September 1, 2009

Google Launches TV Advertising Contest

Want to win $25,000 worth of cable television advertising? Google's giving away just that in its "TV for All" contest.

All you have to do is create a 30 or 60 second spot. If you don't have the resources, you can use Spotmixer for free. (Google began offering Spotmixer as a TV ad creation resource last January.)

Then upload the ad to the YouTube channel for the TV for All contest. Then go beg all your friends, family, customers, strangers, pets, etc to vote for your video.

The deadline for submissions is October 5. Three winners will be chosen and announced on October 30.

Posted by Nathania Johnson at 4:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 31, 2009

Google and SpotMixer Expand Partnership to Include In-Stream Video Ads

Google and SpotMixer are teaming up to provide do-it-yourself in-stream video advertising. The ads can be produced for viewing on YouTube or the Google Content Network.

The feature is free unless you want a professional voice-over. Those services begin at $50.

This isn't the first time Google and SpotMixer have partnered up. This past January, they paired up to offer DIY TV ads.

Posted by Nathania Johnson at 3:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 9, 2008

Google TV Gets Boost with NBC Universal Deal

Google has partnered with NBC Universal to broker a portion of the TV ads on some of its cable networks, and to develop new ways of measuring success of ads delivered over its Google TV Ads platform.

Google and NBCU will also work together to develop a better solution for selling and targeting local TV ads, and to conduct several research projects on the platform.

The multi-year deal will provide both a boost in ad inventory, and a boost in legitimacy in the eyes of many advertisers. Google will initially sell ads on six NBCU cable networks: Sci Fi, Oxygen, MSNBC, CNBC, Sleuth, and Chiller. More networks may be brought on as the partnership develops. NBCU also owns Bravo, USA, and several owned-and-operated local stations. It also owns the Telemundo Spanish-language network.

NBC Universal will maintain its direct relationships with agencies and advertisers, and will maintain control over the inventory that is included in the Google TV Ads program.

Google TV Ads had been in private beta since last summer, and was made widely available in May. Google followed that in June with the addition of AdWords TV ads to Google Analytics reporting.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 1, 2008

Google Adwords: TV Ads for Everyone!

Google TV Ads have been in private beta since last summer, but now they're groomed and prepped and available for U.S. customers. Why in the world should a search marketer such as yourself care about TELEVISION? I'm so glad you asked.

Offline advertising prompts online searches. Last summer, iProspect released study data suggesting that 37% of TV watchers are prompted to conduct a search based on a TV ad. I can attest to the validity of this statement as I've seen these results in the marketing analytics of a Fortune 500 company I previously worked with.

Because of this, integration is crucial. If your TV people aren't talking to your Web Marketing people, then you're not maximizing your marketing, plain and simple.

And then there's the future. Expect TV advertising to become more and more interactive, so that it's not just marketing campaigns that are integrated - but the actual ad is a mashup of TV + Web.

Whether you go with Google, engage in a local TV campaign or hire an ad agency, Google's announcement today is a great reminder of keeping our marketing eyes on the big picture.

Posted by Nathania Johnson at 9:19 AM | Permalink

January 29, 2008

SEW Experts: The Future of Search: All the Media That's Fit to Be Googled

The battle between search engines and human beings has moved to a new stage where online advertising and search ads are overtaking the search engine. In today's Search Engine WarGames column, "The Future of Search: All the Media That's Fit To Be Googled," Kevin Heisler looks at Google's forays into TV, radio, newspapers.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 12:00 AM | Permalink

December 20, 2007

Free Google Flip Video Camcorder --No purchase necessary

OK, strike "no purchase necessary." Free Flip video camcorder: "big purchase necessary?"

Google gave big-time advertisers and SEMs (whose clients spend big) a Flip Video Ultra Series camcorder with recording time up to 30 min. and 1GB internal memory.

