The model in itself is not particularly innovative. It does represent a large step forward in the maturation of entertainment products on the internet. However, most of the underlying technologies that will be used have been around for awhile, this is essentially just a round integrating various tools. The “pay for placement/audience” strategies are more or less just an adaptation of the traditional marketing approach used by media conglomerates to push entertainment products to the masses. The difference is that with all of the tools that Google has in its arsenal, the advertisers will have accurate data on the actual number of impressions that occur, as well as the sales data that comes in from the Google Affiliate Network.

As a whole, I welcome this development. It was inevitable and its good to know that framework for using this distribution method is in place. What will be interesting to see in the coming months is how Google will evaluate the partnership requests. In the long term, I think that the TubeMogul top 40 list will have more corporate media products listed in the top slots.

In that regard, I don’t think this provides as much of a model for those who aren’t already household names.