On Feb. 14, 2008, adCenter customers in the U.S. received notice of an upcoming update to the adCenter Terms and Conditions. I sat down with Kelly Thomas, adCenter Product Marketing Manager, and Ken Weyel, Group Manager, Global Operations, to ask them some questions about the revisions. Here's the text from our interview.
Carolyn: What are the changes to the adCenter Terms and Conditions?
Kelly: We're adding a section that empowers our adCenter representatives to help you manage your account more efficiently – with your permission.
Ken: We've heard from a lot of customers, "I wish you could just do this for me," so now we're enabling this option for you. This terms and conditions expansion will enable us to provide you with more valuable service and support when it comes to your campaign performance.
Kelly: And also help save you time when you're managing your campaigns.
Ken: Right – with your approval, your adCenter representatives will now be able to assist you with your account to help you balance your workload, so you can focus on your business.
Carolyn: When is this change happening?
Kelly: For anyone who creates a new account on February 21 or thereafter, the updated terms and conditions will be in effect. For existing advertisers, the updated terms and conditions will go into effect 30 days after today's notice, and will be visible in the adCenter user interface on February 21.
Carolyn: Why are we making these changes?
Ken: We're continually focused on the customer experience and we feel these changes will allow us to meet our customers' service requests – we want to better serve you and increase your satisfaction, and we want you to be happier with the service we're offering.
Carolyn: How will this change affect customers' accounts?
Kelly: The change to the terms and conditions do not translate to any activity on your account unless you solicit and receive advice from adCenter.
Ken: Correct – if you'd like to participate in our optimization programs, then you can, without having to fill out an additional form as is currently required.
Kelly: The value in this offering as we see it is you could potentially receive better clicks and better conversions with assistance from an adCenter representative.
Carolyn: What are the benefits of the changes?
Ken: Ideally, with help from an adCenter Representative, you could see higher-performing campaigns. You can also learn optimization tricks & tricks, bidding strategies, and gain editorial guidance.
Kelly: This assistance will also potentially save you time by helping with your campaign management.
Carolyn: Where can customers view the T&C's?
Kelly: When you're signed into the adCenter user interface, click the "Advertiser Terms and Conditions" link in the bottom left-hand corner.
Carolyn: If customers don't want an adCenter Representative accessing or modifying their campaigns, how can they opt-out of this service?
Kelly: You don't have to opt-out; the service requires you to give permission for any changes to happen.
Carolyn: What about customers outside the U.S.? When will their Microsoft adCenter Agreement be updated?
Kelly: We're working with our legal departments in the Canada, Singapore, France, and U.K. markets to update their terms and conditions as soon as possible. We're hoping to have this completed by end of May.
Thanks to Ken and Kelly for giving this interview. We hope this post helps give you more context around the upcoming changes.
--Carolyn, adCenter Community Team