Tom Foremski, Silicon Valley Watcher

A little while ago I challenged my readers to come up with something different from advertising banners and marketing messages.

I have asked many people, "What else could you do in the space taken up by a banner ad, or a side-column skyscraper ad? Something that is novel and is useful to the readers rather than flashing and annoying marketing messages. Maybe something which demonstrates your thought-leadership or that of your clients."

Well, I've been collecting some excellent suggestions and we've only just begun.

My favorite so far, is from SVW sponsor Tibco, which is to produce an AJAX based "banner ad." It will showcase Tibco's AJAX prowess, but it could also usher in an entirely different type of media component.

As far as I know this will be the the world's first AJAX banner ad!

And it will be the first banner ad that is also an application!

But what should the content of such a new AJAX banner ad be?

We're working on two ideas, which should be ready by the new year. And I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, and just what do you think would make for great content or application, utilizing this concept.

Also, this is exactly the kind of thing I, and hopefully you, my readers want to be involved in: innovation. This comes from the application of technologies, processes, and insight. And it is a lot more exciting than doing things the old way, imho :-)

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Please see: The new media needs new types of innovation--not more banner ads