Dan:
I didn't weigh in on the initial survey because I was away from a Web connection all day yesterday but here's my two cents.
I think pop unders/overs project the wrong image for a company like Amex (and yes, ST too). The ads are associated in my mind with more agrgressive hard sell campaigns (OK, the porn folks ruined that ad technique) and feel more like viruses than ads. Thus, the invention of blockers on the leading browser software.
I don't mind banners and sidebars as long as they aren't too blinky and I think they have a much better image in terms of appearing to co-sponsor a product or website such as ST. More like "ST presented by Amex"; a much better association than a disembodied pop-up that seems like someone hacked your site.
I know balancing ad space with site appearance is an issue. I really appreciate the collaborative nature of ST and your effort to keep it so.
Perhaps Amex would consider something besides a pop-up. Were any options given to you?
Mr. Uncaptured External Costs
Fossil carbon is planetary poison.
I didn't weigh in on the initial survey because I was away from a Web connection all day yesterday but here's my two cents.
I think pop unders/overs project the wrong image for a company like Amex (and yes, ST too). The ads are associated in my mind with more agrgressive hard sell campaigns (OK, the porn folks ruined that ad technique) and feel more like viruses than ads. Thus, the invention of blockers on the leading browser software.
I don't mind banners and sidebars as long as they aren't too blinky and I think they have a much better image in terms of appearing to co-sponsor a product or website such as ST. More like "ST presented by Amex"; a much better association than a disembodied pop-up that seems like someone hacked your site.
I know balancing ad space with site appearance is an issue. I really appreciate the collaborative nature of ST and your effort to keep it so.
Perhaps Amex would consider something besides a pop-up. Were any options given to you?
Mr. Uncaptured External Costs
Fossil carbon is planetary poison.