Online ads follow potential voters around the Web

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Online ads follow potential voters around the Web
Strategists say targeted Net ads are cost-efficient
By Beth Fouhy
Associated Press
Posted: 12/03/2011 10:41:33 PM MST

NEW YORK -- As potential voters in New Hampshire and Iowa scan the Internet, they probably are seeing ads for Republican Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama alongside deals for shoes and holiday gifts.

The campaign ads will then follow those voters around the Web, popping up on news sites, Google searches and on social networking sites like Facebook.

Online advertising, once used primarily as a way to reach young and heavily wired consumers, has emerged as an essential communications tool in the 2012 presidential contest. While few expect Web ads to supplant television commercials anytime soon, strategists say online ads may be the most nimble, efficient and cost-effective way to reach voters.

"Online advertising cuts through because of its ability to target. It's unparalleled in any other medium," said Romney's digital director, Zac Moffatt. "TV may be more effective for driving a big message, but per usage, the Internet is more powerful. We are probably one presidential cycle from everyone believing that."




Read more: http://www.dailycamera.com/nation-world-news/ci_19466563

[saras]

1. Surfing the net without an ad blocker is like unprotected sex with strangers...

no wonder the ads are so stupid. it's who they are targeted to.

[left on green only]

2. IMO, Advertising is one of the most offensive aspects of our culture

Many years ago, it was one of the major reasons that I stopped watching broadcast television, and in even more recent times it has become the catalyst that has legitimatized the act of lying amongst our population. Only thing is, no one calls it lying anymore. The new word is "putting a spin on". See how that has an acceptable ring to it? Advertising on the Internet has now grown to a point where for me, often times I will forgo pursuing information just because I am offended by the dishonest advertising that has preempted the message that I am seeking.

[dipsydoodle]

3. You're not kidding

When I go into the Guardian's online site I now get a load of ebay listings !

:hi:

[TroubleMan]

4. Not if you use the Better Privacy ad-on for firefox and kill your flash cookies.

They don't follow me anywhere.

[santamargarita]

5. I like it when they put a message where the add was blocked...

that says, "Please turn off your add blocker". That's stupid, why do think I have it!

[Octafish]

6. CREEP-Y, isn't it?