Apple Selling Ads on iTunes?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

ValleyWag claims (http://www.valleywag.com/tech/apple/scoop-apple-is-about-to-break-big-into-ad-sales-201212.php) that Apple is recruiting for an ad sales director in an effort to bring advertising into the iTunes store.

In a deal that should bring in several hundred million dollars off the bat, the company will run ads, most notably on its iTunes store.

The article has few details but suggests that Google's ad system would be used.

This is not the first time that there have been rumors of Apple incorporating ads into iTunes. An AdAge article (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/04/20060425110511.shtml) from April 2006 indicated that Apple was looking into publishing ads while users listen to podcasts:

Apple's [April 2006] plans call for the ads to appear only in the lower-left corner of the iTunes library while users listen to podcasts from their computers rather than from portable devices.

[justflie]

It doesnt really phase me either way. i seldom use the store but I don't think I would mind some subtle ads to create some revenue for apple. The ads shouldn't be too overbearing though...

EDIT: lol, i think that was my first first post

[gugy]

I hope not.
If it happens, I hope will be very subtle.

[zwida]

I GUESS it makes me happy as a shareholder that they'll be bringing in revenue from those page views. Of course, if it turns potential users off it won't be worth the (partial) pennies per click.

As a user I can say that it's just another annoying intrusion of advertising into my life. :(

[Jackie.Cane]

The store layout is already too busy and cluttered as it is... :(

[dizastor]

where would the ads go? The whole store is pretty much ads right now... ads for the content that is being sold.

Maybe they'll be adding a way to listen to full songs for free with advertising support. meh.

[Jerry Spoon]

I hope people don't freak out too much about this. I don't think it's the end of the world by any means as long as it's not too "in your face".
I think it's a good thing. I wouldn't mind seeing an iPod accessory ad on this medium.

[LillieDesigns]

Ads were inevitable.

As long as the things aren't popping up or making it harder to click links (hitting the ad isntead of what you want) I'm not too concerned.

[camomac]

i don't really like this idea.

[mcarnes]

And so it begins. :(

[balamw]

i don't really like this idea.
I'll reiterate what I said about it the last time. This could mean anything.

If they provide a service like Google AdWords where the podcasters can opt in and get to collect a small fee for every ad they deliver, I'm all in as I think this will lead to better podcasts.

Many of the professionally produced podcasts I listen to already include ads in the form of "this podcast made possible by ..." ads in the audio. If that can be extended to the smaller home podcasts, and help defray the cost of bandwidth. So be it.

B

[Apple Shmapple]

For a company that has built its following by courting those that don't like the Microsoft way of life, this is a strikingly Microsoft-like move.

These two companies are more similar than most here would care to believe.

[danielbriggs]

If it meant the music and video prices were lower (e.g. £0.69 instead of £0.79) that could be a good thing, but I don't think it will happen though!

[wronski]

Um, here's a question. Where would they go? The store is horribly cluttered as it is now.

[Small White Car]

Ha, how can anyone care about this?

When you open up the iTunes store right now all it IS is ads.

So you'll lose a graphic telling you to buy "The Office" and it'll be replaced with an ad telling you to buy a Toyota.

Whoop dee doo :rolleyes: Big change.

[evilgEEk]

As long as it's done tastefully (and if anyone can do that, Apple can), then I don't care.

I'm all for Apple generating some more income because ultimately we will all benefit from that.

And like LillieDesigns said, ads were inevitable.

[Gasu E.]

When you open up the iTunes store right now all it IS is ads.

So you'll lose a graphic telling you to buy "The Office" and it'll be replaced with an ad telling you to buy a Toyota.


More likely: when you do go to buy "The Office", an ad for Staples will pop up...

[Jetson]

My first impression is that I don't like the idea of ads - it reeks of cheap commercialization.

When I go to Amazon.com or other internet retailers, I'm not bombarded by unwanted advertisements.

When I visit the iTunes stores I expect to see promotions for their own products and that is welcome. Ads from other sellers would be annoying. Of course if it was done tastefully for related products I might reconsider.

[NATO]

Just another way to boost revenue, money raised from advertising will definitely not end up reducing the cost of music for customers. Still, won't bother me, I don't use iTunes /*cough DRM cough*/ Store

[kresh]

So long as it's not stupid crap.

Can you imagine opening iTunes and looking at a Microsoft Zune ad begging you to dump Apple and go with MS?

