News RSS http://www.ukaop.org.uk en-gb Sun, 14 Mar 2010 02:26:59 GMT Copyright: (C) 2009 Association of Online Publishers 720 UKOM factsheet for publishersThis two page factsheet summarises the key points around UKOM, the industry standard online measurement tool, including a summary of the tool in 5 handy bullet points...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ukomfactsheetforpublishers1972.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ukomfactsheetforpublishers1972.htmlThu, 11 Mar 2010 11:18:34 GMTThis two page factsheetDownload Type: pdf
Download Size: 3094k summarises the key points around UKOM, the industry standard online measurement tool, powered by Nielsen. It includes the following summary of the tool, in 5 handy bullet points:

  • Based on a robust, nationally-representative panel of 35,000 UK individuals aged 2+, at home and at work. Recruited online and offline for balance. Weights to an establishment survey that is part of the NRS to ensure the accuracy required for ad planning
  • UK audience figures for websites and applications published monthly, and accessed via an online analysis interface. You may also be able to analyse data through bureau software, in-house planning systems or mediatel.co.uk
  • Gives Online the same planning metrics as TV, Radio, Press, and the other major media. Will be part of the TouchPoints 3 Integrated Planning Database later in 2010. Works alongside all the other data for online planning and buying, including ABCe and publisher data
  • Governed by a cross-industry body with representation from the IAB, AOP, IPA and ISBA. The system itself is delivered by The Nielsen Company, to a detailed specification
  • Creates a level playing field where audiences can be accurately compared between media owners and brands, using credible and fair metrics

For more information, including why we have UKOM, download the factsheetDownload Type: pdf
Download Size: 3094k.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCHDriving the online video market - VideoSenior figures from UK digital media, including Telegraph, ITV, Future, YouTube, PHD, Channel 4, FMG, Thomson Reuters, Nielsen & AOP give their views on the state of the UK VoD market...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/drivingvodmarketvideo1971.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/drivingvodmarketvideo1971.htmlThu, 11 Mar 2010 09:32:53 GMTSenior figures from UK digital media, including Telegraph, ITV, Future, YouTube, PHD, Channel 4, FMG, Thomson Reuters, Nielsen & AOP give their views on the state of the online video market in the UK, and its potential for future growth.

Driving the online video market
(Video produced by FMG)

A straw poll of delegates at AOP’s Driving the Online Video Market found that the industry is predicting a 90% growth in VoD revenues for 2010.

#aopvod on Twitter.

Video revenue will nearly double this year, predicts AOP – NMA – ‘Video continues to be an area of optimism for online publishers, with many seeing enormous growth and an opportunity to increase rates beyond standard display advertising.’

Quotes from #aopvod

“2008 we delivered 60m longform premium programmes via 4oD, which doubled to 120m in 2009 – this year the market will be between £30-40m mark for longform online video advertising. From starting still to £40m in two years is really quite impressive.”
Errol Baran, Head of New Media Advertising, Channel 4

“Distribution of content onto non-ITV platforms I’d say is the hottest topic at the boardroom table at the moment.”
Gary Knight, Brand Partnerships Director, ITV

“When we look forward to things like broadband TV, that will enable video on demand budgets to grow exponentially, and really start to challenge for a share of the £3bn TV market.”
Harriet Perry, Head of Online Display, PHD

“The consumers are driving the market for us. We’ve got very niche industries, where people are passionate about their content… they’re demanding it, and obviously the expectation changes day by day.”
Grant Bremner, Programme Manager, Video, Future Publishing

“At the moment, because it’s primarily traded from television budgets, the real potential will be when online video can get into the sales promotion, the direct marketing and the product sampling arena… when it can be a brand activator, as well as a brand builder.”
Gary Knight, Brand Partnerships Director, ITV

“From an advertiser’s point of view, and from a creator’s point of view, I think this is going to be a good place to be over the next couple of years.”
Bruce Daisley, Sales Leader, YouTube UK

Comments? Observations? Join the conversation on Twitter - #aopvod

The stats shown in the video are taken from presentations at AOP's Driving the Online Video Market Event - available for members to download.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.VIDEOAOP Awards Deadline extendedFollowing the breadth of requests we have received for extensions to awards entry submissions, we are extending the deadline for entry to ALL categories to Wednesday 17th March...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopawardsdeadlineextended1967.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopawardsdeadlineextended1967.htmlWed, 10 Mar 2010 13:52:57 GMT
AOP Awards 2010
Following the breadth of requests we have received for extensions to awards entry submissions, we are making sure that we are even-handed with all members, and extending the deadline for entry to ALL categories to Wednesday 17th March.

