Short Takes: FM Buys Lijit, Rethinks Network Model

When Federated Media Publishing launched back in 2006, it was a pretty straightforward proposition. Founder and former Wired and Industry Standard publisher John Battelle saw an opportunity with the rise of independent Web content creators to represent them in an outsourced publishing function — and act as a filter for advertisers to find indie voices with real audiences.

FM still does that, but its purchase of Lijit yesterday confirms that the network model is undergoing changes. FM still hangs its hat on “conversational” marketing programs that require heavy lifting by a sales team. But Lijit provides FM with a monetization technology used by many medium-sized and small sites. FM plans to dip its toes into real-time bidding by using Lijit to let advertisers buy on its indie sites in an efficient manner.

It’s a smart move to realize that media buying is changing. Just repping small sites with a sales force isn’t a great business. After all, just note that FM’s alumni list — sites that ended up moving on from using its services — includes TechCrunch and Mashable.

More in Media

As creators increasingly move into Hollywood, deal terms can put their IP at risk

Advertising Week New York explored the business of creator-led programming across entertainment, and the problems arising within it

Apple’s Safari ad tech blocklist sends publishers back to IAB Tech Lab’s Trusted Server

What publishers once filed under someday now has a deadline, and Apple set it.

Media Briefing: As AI search shifts referrals, publishers revisit registration walls 

As referral traffic declines, publishers are rethinking registration walls as a way to turn anonymous visitors into valuable known users.