Archive for June 10th, 2010
The Snags of the Yahoo-Microsoft Search Engine Alliance – Updated
Posted by admin in Search Engine Marketing on June 10, 2010
We posted earlier that Yahoo and Microsoft have entered an alliance that will enable a new, unified search marketplace combining the Yahoo! and Microsoft paid ad networks. The merger is supposed to be complete by late 2010 but the companies have hit a few bumps in the road. An article published in Advertising Age discusses the not-so-unexpected snags. There are a lot of moving parts, and historically, these things don’t always go as planned. So what should keep an eye on for in the Yahoo-Bing integration?
- The timeline doesn’t give marketers much leeway to test the system before the holiday season.
- Yahoo execs say if it appears they can’t reach desired quality levels, the deadline will be pushed until 2011.
- Search advertisers know how Yahoo and Bing ads perform separately. How will they perform together?
- Yahoo-Microsoft advertisers will require an AdCenter account to use the new system, but AdCenter isn’t prepared for the volume.
- Microsoft isn’t the easiest company to partner with, but there’s a sense that this can’t be allowed to fail, and so far, so good.
- At this time, Bing’s gains in search volume seem to be coming directly from Yahoo, which doesn’t help in the competition with Google.
- Today, the combined query share of Yahoo and Bing is 23.73% in the U.S. according to Hitwise. Will it be different in October or sometime in 2011?
(Source: Hitwise)
Read the entire article at Advertising Age.
If you are interested in Internet Marketing Services at Marion that include paid ads not only on Yahoo! and Microsoft sties, but also on King Google, call us at 713.623.6444 or send us an info2@marion.com.
Could Smartphone Optimized Websites Create New Stalls for the Auto Industry?
Posted by admin in Mobile Marketing on June 10, 2010
Ever been stuck in traffic wanting to be able to check your email and see a bus whiz by and think, ‘I could use this time better!’? An increasing number of commuters are trading in driving to work for a more time-efficient ride to work on a public transit system.
According to a recent article published in Advertising Age, the digital revolution has helped the decline of driving and the American car culture. Fewer people, especially those in their teens and twenties, are driving and more are using public transport, such as trains and buses. The article notes the following:
- The share of miles driven my people ages 21-30 has declined by 7.7% since 1995
- Many contribute a large part of this decline to the digital revolution and the increased use of technology.
- The digital revolution has created a shift from a focus on cars to other items in terms of what’s valued in consumers’ minds.
- Time is more valuable and replacing cars as the symbol of freedom for the Gen Y group.
- Many non-drivers use their commute time to catch up on work-related matters without having to stay late at the office.
Despite the digital trend, other factors such as economics and the environment have an impact on how much people are driving. The unemployment rate has forced many people to use public transportation until the outlook brightens. The digital revolution has also impacted other areas of life including:
- E-commerce is benefitting from this trend. People are now looking for the cheaper and easier way to access and acquire the goods they need and want. Online sites such as Alice.com are the way to go for quick and convenient household packaged goods.
- Companies may need to pay more attention to mobile media including smartphone optimized websites.
- Companies may have to change the way they do business.
Although the news seems grim right now, the auto industry shouldn’t raise its white flag quite yet. Despite the trends showing a decrease in younger people driving, The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) suggests that this age group is driving later rather than not at all. Younger workers are more willing to live closer to their offices, often in urban or downtown areas, with walking or taking bus or subway being the more appealing option. However, when members of the younger crowd grows up and starts a family, priorities change and they end up moving to more suburban areas with their children’s interests in mind. When this lifestyle change happens, the desirability of owning a car increases.
Read the whole article at Advertising Age.
For more information on how The Marion Group can assist your company with mobile marketing, give us a call at 713.623.6444 or email us at info2@marion.com.
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