Google & MySpace In $900 Million Deal On Search & Contextual Ads
Just in, an
announcement that Google and MySpace have reached a deal for Google to
provide search and contextual ads to MySpace, in return for giving MySpace
(well, the entire Fox Interactive Media network) $900 million in
guaranteed payments through 2010. From the press release:
MOUNTAIN VIEW and LOS ANGELES, Calif., August 7, 2006 – News Corporation’s
Fox Interactive Media and Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced a
multi-year search technology and services agreement whereby Google will be the
exclusive search and keyword targeted advertising sales provider for Fox
Interactive Media’s growing network of web properties including MySpace.com
(http://www.myspace.com).The agreement calls for Google to power web, vertical and site specific
search for MySpace.com and the majority of Fox Interactive Media properties.
Google will be the exclusive provider of text-based advertising and keyword
targeted ads through its AdSense program, for inventory on Fox Interactive
Media’s network. Google will also have a right of first refusal on display
advertising sold through third parties on Fox Interactive Media’s network.The integration of Google’s services including consistent search navigation
across Fox Interactive Media’s network of properties is slated to begin in the
fourth quarter 2006 and will provide users with access to Google’s industry
leading search capabilities as well as text and display advertising from its
global advertiser base.Under the terms of the agreement, Google will be obligated to make
guaranteed minimum revenue share payments to Fox Interactive Media of $900
million based on Fox achieving certain traffic and other commitments. These
guaranteed minimum revenue share payments are expected to be made over the
period beginning in the first quarter of 2007 and ending in the second quarter
of 2010.
I’m at our Search Engine Strategies show in San Jose at the moment, so I
don’t have time to do a long post on the news, which I’m still digesting. I’ve
taken a number of phone calls on it already, so I’ll provided what I’ve given to
some other reporters who have asked.
John Battelle notes there’s a conference call going on, plus he’s working on
some follow-ups, so keep an eye on his
post. I or Barry will
also postscript stories from elsewhere to our post here or do a fresh round-up
tomorrow.