vidSENSE

No doubt vidSENSE is an original and ambitious online video advertising solution, that differentiates it-self from all the wannabes by taking the video content from publishers environment to the advertisers domain. Great...except a tiny issue that doesn't sit well with me and maybe others. See the very first step in their advertising process is basically deception.

This is how vidSENSE describes the process in their DEMO, they call them content units - small pictures or thumbnails taken from vidSENSE video content, that are invitations for viewers to click on them. And now it gets little creepy, at least in my opinion and I'm quoting vidSENSE: "Content unit appears to be part of the website, it does not look like advertisement and because of that gets much higher CTR ".

Let's see - appears to be part of the website, meaning that they are not. So you guys figured out a way to trick me into watching advertising and you are actually proud of your-self.

No, it's not all bad. The fact that all the viewing takes place surrounded by the advertisers brand, since it takes place on advertisers website is a brilliant idea.
It's just that I can't get over the very first step, you deceived me and tricked me.

Sure it generates traffic to advertisers website, but what kind of traffic? Disappointed, pissed off traffic who in the next step are googleing products that similar to pop-up blockers will block involuntary traffic direction generators.

Maybe, maybe not.

And what about the brands? Do they want consumers with funny tastes in their mouths viewing content in this branded entertainment type of environment?

Again, maybe, maybe not.

Here's an good counter-view to mine by Seana Mulcahy who always makes an excellent point, as she did in her last post for OnlineSPIN. I just happen to disagree with her on this subject.