So, for those who were beaten by the deadline, you have another week to get your entries in.

A reminder if you haven’t entered our AOP Gold Award: Digital Publisher 2010 – Business / Consumer – this remains the ultimate prize of the AOP Awards. It will be given to the media owner that can prove it has achieved outstanding success for their business in the last year. This year we’re keen for all of our members to get behind this category, so if you haven’t yet entered, this is the one category to play for - judges will be gauging success in the context of the current market.

Full list of Awards Categories.

AOP Awards Home, and how to enter

Obviously, the more entries you submit, the better your chances of winning. For more information on what categories your company has and hasn’t entered yet, please contact Tilly Martin at: 020 7400 7566 / tilly.martin@ukaop.org.uk

AOP promises a fantastic event for our 9th awards ceremony, and a reflection of the stellar nature of our membership.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryContent on the move, 24 March: speakers announcedSpeakers have been announced for AOP's next event on 24 March: Content on the move...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/contentonthemovespeakersannounced1963.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/contentonthemovespeakersannounced1963.htmlTue, 09 Mar 2010 11:20:44 GMTAccording to the latest AOP Census, media owners are set to invest more in mobile sites, optimised content, apps and skills training in 2010 than ever before.

On Wednesday 24 March, AOP is hosting an event to reflect this - find out more about this event.

Speakers include

  • Tim Hussain, Head of Mobile and Video Advertising, Sky
  • Henry Stevens, Director of Media and Entertainment, GSMA
  • Peter Fyfe, Head of Emerging Platforms, Mediacom Beyond Advertising
  • More to be confirmed soon

Early booker rates end on 18 March More info on this event.

'Should We Ban Mobile Phones in Classrooms?' image by the Lightworks.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryIPC’s Wedding diversifies with online wedding planning toolIPC Southbank’s Wedding magazine and Saffron Building Society have launched a new online wedding tool to help users to both plan and save for their wedding.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ipcmediaweddingplanningtool1952.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ipcmediaweddingplanningtool1952.htmlThu, 04 Mar 2010 11:09:18 GMT
IPC Southbank’s Wedding magazine and Saffron Building Society have launched a new online wedding tool to help users to both plan and save for their wedding.

The site will form a new channel on www.weddingmagazine.co.uk as a content and commercial partnership, diversifying online revenue streams via a relevant, useful service.

Wedding Planner by IPC's Wedding titleWedding mag's new online wedding planner toolFeatures include moodboards and scrapbooks for early research through to a final plan with costs, which then feeds into a budgeting tool, linking to the option to open a Saffron high-interest-savings account as part of the site. The savings account is then linked to the tool, so users can display in real time their savings progress to their wedding plan.

Further benefits for account holders include premium content and special offers from partners such as Elemis. The additional content includes planning timelines, guest list planners, downloadable seating plans and checklists.

Wedding and Saffron will promote the wedding tool at Wedding’s stand at the National Wedding Show in London and Birmingham. Additional support includes online and in-magazine promotion within a range of IPC’s women’s brands, including Wedding, Marie Claire, InStyle, woman&home, Look, Now and goodtoknow.co.uk.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryThe first rule of online revenue: there are no rulesThe agency world is effectively seeking to hoover up as much online audience data as possible, while in the words of MediaMath’s Marta Martinez, publishers are sitting on a “goldmine”...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/newrulesofrevenueeventreport1948.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/newrulesofrevenueeventreport1948.htmlThu, 25 Feb 2010 12:10:12 GMTNew Rules of Revenue EventMatt O'Neill addresses the panel at AOP's New Rules of Revenue event“Real time bidding is fulfilling the promise of delivering audience, not context”, AdMonsters President Matt O’Neill announced, introducing AOP’s New Rules of Revenue event this week.

The rules of online display are still very much being written, said MPG Trading Director David Katz, and the holy grail for him is now highly effective spot buys, rather than just reach.