[Doenertier]

Okay, why am I going to a STORE. Perhaps to BUY something.

Okay, what are ADS. Advertisement is information about a PRODUCT.

This PRODUCT may be the something I went for for the STORE.

So, if the ADS are for the PRODUCT I went for for the STORE, THIS IS GREAT.

That's what google is all about. Trying to guess what you are looking for and helping you find it.

Real good advertisement isn't JAVA IN YOUR FACE POPUS, it's good or excellent guessing your desires/wishes/needs and/or helping you discover them.

So, if you're into me BUYING some PRODUCT in your STORE, APPLE, bring on the ADS.

But do it right... :cool:

[skubish]

And so the downfall of iTunes has begun.
If I have a bunch of popups and ads to wade thru to buy something, then I am done with iTMS.

Why don't they just charge the movie and record companies money if they want there stuff on the frontpage or on the front page of each section.

[iSee]

Oh, good!

That means I'll be getting my songs and videos for free, now...

Right?

Right!?!

RIGHT???!?!!?

[alec]

sell outs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[resonator]

This really sucks. I do not want to see ads when using iTunes. Especially if I am playing my own music which I purchased or imported from my own CD's. If there is no way to turn off this feature I am ready to start looking for an alternative player.

[notjustjay]

Apple should get ad agencies to provide commercials as free downloads onto your iPod / iTunes / iTV.

This, too, would encourage admakers to create commercials that people would actually WANT to watch.

[mainemike]

....people with .Mac memberships could enjoy an ad-free iTMS.

I think that would be reasonable.

[Padraig]

For a company that has built its following by courting those that don't like the Microsoft way of life, this is a strikingly Microsoft-like move.

These two companies are more similar than most here would care to believe.

To be honest iTunes 7 feels like a microsoft product. It's a mess, system hog and ugly to boot. I bought a mac to get away from all this.

[twoodcc]

well i hope there arent tons of ads. google's ads aren't too bad, so maybe this won't be either

[thedude110]

Oh, good!

That means I'll be getting my songs and videos for free, now...

Right?

Right!?!

RIGHT???!?!!?

Sounds to me like Apple is a little bit worried about spiralfrog, so you may not be far off.

[villanova329]

Okay, this is going a little too far. Apple is already doing great by selling billions of songs, and pretty soon millions of movies... but now they wanna get more money by throwing advertisers into the mix. Pretty soon, before you know it... they're going to sneak a firmware into our iPods that'll play advertisements before we get to play any freakin thing.

Apple, quit while you're ahead... focus on your iTv, get that True iPod Video out, stick more cores into the Macbook Pro, and everything will be ok. You dont need Tony the Tiger advertising cereal before I watch It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia on iTunes

[KingYaba]

No ads please.

[BoyBach]

Is this why Eric Schmidt has joined as a board member?

[Clive At Five]

Come on, people... you're jumping to conclusions.

Just look at how many people have commented on how messy the iTS is already. Now I ask you, what is the iTS?

The answer: a catalouge; i.e. one big advertisement.

So perhaps instead of selling out, as many of you were quick to accuse, Apple might just be bringing someone in to help reorganize the messy iTS, especially now as it has become more complex, what with the new forms of media and all. Plus, the iTS will only get bigger, so the time to streamline is now.

So quit freaking out. You don't even know what Apple is planning.

-Clive

[One Bad Duck]

I think this advertisment business is a double edged sword.

Swing it the right way, neat, subtle 'up market' ads to boost revenue keep the store moving forward, ahead of the relentless market pressure (remember early in the stores life it was brinking on break even), maybe lower prices a touch to counter this up-start spiral frog and its win win.

On the other hand over cook it, bring even a single pop-up, put an ad on the ipod and the song sales could crash. The rest of the world will catch up and here endeth the ipod halo effect, as I'm sure Steve is all too aware. He's too clever and smart to let that happen, I think he deserves a little faith.

I was thinking though what on earth would apple advertise? Pretty much all of technology etc is out. What is any way loosely related to the itunes store that apple don't already produce or would it just be brand advertising.

[wpholmes@]

More likely: when you do go to buy "The Office", an ad for Staples will pop up...

You wouldn't care though, because now you have an episode of the office!
That will cure any anger from ads. WATCH THE OFFICE THURSDAYS ON NBC!

[HecubusPro]

Oh, good!

That means I'll be getting my songs and videos for free, now...

