AdMob, one of the largest mobile advertising network, announced today that it has launched a global iPhone ad marketplace with new interactive advertising formats that take advantage of the device’s capabilities and mobile context. The new ads include Brand and Performance formats that will function in both the browser environment as well as native applications built for the iPhone. AdMob also announced that it will give $1 million in advertising to developers to promote their iPhone applications, sites and services.

AdMob is no stranger to iPhone advertising, having pioneered its first iPhone-specific ad unit in September 2007. AdMob served 51.8 million iPhone ads in June 2008 alone, a 30% month-over-month increase versus May, and has served 249 million ads to iPhone users since launch. More than 1,000 of AdMob’s 5,500 publishers served iPhone ads in June. AdMob’s new iPhone network will be available across this existing traffic base.

AdMob is launching the developer program to fuel the growth of a new wave of mobile publishers. AdMob has fielded strong demand from advertisers for iPhone ads. As part of the program, AdMob will give $1 million to developers to promote their applications and services. The program is available worldwide. Beginning today, developers can apply to be included in the program here.

“AdMob has seen enormous growth in both our iPhone traffic and advertiser interest. This new class of device, led by the iPhone, is pivotal to the future of mobile browsing and of mobile media business models,” said Omar Hamoui, CEO and Founder of AdMob. “We are excited to leverage our platform to take advantage of the uniquely mobile connected experiences that the iPhone makes possible.”

AdMob’s new iPhone ads are available immediately to advertisers on www.admob.com and through AdMob’s sales organization. The ads blend graphical display with one of eight iPhone-specific actions. These actions take advantage of the integration of applications on the iPhone to provide one-click access to:

• iTunes: open the iTunes store and purchase music or video content from iTunes
• App Store: visit the App Store and download applications
• Audio: listen to recorded or streaming audio content
• Video: view video and share video with friends
• Call: initiate a voice call
• Maps: launch maps and display relevant locations near that user’s location
• Web: visit iPhone websites
• Custom: interactive user experience

Launch Advertisers and Publishers who are currently working with the new ad formats include:

Brand Advertisers: Ford, Electronic Arts, Land Rover, Jaguar and Universal Pictures “The Mummy”

Performance Advertisers: vsnax, Stitcher, Loopt and Shozu

Publishers: AccuWeather.com, MovieTickets.com, Mippin, Flirtomatic and Loopt

“The iPhone audience represents the most influential and affluent demographic of mobile phone users,” said Brian Bos, Senior Vice President, Convergence Director for Mindshare, ad agency for the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands. “AdMob has leveraged its mobile expertise to deliver these users rich, interactive and engaging ads that Ford is excited to utilize to reach these consumers.

“The iPhone allows us to provide users of MovieTickets.com a new level of mobile experience,” said Joel Cohen, Executive Vice President and General Manager of MovieTickets.com. “AdMob worked with publishers to build ad formats that fit well with our site, iphone.movietickets.com, fit well with our business model. They have been a great partner as we build out our mobile services.”