AOL to take advantage of blogs thru advertising
With good news about the growth of online advertising, especially rich media pop-up advertising, coming from all sources according to a Wall Street Journal story, this New York Times story focused on what it calls AOL's stealth recovery thanks to its re-growth of online advertising. One especially interesting paragraph talked about how AOL plans to take advantage of user-generated content on blogs.
For example, America Online recently reached a deal with the car review company Edmunds.com to include its evaluations in America Online's autos channel. When Edmunds recommends a certain car, America Online sells the maker a chance to promote its car in tandem with the recommendation in a prominent spot. America Online also provides a listing of cars, and then offers each company or its competitor a chance to advertise next to each car. And America Online lets users find local dealers, then collects fees from the dealers for providing the names of potential customers.
...America Online executives said the company was also looking at ways to capitalize on the enthusiasm of its users. When a member posts an online diary entry or a photography display about a great new car, for example, America Online might sell the car company a chance to place the photos or diary prominently on its service, they said.