iAd

NBCUniversal to sell ads in Apple News following iAd’s demise

As you know, Apple shuttered its in-app iAd advertising network back in the summer because selling ads is “just not something we’re good at”. A new report this morning from Recode revealed that the iPhone maker is leaving the creation, selling and management of ads on its Apple News service to the ad sales teams over at NBCUniversal.

“Apple is going to hand over ad sales for the app to Comcast’s NBCUniversal in an exclusive deal that starts in January,” reports the outlet.

Apple reminds developers that iAd network is shutting down next month

After announcing back in January that its iAd App Network will be discontinued as of June 30, 2016, Apple today issued an email blast, a copy of which was obtained by AppleInsider, in which it reminds developers of the impending shutdown that'll bring an end to monetization revenues and app promotion.

Despite the iAd App Network going offline starting July 1, developers will still be able to earn revenue from advertising from their own direct sales or by using other third party monetization services.

Apple stepping back from iAd sales, wants publishers to do the heavy lifting

Apple is moving to phase out its in-house iAd sales team, reports BuzzFeed's John Paczkowski. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the well-connected journalist says the company plans to move to a more automated platform in which the publishers take care of the heavy lifting.

"It’s just not something we’re good at,” one source told Paczkowkski. "And so Apple is leaving the creation, selling, and management of iAds to the folks who do it best: the publishers." Apple is said to be updating its iAd tools and software to allow publishers to sell through it directly.

Apple brings iAd platform to Latin America emerging markets

Apple is continuing its iAd international push by beginning to sell the advertising service to businesses in Brazil and Mexico, with eventual plans for Venezuela, Colombia, and Argentina, to help the struggling service better reach consumers.

Latin America is a key emerging market for Apple growth, and as such the company has selected MS Internet Media Services (IMS), a "leading" digital marketing and communications company that partners with businesses seeking to expand into and within Latin America, to handle sales in the Latin American market.

Apple partners with Rubicon Project to help sell, automate its iAd inventory

Rubicon Project, a company that focuses on automating the buying and selling of advertising, has announced a partnership with Apple to help the Cupertino-based company move its iAd inventory. Apple hasn't officially commented on the matter, however speaking for the company Rubicon Project says "it had been selected by Apple to help power iAd’s adoption of automated advertising for Apple iAd’s 250,000+ mobile developers."

New ad formats coming to iAd: pre-roll video and full-screen interstitials

Apple announced to iOS developers today that it has enabled new ad formats that could help them generate more revenue. Developers can now add pre-roll video and full-screen advertisements to their apps, via iAd.

The news makes good on a report from back in March, which said the ads would be capable of interrupting a user in-app. It's more likely, however, that the ads will play at moments of transition, such as at the end of a level.

Apple updates iAd Producer with ability to create full-screen banner ads

It looks like the rumors were true. Apple last night released an update for its iAd Producer tool, which brings the app to version 4.2, with the ability to create full-screen banner ads for the iPhone.

The update also gives users the ability to upload Producer projects directly to iAd Workbench, reorganize folders in the Assets sidebar, and includes a number of other enhancements and bug fixes...

iTunes Radio expanding to UK soon, iAd director meets with UK ad agencies

More signs are pointing to an imminent iTunes Radio launch in the United Kingdom. The company recently banned London-based music streaming service Bloom.fm from advertising on its iAd platform citing competitive reasons and now Apple's iAd director is meeting with the country's ad agencies, seemingly in preparation for iTunes Radio roll-out in the 63 million people market of United Kingdom...

Anyone can now create iAd campaigns

Apple released iAd Workbench last summer, giving its registered iOS developer a much-needed tool to create, manage, optimize and track in-app iAd campaigns, build customized banners and more. The mobile advertising tool used to require a paid iOS developer account, $99 per year.

Starting today, non-developers are free to use iAd Workbench as well: all that's needed is a regular Apple ID account. Or to put it other way, Apple's just given anyone the ability to make their own iAds. Additionally, the iPhone maker has expanded its advertising platform by adding a new video iAd unit to Workbench...