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- Kristin on The Yahoo Ambassador Test is Wrong!
- Christian on The Yahoo Ambassador Test is Wrong!
- Ben on Amplify Interactive: May '08 Update
- David Mihm on Amplify Interactive: May '08 Update
- Amplify Interactive: May ‘08 Update | Search Engine Marketing... AMPLIFIED on Who Needs a Blogging Strategy? Beginners.
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The Yahoo Ambassador Test is Wrong!
Published by Julian | Filed under Search Industry, PPC, Search Engines
Let me tell you a tale about Yahoo! minimum bids, Quality Score, and the Yahoo! Ambassador test…
Being the new guy here at Amplify, I have been slowly but surely working my way through the PPC certification process. Luckily, I’ve been gaining practical experience along the way. I was certified as a Google Qualified Professional in March and plunked down the $50 to take the Yahoo test last week. All went fine and I passed my certification - but I was surprised to see that I possibly got a question wrong about minimum bids! Here’s why:
Kristin received an update from Yahoo last month stating that sponsored search minimum bids are no longer fixed at $0.10, although content match minimum bids will stay at $0.10. Also stated was that higher ad quality may help advertisers receive lower minimum bids. From Yahoo:
“The amount set as your minimum bid on a keyword in Sponsored Search can vary depending on multiple factors, such as:
•The number of bidders and bid amounts in the particular keyword market
•The quality of your keywords, or their relevance to advertisers, as measured by the quality of the ads associated with them”
It would appear that Yahoo! will start using a metric like “Quality Score” that Google uses. Possibly/Probably this has to do with the fact they announced they will be running some of Google’s Adwords ads in their search results. My pure speculation is that this is the case. They have no choice but to use this metric if they want to run these ads in their searches, otherwise Google would be charging based on this metric for search but not returning based on this metric in Yahoo!.
Either way, when I took the Yahoo! Ambassador test later that week (aced it!), the information about this had not been updated as you can see in this screenshot. Somebody might want to tell them. Also, please refer to me as “The Ambassador” or “Ambassador Jules” if you see me out.
I’ve emailed the test administers about this, and when/if I hear back, I will make a follow-up post. Perhaps, I will get some bonus points and be a Super-Ambassador.
Amplify Interactive Job Opening - SEM Director
Published by Ben | Filed under Amplify-Interactive
SEM Director
This position will report directly to the President, and will be directly responsible for improving services and client relationships. We are looking for an enthusiastic, knowledgeable and experienced individual to help drive the next phase of growth for Amplify Interactive. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in search marketing, and will have the unique opportunity to make a direct contribution to the success of our clients and our company.
Qualifications Include
- 5+ years prior experience in online marketing environment. Search engine marketing background desired, but direct mail, PR and even web development & technical experience are a plus also
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Computer Science, MIS, or related discipline
- Demonstrated SEO (search engine optimization) experience. Project portfolios & documentation examples are a plus
- Demonstrated SEM/PPC experience. Preferably certified with Google & Yahoo. Project portfolios & documentation examples are a plus.
- Strong client/project management skills
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
- Disciplined organizational skills in all aspects of job performance with strong attention to detail
- Personable, professional and pleasant demeanor suitable for client services role
- Comfortable in a fast-paced, informal environment
- EXPERT with Microsoft Office applications, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook / Entourage*
- *Amplify Interactive is primarily a Mac environment
- Comfortable analyzing large quantities of data using Excel
- Experience with web analytics programs such as WebTrends, HitBox, Google Analytics, Omniture, etc
- Experience with paid search management tools & SEO/SEM tools
- Basic understanding of common web technologies as they relate to Web sites & search engine optimization such as Flash, HTML, CSS, JavaScript & other Web site development technologies.
Interested?
Please see the full job description, requirements and information on how to apply at our site (no phone calls please!):
http:/www.amplify-interactive.com/aboutus/careers.htm
Amplify Interactive: May ‘08 Update
Published by Ben | Filed under Amplify-Interactive, Events
Here’s the latest in what’s happening @ Amplify Interactive
Good Times
The team recently took a much-deserved afternoon off for good times out at Edgefield for some beers, some golf and some laughs. It turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day, and Christian captured it all on a recent post. You can check our flickr photostream for pics.
