Re:Ad Blocking: The Unnecessary Internet Apocalypse
by TheOtherHobbes on Wednesday September 23, 2015 @07:41AM
(#10264411)
I recently read a book by Bob Hoffman, who runs a blog called the Ad Contrarian.
It's a very funny book. He's an old-style TV/print ad guy who has been ranting about the stupidity of the online ad market for decades.
He makes the point that the reason trad-ad gets so much money, is because everyone knows that ads are annoying.
They're annoying on TV, they're annoying on radio and streaming services, they're annoying in cinemas, they're often annoying in print, and they're especially annoying online.
In fact they're more annoying online than anywhere else, and less effective at selling stuff than ads in other media - because online ads are poorly targeted, poorly designed, poorly distributed, lacking in context, and generally nearly useless.
All of which could have been changed - and it may or may not be too late now.
It's a very funny book. He's an old-style TV/print ad guy who has been ranting about the stupidity of the online ad market for decades.
He makes the point that the reason trad-ad gets so much money, is because everyone knows that ads are annoying.
They're annoying on TV, they're annoying on radio and streaming services, they're annoying in cinemas, they're often annoying in print, and they're especially annoying online.
In fact they're more annoying online than anywhere else, and less effective at selling stuff than ads in other media - because online ads are poorly targeted, poorly designed, poorly distributed, lacking in context, and generally nearly useless.
All of which could have been changed - and it may or may not be too late now.
I think it's worth reading the blog:
http://adcontrarian.blogspot.com/
(And no - I don't get affiliate income from that link.)