The FTC announced today that it has unanimously approved Google’s acquisition of AdMob, one of the world’s largest mobile advertising networks. The network presently serves over 7 billion ads per month on smart phones and other mobile devices. This $750 million merger, along with Apple’s $275 million acquisition of Quattro, sets the stage for online advertising’s next frontier – mobile web and display ads with a heavy dose of geo-targeting.
You know that man on the corner shaking a banner that says “SALE” or “SAVE BIG”? Well, through this new development, he just grabbed some space inside your mobile device. Through GPS-enabled apps, merchants can scream, “Hey you hanging out in my 5-mile radius. Come by my store NOW for a great deal.” And you know what? You probably will.
We all knew Big Brother would be watching, but did we know we’d be helping him out so much?
