Short Takes: Google’s Shaky Display Future

Google remains the Goliath in Internet advertising. But there are signs of weakness, at least with some on Wall Street.

Stifel Nicolaus analyst Jordan Rohan’s assertion that “the center of gravity on the Internet is shifting from Google to Facebook.” Rohan stated that there  is “a CMO-level push to keep growth in search budgets low in 2012, while shifting spend to social and display.” Facebook is predicted to continue as a formidable challenger in display, while “distractions”, like Google’s social, local and mobile investments threaten to diminish its market share.

Citigroup analyst Mark S. Mahaney in an interview with AllThingsD stated that Yahoo and AOL reported lower display revenue in the second quarter, “which could be signs of increased competition from ad networks and social media for premium ad dollars.” That means that greater competition in the display may be impacting the potential value investors can derive from their investments, at least in the eyes of analysts. This competitive market might be good for marketers, as companies have to fight for advertising dollars, but it makes investors nervous.

https://digiday.com/?p=2343

More in Media

From sidelines to spotlight: Esports events are putting creators center stage

Esports events’ embrace of content creators reflects advertisers’ changing priorities across both gaming and the wider culture. In the past, marketers viewed esports as one of the best ways to reach gamers. In 2025, brands are instead prioritizing creators in their outreach to audiences across demographics and interest areas, including gaming.

Condé Nast and Hearst strike Amazon AI licensing deals for Rufus

Condé Nast and Hearst have joined the New York Times in signing a licensing deal with Amazon for its AI-powered shopping assistant Rufus.

Media Briefing: AI payouts may be entering a new era 

AI compensation is evolving — and new models, not just publisher demands, are driving the shift beyond flat-fee licensing.