• by Masha Geller , June 12, 2002

Pop-ups may not be very popular with consumers, but they do attract their attention (if only by forcing people to click on the X). And since ad dollars habitually follow eyeballs, more advertisers are begrudgingly spending money on things that go ‘pop.’

As of yesterday, they have yet another format option. Online advertising network Fastclick introduced InVue ads, a dynamic spin on the static pop-up format.

Jeff Hirsch, Fastclick’s Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, said, "Pop-unders have been in high demand since we introduced them on a high-reach basis two years ago. This new ad format is the ideal complement, providing a pop-up type format that can command high response."

In its introductory format, a 250x250 window slides into a user's view upon loading a Web page, instead of popping up. Additionally, advertisers can select from various "skins," encasing their ad content in various shapes and sizes.

"The new presentation method of sliding the window in front of the user is having a tremendous effect on results," says Hirsch. Also, he claims that online advertisers will find these ads “easy to implement and affordably priced."

According to the press release, to date, the InVue ads have demonstrated high click-through rates and are inspiring new design work that can fully utilize the various shapes, sizes and presentation methods that appeal to visitors in a completely new way.

Yet another X for us to click…..