 | Are There Enough Gentlemen For an Adword Initiative? |
Whilst some networks are gearing themselves up for the Google brand name and trademark bidding fest that launches on May 5th, it was interesting to read a proposal by Affiliate Window regarding Affiliate Keyword Agreements.
The idea is simple: affiliates group together and agree to not bid on the brands or marks of other like minded affiliates by way of a gentleman’s (or lady’s) agreement.
The idea behind the initiative is that rather than spend money competing on each other’s brands….
This ultimately will free up paid search funds from increased CPCs on brand terms to be invested into merchant campaigns, benefiting both the affiliate’s profitability and the industry as a whole.
It’s a bold step and you have to congratulate Julia Stent and Affiliate Window for introducing such an initiative.
But will it work?
I think on paper this is a fantastic idea - however I just don’t think there’s enough gentle folk in affiliate marketing prepared to take on such an agreement.
The problem is that those affiliates, like ourselves, who are happy to be involved with such an idea probably had no intention to start bidding on competitor or other affiliate brands come May 5th.
Whilst, the one’s who are already planning their ad campaigns or are rubbing their hands with glee about the policy change, don’t give a monkey’s about gentlemen agreements or trademarks and will cite the legend “business is business” to justify themselves.
Put simply this initiative, sadly, is ultimately preaching to the already converted.
Popularity: 4% [?]
Related Posts |
|
on April 14, 2008 at 11:57 am Kevin Edwards wrote:
Another interesting angle is whether any networks advise their advertisers to enter into a gentleman’s agreement with their direct competitors as seems to be the case with all the big gadget merchants and not bid on competitor brand names.
This is a very obvious suggestion that should be raised by every responsible network as a viable option come 5th May.
on April 14, 2008 at 3:31 pm Dan Morley wrote:
Hi Jason,
Its a good idea, its also one that naother travel company (not alpha) have put forward to ABTA and asked that it be wrote into their code of conduct. If this went forward any ABTA registered travel company would not be allowed to bid on any other ABTA registered travel company.
No - your an ABTA member but do you fancy signing up for this as well, its there, stick to it.
Maybe networks should take a stance and stick to it? Protect their affiliates and merchants in one go.
on April 14, 2008 at 5:36 pm DougS wrote:
Just ain’t going to happen is it……..a war is approaching and some people will make money.