1. "It's cap'd at once per day per listener" - that's a change already, I heard the ad multiple times the first day I heard ads. Pandora is handling this well and it's not that big of a deal. If the ads were more relevant (sorry, I don't eat at McyDees any more) I think I'd be applauding rather than criticizing the move.

Posted at 5:14PM on Jan 9th 2007 by J Amer

2. Although it probably would've been more palatable to most users if a different, less controversial advertiser had been used for this test, Pandora should be applauded for the thoughtful and responsive manner in which its approaching the monetization of its listener base. With so many Web 2.0 companies having difficulty finding profitable, sustainable business models, Pandora's large and attractive user base seems to be resonating with some large, brand-name advertisers. This should bode well for its future, which means good things for the thousands of artists whom Pandora helps to connect with new fans...and for the millions of users who are enjoying discovering new music. Keep listening to your customers and managing the experimentation as you are, Pandora. You'll find the right balance before long...and manage to avoid the consolidation or closure awaiting so many of the Web 2.0 bubble babies.

Posted at 2:07AM on Jan 10th 2007 by Steve Anderson

3. When I heard the McDonald's ad on Pandora, it scared me. It brought to mind the bad old days of yahoo's launchcast, and it's one minute long commercials that would always annoy the heck out of me. I was afraid I would shortly have to drop pandora and go back to cd's or something. Reading this post makes me feel better. I can live with nine-second "this station is sponsored by..." type things, since they are short and not an annoying ad.

Posted at 2:49PM on Jan 11th 2007 by Allan N.

4. Pandora brings so much added quality of life to the music explorer's adventure, it's really hard for me to criticize them when they ask for a little something back. For those who don't want commercials, perhaps they could offer an ad-free service for a small monthly or annual fee? I'd probably pay for the service even with commercials (at least in their current form), but then, I'm a fanboy... although I do have to say, McDonald's?? I can definitely think of better choices for ads. I guess you can't always pick your investors. Still, more variety in ads (again, at their current frequency level or close to it) would be a good thing, and targeted ads would be better-- especially if they continue to NOT sound like those horrible car dealership commercials that drove people like me away from traditional radio in the first place (well, that and the terrible playlists, and the DJs, and...). Ads for non-profits and more socially conscious companies - instead of fast food - would be wiser, though, IMHO.

Posted at 11:37PM on Jan 15th 2007 by slfnflctd