Google Audio Ads

There's something about radio, and Google's going to profit from it.

Reuters recently reported that web search leader Google Inc. is hiring scores of radio sales people and is spending heavily in a bid to expand its position in the $20 billion radio industry.

Google spokesperson Michael Mayzel was quoted as saying that the company will begin a public test of Google Audio Ads by the end of this year...

How will this work?

Advertisers will be able to go online and sign up for targeted radio ads using the same AdWords system they use to buy sponsored web listings.

This is no surprise to us here at Voices.com. We watch Google's movements and document them too :)

Remember when Google acquired dMarc Broadcasting Inc. in January?

dMarc connects advertisers to radio stations through an automated advertising system. Essentially, we could see this as Google's infrastructure for their new ad selling platform.

Google CEO Eric Schmidt has revealed that the investment in radio advertising could grow the company personnel to include the hiring of up to 1,000 new Google employees. These employees would serve as salespeople, engineers, and operation staff.

Reuters disclosed that Google, one of the fastest growing Silicon Valley Internet companies, employed an impressive 9,378 employees in September.

While Google's aspirations to rule the world of audio ads climb, broadcast giant Clear Channel, the biggest radio station operator in the US, is rumored to be in the market to sell stakes in their company if not the company as a whole.

Remember, these are just rumors, but the fact remains that if Google wants something badly enough, the company will remove any obstacles in its way to get it.

As we've seen with their recent purchase of YouTube, money is not an object.

Why are we reporting so closely on this subject?

Simple.

Voices.com stands to be the supplier of voice-overs and audio production for the Google Audio Ads.

As the largest voice marketplace online, it makes perfect sense that when people buy audio ads through Google on the Internet that they would find their voices and have production completed over the Internet as well.

What do you think of the imminent Google Audio Ads? Would you purchase audio ads online through Google?

Comments

David - I think you're right on the money with your assesment that Google's radio push will result in a lot more work for VO people, and business for Voices.com. But what is the production over the Internet you mention. How would this part work? Is Google setting up production sites?