Comment: Podcasters beware, the marketeers are coming

By Paul Trotter

Posted on 16 Jun 2006 at 13:51

One rather graphic example of this in action is available online from a producer of lingerie, which offers a video featuring embedded hyperlinks. After clicking on the area of interest, the video pauses and visitors are presented with more information and a price.

It's these sorts of less intrusive tactics that will win the day for advertisers. Deriving from technology developed for the web, and making its way onto our TV screens by way of intelligent set-top boxes and media centre PCs, 21st-century advertising will provide a more seamless experience for users. There'll be clever ways to encourage us to buy on impulse and the whole process will provide advertisers with precise data on where and when their adverts inspired a purchase.

So don't think that by becoming a consumer of blogs, podcasts and video podcasts that you'll evade marketeers: technology is helping them become even better at getting their message across. But those wanting an ad-free existence can console themselves with the knowledge that the days of the hard-sell and uninterruptible advertising could be numbered.