As if the newspaper industry has not given enough ground to online companies already, Google is now moving forward with its Google Publication Ads project according to several reports around the blogosphere. What does this mean? It means that Google is beta testing with a undisclosed Chicago newspaper a process that allows advertisers to buy newspaper adspace through Google. Ad buyers can then choose publications by circulation, demographics or keywords and then create the ad using text and graphics. Google will then run the ad by the publisher for approval and then the ad will be placed.
This is an interesting move by Google and will further expand their role as an advertising powerhouse by now acting as a reseller of the print ad space. What will Google get into next billboards?
To read the buzz in the blogosphere about the Google Publication Ads project check out posts on Micro Persuasion, AdJab, The Media Drop, MemeBattle, TechDirt and Jaffe Juice.