IndustryBrains Launches Ad Placement System

A new product debuted yesterday by contextual advertising company IndustyBrains lets small businesses place skyscraper ads on Web sites such as BusinessWeek.com.

IndustryBrains, which already has a text-based contextual ad solution, added IBGraphics, in which advertisers can purchase graphical ad placements from IndustryBrain's partner sites, such as Business Week Online, PC World and Network World. IndustryBrains is a division of Marchex Inc., New York,

"For small mom and pop [businesses] that could not spend to advertise on a specific site, this allows them to get exposure on many different sites at a more effective CPM [cost-per-thousand impressions] rate," Elke Wong, vice president of marketing and development with IndustryBrains, told DMNews.

The placements are sold on an auction CPM basis, across verticals such as Business and Finance, Travel and Real Estate.

IBGraphics provides publishers a way to monetize their available graphical inventory "without cannibalizing their own sales efforts," according to a statement from IndustryBrains.