AdMob
Since it appeared in 2006, we’ve admired the name of the mobile phone ad distribution company Admob.
The word embeds the company’s concept (mobile phone advertising) and echoes a whimsical social use of mobile phones, flashmob.
Conceived in 2003 by Bill Wasik of Harper’s Magazine, a flashmob is a group of people assembled for a few minutes at a public place (the first flashmob was at Macy’s ninth floor rug department); sometimes in odd costume (everybody wears a red beret); sometimes behaving oddly (everybody chants a verse in Icelandic); sometimes just there, mute and unmoving.
Many more onliners know about flashmobs than have actually taken part in one, but the word and the idea are widely comprehended and generally admired.
So, when Admob appeared, we were mightily impressed with the name. It’s in the news now (late in 2009) because Google has just bought Admob for $750 million.
The company’s technology is probably great, and young consumers already conduct many of their e-transactions on iPhones and the like. But at NameLab, we like to think that the great name added to the price Google was willing to pay.
Tags: labnotes, namelab, Naming, Strategic Branding