Apple's iAd Chief Leaving for Venture Capital Firm

andy millerAllThingsD reports that Andy Miller, the former founder and CEO of Quattro Wireless who became Apple's vice president of mobile advertising and head of the iAd program with Apple's acquisition of Quattro in January 2010, is planning to leave Apple in the near future. Miller is said to be leaving to become a general partner at venture capital firm Highland Capital, which had previously funded Quattro.

Sources said Miller — who sold Quattro Wireless, the mobile advertising company he co-founded in 2006, to Apple in early 2010 for $275 million — will become a general partner at Highland Capital, the Boston-based venture firm that had funded Quattro.

Apple will search for a replacement for Miller, whose staff was told of the impending departure today.

Apple purchased Quattro Wireless after it lost out to Google in an attempt to acquire AdMob. Apple was reportedly close to a deal with AdMob when Google swooped in with a last-minute offer to win the competition.

Apple's iAd program went live in July 2010 as Apple's effort to revolutionize mobile advertising with high-quality, interactive ads for iOS devices. The effort is seen as having had only marginal success so far, however, with some advertisers turned off by high costs, Apple's demands for control over the creative process, and iOS-only availability. Apple has cut buy-in fees for advertisers several times in order to try to boost interest and fill ad slots that are growing quickly as iOS device sales continue to explode and more developers integrate iAd into their apps.

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Top Rated Comments

troop231 Avatar
181 months ago
I'll gladly take his spot even for 50% of what he makes :p
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kas23 Avatar
181 months ago
The beginning of the end of iAds...or was that when Apple began to continuously axe prices?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
samcraig Avatar
181 months ago
Not surprised. iAds is relatively a sinking ship and under Apple's auspices probably a very frustration environment to work in having a) run your own company and b) dealing with Apple's strict guidelines...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dreamworks21 Avatar
181 months ago
His parting shot was taking down the Apple Store this morning while shouting "so long suckers!!!!". Steve will have his revenge...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jackhdev Avatar
181 months ago
[/COLOR]
Good reason why you will never get it, same here I do it for 40%;)

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Make better software.

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I don't really think iAd is something Apple cares about. Its more for add to the developer who can't sell their wares.
Do you know what fill rate is? If there are 100 people using your app at once, and the fill rate is 10%, then only 10 out of those 100 people will see ads. That's horrible!! On the iPhone, it's 90%, which is much better. It doesn't have anything to do with the quality of software. Additionally, apps that are free are downloaded apparently 75% more than paid apps, so that's a GREAT reason to put ads in. More people using your app, and more money. Know what you're talking about, please.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HarryKeogh Avatar
181 months ago
I'll gladly take his spot even for 50% of what he makes :p

I will do it for 49%!*











*OK, .03%
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)