iAds

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 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...

Apple to bring full-screen video iAds to iOS apps this year

AdAge is reporting this afternoon that Apple is looking to roll out new video iAds for iPhone and iPad later this year. Citing people with knowledge of the company's plans, the outlet says that these 'interstitial' ads will automatically play in full-screen on iOS devices.

The way it works currently, iAds are much less obtrusive: a user must click on a mobile banner for a brand's ad video to play. Under the new format, developers could opt to display TV commercial-like ads during moments of transition, like in between game levels...

Ad execs disparage iAds over Apple’s ‘slow, cocky and downright stingy’ approach

iAd, Apple's advertising platform, continues to struggle to gain traction and retain big name advertisers. A new report by industry publication Advertising Age claims that Madison Avenue media buyers are unimpressed by the performance of iAds, which they contributed to Apple's "slow, cocky and downright stingy" approach to ad sales.

The problem boils down to Apple's lack of understanding of advertising as a relationship-driven business...

Apple rolls out iAd Workbench tool to several new countries

In June of this year, Apple introduced a new tool called iAd Workbench that made it easier for developers to create, manage and optimize ad campaigns to promote their apps. They also lowered the spend requirement to $50.

Last night, the company began rolling out the tool to a number of new countries, giving thousands of new developers access to it. It's now available in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and more...

AdAge: iTunes Radio to launch in September with high-profile ad partners

Since Apple unveiled its new streaming music service, iTunes Radio, back in June, we haven't heard much about it. While we have a good idea, from the betas, of how it's going to work, there are still a lot of details we don't know.

But a new report out this morning is looking to change that, by filling in a lot of the blanks. Citing "people familiar with the negotiations," it claims that iTunes Radio is launching in September with some high-profile brand partners...

iRadio tidbits: audio ads, iTunes Match syncing, no search/song skipping

As you may have heard, Apple is now rushing to close music licensing deals for iRadio. And with Warner Music apparently finally on board, the company should formally take the wraps off its Pandora-killer at the WWDC keynote next Monday.

Bloomberg yesterday explained Apple's ad team is prepping to sell in-app iAds to major brands, which apparently can’t wait to advertise on iRadio. And now a new report by a major advertising trade publication claims Apple is also keen on monetizing the free service by injecting traditional audio ads...