From a publisher perspective, ad network buys have eroded some of the value of premium direct sales, but rich data can restore some of that value loss if we get better at collecting and managing it.

The agency world is effectively seeking to hoover up as much of this data as possible, while in the words of MediaMath’s Marta Martinez, publishers are sitting on a “goldmine” - insight which may be the most powerful in the entire ecosystem.

But, As Precedio Managing Partner Donald Hamilton pointed out - lose control of insight, and all you have is impressions.

“Some people are trying to get the entire cake”

Data taken without permission is one of the AutoTrader’s biggest concerns, its Head of Display Advertising Naomi Hahn explained. Trader is currently fleshing out its data strategy, and views it as a key area for growth. The agency speakers in the room responded that the onus is on publishers to make clear in contracts and ts & cs permissions on data use. On the other hand, added Criteo Business Development Director Steve Dorey, a good agency shouldn’t have to take publishers’ data.

On a consumer level, the onus is on the entire industry to be transparent around cookies, he said – “let the users take the decisions”, providing a clear opt-out. Hamilton drew the comparison between anonymised data collected via cookies and the very personal data collected by loyalty cards and retailers offline - far more intrusive in its way.

Both he and IAB Europe VP Kimon Zorbas stressed the need to continue spreading awareness – as ever, a lack of understanding, both from customers and politicians, is at the root of many online privacy fears.

Moving back to the subject of publishers increasing online revenues, O’Neill outlined the rise of demand-side platforms (DSPs - “really just sets of tools rather than platforms”) such as yield optimisers. Aiming to raise publisher revenues through real time network bidding, these companies exist to the benefit of all parties, both on the buy and sell side. However, as O’Neill emphasised, “publishers put in but can never take out,” - agencies should consider sharing their own data, he said, if they want to benefit from publishers’ insight.

Download presentations from the event - AOP Members only.

Read our interview with AdMonsters President Matt O'Neill

Read our interview with Precedio Managing Partner Donald Hamilton

'Zoom' image by Whatknot

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This event was supported by
Improve Digital
Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryVideo: Guy Phillipson, IAB CEO on UKOMIAB CEO Guy Phillipson explains the UKOM audience planning system in this short video.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/guyphillipsonukom1945.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/guyphillipsonukom1945.htmlThu, 25 Feb 2010 11:14:34 GMT
Guy Phillipson on UKOM


IAB CEO Guy Phillipson explains the UKOM audience planning system in this video.

More information on UKOM - including more information on how it works, how it helps, and how you can access UKOM data.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCH-VIDEOWhat makes an AOP Award winning entry?With the entry deadline for the AOP Awards 2010 rapidly approaching (Friday 5 March), we look at some of last year's winners, and ask: 'What should I be focussing on...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/whatmakesanaopawardwinningentry1943.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/whatmakesanaopawardwinningentry1943.htmlThu, 25 Feb 2010 10:00:28 GMT
AOP Awards 2010
With the entry deadline for the AOP Awards 2010 rapidly approaching (Friday 5 March), we look at some of last year's winners, and ask: 'What should I be focussing on to maximise my company's chances of success?', 'what to include?' and crucially, 'what to omit?' from entries.

More information on AOP Awards 2010 categories and criteria, cost and payment options and the entry process.

1. Keep it Simple

Keep it clear and be specific. Judges will have many entries to review, so keeping below the word limit will work in your favour. Be sure your entry is easy to explain concisely, give some background and outline your objectives and strategy. A great example of this is ‘The Economist Debate Series’ – Winner of Innovation 2009:

Success against objectives

- To provide a forum for independent, intelligent and reasoned discussion - and invite readers to participate through an immersive online experience:

Readers have cast a total of 8,500 votes and left more than 4,500 comments during the judging period. Many of the comments have been highly impressive both for the quality of thinking and the effort put into writing them. The debates have attracted interest from the New York Times Freakonomics blog and Wired.com, among others.

- To create a premium and unique opportunity for commercial sponsorship
The debates have proved extremely attractive to sponsors, with repeat bookings: Intel has sponsored five debates and Phillips four. Client feedback has been extremely positive and sponsorship for the next six months of the debates is almost fully booked.

To find out more about this entry, read our case study.

2. Facts Not Fluff

Give specific examples. The more detail you can provide in terms of revenue and web traffic stats, the stronger your case for winning.

