Book of Mormon ad, Seriously, Jim, Cyd? Options

[TC]

Given the Mormon stance on homosexuality, I'm a bit surprised to see an ad for the Book of Mormon on the site.

Disappointed as well.

[George Twins fan]

I see your point TC...but look at it this way...these dopey Mormons are wasting some of their money to advertise on a gay site! I think it's kind of great! Questions about some of the ads have come up before and many of these ads come from an ad service randomly...Jim and Cyd didn't negotiate an advertising deal with the Morman Church.

[TC]

So if Aryan Nation wants to run an ad on Outsports, you are all for it?

[George Twins fan]

Personally I would not have an issue with it. To me it's taking money out of their pockets and helping to support a gay website. I love irony. It's not like I'm going to click on the ad anymore than I would click on the Morman church ad or the John McCain ads that appeared during the election. These ads come from an ad service and they rotate. It certainly doesn't mean Outsports or it's users support the group; rather it would seem these groups are supporting Outsports.

[TC]

Sorry, I can't agree with the 'take the money and run' attitude. The Mormoms were a large part of the funding for the anti-Prop 8 fiasco. Integrity still counts somewhere in these United States I would hope.

[Maddog]

Jim and Cyd got a lot of flack for using a gay advertising network because people said it made the site look too much like a porn site. So they switched to a mainstream ad network. They don't have a lot of control which ads will appear. I'm not a big fan of the Morman church at the moment either. But seeing the ads on the site doesn't bother me.

[canmark]

I'm not seeing the Mormon ad (perhaps because I am in Canada and the ad server is supplying different ads). Can somebody post a pic? And has somebody clicked on the ad? Where does it take you to? It's possible that it's an "accident" (the Mormons paid for their ad to be placed on sports-related websites, and since Outsports is sports-related, it appears), or it could be intentional (the Mormons paid for their ad to be placed on LGBT websites; or specifically on Outsports.com). I'm seeing ad space that says "Ads by Pulse 360", but those ad spaces are blank(?) Could be a geo-targetting thing, where those advertisers are only paying for U.S. users.

In addition to obviously gay advertisers (Key West, Atlantis cruises, Interactive Male, FindFred.com--whatever that is), I've been seeing mainstream advertisers in the past (I think I've seen Bell Canada and Canadian Tire, plus things Arizona tourism), which I'm very happy about. I don't recall seeing any religious or potentially anti-gay advertisers, but I will take note.

[Jim at Outsports]

This ad must have come through one of our mainstream ad networks. I have no idea if the Mormons bought "sports" websites or targeted GLBT.

I have not seen it but if someone does, please note the URL to where it directs you.
Thanks,
Jim

[canmark]

Just noticed an ad for ESPN Fantasy Football on the homepage of Outsports.

[Joe in Philly]

Are some ads generated by your location (based on your IP address or something)? That would explain why canmark doesn't see some ads, and why I will see ads like "buy Phillies tickets on StubHub" at times.

[canmark]

Pulse 360, for example, says of their ad service (designed to make advertising more relevant to website users):

Context Target
With ContextTarget, we match your ads to the context of Web sites and pages....

Local Target
... With LocalTarget, your ads are matched to locally-based Web sites....

Demo Target
Demographic targeting allows you to target the customer demographic you are looking for...

Geo Targeting
Geo-targeting enables you to tailor your ads to the location of a specific Web user, down to the zip code level...

Site Specific
We give you the option to select the specific site(s) where you want your ad to appear...

[canmark]

After refreshing various pages to get different ads, I did come across this: Ads by Yahoo

Sidney Crosby Autograph
Browse a huge selection now. Find exactly what you want today.
www.ebay.com

Top 10 Fat Burner Reviews
2009's Top 10 Fat Burners Exposed Lose Fat. Feel Great. Save Money.
ConsumerBestDeals.com

Book of Mormon - Scriptorian Resources
Do not just read the Book of Mormon - remember it. Use Scriptorian to memorize and learn Book of Mormon verses and
www.softlore.com

WSU Cougar Merchandise
Washington State University Gear Tees, Jerseys, Sweats, Hats & more.
www.WazzuGear.com

Top 10 Stocks for 2009
America's 10 Leading Stock Experts Share Their Top Picks. Free Report.
NewsletterAdvisors.com

After a refresh I got a different selection of Ads by Yahoo:

Ditka's Sports Dome
Read this Sports Center's reviews & find more Sports & Recreation Info
chicago.citysearch.com

WSU Cougar Merchandise
Washington State University Gear Tees, Jerseys, Sweats, Hats & more.
www.WazzuGear.com

Jose Canseco Jersey's
Browse a huge selection now. Find exactly what you want today.
www.ebay.com

Legend Of Billie Jean DVD 1985
1985 Legend Of Billie Jean DVD Legend Of Billie Jean Movie DVD
MoviesHours.com/Legend

Women's Sports Tops at Devi Outdoor
Devi Outdoor sells a wide range of Sports Tops and bras.
www.devioutdoor.com

=============

Most do seem to be sports-related (even one about sports bras! ). That Mormon one is actually about some kind of software that will help you memorize scripture. I don't know that it has anything to do with the Mormon church.

[canmark]

OT: I was on the thread about Obama's healthcare plan... and saw an ad about Obama's healthcare plan! What great targeting. I didn't click on it (it may link to an anti-Obama healthcare site, for all I know), but it does show that advertisers on Outsports are not just gay-related, and are actually related to the content of the page. "Do You Support Obama's Healthcare Plan? Vote Here Now!" it says.

As I'm typing this message I see a GM banner ad to my right for the Chevrolet Aveo LT. "$12,995 cash purchase price. Includes $1000 loyalty bonus available on to current GM owners."

[canmark]

Just saw a Levi's ad on the Outsports homepage. Then when I clicked on the Discussion Board I saw an ad for the Air Canada Aeroplan American Express Platinum card. Somebody must think this is where the rich gays hang out...

[canmark]

You may not get this in the States, but today I noticed a banner ad on Outsports for the upcoming Bills vs. Jets game being held in Toronto. There's some Labatt's promotion, and the ad links to this: http://www.beerdeals.ca/bills/

As I type this I'm seeing a Sheraton Hotels banner ad.

I would say that the calibre of advertising on Outsports has definitely gone up in recent years, with lots of mainstream advertisers, and not just 'gay' things (not that there's anything wrong with that).

[SCTrojan]

I would say that the calibre of advertising on Outsports has definitely gone up in recent years, with lots of mainstream advertisers, and not just 'gay' things (not that there's anything wrong with that).

I 2nd it!

[canmark]

Today I saw an ad on Outsports that said: We're committed to helping you bring home a baby. I think it's for some in-vitro fertilization company. Edit to add: I had thought that banner ad was accidental, but looking at it again I see that it is specifically targetted to gay and lesbian people who are looking to have a baby.

I'm also seeing one for Ottawa tourism with a picture of two men kissing. And one for an LG LCD TV.