• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, February 11, 2008

The word annoying came up twice during today's OMMA Behavioral conference, and in neither instance was it used to refer to behavioral targeting. The first case was used to describe so-called "influencers" the people who influence others to do things via word of mouth or social networking.

The second references was used in connection with Microsoft. No, not the annoying amount of press coverage triggered by its hostile takeover bid of Yahoo, but its supposedly helpful feature for navigating various Windows operating system applications. At least tha's what Brad Powers, CEO of Active Response Group, and moderator of today's privacy panel, thinks.

"I would argue that getting rid of Mr. paper clip man is more of an annoyance for most consumers than receiving any ads from behavioral targeting," he quipped.