AOL to stop pop-up ads
About time but is it possible that the timing of this decision is tied to the significant advertising revenue drop and the fact that MSN 8.0 is breathing down AOL's neck? According to this Wall Street Journal story (subscription required):
"This new policy will contribute to our most important goal -- a better member experience," said Jon Miller, America Online's chairman and chief executive. "The most important thing we offer advertisers is the chance to be part of a service that consumers love, and we've determined that pop-ups aren't the best way to do that."America Online also announced that it will make it easier for members to find and change their marketing preferences, and opt-outs -- or member decisions to be removed from promotions -- will no longer expire on an annual basis.
...Mr. Leonsis said the company has been in a "rut of just looking at our advertising backlog," causing it to neglect subscribers, who generate 80% of revenue. Still, he said he stands by the company's full-year earnings guidance of 89 cents a share.