YouTube Ads Could Be a Boon, Blip for Google

08/27/07 - 06:27 AM EDT

Vishesh Kumar

Even $120 million would be only about 0.75% of Google's expected 2008 revenue.

But in his best-case scenario, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster sees the company making $1.1 billion over the next year. And while that analysis assumes rates rising to $40-per-thousand views, along with high-ad placement and YouTube growth rates, the view may be closer to correct if advertisers end up taking to the new format. Piper Jaffray makes a market in Google shares.

That's because if advertisers were to shift even 2% of the $81.9 billion that UBS estimates will be spent on television ads to the new video category -- about $1.6 billion -- the rates Google can charge could get a huge boost. UBS makes a market in Google shares.

The $20-per-thousand views Google is initially charging is comparable to rates charged by other high-end display media ads, says Kelly Harris, an account supervisor at ad agency GSD&M, whose clients include carmaker BMW.

But though the ads cost as much as other display ads, their rich video quality allows advertisers to embark on new techniques that are difficult to achieve with other types of advertising.

BMW, for example, is running ads that feature one of its cars -- just as it might on television. But a longer, more intricate campaign features a series of videos meant to be entertaining, which are only later revealed to be BMW ads.

Your Recent Quotes: Quote Up0 | Quote Down0
Dow S&P 500 NASDAQ
Oil*
Gold
10 Yr
0.00%
%
%
%
Data delayed 20 min
Free Newsletters from TheStreet

Cramer's Daily Booyah!
Highlights of Jim Cramer's videos
on TheStreet.com TV & his
"Mad Money" TV show.
Before the Bell
All the information you
need to position yourself
for the day ahead.
Submit
We respect your privacy.

Premium Stock Ideas
Access Action Alerts Plus to find out Cramer’s latest picks now!