• by Mark Walsh , June 14, 2010

Never mind Apple's iAd, Internet radio service Pandora has launched its own ad platform for the iPad with Starbucks, Lexus and Budweiser on board as initial sponsors.

Similar to the iAd, the new ad offering features rich media, video and audio elements that users can interact with without leaving the Pandora iPad app. It also allows marketers to target ads by gender, age, location, the type of music, and time of day.

Highlighting how ads can be customized, Starbucks has created an ad that lets users build a "however-you-want-it" Frappucino and then generates a radio playlist that matches a user's beverage taste. Huh? The Starbucks campaign also includes branded video people can access within the app.