Google Makes More Announcements, As Microsoft Makes Anti-Trust Rumblings
Yesterday, the company announced that it will partner with Clear Channel Radio to sell a guaranteed portion of 30-second advertising inventory on more than 675 AM and FM radio stations. Google Audio Ads can target specific geographies and specific time slots, and Google said it will focus on advertisers who currently run ads online but do not run ads on radio.
The company also announced that Google AdSense for Audio is now supported by leading radio station systems BE, ENCO and VIERO.
Microsoft, reportedly joined by AT&T, meanwhile, is rallying to ask the Department of Justice to scrutinize the $3.1 billion Google/DoubleClick deal.
"This proposed acquisition raises serious competition and privacy concerns in that it gives the Google DoubleClick combination unprecedented control in the delivery of online advertising, and access to a huge amount of consumer information by tracking what customers do online," said Brad Smith, senior vice president and general counsel of Microsoft Corp., in an official statement. "We think this merger deserves close scrutiny from regulatory authorities to ensure a competitive online advertising market."
Industry watchers pooh-poohed the issue, and said Microsoft needs to focus on shoring up its capabilities rather than raising an issue that can backfire if only for the irony of a company synonymous with antitrust issues raising that very point.
"I don't think this rises to the level of any kind of antitrust discussion yet," said Greg Sterling, principal in Sterling Market Intelligence. "Microsoft is driving that propaganda."
Shar VanBoskirk, senior analyst for Forrester Research, said it's time for Microsoft to move on.
"I think Microsoft should let it go, and they should stop trying to chase Google and accept that they're in third place and do what they can to keep their existing customers loyal," she said. "Being in third place isn't so bad. Microsoft has a great set of customers, and it should focus on servicing them as well as possible."
The issue is sure to evolve today when Yahoo releases its first-quarter financial results. Stay tuned.
Recent Online Media Daily Articles
-
FTC's Ohlhausen Questions Privacy Recommendations May 21, 6:05 p.m.
The Federal Trade Commission's 2012 privacy recommendations could unintentionally disadvantage smaller online ad companies, Commissioner Maureen ... -
Subway's Comedy Promotes Brand, Content Strategy May 21, 2:43 p.m.
Setting a new bar for brands and their programming aspirations, Subway’s scripted comedy series, "The 4 ... -
Future of Social, Digital Shops In Doubt May 21, 1:48 p.m.
Companies talk a lot about fully integrated marketing strategies. One result may be the demise of ... -
Google+ Needs Android To Climb Out Of Experimental Phase May 20, 9:24 p.m.
Marketers continue to view Google+ as a fledgling network requiring experimentation, although the company released a ... -
AOL, Support.Com Settle Scareware Lawsuit For $8.5 Million May 20, 5:20 p.m.
Web company AOL and software vendor Support.com will pay $8.5 million to settle a lawsuit brought ... -
Gmail Hangouts Disable Google Voice May 20, 3:23 p.m.
Google's new version of Hangouts for Gmail eliminates Google Voice features. The move is frustrating heavy ... -
Digital Boost: Ziff Davis Acquires NetShelter May 20, 3:19 p.m.
Ziff Davis on Monday announced the acquisition of content network NetShelter from ad platform inPowered. Financial ... -
LikeableAds.com Launches, With Focus On Social Media Ads May 20, 3:04 p.m.
To keep up with growing demand from Madison Avenue, the social marketing consultants at Likeable Media ... -
Yahoo To Ramp 'Native' Ads On Tumblr May 20, 1:37 p.m.
With its $1.1 billion acquisition of Tumblr, Yahoo on Monday made clear that it plans to ... -
Gigya Improves Marketing, Adds 21 Social, Tech Partners May 20, 9:15 a.m.
Social services startup Gigya on Monday is expected to announce the addition of 21 social and ...
Be the first to comment on "Google Makes More Announcements, As Microsoft Makes Anti-Trust Rumblings "
Leave a Comment