the company initially set the iAd barrier at $1 million, hoping to attract wealthy, high-profile marketers, it is now said to be requiring only a $500,000 investment. Although still placing the ad network out of range for many firms, the change should increase the number of eligible parties.
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02/10, 3:35pm
Apple salespeople allegedly becoming 'aggressive'
Apple's iAd network is in serious trouble at the moment, a variety of industry sources suggest. Several developers mention that fill rates for iAd fell sharply after the New Year; in particular, two separate developers say that their rates dropped from 18 percent to just 6. In some instances apps are said to be going without any iAds, despite the fact that other mobile ad networks are delivering near-total fill rates. Even some of the more positive cases are said to be showing a slip in rates.
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02/03, 12:00pm
Ad network's first effectiveness report
iAd is a potentially much more effective ad medium than TV, the first effectiveness study of the format suggests. Conducted by Nielsen but funded by Apple and Campbell's, the five-week analysis claims that people who saw one of Campbell's iAds were twice as likely to remember it as they were a TV spot. The Campbell's brand was recalled five times more often by iAd viewers versus people exposed to TV ads, although the actual message from an iAd was remembered just three times more.
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01/26, 4:05pm
Gap still wide with iPhone titles
Apple has begun airing another new TV spot for the iPad, dubbed "iPad is Iconic." The ad showcases a variety of apps, including Djay, the Wall Street Journal and Vanity Fair, as well as common Apple marketing staples Pages and iBooks. Unlike some iPad ads, no common theme unites the apps on display.
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12/28, 9:45am
Claims Apple assures people of privacy
Apple is allowing iOS apps to broadcast private data to advertising networks without consent, a recent lawsuit alleges. Filed on December 23rd in a federal court in San Jose, California, the suit notes that iOS devices transmit at least a basic amount of information without permission by way of their UDID (Unique Device Identifier). Advertisers are seeing what apps people are downloading, how often they're run and for how long, say lawyers acting on behalf of plaintiff Jonathan Lalo.
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12/21, 9:10am
Christmas ad debuts with less than week left
Apple has begun airing a new TV ad for the iPhone 4, dubbed "Under the Covers." The spot once again concentrates on FaceTime video calls, this time with a father pretending to be Santa Claus in a conversation with his son. The ad is airing unusually close to Christmas, with only a few days of potential Christmas shopping left.
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12/14, 3:35pm
Only spot for 2010
The first-ever iAd placement on iPads is for Tron Legacy, an Apple spokesman says. The spot, launching today, includes stills, video, a theater locator and a preview of the Daft Punk soundtrack, which people can buy without leaving the ad. The placement is also the first iAd of any kind to allow in-app mail composition.
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12/01, 9:30am
Covers printing, multitasking
Apple has premiered a new TV commercial for the iPad, iPad is Amazing. The ad is the first to be broadcast following the release of iOS 4.2.1, and takes the unusual step of concentrating on new firmware features, rather than apps. At different points viewers see aspects like multitasking, AirPlay and AirPrint.
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11/18, 9:20am
Emphasis still litmited to high-end advertisers
Confirming recent media claims, Apple has announced plans for a European iAd expansion. The network will officially expand to the UK and France and December, with Germany following in January. As in the US, the initial roster of advertisers consists of high-profile corporations. The list so far includes: L’Oréal, Renault, Louis Vuitton, Nespresso, Perrier, Unilever, Citi, Evian, LG Display, AB InBev, Turkish Airlines and Absolute Radio.
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11/16, 3:20pm
Ad space said to be limited, expensive
Publisher Hearst has brought Oprah Magazine to the iPad. Although no subscription options are available due to a lack of Apple support, each issue costs $4, slightly less than an equivalent print edition. Enhancements include videos, sharing features and a bookstore, the latter of which lets people read samples and buy e-books, which are read outside of the Oprah app.
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11/16, 9:20am
Unusual tack for iPhone ads
Apple has begun airing a new iPhone 4 TV ad, so far nameless as it has yet to appear at the company's website. The spot takes an unusual approach compared to recent efforts in that it starts with the theme of the phone's battery life, rather than apps or support for video calls. Apple ultimately ends up promoting both however, as well as things like e-mail, movies and music.
