April 28
ESPN’s new ad layout Can’t say I’m a huge fan of this. At first it looked like it was just for these particular ads that the page was rearranged (headlines below the features, way below the fold) like what the Times had also done for Apple, but it appears that they’ve just stacked two 300x250’s even when there isn’t a blue chip advertiser running. Amir just pointed out that the stacked 300x250s are fake ads, so this might be a one time Apple thing. Normally I don’t begrudge creative ad placements, but in this instance it’s actually hurting the user experience and isn’t even all that creative, and possibly not that profitable— it appears as though the standard ads on the right are just network (traditionally low CPM) ads.

ESPN’s new ad layout

Can’t say I’m a huge fan of this. At first it looked like it was just for these particular ads that the page was rearranged (headlines below the features, way below the fold) like what the Times had also done for Apple, but it appears that they’ve just stacked two 300x250’s even when there isn’t a blue chip advertiser running. Amir just pointed out that the stacked 300x250s are fake ads, so this might be a one time Apple thing.

Normally I don’t begrudge creative ad placements, but in this instance it’s actually hurting the user experience and isn’t even all that creative, and possibly not that profitable— it appears as though the standard ads on the right are just network (traditionally low CPM) ads.