While most companies dealing with print media are struggling to make the shift to online media, Google is taking its business offline. According to this Reuters report, Google is set to start helping its online customers buy ads in 50 U.S. newspapers, in an attempt to extend its muscle from the online ad arena to offline advertising.
This move can be mutually beneficial for all parties involved. Just as it allows Google to extend its power from online to offline advertising, this may also help counter the continuing decline in printed classified advertisements.
“For advertisers, it gives them access to a network of newspapers through an online interface and the ability to potentially reach a new customer base,” Google spokesman Michael Mayzel said in response to questions via e-mail.
The newspapers currently participating in this program include the Boston Globe, Seattle Times, Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, as well as the Gannett Co. Inc. newspaper chain.
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Not only are we increasingly dependent upon google to find stuff online, the whole web ecosystem and, in particularly, blogs are becoming dependent upon google ads. Now newspapers… doesn’t anyone see that too much power in the hands of google is a bad thing?