Right?

Right!?!

RIGHT???!?!!?

Perhaps cheaper at least. You never know.

I don't think much is going to come of this even if it is instituted. I doubt it will seriously affect the way I use iTunes. It's actually surprised me it's taken apple this long to really consider this.

[macFanDave]

lower the ********** prices!

I pay to see a G-D movie and those mofos insist on sticking us with ********** commercials! I'm as quiet as a mouse during the feature film, but I let my displeasure be loudly known during the pre-movie commercial. Ignatius J. Reilly is my inspiration!

Knock a couple of bucks off the movie ticket and I'll take it. Same with iTunes. Give us 80's music and older for $0.49 a track or so, and I'll grudgingly look at your damned ads!

[Tommyg117]

great, as if there aren't enough ads on the internet anyway. I figured maybe apple wouldn't be the same as the others

[grum]

erm, how come everyone is assuming that this is true? not saying that it neccesarily isnt, but...

[jholzner]

Umm...isn't the entire iTunes store an ad? An ad for music, movies and TV shows?? Why do they need to advertise other stuff. Jeez.

[nagromme]

The iTunes STORE is one big ad by definition. I don't care if non-Apple vendors get ad space there.

The iTunes JUKEBOX, separate from the Store stuff, should remain ad-free. I don't see Apple changing that. I'm not alarmed.

As for ads in PODCASTS, whether visible or audible, that's already possible. But they're from the podcast creator, not from Apple. I don't mind if a podcast owner needs to generate revenue that way. I am free to decide whether to listen or not.

[Deimo]

I don't understand how AdSense will benefit iTunes. Google's method of advertising delivery focuses on delivering relevant ads to the content of the page. That being said, Eric Schmidt ascending to the board of AAPL definitely means that the Google way is the way Apple is going.

Looking at it from the other side, advertising sucks, but it does help to defray costs which is a good thing. If apple raises $3-500MM out of this venture, more power too them, maybe my next MBP will be $100 less thanks to it (unlikely, but a good thought), or maybe they can offer free time machine backups for all .mac subscribers.

If they can make it work (and non-intrusive) this could be a good thing.

[merge]

I don't understand how AdSense will benefit iTunes. Google's method of advertising delivery focuses on delivering relevant ads to the content of the page. That being said, Eric Schmidt ascending to the board of AAPL definitely means that the Google way is the way Apple is going.

Looking at it from the other side, advertising sucks, but it does help to defray costs which is a good thing. If apple raises $3-500MM out of this venture, more power too them, maybe my next MBP will be $100 less thanks to it (unlikely, but a good thought), or maybe they can offer free time machine backups for all .mac subscribers.

If they can make it work (and non-intrusive) this could be a good thing.

If this is podcast specific...
Apple's current plans call for the ads to appear only in the lower-left corner of the iTunes library while users listen to podcasts from their computers rather than from portable devices.

it does make sense if it is done the right way.
For example, if there is a way to show an add for some type of product if there is a podcast talking about it... then they can get users to click if they want.

and everyone should calm down about it messing up iTunes. If is only on the podcast page.. it is all for stuff you are getting for free anyway, and you will probably not even notice a difference if you listen to podcats because they are probably running in the background while you are working on something else.

[e2ka]

This would suck. Can't there be one web service that is not raped by ads?

[VanNess]

Umm...isn't the entire iTunes store an ad? An ad for music, movies and TV shows?? Why do they need to advertise other stuff. Jeez.

Apple would be quick to point out that they are just a reseller of someone else's content with the iTunes Store, so in that sense it isn't an "ad" in and of itself. In fact, the iTunes Store could benefit from advertising itself on other websites, magazine ads, and so on.

As to the question of why advertise in the Store, the obvious answer is money. iTunes was considered up till this point to be primarily a loss leader for iPod sales and the iTunes Store itself was self-sustaining only as a break-even or modest profit venture. Advertising revenue could change that picture somewhat. And the door is still wide open regarding retailing on the internet, it doesn't need to be bound by what works or doesn't work in the terrestrial retail world.

sell outs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wouldn't be the first time. Sherlock 2 delivered encapsulated ads as well, although luckily they were easily blocked with 3rd party modifications. And as I recall, those ads were mostly for Apple products.

[ElvisNixon]

As a shareholder I say YAY!:cool: ! As I user I say BOO!!:(

[mazola]

All I can say is that ads better not cost more than 99¢ each OR I'M NOT BUYING!

