[BC] RE: Speaking of Google..

[Tom Taggart]

They are undoubtedly trying to gauge the market for their automation system.  Remember this is the former Scott Studios/D-Marc system that they acquired when they bought D-Marc.  Their gimmick is that they will subsidize or even give you the system free (depending on market size) if you agree to let them sell your unsold inventory.

You would have to close your log by a certain time in the late afternoon or early evening.  They would then scan the log and download spots into open breaks over-night.

I've had a running discussion about this on the WV radio message board.  For those stations with the system it does seem to be working well for them--one fellow in a rated market got his system for free, another had his system paid for in two years.

When I was pitched this by D-Marc two years ago, I was skeptical.  Seems like they wanted to be in a different business than selling automation systems. Had doubts at the time of the long-term viability of that idea, and was afraid  we would be stuck with an "orphaned" system.  Also didn't want our evening hours cluttered with a bunch of per-inquiry junk & breast enlargement products.  I still have my doubts after Google's purchase of D-Marc.

Google, however, according to other trade publications, is gearing up for something bigger, hiring sales people, opening NY offices.  Supposedly some talks with CBS Radio about selling their unsold inventory.  I also have my doubts about the "scalability" of the concept.  Nothing new under the sun--they appear to trying to become a rep firm.  We already have several in this business. 
--