Internet Marketing Tycoon

**ApacheMan** · 10-20-2008, 02:17 PM

Hi Guys,

We run a very large website on a particular sport that gets a lot of traffic. We have numerous banner ad opportunities and are currently selling the ad spots.

I have received two emails from two companies asking to advertise on very popular section, however, these two companies are in direct competition with each other. I won't name their names, but it would be like Coke emailing me to buy an ad spot, and then 15 minutes later, Pepsi emailing me to buy another ad spot on the same section.

If I ran both company's ads, then they would probably not like me very much since they wouldn't want to have their banner ads right next to their biggest competitor's ad. You see what I'm saying?

So I wanted to ask you guys what you would do in this case? First come, first serve? Is there a "rule of thumb" or web ad publisher "etiquette" in regards to this scenario? How would I go about telling Pepsi that 15 minutes earlier I got an email from Coke asking to advertise on the very section they wish to?

Any suggestions or guidance concerning this quandary is greatly appreciated! Thanks.

**chrishirst** · 10-20-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

First come, first serve?

First up best dressed

or start a price war.

Quote:

Is there a "rule of thumb" or web ad publisher "etiquette" in regards to this scenario?

Do TV Companies, Magazine publishers, Radio advertising, Google Adwords etc turn down ad revenue because the competition was "there first"?

Nope, they take the money and rotate the adverts.
Now, if one of them wants to buy exclusivity from you

that's a whole different ball game.

**juliensimon** · 10-20-2008, 03:14 PM

I would be honest with them and tell them what happened.
2 solutions:
- They might be alright with rotating ads or displaying both ads
- They might want exclusivity and in this case, highest offer gets it.

**colbyt** · 10-20-2008, 06:59 PM

Once again Chris has given excellent advice.

I agree with him on this one completely.

**alysha** · 10-20-2008, 10:21 PM

Bidding is the answer.

**Jessemn** · 10-21-2008, 10:06 PM

I would also agree with Chrishirst here, he is dead on. However, there must be some sort of "etiquette" for this type of situation. Surely this has happened before, where one advertiser requested not to be shown beside another.

Back to the main question - get them for all they're worth, apache. Good for you... now if only I could find people to fight over my ad spots

**sirtokealot** · 10-29-2008, 05:54 PM

i would be totally honest with both of them and say, "look buddy your biggest rival is asking me the same thing so.... how deep are your pockets." to both companies

see what they have to say about that