:mad:

[Eraserhead]

Come on, people... you're jumping to conclusions.

Just look at how many people have commented on how messy the iTS is already. Now I ask you, what is the iTS?

The answer: a catalouge; i.e. one big advertisement.

So perhaps instead of selling out, as many of you were quick to accuse, Apple might just be bringing someone in to help reorganize the messy iTS, especially now as it has become more complex, what with the new forms of media and all. Plus, the iTS will only get bigger, so the time to streamline is now.

So quit freaking out. You don't even know what Apple is planning.

-Clive

Damn that was what I was about to post, to be honest it makes the most sense. Ad's in the store would just turn people off...

To answer other posts, apart from the bad scrollbars is anything really bad about iTunes 7? Does it really use more memory than iTunes 6 when not in Coverflow mode (where it clearly uses loads but it has to put all those album covers into RAM...)?

[schatten]

....hey, at least it'll give the third-party developers something to do; write ad-blocker plugins for iTMS! ;-)

[camomac]

....people with .Mac memberships could enjoy an ad-free iTMS.

I think that would be reasonable.


yeah, pay not to have ad's.... that does seem reasonable... hmmm:confused:

[EagerDragon]

If they are going to use adds then they should either reduce the prices significantly, or make them free. I can always rip from a CD, I don't need to visit the iTunes store.

[iJawn108]

The store layout is already too busy and cluttered as it is... :(
Yup :(

[EagerDragon]

....hey, at least it'll give the third-party developers something to do; write ad-blocker plugins for iTMS! ;-)
LOL, I guess we can always put the iTunes store in the blocked list of sites and applications for all members of my family. LOL

[babyj]

My first impression is that I don't like the idea of ads - it reeks of cheap commercialization.

When I go to Amazon.com or other internet retailers, I'm not bombarded by unwanted advertisements.

When I visit the iTunes stores I expect to see promotions for their own products and that is welcome. Ads from other sellers would be annoying. Of course if it was done tastefully for related products I might reconsider.

Have you actually been to amazon.com?

They have sponsored links in the middle of their product listings.

I find it difficult to believe that anyone could come up with worse advertising and cross linking than Amazon have, spread all throughout their website.

If advertising does get added to the iTunes store then one thing it will never result in is lower prices for music or video. The prices are set and agreed with the owners of the material, who if anything want it to be sold at higher prices. Lower prices would just devalue their product.

[mainemike]

yeah, pay not to have ad's.... that does seem reasonable... hmmm:confused:

Err.....it's not exactly an earthshaking paradigm. Many websites operate this way.

[p0intblank]

As long as its out of the way (i.e. in the bottom left album art window), then I really don't mind at all. I just don't want to be seeing banner ads in the store...

[Leoff]

This really sucks. I do not want to see ads when using iTunes. Especially if I am playing my own music which I purchased or imported from my own CD's. If there is no way to turn off this feature I am ready to start looking for an alternative player.

I think you're confused. They're talking about posting ads in the iTunes Music Store, not the program iTunes.

[Detlev]

And so it begins. :(
Sounds familiar, doesn't it? I can't wait until there is spyware to download too :D Even better would be to put ads right on my desktop :p

This is precicely why I didn't use that foolish iTunes store thingy at the bottom of my library... hey wait, it's gone :) They must have removed it (please don't tell me where to find it if it is still there—I'm not listening, la,la,la,laaaaa).

[jocknerd]

I don't purchase music from iTunes because of DRM and low quality, but I do download the free ones that are available and yes, I have purchased a CD from a couple of the artists. Just don't put ads on the beginning of songs Apple!

[mdntcallr]

well, i don't see a problem here.

the only thing is, i hope they keep the ad's media related. ie, tv shows, movies for sale. new artists needing promotion.

not nestle ad's/

they ought to make the ad's match what they sell. just like record stores, or video stores.

[heffemonkeyman]

This really sucks. I do not want to see ads when using iTunes. Especially if I am playing my own music which I purchased or imported from my own CD's. If there is no way to turn off this feature I am ready to start looking for an alternative player.

They're talking about the iTunes Store, not the app itself.

[mixgrafix]

As an Apple shareholder, I hope that this generates revenue from the ads. I also can see car companies advertising their products on there, since they support iPod connectivity.

