I always saw iAd not as a money-maker, but as Apple's thoughts on what advertising should be. That is, it was their way to try to make ads less tacky for their

I always saw iAd not as a money-maker, but as Apple's thoughts on what advertising should be. That is, it was their way to try to make ads less tacky for their devices — especially noticeable in the initial million-dollar ad sales to high profile brands. The messaging was all about how slick and polished and pretty they were, and how expensive. Unfortunately Apple failed to realise banner ads are tacky no matter how much polish you throw at them.