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?

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Mr. Uncaptured External Costs

Fossil carbon is planetary poison.

"Perhaps Amex would consider something besides a pop-up. Were any options given to you?"

no, i'm not the contact between AmEx and Slowtwitch. i definitely think Slowtwitch is the right place for this brand, but the problem is that it's just a *banner*.

the BEST ad relationships i have are those where it's more than just an ad. like the "be part of FISTory" thing christophe at SBR posted yesterday. what a great idea! that sort of integrated program really makes for a 'partnership' with Slowtwitch and its readers.

i think there's an AmEx program that could run here, but it would have to be more grass roots, and integrated, and specific to this site. perhaps my ad rep will go back and work that sort of thing out with AmEx, and i'd be a willing partner with AmEx in this case.

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Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

one word. . . Firefox

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"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." -Steve Prefontaine