A triumph of marketeers at Skype

Skype are trialling running adverts within your Skype calls. How anyone could imagine this is a good idea is quite beyond me.

We’re excited to introduce Conversations Ads as an opportunity for marketers to reach our hundreds of millions of connected users in a place where they can have meaningful conversations about brands in a highly engaging environment. Skype is already at the center of meaningful conversations, where families, friends, and colleagues spend time together.

Really, go and read the original blog post to see a screenshot of this train wreck and the contortions the poor soul tasked with writing the announcement had to go through to make it seem positive.

Microsoft, who own Skype, say:

Through Skype, Microsoft Advertising customers can deliver innovative storytelling at a vast scale across PCs and mobiles, connecting brands with consumers.

I think most Skype users, however, will agree more with how Ars Technica put it:

Skype has provided a great service for years, keeping us connected with friends and family. But there’s always been one thing missing — marketers interrupting calls with giant display ads.