Search marketer Shimon Sandler recorded an Oscar-worthy short film (YouTubed) of his Google Video Ultra gift being unwrapped. You'll watch the film again and again, if only to get into the Xmas spirit of green envy that children of all ages feel during the Holiday Season.

Google Flip flopped with all the SEMs who only received Google 2GB USB memory cards instead of the Google Flip (with MSRP of $149.99!). The 2GoogleByte USB card was described by our friends at SERoundtable as more or less a lump of coal -- way inferior to last year's Google gift gadget: a sweet digital picture frame.

It would seem only the FTC approves of Google acquisitions these days.

Here at Search Engine Watch, we'll be providing the P.O. Box for Google Customer Returns and the address of the secret Google Gift Exchange location.

Posted by Kevin Heisler at 6:46 PM | Permalink

April 3, 2007

Google Tests TV Advertising

Google's rumored foray into managing television ads with its AdWords platform has entered the next phase with a limited trial program over EchoStar's Dish Network across the U.S. and Astound Cable, a local cable system in the Bay Area.

The tests, which were spotted last month, were announced last night by Google and EchoStar. A small group of advertisers are participating in the test, and more will be added as it progresses, expected to be in a "relatively short time" according to Keval Desai, director of product management, Google TV advertising.

Google has been testing ways to extend its AdWords ad management platform beyond the search and contextual ads that are its bread and butter. Recent moves offline into print and radio have had limited success, while online tests include online video and in-game ads.

Desai said that Google sees a move to manage TV ads as a natural extension of its platform, especially as television becomes more interactive, and advertisers begin to demand from TV more of the qualities that make Google successful online.

"TV is becoming like the Web. You have audience segmentation; users care about relevant messaging; advertisers care about aggregating an audience efficiently and getting measurements on how they're messaging with you; and inventory owners like to monetize their viewership, even if it's a small viewership," Desai said. "We're able to have some positive impact on those problems on the Internet side, so we expect to have a similar impact on the television side."

Under the system, EchoStar and Astound will make available to Google advertisers inventory across all channels and dayparts. If the inventory is sold out, the operators will make more available as needed, Desai said. Pricing will be by CPM, under the usual AdWords auction model, with inventory from each provider available in the same marketplace. Ads can be scheduled to appear as early as a day after uploading, he said.

Targeting can be done by network, daypart, region or demographic of the network. No targeting will be done to individuals or households, so users should not worry about the security of security of their account or usage data collected by the provider, Desai said.

Advertisers must supply their own video file to upload, though Google can recommend partners to assist in creating the ad. Any standard format the network accepts can be used, though most typically the :30 spot will be the standard. The file is uploaded to the "head end" TV service providers, who will insert the ads via their usual process, he said.

Tracking will be done via set-top boxes, with reporting to include aggregate impressions (again, with no individual- or household-specific data), as well as data on how long an ad was viewed.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 8:59 AM | Permalink

March 12, 2007

Google Tests TV Waters

The Wall Street Journal reports (behind a pay wall) that Google's long-awaited move to TV advertising is underway, with a small test of AdSense ads on cable TV in California.

“As we have stated publicly, we think we can add value to TV advertising by making this important medium more relevant for users, measurable and more accountable for existing and new advertisers," a Google spokesperson told WSJ. "As part of this, we are currently running a small, early phase trial working closely with a small number of partners and advertisers.”

Google has made no secret of its plans to enter the radio and TV markets, and has mentioned it several times in calls to investors, and has been recruiting TV ad sales folks for months. It launched a beta of its radio product, Google Audio ads, in December. Those ads are being shown on several hundred stations, and sold on a CPM basis to a limited group of advertisers.

In addition, Venture Beat is reporting rumors that Google is about to sign an ad distribution deal with satellite TV provider Dish Network.

