While we’ve seen plenty of iAd advertisements for the iPhone, we’ve yet to see any for the iPad. However, that will all soon change today as Apple unveils its first iAd for the iPad, and it doesn’t look like it will disappoint. What product or service has the honor of claiming first for iAds on the iPad? Tron Legacy. The sequel to the popular 1982 film is set to hit theaters this week, and advertisements will be popping up on the iPad today to promote the movie.
According to Ad Age:
Like its iPhone and iPod Touch predecessors, the first iPad iAd is chock-full of the rich graphics, touch navigation and video native to apps. The full-screen “Tron” ad, which will run in iPad apps such as TV Guide, includes close to 10 minutes of video, images from the movie, a theater locator with showtimes, and a preview of the movie soundtrack with the option to purchase on iTunes without leaving the ad. For the first time in any iAd, users will also be able to send email straight from within the ad.
Now the Tron Legacy iAd sounds like an advertisement I can seriously waste some time on. While the iAds on iPhone are pretty slick, and a hell of a lot more engaging and attention-grabbing than your average banner ad or ticker, it sounds like the iPad versions will be really rich and fun. Both Disney and Apple told Ad Age, “Disney and Apple are excited to debut the ‘Tron Legacy’ iAd today as a special preview of iAd for iPad, which launches next year. iAd brings ‘Tron’s’ pulsing energy and vivid graphic style to iPad’s stunning display, creating a truly immersive ad experience.”
It’s appropriate that Tron Legacy will be the first iAd since another Disney movie was used to first demonstrate – Toy Story 3. Since its launch, Apple hasn’t really disclosed figures on iAd sales, though we can assume it’s still taking some time to take off. After all, the ad platform is currently only available in the U.S., UK and France. Germany and Japan are slated for 2011, so it could be a while before Apple sees big numbers, though I’m sure the Tron Legacy deal was a big one.
Earlier this year there was a rumor that Adidas scrapped a $10 million deal due to Apple’s strict control over the creative process. It’s hard to say whether Apple has been a little more lax about the iAds process, but it’s clearly securing big enough deals to keep the advertising platform afloat.
[Via: Ad Age]