Uber Launches Advertising Arm To Tap Lucrative Revenue Stream

Uber is launching a dedicated advertising arm in a push to cash in on a captive audience and tap the higher-margin revenue stream. From a report: The new division encompasses ad offerings on Uber's ride-hailing and food-delivery apps. On Uber Eats, for example, brands will be able to pay for sponsored listings, prominent placing on the homepage or checkout, and featured menu items. Uber also rolled out Journey Ads, a new service that runs advertisements for ride-share users while they wait for their driver and during their trip. More than 40 brands have partnered with Uber to run Journey Ads, including NBCUniversal and Heineken NV, Uber said in a statement on Wednesday. The move expands Uber's prior efforts to monetize an audience of 122 million monthly active users.

I don't think so

[A10Mechanic]

So, I'm paying for that ride, and have to watch your advertising while I do it? Hard pass.

Re:

[Joe_Dragon]

seems like an taxi and some taxis do have video screens with ad's in them.

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[Passman]

Sure they do, but then the taxi is supplying the screen, battery and data to provide this.

If they want me to use my device, my battery, and my data to see their ads there had better be something in it for me.

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[vanyel]

Makes me glad I always use Lyft instead.

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[whitroth]

And if it sucks for the rider, think of the driver - for them, it's like the store clerks who had to listen to Billy Bass all freakin' day.

Unplug the damn thing.

hahaha

[timeOday]

You think I'm your "captive audience"? Just you wait and see.

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[dbialac]

Yep, it's not a hard product to replicate.

Re: hahaha

[RegistrationIsDumb83]

In my area, for some reason Lyft is like two or three times as expensive. But yeah, if they were even roughly comparable, I'd use the no-ad one.

Advertising arm..

[Z80a]

What it does? it holds board signs with sponsored content? it draws ads on a white board? it pulls you to the store?

Re:

[timeOday]

That reminds me of riding Greyhound, "we will now be making a brief 20 minute courtesy stop at Bob's Travel Center for any refreshment needs you may have."

Whomst?

[muh_freeze_peach]

Who is staring at the uber app after they hail a ride? Aren't there notifications to let you know when the ride has arrived or is close to arriving? And when in the car, are people still staring at the uber app during the ride? Who are these people?

Did they do another inverment round?

[thesjaakspoiler]

Because they will probably be throwing billions at this in an attempt to disrupt the market.