– AOL Offers Video Ticker Ads: AOL (NYSE: TWX) has come up with its own online video ad overlay, which it calls a Video Ticker. Billed as an alternative to pre-roll, the ticker is essentially a graphic banner ad that is integrated within a streaming video, the ticker appears at the bottom of the video player 10 seconds into the video stream. When clicked on, the ad expands while the video pauses; if ignored, the ticker dissolves after 15 seconds leaving the branded text link.
— AOL Revamps Games Site With In-Game Ads: As part of its reformed Games.com channel, AOL is broadening its advertising capabilities and demographic reach with a wholesale redesign, easier navigation and a more diverse library of games. Promising multiple advertising opportunities, the new site will feature in-game ads in several of its online games. In addition, the site will now feature pre-roll ads and in-game interstitials. As expanding from the site’s core demo of 30- and 45-year-old women, AOL is adding a range of sports and arcade games targeted at a younger, male demo. More after the jump…
— Crackle Signs First Major Ad Deals: Sony (NYSE: SNE) Pictures’ online video site Crackle has secured its first major advertising agreements. Pepsi, Honda, Epson, Sony Electronics, and Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) have all set up recent sponsorship deals with the video aggregator formerly known as Grouper. Crackle reps credit the site’s syndication network with Bebo’s Open Media, AOL, hi5, Piczo, WordPress, among others, for its increased attraction to marketers. Crackle’s branded customizable video player also served as an additional incentive for marketers.
— Coke Sponsors Joost’s First Commercial Widget: Coca-Cola is backing a branded widget for online video site Joost that will allow users to send snippets from shows to friends. The widget, called Coke Bubbles, will also feature space for users to discuss the clips being shared. The project was conceived by the soft drink marketer’s European group. Coke and Joost are also working on a widget development contest, with winners to be announced in Amsterdam, London and New York on Dec. 1.
— IPG Links With Buzz-Tracker: Ad holding company Interpublic Group is adding to its existing social media tools by alligning with buzz-tracking service Radian6. All IPG shops will be able to avail themselves of New Brunswick, Canada-based Radian6’s web dashboard, which monitors conversations on major social nets. Last month, IPG’s Futures Group struck up a partnership with BzzAgent designed to give its agencies access to greater word-of-mouth tools.
— Federated Media And BabyCenter Launch Parenting Site: Federated Media and BabyCenter.com, a social net for individuals about to give birth, are coming together to create, acquire and distribute sites related to expectant parents. BabyCenter and FM plan to offer advertising and conversational marketing opportunities to related advertisers. BabyCenter and FM will also cross-market to encourage readers to move among the Federation sites and BabyCenter’s core sites, BabyCenter.com and ParentCenter.com.
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