I was reading through the March 2005 issue of Internet Retailer and was glad to see a few full page ads from companies engaged in affiliate marketing.
Since I’m a subscriber to Internet Retailer, as well as an affiliate and merchant, I figure each of these ads is targeted at me to varying degrees.
Here are my impressions on the effectiveness of each ad. Click any of the advertisements to enlarge.
Performics
p. 13
The Performics ad plays to the situation facing many retailers with lots of skus. I’ve got a data feed, now what do I do with it. The ad is a take on the “This is Your Brain – This is Your Brain on Drugs” campaign.
It definitely got my attention, though the abundance of Performics orange was sort of reminiscent of The Gates that recently graced Central Park in NYC.
The ad touts that they are “Introducing Performics’ Feedlab technology,” but from the ad, I have no idea what makes this technology a reason for working with Performics.
Also, the contact information and url are in a tiny font at the bottom of the page, and there isn’t any sort of mechanism for tracking the ad, as far as I can tell.
NETexponent
p.17
NETexponent ran an ad that looks like a solicitation letter that’s been marked up by a potential client, complete with a Post-it urging a colleague to check out NETexponent.com.
I like how the letter includes a trackable email (GetResults@NETexponent.com) and url (http://www.netexponent.com/ir), as well as the direct line for CEO, Peter Figueredo.
In addition to the hand written comments on the letter, there are sections that are highlighted, including a part about “affiliates bidding on search terms.” This ad ran opposite from an article, “Affiliates, marketers wrestle over trademark use under new Google ad policy.”
Talk about contextual advertising!
LinkShare
p. 53
The LinkShare ad had an elegant look and a very straightforward call to action: The 2005 Second Annual LinkShare Golden Link Awards: Call for Nominations.
The ad urges readers to “Make a nomination today at www.linkshare.com/goldenlink,” and a list of the various awards that will be given out at the event.
I cannot really tell from the photo in the ad, but it appears that these awards are golden bowling pins?
I’m left wondering if Joan Rivers and Star Jones will be working the red carpet at this gala event. Anyway, I’m off to make some nominations.