WebProNews

Google Buys Mobile Ad Firm For $750 Million In Stock

Google said today it has signed an agreement to acquire mobile display advertising firm AdMob for $750 million in stock. Google says its acquisition will improve its existing expertise and technology in mobile advertising, while also giving advertisers and publishers more choice in the growing new area. Highlights of Google's purchase of AdMob include:

Google Seeking Not To Cross The Creepy Line

Google CEO Eric Schmidt while appearing on Fox Business made some interesting comments about Google's emergence as a huge Microsoft-like business power. I thought most interesting was Schmidt's statement about Google becoming like Microsoft, "Hopefully, we won't repeat the mistakes that Microsot made ten years ago that ultimately led to all these things that happened with them". Schmidt elaborated:

Facebook Blocks More Ad Networks

Back in July Facebook updated policies for third-party ads on Facebook Platform. The company disabled two entire ad networks and over 100 more apps were suspended or brought into compliance over ad-related violations. Half of those had over a million monthly active users.

Google's Music Service In China Attracting Advertisers

Google's music service in China hasn't achieved much so far; no one should look for Google's next quarterly financial report to say it's brought in hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue or toppled Baidu.  But neither has it failed, and one person who's close to the service recently indicated that it's picking up steam.

Yahoo Settles Mary Kay Trademark Infringement Suit

It looks like some lawyers representing cosmetics giant Mary Kay have removed their figurative war paint.  In early July, Mary Kay sued Yahoo, alleging trademark infringement, but not long ago, Yahoo was able to settle the case.

Watch: Bing Goes the Bloodsucker Route

Microsoft is either taking the holiday marketing approach or the Twilight/Vampire trend approach with its latest commercial. The title is Bing: Vampire Decision Engine. The company uploaded the new commercial to its (Google-owned) YouTube channel. Accompanying the video is a short description: "When you're looking for a restaurant that is family friendly, romantic, or maybe something with an otherworldly atmosphere, use Bing's reviews to stop searching and start deciding."

Google Tests New AdSense Interface

Google announced the beta testing of a new AdSense interface today. It is being tested with a small group of publishers. Google says the new interface was designed based on the top three requests from users:

YouTube Videos in AdSense Could Drive Clicks

Update: Google has now announced that you can buy Promoted Videos directly in AdWords.

Microsoft Partners With OpenX On Ad Deal

Microsoft has entered into a partnership with advertising start-up OpenX, focused on promoting each other's products to their respective customer base. Under the terms of the multiyear agreement, OpenX will expand its distribution of its technology for delivering ads on websites. In addition, OpenX will promote Microsoft's Content Ads monetization products.

Google Says Search Ads Boost Brand Awareness

Google conducted a joint test with Levi's and found that paid search ads raised consumer awareness of the Levi's brand, regardless of whether or not they were clicked. In the test, 53% of "in-market" consumers named Levi's when asked which brand of jeans came to mind when a Levi's search ad was in the top sponsored position. That seems pretty likely anyway, but only 30% named Levi's when there was no Levi's search ad on the page. You can't deny that 23% is a pretty significant increase.