Mobile ad network AdMob has launched its first advertising unit for Android applications, enabling developers to monetise their applications on the new device platform. The first developers to leverage AdMobs Android ad unit in their applications include AccuWeather, Jirbo, and TapJoy.
AdMobs Android ad unit will also allow brand and performance advertisers to reach the rapidly growing base of consumers engaging with applications on their Android devices. Advertisers will be able to use these ad units to drive customer actions such going to the Android Market to download an application.
Androids open platform enables developers to build rich mobile applications that provide a great experience for users, says Ali Diab, AdMobs Vice President of Product Management. We are already seeing strong interest in developing applications for Android-based devices, similar to what we saw with the iPhone last summer, and are very excited to take the lead in helping developers monetise their applications on this fast-growing device platform.
AdMob already serves ads on mobile websites on the Android platform and received more than 27 million requests in December 2008. The company says it expects Googles new mobile platform looks to become a major force in the mobile industry, with several new devices expected to come to market in 2009. AdMobs publisher network includes more than 6,000 mobile sites and 450 iPhone applications.