New Clients & Client News
- UBuildIt: We’re launching a new Flickr presence for UBuildIt to leverage their amazing owner-builder custom home construction & remodeling project photos and raise awareness amongst the DIY enthusiast set.
- Rocketbook: We’re patiently waiting to launch a search marketing campaign for a redesigned MyRocketBook.com… should be any day now
- Fios, Inc.: We’ve launched a redesign of DiscoveryResources.org which has consolidated a number of their previous Web properties, and was built on Wordpress so they could further engage their audience and more easily add & update content
- Identity Experts: We’ve launched a new blog DataBreachWatch.org to help ID Experts gain more traction in the data breach space.
- Novas: Long time client Novas Software was recently acquired by EDA solutions provider SpringSoft. We’re working with the Web team to transition the Novas site to SpringSoft.com and work up a new SEM strategy for SpringSoft.
- Polygon Homes: Recently launched a new resources section on their site
Upcoming Marketing & Networking Events
We’ll be participating in or attending the following events
- 5/15: BusinessWire Luncheon “REACH FOR THE TOP Oregon! Learn About Search Engine Optimization (SEO) with a panel of experts“. Ben will be speaking about content & SEO
- 5/20: SEMpdx presents: “SEM Hot Seat + Matt McGee & the SEO Pyramid“
- 5/22: SEMpdx presents: Webinar: “Secrets to Creating a Search Friendly Website”
- 5/22 - 5/23: WebVisions
- 6/3 - 6/4: SMX Advanced, Seattle
- 7/17 - 7/18: Internet Strategy Forum Summit
- I know I’m missing at least one or two more - where should we be in the next month?
In Case You Missed It
Our most popular blog posts last month (see if you can spot a theme…)
- Want to help Google label some images?
- The Google dance is back: Google algorithm update (”Dewey”)
- Video search ads on Google
- Who needs a blogging strategy? Beginners (Finally, one that IS NOT about Google)
I think that’s it for this update. Thanks for reading this far, and sticking with us!
The day all of us at Amplify Interactive were all winners
Published by Christian | Filed under Amplify-Interactive
On April 25, Amplify Interactive went to the Edgefield McMenamins for half the day to get away from the office a bit, talk about company business & mostly just have a lot of fun. All of these objectives were definitely accomplished on that beautiful Friday afternoon.
After taking a quick tour from the experienced Edgefield McMenamin’s Amplify Interactive team member, the prez, we went and enjoyed some drinks & eats while talking about company business. After filling our stomachs with delicious food & spirits, it was time to hit the pitch-and-putt course.
Kristin wasn’t feeling golfing at the time… so she opted to walk around the place & snap some pics. Gotta say, she snapped some fine pics:

So the guys went onward, golf clubs, cigars & beer in hand(s), and set out to pitch-and-putt their way to Amplify Interactive 3-par champion glory. The prez, being the most experienced golfer of the bunch, dazzled with shots you wouldn’t believe. Julian, AKA Jesus AKA Inspecta Dexta, hit the green more times than anyone else (that’s what she said). And C-Block rounded it out with blowing a bet w/ the Prez and losing in a putting competition.

At the end of the day, it turned out that Ben pretty much demolished Julian & Christian on the golf course. But, looking back on that day, I’d be damned if I didn’t say that everyone at Amplify Interactive was a winner…
Speaking about SEO with some PR types
Published by Ben | Filed under Events
I’ll be speaking at an upcoming BusinessWire event along with Kent Lewis of Anvil Media, Inc. & Sean McMahon of EngineWorks:
REACH FOR THE TOP Oregon! Learn About Search Engine Optimization (SEO) with a panel of experts
Thursday, May 15, 2008
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM (lunch included)
World Trade Center
25 SW Salmon Street
Portland, Oregon 97204
$10 for BusinessWire members, $20 for non-members.
For more info & to register:
Or see the event on Upcoming