[dornoforpyros]

provided these ads are just ran in the store I really see no issue here at all, now if apple builds in a permanent ad box into iTunes that can't be minimized than yes, there's a problem. But 3rd party ads in the store arean't an issue.

[peharri]

It's a good job the ads market isn't completely saturated with ads absolutely everywhere with people trying to find ways all the time to get rid of them and content providers completely oblivious to the resentment building against them.

So, when's TiVo coming out with an iTunes Store client?

[Teddy's]

As a shareholder I say YAY!:cool: ! As I user I say BOO!!:(
You're an aapl shareholder... ouch!

[halhiker]

.....the ads are not like the Apple ads that come up from time to time on the Apple.com homepage. I hate those. With their TV ads, the homepage takes longer to load, the sound comes blasting out if I'd had it turned up to listening to music and when you've seen the thing over and over it gets really monotonous.

If they had simple small banner ads, I really wouldn't care. Who knows? It might even be an ad for a product that I'd like to buy!! Wow, what a great idea!

They probably don't want you to look at it as advertising, though. Why, it's information on products and services that Apple (in their unbridled benevolence) thinks it's valued customers might be interested in. Yes. It's more like sharing.......and as long as one is not "sharing" music files, then I'm sure sharing is probably good.

Isn't it?

Hal

[Psychic Shopper]

Apple is already trying to sell songs in their store, putting ads for something else would hurt their sales. If someone puts a podcast in Apples store, and Apple makes money off of them, shouldn't the podcaster get some of that money? If on the same website you have artists making money and artists not making money, that would be awkward.

[B. Hunter]

For a company that has built its following by courting those that don't like the Microsoft way of life, this is a strikingly Microsoft-like move.

These two companies are more similar than most here would care to believe.


OK Apple Shmapple.
Or should we call you Mr. Shmicrosoft?
If you could make money thru ads would you pass it up?
Apple will not make itself look like Brand X.

By the way, what do you think Brand X will do to generate hype and sales for Zune?

[mdntcallr]

Apple is already trying to sell songs in their store, putting ads for something else would hurt their sales. If someone puts a podcast in Apples store, and Apple makes money off of them, shouldn't the podcaster get some of that money? If on the same website you have artists making money and artists not making money, that would be awkward.

not if it is an ipod related accessory, car, or who knows.

also, remember that regular record stores get people to pay for ad's in store, or in their print advertising.

i wouldnt bet against Apple starting newspaper ad's, emails and more, with ad supported promotion.

[Porco]

I can't believe no-one has said 'SpiralFrog (http://www.spiralfrog.com/about.aspx)' yet.

Maybe this would be Apple trying to head that off somehow - something like ads for free/low price track-by-track ('à la carte', as is now) customers, no ads for new subscription-model customers (who could get a set-number-of-tracks allowance per month). I do think Spiralfrog could eat into iTunes if they don't do something about it.

[kresh]

I can't believe no-one has said 'SpiralFrog (http://www.spiralfrog.com/about.aspx)' yet.

It's been mentioned a few times already in this thread :)

[WildPalms]

...its a lot like Miami Vice...

The original? ...or the crapola imitation that was released this year?

[WildPalms]

Come on, people... you're jumping to conclusions.

Just look at how many people have commented on how messy the iTS is already. Now I ask you, what is the iTS?

The answer: a catalouge; i.e. one big advertisement.

So perhaps instead of selling out, as many of you were quick to accuse, Apple might just be bringing someone in to help reorganize the messy iTS, especially now as it has become more complex, what with the new forms of media and all. Plus, the iTS will only get bigger, so the time to streamline is now.

So quit freaking out. You don't even know what Apple is planning.

-Clive

Hear hear! ...and its only on the store section of iTunes....I still buy CD's and DVD's so I rarely visit the store, thus I rarely see advertising.

[Porco]

It's been mentioned a few times already in this thread :)

Oops, sorry. Only once by name to be fair!

Long day, weary eyes.. excuses...:) lol

Still, the point stands.

[Jetson]

This is not the first time that there have been rumors of Apple incorporating ads into iTunes. An AdAge article from April 2006 indicated that Apple was looking into publishing ads while users listen to podcasts:
Apple's [April 2006] plans call for the ads to appear only in the lower-left corner of the iTunes library while users listen to podcasts from their computers rather than from portable devices.