Our judges are each asked to sign a confidentiality form, so there is no danger of this highly sensitive data being used inappropriately. An excellent example of a winner providing detailed stats is RBI Job Sites – Winner of Digital Sales Team 2009.

Commercial Results

RBI Job Sites: "selling efficiently and doing everything they can in the classified space"

  • Increased revenue: up 14% in 2008 vs 2007 and up 30% in 2007 vs 2006
  • Improved conversion rate from print: 90% (i.e. 90% of print customers now pay for additional web advertising)
  • Increased web-only contract revenue: up 59%
  • Yield per customer is up 26%… the team now does business with nearly 7,000 customers a year online too
  • Revenue from jobseeker e-newsletters: over £100k (it was zero in period March ’07-Feb ’08)
  • Flat job numbers: March ’07-Feb ’08 = 366,121; March ’08-Feb ’09 = 367,352…an incredible achievement considering the current economic climate, where there are far fewer jobs

Providing this much detail provides context and firm evidence to support your your entry, and hopefully, make it a success!

To find out more about this entry, read our case study.

3. Wow Factor

Ask someone with an objective view to read your entry. If they’re not impressed and don’t say ‘wow’, then neither will the AOP Award judges.

Julian Gairdner, Editor of Farmers Weekly Interactive wowed our judges with his entry for Digital Editorial Individual 2009. Comments from the judges who selected this as the winning entry for this category were:

“Clearly a natural digital editor, Julian displays a strong understanding of his target market, producing innovative editorial devices outside the traditional core pillars of web journalism. He has demonstrated a highly skilled approach to both strategy and execution.”

To see more about this entry, read the case study.

4. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

Now the boring bit: proofread and then proofread some more.

It sounds obvious, but the more eyeballs you can get on your entry copy, the better your chances of submitting a strong, well argued, well worded entry.

5. Start Early!

Last, but definitely not least, start preparing your entries today! Don't leave it all to the last minute...

The more data, testimonials, relevant links, commercial results and traffic figures you can amass, which is relevant to the judging period of February 2009 to January 2010, the greater your chance of success.

The Deadline for entries is Friday 5 March // start writing your entries today!

Good luck!


Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryNew Rules of Revenue: Online Advertising 2010Members can access presentations from the event...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/newrulesofrevenue2010event.obyxhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/newrulesofrevenue2010event.obyxTue, 23 Feb 2010 14:00:00 GMTRead AOP's report on this event:
The first rule of online revenue: there are no rules.

Read an interview with Matt O'Neill, AdMonsters President.

Read an interview with Donald Hamilton, Managing Partner, Precedio Consulting

Online display advertising has seen a dramatic evolution in recent times - With the rise of ad networks, exchanges and optimisers, to sit beside sales houses and in-house teams, the current online advertising landscape is far more sophisticated than ever before. It also offers publishers much greater choice.

There are new ways for publishers to trade and new ways to generate additional revenue and cost savings. But with greater complexity, comes increased challenges such as controlling the quality of campaigns and creatives and ultimately protecting the brand.

So how can publishers take full advantage of what the market has to offer while overcoming the challenges of increasing automation, and commoditisation?

This forum brought together industry experts to examine the current state of online trading and to look in-depth, through cross-industry panels, at two key issues impacting on publishers: the changing dynamics of buying and selling media; and the role of audience data in generating publisher revenue.

We asked

Where do publishers stand with display advertising today and what are the biggest challenges that they face? How can publishers benefit from new trading mechanisms and where do agency and publisher networks fit in? What role can and should audience data play in revenue generation, and what are the legal implications/restraints?

Speaker Presentations (member access only)

Trends and Expectations in display advertisingDownload Type: pdf
Download Size: 1986k - Matt O'Neill, President, AdMonsters

The changing dynamics of buying and selling mediaDownload Type: ppt
Download Size: 8208k - Dave Katz, Head of Digital Trading, MPG

The legal aspect of data usageDownload Type: ppt
Download Size: 200k - Kimon Zorbas, Vice President, IAB Europe

The role of audience data in generating display revenues for publishersDownload Type: ppt
Download Size: 3363k - Donald Hamilton, Managing Partner, Precedio Consulting

Speakers included:

