I’ve long been a proponent of a “go big or go home” approach to display advertising. Last week I realized we weren’t practicing what I preached here at One Degree. When we announced our Whole Site Sponsorship package a while ago we offered leaderboards at the top and bottom of all pages and a “big box” ad mid-page on longer posts. That “big box” is 336×280 pixels – i.e. the standard IAB Large Rectangle. Now my goal in offering sponsorships on One Degree was for sponsors to “own the site” for the month they sponsor. In hindsight I think going with the biggest IAB size was overly limiting. Therefore, I’ve created a new Ad Unit I’m calling the Big Assed Ad Unit – 500X500 pixels and up to 100K in file size. Big Assed Ads! Woot! I asked this month’s sponsor Cornerstone if they’d like to give it a try and they jumped at the chance. Here’s what it looks like:
I’m not suggesting others take on this size (although it wouldn’t bother me) but I think it makes sense given the way One Degree is built and the goals of our sponsors.
What a great ad size – I wish others would follow suit, but I fear only us marketers will fall in love…
In General, I don’t mind the 500×500 ad format, but it seems a little too big for OneDegree’s layout.
Having to scroll past it AND the Google ads to read comments and related links seems a big much to ask users.
Maybe you can drop the contributors in a pulldown and move the google ads to the left?
Sweet! I’ve added the ad unit to our archive of online advertising —
http://adverlicio.us/cornerstone_search_marketing_clicks_to_conversions_500x500
Paradoxically, it’s adjacent to one of the industry’s smallest ad units — a 160×60 button being used by VH1’s “The Agency” —
http://adverlicio.us/vh1_the_agency_160x60
Come and check out the archive for other equally cool innovations in online advertising — http://adverlicio.us
Wayne said:
“Having to scroll past it AND the Google ads to read comments and related links seems a big much to ask users.”
Oh I’m sorely tempted to say “boo hoo” and rant about ad revenues making the place work. But I will not do that – it would be rude of me as your host.
How about this, if Thindata signs up as a One Degree sponsor I’ll take ALL the Google ads off the site that month. OR, you can go without the Big Assed Ad.
Sound fair?
🙂
Wayne said:
“Maybe you can drop the contributors in a pulldown and move the google ads to the left?”
We could do that but I like giving all the Contributors space on every page. We owe so much of our success to the dozens of Contributors and I’d hate to give the impression that we’re not giving them less love than the sponsors.
I’m also not sure if ads under the nav would get any response. Anybody have experience with putting display or contextual ads UNDER the left nav?