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Google dives further into mobile screen advertising

Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) is rolling out another serious swipe at advertising in a relatively new category: mobile phone screens. Although mobile advertising is nothing new, Google's intense focus on this new platform for display ads is ramping up excitement in some circles. After all, there are many more cellphones with mobile web capability than there are PCs worldwide. The trick is to get consumers and businesses using the mobile web. The iPhone has helped kickstart interest in this that had been pretty much dormant before last year for a range of reasons.

Google co-founder Sergey Brin even said at Google's recent quarterly results conference call that "The mobile ads work very well ... there's nothing to dissuade me it would be any worse than traditional desktop search." If that holds true -- and we all know how desktop search has panned out -- mobile search may be a huge blockbuster.

Faster data connections are available with many wireless carriers now, smartphone shipments are increasing, and attention to the mobile web has gained a huge amount of steam due to the iPhone and its full web browsing capabilities. Once Google's Android operating system begins shipping and the mobile web is a single button press away, Google's next frontier to attack will be the mobile search market. And, of course, selling display ads along with all those searches.

Ringleader dials up $6 million for mobile ad network

While the mobile space is huge, it's still not easy to penetrate. Yet, with only $2 million in angel funding over the past couple years, Ringleader has done quite well. The company has put together a sophisticated online advertising network, which helps with mobile ads (as well as those on the desktop). Some of its customers include Best Western, Absolut and Blu-Ray.

Well, now Ringleader has some more juice. That is, the company has raised $6 million from W2 Group, which is a global marketing services company.

"Growth is ramping in mobile ads," said Bob Walczak, the CEO of Ringleader, in an interview with me. He points out that in 2005, the typical ad purchase was a paltry $5,000 to $10,000 per campaign. But, as of last year, it increased to $50,000 to $100,000. "Going into 2008," said Walczak, "we are seeing proposals for seven figures."

There are some big drivers, such as Google (NASDAQ: GOOG)'s Android platform and Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL)'s iPhone. But perhaps the biggest key is that mobile ads tend to get results. "We are seeing click-through rates of 2% to 3%," said Walczak. "This compares to a traditional web ad that gets 0.1%."

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements. He also operates DealProfiles.com.

Google aims to be one-stop shop for advertisers

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) logo Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG)'s ambition is to become the dominant advertising network across all mediums globally, which is one high mountain to climb. The company has built up a multibillion-dollar cash pile to help it on its quest, and it is in control of the world's internet search market as well as the most-used video-sharing site.

It is dabbling in radio, print, and mobile industries heavily as well. The goal: to take a small cut of each advertising transaction or impression throughout all media forms.

If Google is successful, the company could experience growth way beyond the incredible numbers it's now seeing every quarter. To get there, the company is trying to ensure existing and potential advertising partners know that controlling ad campaigns and directing marketing resources as efficiently as possible would be much easier if there was a central "dashboard" to manage all those ads across all markets and all mediums.

Continue reading Google aims to be one-stop shop for advertisers

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Last updated: November 10, 2009: 11:05 PM

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