We are expecting Sprint Pre shortages soon and it looks like Sprint does too. What’s weird about it is the fact that Sprint, according to president and CEO, Dan Hesse, does not want to take advantage of such a shortage situation. Hesse says that Sprint “didn’t intend to advertise [the Pre] heavily early on because we think we are going to have shortages for a while”. More importantly, Sprint “won’t be able to keep up with demand for the device in the early period of time.” There’s definitely something wrong with that. Sprint doesn’t want to build momentum and increase the buzz around the Pre? The phone is undoubtedly going to bring lots of cash to Sprint so the carrier should really consider taking advantage of any foreseen shortages. That means advertising, advertising and more advertising.

via Reuters

Tags: advertising, Palm, Palm, pre, shortage, Sprint, Sprint

We all know how Microsoft is doing its best to make us choose PCs over Macs. But Apple is ready for the fight and has one more I’m a Mac commercial. According to the Cupertino-based company there are no PCs ready to offer you fast processors, big screens and work without viruses, crashes or headaches. Will Megan choose a Mac?

Tags: Ad, advertising, Apple, Commercial, mac, microsoft, Mobile News, pc, Portable Devices, video

Rumors regarding Microsoft’s buyout of Yahoo have once again begun circulating the web. This time news comes from the New York Times who have apparently gotten in touch with some anonymous sources who say that Micrsoft and Yahoo are definitley in talks, again.

Although the first rumors were regarding a complete takeover, these new rumors point to a partial buyout or possibly even a partnership between the two companies.

Will this be enough to topple Google? Probably not, but if Microsoft and Yahoo were to merge they would be sure to give Google a run for their money.

Read (InformationWeek)

Tags: ads, advertising, Business, buyout, Google, Google, microsoft, microsoft, rumor, yahoo

Both Sprint and Palm are counting on the Pre to bring them significant quantities of cash this year. We’re counting on the Pre to be that Apple contender we’ve been waiting for and even more than that. But in the mean time we can enjoy Sprint’s new advertising campaign. Bill Morgan, Sprint’s senior vice president of corporate marketing says:

The idea behind the campaign is to demonstrate all the things that happen on the Now Network in today’s fast-paced world. Sprint’s Now Network means that our customers can get what they want when they want – whether it’s staying connected through a call, text or e-mail, surfing the web, using GPS, or working remotely and wirelessly.

Will the Pre get us everything? Really? We’re going to check everything for ourselves once the Pre get out.

via

Tags: advertising, Apple, Palm, Palm, pre, Sprint, Sprint

Lots of people, including Apple, made fun of Microsoft’s $300 million advertising budget for Vista. Little do we know that Apple actually spends a whole lot more than Microsoft on advertising and product promotion. But unlike Microsoft, Apple’s ideas actually work and they get plenty of visibility.

It looks like Apple’s advertising budget for the 2008 fiscal year that ended in September was no less than $486 million. A year ago Apple spent $467 and in 2006 it spent $338. Microsoft spent $1.2 billion, $1.3 billion, and $1.2 billion for the same period but these sums covered advertising costs for all of Microsoft’s business which includes Windows, Office and Xbox. But since the Vista campaign costs $300 million it would seem that Apple spends more on its MacBook advertising. So why make fun of Microsoft then?

via TechCrunch

Tags: advertising, Apple, MacBook, microsoft, microsoft, Mobile News, vista

Relevantis unveiled the first advertising platform supporting paid icons for interactive maps and navigation systems. The platform essentially places branded icons on the map, allowing customers to interact with advertisers at the touch of a button. The map publisher ends up getting a cut.

The platform supports placing an icon on the map, which the user can then interact with in a rich manner. You may receive a coupon from an advertiser, allowing you to call them directly or get directions. Advertisers are charged based on the number of impressions their icon receives, or the number of actions (an action can be click-for-coupon) enabled.

Not just mobile phone maps and in-car navigation systems, the platform works with desktop/online map products as well.

Relevantis

(more…)

Tags: advertising, click-to-purchase, icon, maps, mobile, Mobile News, n95, Nokia, relevantis