Google Proposes New Book Deal Settlement

After getting an extension earlier this month, Google has finally proposed another settlement in the case over its book deal. The new settlement, filed on Friday, might still allow Google to provide access to in-copyright, out-of-print books. The new settlement may also help them to sidestep problems with copyright laws in some European countries.

The deal will also remove a clause that some believed meant that no other retailer would be able to get as good a deal as Google for those works.

The proposed settlement also takes care of so-called “orphan” works—works where the copyright holder is unknown or unlocateable. The settlement provides for appointing a trustee to sell the rights to other companies and to guard the proceeds for unknown holders for up to 10 years. For those holders who still haven’t been located, the funds will be donated to charity.

The DoJ, which effectively killed the last settlement attempt, says they’re still looking into the deal. The newly proposed settlement, of course, restarts the judicial approval process as well. Judge

Why I May Run Ads in My Twitter Stream

It’s been interesting to see more and more bloggers moving their thoughts to Twitter. I’ve certainly found myself blogging less, and instead using Twitter to share my thoughts, links, and news.

The downside to that approach is that complete inability to directly monetize that content on Twitter. With Marketing Pilgrim, I can place ads around our posts–and even in our RSS feeds–which helps offset the amount of time and money that goes into bringing Marketing Pilgrim updates to you multiple times a day. When I forsake the blog for Twitter, I’m giving up anywhere from a Big Mac to a filet minion–in terms of lost ad revenue.

Of course, there are plenty of ways to “monetize” Twitter, but I’m starting to consider whether I should look at my Twitter stream the same way I look at Marketing Pilgrim. Then along comes a press release for a new Twitter ad network called Ad.ly.

Ad.ly enables Twitter publishers to make money from the content they produce on Twitter by automatically sending one Tweet every other day from advertisers that they approve. In order to ensure authenticity, every Ad.ly Tweet is explicitly approved by the Twitter publisher.  The publishers are able to set the price they want advertisers to pay and can optionally donate part or all their earning to charity. Each advertiser that signs up for the Ad.ly service will be screened prior to making any offers in order to ensure that only the highest quality of brands and services are using the platform.  Unlike other similar advertising platforms, Ad.ly aims to set a standard for in-stream Twitter advertising.

For the first time, I’m intrigued by Twitter ads. Enough that I signed up for an account. No ads running yet, but I did grab an account. What intrigues me is the way Ad.ly is set up.

I decide how much to charge for each ad campaign.

Ad.ly profiles me to ensure the submitted ads are targeted to my audience.

I decide which individual ads are approved to publish to my Twitter stream.

Ad.ly inserts just 1 tweet in my feed every other day for 7 days.

All ads are clearly labeled as such. Here’s an example:

If I’m going to test advertising in my Twitter stream, Ad.ly has pretty much all that I’d ask of platform.

Right now, I’ve set my weekly price at $1,000–hey, if I’m going to do this, it had better be worth it!–so I don’t expect a land rush of advertisers, looking to place ads. Heck, I may not ever approve an ad that I feel comfortable with.

I guess my next question is: what do you think of ads in Twitter streams? More specifically, would you unfollow me, because of ads like this?

YouTube Videos Getting Off-Site Overlay Links

Although the latest planned feature for YouTube looks like an ad, for once YouTube’s rolling out something somewhat noteworthy that’s not part of its continue search for revenues. The feature? Overlays, like InVideo ads, that feature off-site links.

As TechCrunch reports, “you probably thought it was already out there.” But to-date, YouTube hasn’t allowed any links embedded in its videos other than a.) ads or b.) links to other YouTube videos. If you needed to link to your website, blog, Twitter profile, etc., you had to do it in the right-hand sidebar, where it would be largely ignored.

YouTube ran a similar promotion in March for charity:water. This video from the organization features the overlay:

The move is unique in that this is the first non-advertising off-site links YouTube has allowed. However, the program will only be open to YouTube’s advertisers participating in the CPC Promoted Videos program. TechCrunch says the program is launching today.

What do you think? Will this result in more people leaving YouTube—or more people signing up as Promoted Video advertisers?