Posted by Kevin Newcomb at 8:39 AM | Permalink

November 28, 2006

Google: Not TV Network But TV Adjunct

Via Threadwatch, a transcript of a conversation between ABC reporter Alan Kohler and Richard Kimber, managing director of sales and operations for South East Asia of Google. In the conversation, Kohler asks: "But do you see Google eventually becoming a sort of a free-pay TV network, showing, effectively, TV channels on Google?" Kimber responds that at Google, "we don't see it as cannibalising the TV, but more as an adjunct to it." So services like Google will provide will enable on-demand viewing, as an "adjunct" to TV viewing.

Here is the quote pulled out of the transcript:

ALAN KOHLER: But do you see Google eventually becoming a sort of a free-pay TV network, showing, effectively, TV channels on Google? RICHARD KIMBER: There could be that sort of evolution. I think really what will happen is that the media lends itself to short bursts of content, so rather than being a full TV channel it generally will be used for teasers. Typically, people are watching shorter clips and then they will still go to TV to watch the full show. We're seeing that in the US, with shows like the Letterman Show using it as a way of promoting activity on the TV channel. So for us we don't see it as cannibalising the TV, but more as an adjunct to it.

Posted by Barry Schwartz at 8:26 AM | Permalink

October 27, 2006

Google To Hire TV Engineering Project Manager

Gary Price spotted a new job posting at Google for a TV Engineering Project Manager at the Mountain View location. Before Google was hiring Television Engineers & Wireless Software Engineer, so I guess they now need someone to put these things all together, "to ensure a smooth and seamless release of software products to the market."

Posted by Barry Schwartz at 9:17 AM | Permalink

October 9, 2006

Google To Acquire YouTube In Stock Transaction

It's real and was just confirmed. It's a stock transaction that will close in Q4 and will enable YouTube to operate independently. See below for the full text of the release.

Google To Acquire YouTube for $1.65 Billion in Stock

Combination Will Create New Opportunities for Users and Content Owners Everywhere

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., October 9, 2006 - Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) announced today that it has agreed to acquire YouTube, the consumer media company for people to watch and share original videos through a Web experience, for $1.65 billion in a stock-for-stock transaction. Following the acquisition, YouTube will operate independently to preserve its successful brand and passionate community.

The acquisition combines one of the largest and fastest growing online video entertainment communities with Google's expertise in organizing information and creating new models for advertising on the Internet. The combined companies will focus on providing a better, more comprehensive experience for users interested in uploading, watching and sharing videos, and will offer new opportunities for professional content owners to distribute their work to reach a vast new audience.

"The YouTube team has built an exciting and powerful media platform that complements Google's mission to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful,” said Eric Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer of Google. “Our companies share similar values; we both always put our users first and are committed to innovating to improve their experience. Together, we are natural partners to offer a compelling media entertainment service to users, content owners and advertisers.”

“Our community has played a vital role in changing the way that people consume media, creating a new clip culture. By joining forces with Google, we can benefit from its global reach and technology leadership to deliver a more comprehensive entertainment experience for our users and to create new opportunities for our partners,” said Chad Hurley, CEO and Co-Founder of YouTube. “I'm confident that with this partnership we'll have the flexibility and resources needed to pursue our goal of building the next-generation platform for serving media worldwide.” When the acquisition is complete, YouTube will retain its distinct brand identity, strengthening and complementing Google's own fast-growing video business. YouTube will continue to be based in San Bruno, CA, and all YouTube employees will remain with the company. With Google's technology, advertiser relationships and global reach, YouTube will continue to build on its success as one of the world's most popular services for video entertainment.

The number of Google shares to be issued in the transaction will be determined based on the 30-day average closing price two trading days prior to the completion of the acquisition. Both companies have approved the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Webcast and Conference Call Information The company will host a conference call and webcast at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time (4:30 p.m. Eastern Time) today to discuss the acquisition. To access the conference call, please dial 800-289-0572 domestic and 913-981-5543 internationally. A replay of the call will be available until midnight Monday, October 16 at 888-203-1112 domestically and 719-457-0820 internationally. Confirmation code for the replay is 2260624.

