Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Google's Radio Ad Conquest Falls Flat

Automated advertising plan not music to industry's ears

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted May 12, 2009 12:48 PM CDT

(Newser) – Google has hit a stumbling block in its quest for world domination: A bid to “conquer radio” with its advertising program didn’t go as planned, and the firm is dropping the effort at the end of the month, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Internet giant bet its automated model could revolutionize the radio-advertising market—but stations and advertisers were less enthusiastic.

The industry wasn’t keen on dropping established business practices. The key trouble, said Google’s CEO, was that unlike with Internet ads, where users’ clicks can be tracked, the company couldn’t get good feedback on “which ads performed.” Google “underestimated the human side of the business,” writes Jessica Vascellaro; the failure, she notes, shows that it’s a long way from ruling the offline world.

In this 2008 file photo, Google logos are shown inside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.
In this 2008 file photo, Google logos are shown inside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.   (AP Photo)
Google CEO Eric Schmidt holds his fingers to his temples as he answers a question from a reporter, April 7, 2009.
Google CEO Eric Schmidt holds his fingers to his temples as he answers a question from a reporter, April 7, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Google's bid to conquer radio hasn't gone as hoped for the firm.
Google's bid to conquer radio hasn't gone as hoped for the firm.   (Shutterstock)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Arizona Bill Would Expose Airbrushed Ads

Microsoft Video Slams Snooping 'Gmail Man'

Twitter Apes Google's Ad Model

Google Runs 1st Super Bowl Ad

Steelers Legend Cops Award for 30-Year-Old Coke Ad


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne