ReadWriteWeb

Back in the day, online display advertisements used to be all the rage. And then Google AdWords came along and blew the lid off of online advertising with its simple text-based ads and its cost-per-click model. Advertisers were able to quickly create a terse, compelling chunk of text. Users were clicking. Revenues were rolling. All was right with the world.

But recently, something changed. Now, we're suddenly seeing a renaissance for the display ad. Today, Google is getting into the mix with the release of do-it-yourself display ads.

Two months ago, Portland, Oregon-based Jama Software -- the makers of a web-based project management app called Contour -- began a program called "You try. We give." The idea was simple, for everyone who signed up for a free trial of Contour, the company would set aside some money to invest in microloans at Kiva. In theory, word of their philanthropy would help spread their product and more people would sign up to try it out, get hooked, and pay for the full version. Today, Jama made a bold decision: stop advertising on Google AdWords, and instead funnel the money from their advertising budget into Kiva.

The Google Online Marketing Challenge! promises excitement for boys and girls around the world who participate in a new school program all about online advertising. Google's giving $200 worth of AdWords to schools where students will marketing students learn how to use Google's online advertising products and test out trial campaigns with local businesses.

Surely the teachers in those classrooms will at least give a passing nod to competing ad networks, right?