This is the kind of thing is that Apple should avoid. I for one would not appreciate ads popping up when I listen to a podcast. Good grief, we are already bombarded by advertising all day long. Sure the best ads can be amusing, but overall they are just plain obnoxious and intrusive.

I also wonder, how much more profit do the fatcats need? These corporate tycoons are already raking in millions and billions of dollars. Then they want to reward faithful customers with annoying ads just so they can squeeze a few more dollars out of us?

Think twice about this. Apple customers do not enjoy being exploited.

[MacFan26]

Bah, they already have plenty of advertisements by putting up featured music/albums/etc. Hopefully they don't put up random things like ads for eharmony.com or something. You don't walk into Border's and see stuff like that. I don't want it on iTunes either. Just let me download my media in peace, lol.

[chatin]

Use the money to double capacity when Vista ships!

[joeshell383]

The ads should only be for the Windows version. That way it will hit most of the customers (good revenue) but remain loyal to Mac users. :D

Besides they could use it for "Get a Mac" ads right in iTunes down the line.

[brepublican]

Ads in any shape or form, while raking in millions for Apple will suck. It will taint the user experience. The iTunes store doesnt need to be suppported by advertising. We are paying for the music, so whats the point?

I'll go back to buying cd's if this happens. Just to make a point.

[iMikeT]

Ads in Podcasts, fine. Ads in other places of iTunes, no way in hell.:mad:

[airamerica]

Ok, lets get this right. Apple will sell-out to Google. It's now just a matter of time and we are seeing the early signs.

I'm not too excited about this but the facts are clear. Google is swimming in money (more than Apple) and they want to take down Microsoft. The best way to do this is via; hardware, advertising, online products, digital content and delivery methods. Apple provides the platform for most this. In particular the stuff Google doesn't have time to develop.

The new Apple board member from Google just sets this process going. Steve Jobs' clearly isn't going to last for ever - he's had health issues, owns most of Disney and is a family guy, maybe he feels there is more to life than just Apple, but maybe he also wants the name to live on after he has gone... His leagacy.

I'll give it 3 years at the most!

[rdowns]

Ok, lets get this right. Apple will sell-out to Google. It's now just a matter of time and we are seeing the early signs.

I'm not too excited about this but the facts are clear. Google is swimming in money (more than Apple) and they want to take down Microsoft. The best way to do this is via; hardware, advertising, online products, digital content and delivery methods. Apple provides the platform for most this. In particular the stuff Google doesn't have time to develop.

The new Apple board member from Google just sets this process going. Steve Jobs' clearly isn't going to last for ever - he's had health issues, owns most of Disney and is a family guy, maybe he feels there is more to life than just Apple, but maybe he also wants the name to live on after he has gone... His leagacy.

I'll give it 3 years at the most!

You have this all wrong. Forget Schmidt and Google. Al Gore joined the board first. The federal government will be taking over Apple.

Oh yeah, Jobs doesn't own most of Disney. He is he single largest shareholder with 7%.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[airamerica]

You have this all wrong. Forget Schmidt and Google. Al Gore joined the board first. The federal government will be taking over Apple.

Oh yeah, Jobs doesn't own most of Disney. He is he single largest shareholder with 7%.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Well, you've got me on the Disney thing but the rest will play out - I mean it all makes sense if you think about it.

BTW isn't Gore to busy saving the planet to care?!?

[Porchland]

If it helps keep down the cost of content and it's tasteful, I'm all for it. It would be a good opportunity for sponsorship -- say, a free download of last week's episode of "Studio 60," sponsored by Toyota.

[babyj]

Apple and Google have one thing in common - they are very targetted in how and where they make their money.

Apple make their money from hardware, everything else they do is just to sell more hardware (eg the iTunes store makes little money but results in more iPods being sold).

Google make their money from advertising, everything else they do is just to sell more advertising (eg gmail is free but results in more advertising space to sell).

If Apple want an advertising partner then Google would be a good choice, but Google don't know much more than simple text adverts and any advertising built in to iTunes would need to be a lot better than that.

[supermacdesign]

Apple stands to make hundreds of millions on this. They have built a reputation as the go to place for music and now movies. I am afraid taking advantage of that for ad revenue will cheapen the entire experience. iTunes is like holy ground just let it be what it is. I really, really hope this is not true. Don't abuse the power we have given you Apple. We love you because you don't sell out like this.

