Couldn’t Newspapers Use Affiliate Marketing To Bolster Ad-Sales?

Newspapers are going down quickly, it’s no secret.  Ad-sales are considerably down and readership isn’t far behind.  Even before the shit hit the fan, I’d always said that newspapers and other print media could utilize affiliate marketing to insert more advertising into their publications and bolster commission-based revenue via numerous affiliate networks.

I realize commissions from affiliated brands can’t equal the paid-sponsorhips that most publications are used to, but there’s power (and revenue) in numbers.  Hooking up with a few affiliate networks could infuse thousands of brands, links, banners and more that newspapers would have at their disposal.  

Is there rules and regulations against this?  Does the affiliate network forbid this?  I don’t think so, but I could be wrong.  I realize putting links on a publication’s website is business and usual, but taking the banners, etc. that are given to affiliates, inputing them into the design of the paper, and printing them could be another story.  Not being able to “click” on a banner is one thing, but setting up directories on the paper’s website dedicated to their affiliate links wouldn’t be hard.  For example, a banner advertising hosting could advertise the Web address: http://newspaperaddress.com/hosting.  

When users type the address, they’re automatically redirected to the affiliated website.  If action is taken via sign-up, lead, purchase, etc. the newspaper would recieve a commission.  In some instances, on-going commissions could result in more revenue than a paid sponsorship- i.e. $100 to run an ad for one day as opposed to several montly commissions for months and months for $1000’s of dollars.

It’s just a thought, but what do you think?  Am I missing something here?  Couldn’t it work?  If nothing else, it’s worth a try- particulaly on a major news publication….