Three Start-Ups Ask: What Online Ad Slump?
There was a lot of bellyaching last year about an online advertising market meltdown. Most of it was justified, as many advertisers’ budgets seemed to involve money that jingles rather than the kind that folds.
Research firm eMarketer reported that U.S. online advertising dropped by 4.6 percent in 2009, the first decrease since 2002.
However, recent news coming from three Internet start-ups shows not everyone dependent on advertising shed tears on their financial statements.
This week alone, local online advertising provider Yodle Inc. announced a $10 million funding round on the back of a 135 percent revenue climb in 2009; female-focused ad network Glam Media Inc. said it grew revenue by 35 percent and raised a whopping $50 million Series E; and online video ad network BrightRoll Inc. declared it doubled revenue and raised $10 million.
