The popular Australian-based travel site makes a sea change on February 1st: the debut of graphical advertising on the website.
Lonely Planet gets a bit more crowded soon, as the publisher begins implementing graphical ads online, a first in its 12-year history online. The company announced in a statement how it planned a “tongue-in-cheek” debut of those ads starting January 23rd:
LonelyPlanet.com will prepare visitors to its site for the upcoming advertising with a rotation of witty house ads with taglines along the lines of: “Relax, this won’t hurt a bit,” and “No Pain No Gain.”
The publisher said it would work with Travel Ad Network, who would represent Lonely Planet in selling banner and skyscraper advertising in the Americas. Lonely Planet does not accept print advertising, a factor that could help boost popularity and ad rates for the website.
“The opportunity to advertise on LonelyPlanet.com presents advertisers a unique opportunity to communicate with travelers who are intrepid, curious-minded and socially aware and who are actively engaged in researching and planning their next journey,” said Cameron Holland, Vice President eCommerce at Lonely Planet.
Lonely Planet has featured sponsored text ads delivered by AdSonar, and placed below the fold. ” We do not, and never will, accept payment in exchange for an opinion, review, recommendation or endorsement and we will not provide favorable treatment to organizations who advertise on the site,” the publisher said in a statement when those ads debuted.
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David Utter is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business.