A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available at http://investor.google.com/webcast.html.

Postscript: I've posted some quotes and thoughts from the conference call on my blog as well as links to other commentaries.

Posted by Greg Sterling at 4:28 PM | Permalink

October 6, 2006

Google Acquisition Of YouTube Rumor

Speculation about a potential acquisition of YouTube by Google is heating up. The Wall Street Journal reports and here's more coverage and buzz. Previously it was reported that Yahoo was in similar talks to buy the site. The rumor first appeared this morning on TechCrunch.

Posted by Greg Sterling at 12:13 PM | Permalink

September 4, 2006

Google To Fingerprint Voices With PC Microphones

This weekend The Register published an article named Google developing eavesdropping software. The article describes how Google uses existing PC microphones fingerprinting technology to show relevant ads that appeal more to you. The article goes on to explain how the sound fingerprinting works; it "breaks sound into a five-second snippets to pick out audio from a TV, reducing the snippet to a digital "fingerprint", which it matches on an internet server." Privacy folks are worried about the repercussions of such software.

Postscript Barry: I should link to Google Paper Explains Listening To Your TV Can Help It Put Ads & Info On Your Computer we covered back in Jun. 9, 2006.

Posted by Barry Schwartz at 10:50 AM | Permalink

August 7, 2006

Google & Viacom Partner In Video Ad Test

Via the NY Times, Google and Viacom have partnered to place Viacom video clips (MTV and other clips) on web site owner pages. The video clips will contain ads from Viacom, which Google and site owns will share the revenues from. These tests are to begin towards the end of the month. This is the first step, I bet, to AdWords on TV. Last week we reported that Google Radio is coming to XM Satellite Radio, so TV isn't so far fetched.

FYI - sorry for short posts, SES San Jose is today and coverage will be slow. Towards the end of the day, I will post headlines with stories we read but didn't have time to cover.

Posted by Barry Schwartz at 10:39 AM | Permalink

July 17, 2006

Google Hiring Television Engineers & Wireless Software Engineer

Search Engine Watch Forums moderator evilgreenmonkey (brand new moderator) has informed me that Google posted two new interesting jobs for the London office for Software Engineer, Television Technology & Wireless Software Engineer in Test.

The television technology job does not say much;

We are hiring well-rounded Software Engineers with a proven track record in creating and deploying robust, high-volume applications for consumer devices.

Responsibilities: To develop robust, high-volume applications for consumer devices. To develop prototype applications and manage the evolution of these to scalable, shipping products.

Seems as if they are looking for ways to create mobile solutions and methods to distribute television programming over devices other than televisions.

The wireless engineer is for QA (quality assurance) work on wireless applications.

We are looking for software QA engineers to work with the testing team and the development team to investigate, report and track defects and expand our automated test suites. Your duties will focus on creating test plans, setting up test environments, developing automated tests, executing and maintaining automated test suites and the analysis of the results. They would also include leading test efforts and exploring new ways of UI test automation. If you love coding and testing, are a quick learner, a great team player and able to work independently, this is your chance to join us in our quest to make all the worlds information accessible from the palm of your hand.

Related? I dunno.

Posted by Barry Schwartz at 9:34 AM | Permalink

June 22, 2006

Google Testing Ad Supported Premium Video

Google is running a test offering about 2,000 premium videos available for free streaming viewing, inserting a persistent banner-type ad at the top of the screen and showing an additional post-roll video ad once the premium content has finished streaming. The test is expected to last about a week, according to Peter Chane, group business product manager, Google Video.

Currently, premium content on Google Video is available via a pay-to-own model that allows users to download and replay ad-free programming at any time. These videos usually cost between $0.99 and $14.99, but you own them once you pay for them. The test program only allows users to stream the content in real-time, and you can't save videos once viewed.

