Is The Banner Ad The Bane Of Our Existence?

Cute and beautiful rabbit sitting. Sign in his paw over his head. Isolated on white background, reflection, a lot of copy space.

This story was originally published by

One quote suggested you're more likely to survive a plane crash than click on a banner ad.




Two things I’ve read recently brought this question to mind. Last week I came across (and posted via Twitter, LinkedIn and G+) a quote that claimed you are more likely to survive a plane crash than you are to click on a banner ad.

Seems plausible given that in recent memory, I’ve clicked on exactly the same number of banner ads as I have experienced plane crashes. (Zero in both cases.)

But that made me remember a quote I saw in the New York Times about a month ago.

…banner ads have ruined the appearance and usability of the web, perverted content and diminished privacy.

Overstate things much?

I’m certainly not here to defend the banner ad. But, really? We’re going to blame the banner ad itself when it’s really the stunning lack of creativity and usability science shown by nearly every major online publisher in creating the banner ads that are out there?

That seems backwards. I agree that banner ads are a pox and would prefer a web without them, but the issue is not the banner ads themselves; it’s the insistence on thinking in old advertising paradigms rather than heading off in new directions that available technologies make possible.

Read the full article here.




Please login with linkedin to comment

Campaign. The Footnotes

Latest News

Tara Ford To Serve On Titanium Jury At Cannes Lions
  • Advertising

Tara Ford To Serve On Titanium Jury At Cannes Lions

Tara Ford, chief creative officer of The Monkeys and Accenture Song, is set to serve on the Titanium jury at this year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The Aussie adland legend said that she “can’t wait” to join the panel of judges and that the Award was particularly close to her heart. “Titanium is […]

“Be Like A Skunk At A Garden Party”: Author Patrick Radden Keefe On Investigating Pharma
  • Marketing

“Be Like A Skunk At A Garden Party”: Author Patrick Radden Keefe On Investigating Pharma

Patrick Radden Keefe (pictured), author of global bestseller, Empire of Pain, talked to B&T‘s Nancy Hromin at the Samsung Jaipur Literary Festival about reputation laundering, aggressive marketing strategies and the privilege of still being able to practice pure journalism and be paid for it. Keefe’s in-depth reporting in publications such as The New Yorker and […]