Disqus - Latest Comments for nOva_SB

Re: Bob Johnson Speaks on Urban Television (Part 1)

nOva_SB — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:42:08 -0000

"Why is it that anytime someone criticizes an African American, folks pull out the "crabs in a barrel" charge?"

That annoys me as well, Gina. This reminds me of the people over at HuffPo that were actually defending that darn RushCard. Like, because he's "our brother" and is an executive that he is to be lauded, no matter what the cost or impact on the community (the community that, incidentally, enables him).

Now, there is a chance Urban Television MIGHT attempt to break new ground, it MIGHT provide opportunities for intelligent, creative Black folks with progressive ideas and it MIGHT provide jobs for Black folks that do not sacrifice their integrity on the alter of "make that paper at all costs."

Operative word: MIGHT.

But back to the crabs in a barrell thing. Bob Johnson has consistently proved (not only with his previous network, but with his candor during our recent election) that he isn't someone Black folks should be holding their breath for to do some right. So, as far as I'm concerned, the distrust is warranted.

I want him to prove me wrong because I want US to succeed, not just HIM.

Re: How Not to Run Ad Network

nOva_SB — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:26:41 -0000

Thanks, No Clue. I don't think the intent of the discussion was to villify ad-nets as a whole, rather than share stories about the bad apples.

I will say that, at least when people were sharing negative experiences they were able to name names, whereas those of us who were robustly defending them provided very little specifics and wanted to "lecture" the "little guys" on "how the business works". Additionally, very little of that lip-service went to exploring why certain ad networks courting the publisher instead of the other way around. I have one such network pursuing me right now and never once did they mention that my site was "too small" to work with them.

How do you explain that?

At any rate, I haven't had any bad experiences with late payments, etc, because I never let the one situation I was in escalate to that point. But the offers I've since received are laughable. Be it GG, BET or MOG. They're all incrediably wack, so the only advice I would have for anyone is be on the look out for these branded adnets. They talk a good game but aren't offering anything. The moment we see the words "We cater to Urban and Hip-Hop publishers", I suggest you run like hell.

Re: How Not to Run Ad Network

nOva_SB — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:42:43 -0000

Wassup NWS! Be careful telling your horror stories on here or someone will find a way to make it all your fault, LOL.

Re: How Not to Run Ad Network

nOva_SB — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:58:06 -0000

@ BAAG:

I think part of what Dede is saying is that working with sites that get x amount of eyeballs isn't really being picky. Telling Black publishers to "get their numbers" up in order to reap the benefits of the market is counterintuitive in that it encourages selling out and questionable content.

I know a number of Black bloggers and site owners that produce content that is intelligent, non-exploitve, progressive and mature, but the advertisers that would most benefit from their audiences don't know about those sites because of your antiquated notions.

For example, there may be an advertiser out there that wants to place ads about a product or service that doesn't cater to the mainstream. They decide to work with an established ad network but all the network specializes in are gossip and hip-hop site that get millions of pageviews per month. Not exactly the advertiser's target market (since that type of exposure may not translate into someone actually purchasing their product) but they take a chance based on the network's brand or rep and potential exposure. In the meantime, you have a publisher that courts the advertiser's specific market, but the site in question falls just below the number of hits the ad network needs in order to deem it viable. So now the advertiser loses out and so does the site that could've benefited from that business.

You keep thinking in terms of dollars but not sense.

Re: How Not to Run Ad Network

nOva_SB — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:36:16 -0000

I think it would be to everyone's benefit to actually name the companies that will benefit the publishers as opposed to defending adnets while harboring the info people need. If we are here to share advice, then we must also share facts and resources. Otherwise, the conversation gets lost in speculation, innuendo and anecdotal evidence.

Re: How Not to Run Ad Network

nOva_SB — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:23:06 -0000

I was approached by GG and smelled the BS a mile away, and told them as much. Months later, they hit me up again. I am approached by some new "urban", "black" or "hip hop" -branded ad-net every few weeks and every single one of their offers sucks. So, to respond to B.A.A.G. above me, I have elected not to approach any such network for many of the reasons you stated, but they are approaching ME. In this scenario, I don't see where it's incumbent upon the blogger/publisher to have his/her "sh*t together".