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Marketers Eye Smartphone Growth, Potential For Ads

  • USA Today, Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:37 AM
A growing number of people are using mobile devices to access social networking services to chat, meet people, search the Web and play games, Jon Swartz reports, and this has marketers salivating about the opportunity for advertising.

"There is an enormous opportunity" for display and banner ads promoting movies, TV shows, autos and restaurants in specific areas, says Jason Spero, gm of North America for mobile-advertising network AdMob.

A lot of growth is taking place in cities and developing countries, particularly among young people who cannot afford PCs. "Mobile social networks have become a way of life for young people, especially for those who like to play social games," says Doug Bewsher, CMO of mobile-only social network Mig33.

Not to throw cold water on a hot trend-in-the-making but Tim Chang, a partner at venture-capital firm Norwest Venture Partners, points out that actual ad revenue on mobile devices doesn't have much of a track record. "It has been a failure until now," he says.

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