As regular readers know, AdJab is retiring. AdJab has been a wonderful blog for us. As somebody who records TV shows on his computer partly to capture the commercials (rather than skip over them), I have really enjoyed reading AdJab's daily exploration of the industry and its products.
It's important to point out that a blog retirement is not a blog failure. Here at Weblogs, Inc. we are continually honing our network to be the best content engine for readers and bloggers both. In part, that means figuring out how to divide our resources that, sadly, are not infinite. We have changed tremendously in the last three years, expanding wildly at the start into a sort of bulk publishing model, then refining and contracting somewhat into a leaner machine. We have more bloggers than ever before, and fewer blogs. That means a dazzling concentration of minds and voices in our chosen fields of publication.
Whenever we make a change, there is some disappointment among readers, and sadness for everyone -- including those of us involved in decision-making. We take it all seriously; nothing about this is capricious. AdJab has lived close to our hearts, too.
I speak for everyone on the Weblogs, Inc. team when I give the greatest appreciation to our amazing bloggers, who wake up every single day thinking, "What will I dig up today?" Professional blogging is unlike any other freelance writing gig, in both its relentless schedule and editorial freedom. I am always proud of our team, and frequently awed. The WIN production team is working with affected bloggers to find new ways of contributing to the network.
In the case of AdJab, look for continued coverage of ads in TV Squad. In particular, watch for our Super Bowl ad coverage. That page will host some intense live-blogging of the big game and its endlessly entertaining, controversial ads.
Finally, thanks to everyone who took an interest in Adjab, both casual visitors and dedicated readers.
AdJab's retirement
Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. Joseph-- sorry you're offended. I do not take you or anyone else to be an idiot. The decision to retire a blog is complex, and there are a lot of factors to consider. As in most companies, our detailed internal discussions and data are private. But what I posted above, while general, is true. Our resources an not limitless. We decide how to spend them. Our network is smaller than a year ago, but we have more bloggers. We try to keep bloggers in the network when we retire a blog. The decisions can be emotional for us. Our bloggers are our greatest assets.
Not sure what part of all that you don't believe, but it's sincere.
3. let's face it, Weblogs Inc. is a business, and this was a business decision. There probably just aren't that many of us Media Planners out there to make the advertising revenue generated from us already ad-resistant folk worthwhile. Notice how the ads are already gone from these pages?
I salute the AdJab writers and staff for covering the advertising industry better than just about anybody out there. AdAge in :60 has been the best resource around for the quick summary of the daily advertising happenings. Best of luck to you all!
Posted at 3:57PM on Feb 1st 2007 by brien
4. Too bad -- what are some recommendations for other ad-focused blogs out there? TV Squad's summaries of TV shows don't do it for me.
Posted at 1:17AM on Feb 2nd 2007 by Scott
5. Now that's irony, a marketing and ad blog is closing because it wasn't getting enough readers.
Maybe they should have spent less time analyzing other marketing and ad concepts and tried to apply some of them to THIS blog. lol.
All joking aside, thats very sad, I really liked this blog.
Posted at 1:30PM on Feb 2nd 2007 by Cee Rubin
6. I think it's funny that the blog gets closed JUST when the largest ad-related story in quite some time breaks. I am, of course, talking of what I've affectionately dubbed the Boston Mooninite Party. Way to blow it, guys.
Posted at 2:04PM on Feb 2nd 2007 by Sam G.
7. We will be happy to take over the AdJab blog here at Ad-ology if Weblogs would agree.
Posted at 6:50PM on Feb 2nd 2007 by C. Lee Smith
9. I would just like to thank you from http://BikiniJoes.com you have helped us any many ways with our GoDaddy Girls Bikinis and when we did the GoDaddy TV ads in Miami. We had a lot of response to you comments and posts.
10. I for one enjoyed this blog and you guys did a great job, sorry to hear that it's shutting down. Best wishes on your next endeavour and take care.
Posted at 10:44AM on Feb 5th 2007 by freezejeans
11. For those looking for another blog to get your ad info fix, I like AdFreak (http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/)
It's not perfect, but it's something.
Posted at 5:16PM on Feb 5th 2007 by Alicia
12. It's always nice when arrogant corporate jackasses pretend to actually give a damn about great content--which AdJab provided. I will be removing my RSS feeds from any and all blogs that are WIN-supported. What a load of horse shit from this corporate suit that posted this last blog.
Posted at 12:03AM on Feb 6th 2007 by Kevin Bailey
13. @12
amen, brother. amen!
Posted at 5:33PM on Feb 6th 2007 by wtf
14. And BTW, AdJab didn't "retire", you arrogant son of a bitch, you canceled it. Why? Didn't they "monetize enough eyeballs" for you and your corporate butt buddies? Perhaps if they'd have focused their blog on Paris Hilton and her lunacy, or maybe Brittany Spears and her lack of underwear? Maybe that would have "monetized enough eyeballs" for you? Whatever it was, you and your friends are arrogant jackasses who don't give a damn about great content. If you did, you wouldn't have killed AdJab.
Posted at 10:45PM on Feb 6th 2007 by Kevin Bailey
15. Man, first time I come here since January to read about the Super Bowl ads, and look what happened.
Did you forget the Super Bowl was three days after the planned retirement date?
Posted at 2:23AM on Feb 7th 2007 by obo
16. Obo-
This decision wasn't made for what was right or best, it was made because the AdJab guys weren't making enough money for the empty suits like Hill who like to pretend they care about content. They don't give a rat's ass that they're canceling one of the better ad-centered blogs out there. All they care about is the bottom line. Notice that skunk Hill hasn't come back since he gave the non-response to the first comment? That's pretty typical of his ilk. I'm surprised he hasn't just turned off comments on this thread.
Posted at 7:44PM on Feb 7th 2007 by Kevin Bailey
17. You guys ripping the site because it's shutting down is complete crap. Everything is about money, do you honestly think they were in it for the "good feeling". If it's not making money they aren't wrong for shutting it down. Your just being very selfish.
Posted at 8:17PM on Feb 7th 2007 by Tweeder
18. It's "selfish" to think that great content is its own reward? If you really believe that bullshit, you're no better than the WIN bigwigs that shut down this great site.
Posted at 11:55PM on Feb 7th 2007 by Kevin Bailey
19. Again, the fact that the plug was pulled just prior to the Super Bowl, an event that spikes traffic for ALL Ad blogs, shows how out-of-touch the people in charge really were. Having written for another group Ad blog(BMA), I can tell you that AdJab was one of the very few 'must-read' ad blogs out there. Shame that the 'powers that be' didn't know what they had, but the writers will hand on their feet, it's just the latest in a long line of blunders by AOL.
Posted at 12:16PM on Feb 8th 2007 by mack collier
20. Please consider auctioning this brand in our Marketer's For Charity effort.
http://www.brandingstrategyinsider.com/2007/01/marketers_for_c.html
100% of the proceeds will benefit cancer research.
Posted at 8:47PM on Feb 8th 2007 by Derrick Daye
1. What a load of bullshit. Sorry, but this response makes me sick. What kind of idiots to you take us for? Just be honest instead of this crap.
Posted at 3:07PM on Feb 1st 2007 by Joseph Jaffe