[AppleKrate]

iTunes is like holy ground
No, iTunes is like a store :rolleyes:

[babyj]

Apple stands to make hundreds of millions on this. They have built a reputation as the go to place for music and now movies. I am afraid taking advantage of that for ad revenue will cheapen the entire experience. iTunes is like holy ground just let it be what it is. I really, really hope this is not true. Don't abuse the power we have given you Apple. We love you because you don't sell out like this.

The iTunes shop is just one big advertisement though, albeit for music, video and podcasts which are all sold within the shop. I doubt ads for other things would be a problem if it was all in keeping and tasteful.

[pyramid6]

It's like when you go to a store and they ask for your phone number. They want to track what you buy so they can sell it to some company. Why is it not enough that your giving these companies your money? Greedy bastards.

Not that it matters, I don't buy music any way. DRM is going to kill the industry.

[Unspeaked]

Oh, good!

That means I'll be getting my songs and videos for free, now...

Right?

Right!?!

RIGHT???!?!!?


Of course!

It's like when you go to a movie theater and sit through 15 minutes of local PowerPoint style ads, a couple of car commercials, a jingle or two for Coke and M&Ms, and then 7 or 8 trailers for upcoming films (all in all, about 60 minutes worth of ads), you get to see the movie for free!

Oh, wait a minute...

[teme]

I think ads are okay in the parts where the content is free (podcasts), but other parts should stay ad-free.

[grimmace]

I'll throw my mac out the window and never buy one again if ads are all over itunes. Did Steve get drunk one night with Billy when he thought of this? Apple makes enough money. We dont want any ads on our media platform.

[dbook99]

Dear Steve,

Rumors are you are about to sell ads on the itunes store. Here is an idea of how to leverage it.

Instead of just pocketing the revenue, link it back to purchases from itunes.
Example: if you sell one ad for $100,000 take that money and spread it out over purchases made while that ad is displayed. The first 200,000 songs purchased with that ad on the window get $.50 applied from the advertiser towards the song for seeing their ad. The buyer gets the song for $.49 and the record companies get the same!

The ad would continue of course for its normal life after the freebes.
The $.50 credit for 200,000 songs is only a guess. It could be $.10 for a million songs, OR, let them sponser one song/album of their choice such that its free to the first 100,000 buyers! That would go over big! "The newest song from U2 free on iTunes thanks to eHarmony." (or whatever)
Multiply this by many advertisers and you could end up with a store where everything is free!
Song sales will go way up as users buy more.

Win-Win-Win
The Record companies still get their pound of flesh. -More sales too.
Users will get more songs for less.
The ad will actually get more attention as users watch for new ones.
The Itunes store locks up even larger percentage of the market.

It would change the world of music (again.)

[camomac]

The original? ...or the crapola imitation that was released this year?

the bad-ass original man!

[Analog Kid]

Apple wouldn't really be this stupid, would they? I don't want to see "sponsored picks" or whatever. I don't want real estate taken up by ads. I don't want them to take the radio/record store model of displaying things more prominently if they're subsidized. I don't want ads for cars with iPod integration. I don't want movie trailers to autostart. And I certainly don't want to suffer Apple supplied ads on anything I download. I want to go to the store and browse...

If a podcaster sticks an ad in their file, I'll make an individual decision as to whether the content is worth the hassle. If all of them have adds prepended I'll probably give up on the concept and avoid it the same way I have with television and radio...

[Analog Kid]

The iTunes shop is just one big advertisement though, albeit for music, video and podcasts which are all sold within the shop. I doubt ads for other things would be a problem if it was all in keeping and tasteful.
No, it's not an advertisement, it's a display case. There's a big difference in my mind, and adding paid advertising to the site is distasteful by definition.

[notjustjay]

Multiply this by many advertisers and you could end up with a store where everything is free!
Song sales will go way up as users buy more.


That's a neat idea.

I'm not sure it would work though. If I get cheap or free music, I'm happy, but I'm not sure I'll show any particular loyalty to the company that sponsored it.

I got a free download of the Lost season finale two nights ago, courtesy of the ABC promotion. Do I intend to specifically watch next season's Lost on ABC? No, I'll flip through my satellite guide and find whichever channel I see first that's playing it.

If Toyota sponsored a song I liked, I'll be happy for a cheap download but I don't know that it would influence my buying decisions next time I'm looking for a car.

Then again, neither would a banner ad.

Actually, I'd be more likely to be irritated by a banner ad than buy a subsidized song download.

Your idea is starting to look better and better :D