Gay online ad
company launched

A new ad company is cashing in on the 33% boom in LGBT online ad dollars. The Gay Ad Network launched Tuesday and plans to be featured in Web sites for gay newspapers, magazines, and social networking.

Mark Elderkin, former president of PlanetOut Inc. (parent company of The Advocate) and founder of Gay.com, is head of the network.

"Independent Web publishers have been successful in creating great quality content and attracting loyal and passionate audiences, but they have been less effective in attracting national advertisers due to their limited individual size," Elderkin said in a statement.

Launch partners include !!omgblog!!, GayWeddings.com, and Window Media, owner of the Washington Blade, Southern Voice, and New York Blade.

According to Harris Interactive/Witeck-Combs Communications, 64% of LGBT consumers are more likely to buy products that are directly marketed to them in gay media. (The Advocate)