Marketing Pilgrim

Dow Jones’ Mark Boslet writes about the benefits to advertisers should AOL switch alliances from Google to MSN.

Microsoft is jousting with Google Inc. to win an advertising partnership with AOL that could reshape the online search advertising business. If Microsoft and AOL were to join forces, their reach among Internet users would surpass both Google’s and Yahoo Inc.’s.

Would an AOL/Microsoft deal be a good thing for advertisers? I think so…

An AOL deal would be a significant endorsement of Microsoft’s fledgling search engine and advertising efforts, says Andy Beal, chief executive of Fortune Interactive, a search marketing company.

“A good level of competition could come out of this and would be good for advertisers and agencies,” Beal said. “There is a need for another strong player to enter this market.”

Nathan Weinberg has details of a handy little RSS ticker now available in Gmail.

So, what are Web Clips? Basically, its a simple RSS ticker, showing headlines from RSS feeds above your Gmail inbox (or Spam folder, as it were). Clicking a “Customize� button on the right of the Web Clip bar lets you change options for it, or turn it off if it annoys you.

Cnet reports that Click Defense is pulling out as the lead plaintiff in a lawsuite filed against Google with AIT picking up the lead.

Over at Xooglers, former Google employees share some the things they remember saying during their first month. Some funny stuff, including:

“Okay, so there are eight shelves full of HTML and Linux reference books. Where do we keep the dictionary and thesaurus? Yeah, I know I can find stuff online, but I’d still like a hard copy. No, I can’t just print out the words when I look them up.�

“How long does it take the sauna to get hot? You think it’s okay to go in the women’s locker room to get some towels since we’re out in here?�

A company sauna? I knew we were missing something!

The nominations are in and Loren has a bunch of search-related blogs for you to vote on. Surprisingly, Marketing Pilgrim was among the nominations…I’m humbled, especially as this site is only 3 months old. Maybe we’ll win “Best Newcomer”

If you nominated us (and indeed vote for us), many thanks!

Via AP news…

Ross Levinsohn, the Internet chief at News Corp., told investors Tuesday the company was considering teaming up with a partner in sponsored search as it expands its online strategy.

Levinsohn, speaking at a media conference sponsored by the UBS investment bank, said it was still unclear whether Rupert Murdoch’s media conglomerate would acquire an Internet search provider or form a partnership with one. He said the company was hearing proposals from several parties, including Quigo Inc.

Who’s your guess?

When you get together a group of technology experts, journalists and analysts and ask them to discuss Google, you end up with some very interesting reading.