Broken Promises + Piss Poor Management = Never Off the Ground

The NetAudioAds - PayPerPlay network was announced with an enormous amount of flurry to build a "publisher pool" to deliver adverting in an auto played audio format it is apparent that they have yet to meet a single deadline that they have imposed on themselves.

Their forum traffic is almost nil as it does appear that the publishers have jumped ship. Even the vocal ones that were holding hands singing Kumbaya and encouraging others to keep the faith have abandoned them.

The Founder of PayPerPlay, Charles Heflin, has abandoned the party if his lack of involvement is any indication. Larry Host, the telecom pariah, uses his intimidation tactics to keep people in line to the point even the ones supporting this effort don't reach out to him anymore.

I think we can now officially mark down the PayPerPlay network and NetAudioAds as DOA. Hopefully the talented people that that started voice2page can regain control of this shell and turn the technology into a viable product.

This reminds me of the auto surf debacles, fortunately people did not lose any money, unless they paid to promote it, just time and expectations.

Are these Political Ads Legal?

At the PayPerPlay forum, Larry Host of NetAudioAds commented on the political ads running on the PayPerPlay Network. The real question is do these ads fall into the guidelines given by the Federal Election Commission?

Larry Host States:

One of the demo ads is for Heather Wilson in New Mexico. We decided to make the demo ads as realistic as possible so that advertisers could envision how theirs would sound.

We will probably not have paid political ads until closer to the conventions and elections.

We have several campaigns on board already and more are coming in.

The real question for politicians using this form of advertising can can meet the requirements of the Federal Election Commission Required Disclaimers inside of the 5 Second Ad.

Taken from the FEC Website:

What disclaimers must appear in political ads and mailings?

Political committees must include a clear and conspicuous disclaimer on all "public communications" (e.g., TV and radio ads, newspaper, magazine or outdoor advertising, and mass mailings or telephone banks to the general public). Public communications financed by individuals or other organizations must include a disclaimer if the communication expressly advocates a candidate's election or defeat or solicits funds. The disclaimers must indicate who paid for the communication and whether or not it was authorized by a candidate. Unauthorized ads must also include contact information for the sponsoring organization. For additional information, see our brochure, Special Notices on Political Ads and Solicitations.

While it is not my position to advise politicians to run their campaign but it just appears that Political Ads via the PayPerPlay Network may not be able to deliver an effective political advertisement and meet the disclosure requirements inside of a 5 second "adlet".

While NetAudioAds may not have to adhere to the equal time rules because they are not a licensed broadcast medium they may very well be required to report their contributions to the candidates and limits mandated by Federal Law. Maybe the Federal Election Commission can provide an audit that the publishers have been desperately waiting on...

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