Thrynn wrote:
] ] "It's a phenomenon that's not on the mainstream radar
] ] quite yet, but it will be in six months."
]
] And read the bit about "targeted advertising".

This is more evolution then revolution.

Consider Tom's Hardware. He sets up a site where he reviews hardware. People find it. He built a reputation for knowing his shit. Now every vendor sends him stuff to review.

A blog is really not different.

Advertisers will be interested in influencing thought leaders in the blogosphere. They will pay for INLINE ads. Paul Harvey talking about arthritis medication in the middle of the news.

Taking things a step further:

Gibson's new novel has a charater who is paid to hang out in upscale bars and chitchat about hip new products with patrons. Totally subtle... In the context of flirting.... Imagine if the girls who go around to different bars giving out Camel cigarettes wore plain clothes, and hung out smoking the stuff, hitting on guys who smoke the stuff, and occaisonally, subtly mentioning their brand preference, particularily with relation to who they would date....

I've heard lots of squaking that this is really what google wants to explore with blogger. The interests of advertisers won't change just because the thought leaders change. Yesterday it was Paul Harvey. Tommorow it might be Cory Doctorow. Either way, Pepsi will be there.

The only way to escape this is to create a culture where advertising, no matter how subtle, is frowned upon (really easy) AND consumers PAY for the media they consumer (really hard).

RE: Blogging goes mainstream - Mar. 10, 2003