If the announcement of iPhone 4 made news across the web then this one should be given equal importance. After all Apple is never previously been associated with an ad driven model. Apple yesterday announced that it will debut its iAd mobile advertising network on July 1 for the iPhone and iPod touch devices running its iOS 4 software platform.
iAd already has a list of advertiser signed up and will kick off with mobile ad campaigns from brands like AT&T, Best Buy, Campbell Soup Company, Chanel, Citi, DirecTV, GEICO, GE, JCPenney, Liberty Mutual Group, Nissan, Sears, State Farm, Target, Turner Broadcasting System, Unilever and The Walt Disney Studios.
Apple states that the iAd network already has $60 million in commitment from advertisers. “iAd offers advertisers the emotion of TV with the interactivity of the web, and offers users a new way to explore ads without being hijacked out of their favorite apps,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.
iAd as a platform has been built into the iOS 4 and it allows users to stay within their app while engaging with the ad. Apple will also open the network to Developers who can incorporate a variety of advertising formats into their apps. They have also stated that they will be sharing 60% of the revenue with developers and publishers which is slightly less than what Google sheels out via adsense.
