Bill Gross, a serial entrepreneur who tried to purchase Tweetdeck earlier this year before losing out to Twitter, has launched Chime.in, a revenue-sharing social site. The website offers users a “chimeline” that aggregates posts, photos and videos and organizes them according to topics, time posted and clicks. Top users are allowed to keep all of the advertising revenue from their pages if they are able to sell their own ads; they receive 50 percent of revenues if Chime.in places the ads for them.
This revenue model hasn’t worked very well in the past; in the ’90s, pay-to-surf models failed as did most pay-per-post startups. This time around, the landscape is different. Consumers are spending much of their day online, posting intimate details about brand preferences, their lifestyles and favorite content online and off. That’s highly valuable data, and consumers don’t receive anything for their freely posted content. Social media companies make billions off display ads, and in an era that has consumers becoming more accustomed to asserting their personal power, Chime.in might just have a chance.
More in Media
The case for and against publishers buying paid traffic
For many audience development teams, the question is no longer whether to buy traffic, but how far they can push it.
Uber Advertising, the NFL, WPP Media and Mazda are among the finalists of the 2026 Digiday Media Buying and Planning Awards
The Digiday Media Buying and Planning Awards recognize companies, campaigns and technology that have been most successful in the modern media landscape. This year’s nominees leaned on emotionally driven narratives and audience-driven personalizations to deliver connected, full-funnel experiences at scale. Nominees in the Media Campaign of the Year category include Uber Advertising, which built a […]
Why retailers like Target and Aerie are moving beyond straight affiliate deals with creators
Creator programs are changing as retailers like Target and Aerie realize they require a multifaceted approach that doesn’t just rely on affiliate links.