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11/15, 10:45am
Network called costly, difficult
The first brand partners for a European expansion of iAd will be announced this week, according to the Financial Times. The company has so far only dipped its marketing toes into Europe via the UK. FT reports, in fact, that Apple has twice delayed the upcoming expansion in recent weeks, and in some instances been prepared to accept prices below a $1 million minimum in order to attract high-profile names.
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11/11, 11:25pm
Apple's rivals helped by iAd efforts
Apple's iAd efforts may be helping the company's rivals in the mobile advertising arena, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Executives from competing companies suggest Apple's entry to the mobile advertising realm has resulted in an overall boost for the entire market, as many marketers began to increase spending across a broader range of channels.
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11/10, 9:15am
'Creative execution' delegated out
Apple has signed a pact with a Japanese marketer, The Dentsu Group, to bring the iAd platform to Japan in early 2011. Under the new arrangement, Dentsu will be responsible for the selling and "creative execution" of iAd spots in Japan. Apple's role will be limited to hosting and delivering ads, as well as targeting them in the first place. Dentsu claims to be the "world's top brand agency," with over 6,000 clients and just under 20,000 workers.
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11/05, 9:15am
Comes on verge of first iPad support for iAd
iAd placements are finally beginning to reach an international audience, according to developers. The people note that they are now receiving impressions from viewers around the world, instead of just iAd's original markets. Until this week, the iAd program has been limited to North America and the UK.
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11/02, 3:15pm
Group retracts claim of '7-figure settlement'
The settlement in a lawsuit over iAd may have cost Apple $1 million or more, a retracted press release suggests. Roughly a month after the announcement of iAd on April 8th, Apple was sued by Innovate Media, an online ad firm situated near Los Angeles. In a trademark dispute, Innovate claimed that it had used "iAd" since 2006, and won two trademarks for "iAds" in October 2008. The two parties settled outside of court in July of this year.
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10/21, 1:35pm
Nielsen figures chart early patterns of iPad use
A large group of iPad owners, 32 percent, may not be downloading any apps from the App Store, a Nielsen study suggests. The figure comes from an August poll of 5,000 wireless device owners. Within the iPad contingent, only 63 percent had paid for at least one app. A sliver of people - 5 percent -- were downloading only free apps. As a rule, native iPad apps tend to be more expensive than ones compatible with the iPhone or iPod touch.
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10/18, 4:25pm
Describes wide impact on multiple industries
Instead of giving Apple a Marketer of the Year award, Advertising Age has presented the company with its first-ever Marketer of the Decade title. "Apple's influence on business models across industries from music and computing to entertainment and advertising, along with its impact on popular culture, media and, of course, marketing, has been indelible," Ad Age writes. Apple is noted to have forced changes in several industries in particular: music players, smartphones, mobile apps and tablets.
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10/15, 6:10pm
Apple TV ads still unclear
Apple is reportedly preparing to expand its iAd platform to serve ads within video streams on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The advertising platform may also be adapted for compatibility with Apple TV, which also runs a specialized version of iOS, sources have told GigaOM.
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10/11, 3:15pm
Scores victory on App Store slogan
Apple has been awarded a US trademark for the phrase "There's an app for that," reports note. A filing was originally submitted to the USPTO in December 2009, and claims commercial use dating back to January 26th of that year. The slogan lies at the core of Apple's efforts to promote the App Store and the iPhone, and has become a common staple of pop culture, often parodied.
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09/28, 11:30am
Kindle owners actually wealthier, better educated
A new Nielsen study has identified some of the demographics of iPad owners, and made some significant contrasts with other devices, Fortune notes. Of 400 surveyed iPad owners, a large majority -- 65 percent -- were found to be male. The imbalance was paralleled only in a group of Sony PSP owners, which slanted 62 percent towards males. Another e-book reader, the Amazon Kindle, only recorded a 52 percent male bias.
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09/27, 11:35am
Independents also gain ground
Apple's iAd should end the year with about 21 percent of the US mobile advertising market, according to an IDC estimate. Google is expected to fall to 21 percent, down from 27 percent in 2009 when including results from AdMob, which the company only formally acquired in May. Yahoo is forecast to drop from 12 to 9 percent, while Microsoft should slide from 10 to 7, and Nokia from 5 to 2.
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