Nissan Leaf leads the charge as iAd is go in the US

It's not often that the launch of an advertising network has been met with such hype and expectation.

Though TV marketers are trained to factor in the knowledge that many viewers switch channels once the ads start rolling, searching out apps on iPhone that come with iAds on board has already become something of a sport.

So far, seven apps are confirmed as being iAd equipped in North America, which is the only territory it's launched in Fishlabs' Burning Tires Free, Mirror Free for iPhone 4, Removem Free, Air Hockey Gold, GPS Location Free, UDID Helper and heed.

The latter's developer Nick Anagnostopoulos, reported he'd had "39 impressions thus far", although that was very early after launch.

An advert for Nissan's electric car, the Leaf, is the only ad to be spotted so far.

An ad about an ad

Indeed, Nissan has taken the opportunity to release a promo for the ad in question, pushing both the functionality of iAd as a platform and, naturally, the car itself.

Of course, Nissan is gaining short-term kudos for being first on the scene. It's unlikely ads launching on the service in a month or two's time will warrant being promoted in their own right.

Attractive iAd

Regardless, Apple's ability to present iAd as a platform that benefits, rather than annoys, consumers is a major plus.

By adding in the kind of functionality usually reserved for apps, Apple has successfully pitched iAd as a sophisticated, almost desirable addition to the platform that highlights iOS' strengths.

As long as the brands that sign up continue to gel with iPhone's audience it's unlikely an advert for Cillit Bang would have been greeted with such wonder and the resulting creative retains a high quality, it's likely iAd will retain this feeling of goodwill for some time to come.

Apple has confirmed iAd will roll-out overseas in the next few months.