Pandora’s strong earnings were a sign that the company was breaking out of the pack of online laggards, trader Josh Brown said Wednesday on CNBC.

“The Pandora story — I’m starting to really like it a lot,” he said. “I was one of the early haters, and the company has absolutely proved me wrong.”

Brown of Fusion Analytics said that the company’s growing advertising base to serve consumers streaming music from laptop or mobile device, instead of relying on paid user subscriptions only made it a strong play.

(Read More: Pandora Well Positioned for Mobile Growth: CEO .)

“This is starting to act like LinkedIn. It’s separating itself from the negativity of the Zyngas , the Groupons . I think we can’t look at these names as a monolith anymore,” he said.

Stephanie Link agreed: “The companies that can monetize mobile are certainly going to get the premium multiple.”

ZNGA News & Analysis

 Final Glance: Internet companies - 17 May 2013 EDT

 Midday Glance: Internet companies - 17 May 2013 EDT

 IPOVIEW-Tableau, Marketo software IPOs soar to the cloud - 17 May 2013 EDT

 Early Glance: Internet companies - 17 May 2013 EDT

 Final Glance: Internet companies - 16 May 2013 EDT

 More ZNGA News