For this test, Google has allowed advertisers to choose the content that their ads are sponsoring. Likewise, content owners have the option to vet an advertiser to make sure the ad is appropriate for the content. Over time, Chane expects that this human-intensive process will become much more automated.

Google intends to run many similar tests over the course of the coming year. The goal is to find ways to expand the amount of premium content available on Google Video and see if free, ad-spondored content attracts certain types of viewing audiences, said Chane.

Posted by Chris Sherman at 8:41 PM | Permalink

June 9, 2006

Google Paper Explains Listening To Your TV Can Help It Put Ads & Info On Your Computer

There are many people discussing a recent patent Google was awarded for picking up on ambient audio from your TV and pairing those sounds to your computer to serve up ads based on what you are watching (or something like that). Google Research Scientists, Michele Covell & Shumeet Baluja, described the technology as;

We showed how to sample the ambient sound emitted from a TV and automatically determine what is being watched from a small signature of the sound -- all with complete privacy and minuscule effort. The system could keep up with users while they channel surf, presenting them with a real-time forum about a live political debate one minute and an ad-hoc chat room for a sporting event in the next. And, all of this would be done without users ever having to type or to even know the name of the program or channel being viewed. Taking this further, we could collect snippets from the web describing the actors appearing in a movie or present maps of locales within the movie as it takes place (no matter if users are watching it as a live broadcast or as a recoded broadcast).

There are two additional articles that have good coverage of this, that I am aware of. The first is at Small Biz Pipeline and the second is at TechCrunch. I particularly like how TechCrunch pulled out the four main points of the paper, as such;

+ Personalized information layers Here?s what Tom Cruise is wearing in the show you are watching and here's where you can buy the same clothes in your zip code. + Ad hoc social peer communities If you would like to chat about this show, ten of your college friends are watching it right now as well. + Real-time popularity ratings Nielsen requires hardware and the results aren't available in real-time. You might want to know if there is a spike in viewers watching the show on channel 9 right now. Advertisers might want to know that too. + TV- based bookmarks Click to save a show or clip into your video library and there will be more than just a few shows available for watching later.

Posted by Barry Schwartz at 8:43 AM | Permalink

May 29, 2006

A Google Powered TV Guide

Eric Schmidt, Google CEO, comments that their mission is to provide access to everything, including television content. Using Google search capability, coupled (for instance) with Media Center or an XBox, this vision could potentially be realized. There are questions, of course, about Internet connections fast enough to withstand the bulky data transfer that such content requires. This may ultimately get supported by a new format of advertising that Google is continually testing on a weekly basis.

Posted by Detlev Johnson at 9:08 AM | Permalink

March 30, 2006

Google TV Coming Soon?

Today, there have been a couple of people bringing up the topic of Google hiring TV engineers. They both point to an article at The Radioactive Yak, which shows a "recent" job posting at Google for a "Product Manager - Interactive TV." Actually, I saw this job posting a few weeks ago, and then dug up some more information, and noticed it wasn't incredibly new then. This is just more evidence that Google is making a play at TV, from what Gary posted back on Nov. 30, 2005.

Posted by Barry Schwartz at 9:34 AM | Permalink

See More Posts From:

This Week | This Month

 

• Send us feedback
|
• Technical questions or bug reports?
|
• Newsletter problems?
|
• Receive news via SEW RSS feeds

• Incisive Interactive Marketing LLC. 2009 All rights reserved.
| Legal Notices, Licensing, Reprints & Permissions |
• Privacy Policy
|
• Affiliates

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-564586-7"); pageTracker._setDomainName(".searchenginewatch.com"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); window.collarity_appid = "incmedia"; //> //>

• Send us feedback
|
• Technical questions or bug reports?
|
• Newsletter problems?
|
• Receive news via SEW RSS feeds

• Incisive Interactive Marketing LLC. 2009 All rights reserved.
| Legal Notices, Licensing, Reprints & Permissions |
• Privacy Policy |
• Affiliates