Hi Guys, We run a very large website on a particular sport that gets a lot of traffic. We have numerous banner ad opportunities and are currently selling the ad spots. I have received two emails from two companies asking to advertise on very popular section, however, these two companies are in direct competition with each other. I won't name their names, but it would be like Coke emailing me to buy an ad spot, and then 15 minutes later, Pepsi emailing me to buy another ad spot on the same section. If I ran both company's ads, then they would probably not like me very much since they wouldn't want to have their banner ads right next to their biggest competitor's ad. You see what I'm saying? So I wanted to ask you guys what you would do in this case? First come, first serve? Is there a "rule of thumb" or web ad publisher "etiquette" in regards to this scenario? How would I go about telling Pepsi that 15 minutes earlier I got an email from Coke asking to advertise on the very section they wish to? Any suggestions or guidance concerning this quandary is greatly appreciated! Thanks.
Personally I would put both ads up. If you think about it, when you put Google Adsense ads on your site, the ads that show are going to be competitors too. Whoever has the best ad will get the most clickthroughs. If you're really concerned about it, then just let each of them know that their competitor's ad will be showing nearby and let them decide if they still want to place the ad.
In all fairness, you should give it to the first person. I'm an advertiser, and if I wasn't treated right, I'd walk. Compromise. Do the ads have to go on the same page? One may change his mind.
Well than I tihnk you should go with the one that best benefits you. One you decide that, tell the other that you chose some one else.
The only thing to do is let the both companies know. Who knows if you word it right, one of them might give you extra money for the right to be the one advertising.
first come first serve i would use. it seems funny that 2 companies contact you in 15 minutes? can you be sure they are not the same company to see if you offer different prices?
1st come 1st serve and you should not have to choose as they will be in competition anyways one way or another
Advertise both. You think CBS won't take Ford's money if Chevrolet is advertising there? In adult, your competitor can be your best ally.
It only makes sense to run both ads. Whoever has the best ad gets the traffic. GotWebHost is right. It's better to work together. We all make money.
Place both ads. If these places are smart they'll see it as a chance to make their competitor look bad.
First come first served. I'd then inform the second company before taking their money and let them decide to either move forward or not. It's called professional courtesy that's how I do it. Most times competitors will still book as what they want is your traffic anyway.
If you're selling your company, I would say first come first served - or start a bidding war. However, this is advertising and thus it's free for all. Think of all the ads fighting for competition in magazines, newspaper classifieds, and other areas? Multiple vodka, alcohol ads in the same magazines, multiple car manufacturers advertising on the same site, etc. etc. As a publisher, it's your duty to monetize your site, and serve ads that are helpful to your audience. What I mean by that is your audience should be allowed to see both ads so they can make the best purchasing decision on their own by being informed about the choices that are available in the market. If you only choose to show one ad, then you'd be playing censor to your audience.