  • David Katz, Head of Trading, Media Contacts
  • Marta Martinez, SVP Operations & Business Development, MediaMath
  • Nick Burcher, Head of VNC UK & Products / Partnerships EMEA, Vivaki
  • Tom Bowman, VP Strategy & Operations, Global Advertising Sales, BBC Worldwide
  • Ciaran O'Kane, Editor, ExchangeWire.com

  • Naomi Hahn, Head of Display Advertising, AutoTrader
  • Donald Hamilton, Managing Partner, Precedio Consulting
  • Kimon Zorbas, VP of IAB Europe
  • Steve Dorey, Director of Business Development, Criteo
  • Stuart Colman, MD, European Operations, Audience Science
  • Chair: Matt O'Neill, President, AdMonsters

The New Rules of Revenue: Online Advertising 2010 took place on Tuesday 23 February at IPC Media.

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'Money money money' image by Whatknot no-categoryRubicon Project to expand services in 2010The Rubicon Project, the Internet advertising infrastructure company, has detailed plans for the company’s new publisher-centric digital advertising technology and data platform, engineered exclusively to empower publishers to monetise content and data across all digital media worldwide. http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/rubiconprojecttoexpandservices1937.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/rubiconprojecttoexpandservices1937.htmlTue, 23 Feb 2010 10:56:12 GMT
Rubicon Project
The Rubicon Project, the Internet advertising infrastructure company, has detailed plans for the company’s new publisher-centric digital advertising technology and data platform, engineered exclusively to empower publishers to monetise content and data across all digital media worldwide.

“The balance in the marketplace today favors the demand-side, which has lead to significant price erosion for publishers; this erosion threatens the sustainability of the ad-supported digital publishing business. Ad serving technologies currently available to publishers of high-quality digital content are outdated, making it extremely difficult to effectively manage today’s sales organisations,” said Frank Addante, CEO and Founder of the Rubicon Project.

“Working with companies whose real goal is to access more inventory on behalf of their own advertisers isn’t in the best interest of, and may even be dangerous for, publishers. Revising that legacy technology, upgrading it, and tacking on bells and whistles isn’t enough: publishers need technology designed specifically to meet their needs.”

At the PaidContent conference last week in New York, the Rubicon Project revealed plans to expand its platform in 2010 to offer not only additional ad serving, forecasting, and campaign management functionality across both premium guaranteed and non-guaranteed media sales, but also technology for:

  • automated demand access
  • self-service advertising sales
  • centralized publisher data platform
  • pricing intelligence & controls
  • yield management
  • channel management
  • brand, ad quality and malware protection
  • all of the above across all digital media formats – Web as well as mobile, video, email and emerging devices

Allen & Company will work with the company, among other matters, to explore options for ongoing business growth initiatives including additional strategic acquisitions, platform expansion and continued international growth.

The Rubicon Project is uniquely positioned to deliver this publisher-centric platform as its team’s experience, history of innovation on behalf of publishers, and massive scale, built on technology that provides safe and efficient infrastructure for the entire advertising ecosystem, ensures it delivers the right choice for publishers. The company, which has raised more than $42 million in funding to date, announced year over year growth of 270% at the end of 2009, and is consistently ranked as one of the top two digital platforms in overall user reach.

After pioneering ad network optimization in 2007, the company launched its REVV for publishers™ platform in 2009, combining technology, tools, access and integration to deliver a complete yield management optimisation solution to premium Web publishers. 2009 also marked the company’s first acquisition, of data technology company Others Online, and global expansion into markets on five continents.

To affirm its commitment to publishers, the Rubicon Project has released a manifesto which outlines the company’s core beliefs and guiding principles as they work to achieve the goal of innovating digital advertising and data technology for publishers, to keep digital media free for consumers, and to help content flourish. To read and respond to the manifesto, Principles of a REVVolution, visit http://rubiconproject.com/manifesto.

The Rubicon Project is an Associate Member of AOP.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categorySchedule for the New Rules of RevenueThe event is now sold out. Find out more about the day's schedule here...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/scheduleforthenewrulesofrevenue1936.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/scheduleforthenewrulesofrevenue1936.htmlMon, 22 Feb 2010 14:29:15 GMTThis forum brings together industry experts to examine the current state of online trading and to look in-depth, through cross-industry panels, at two key issues impacting on publishers: the changing dynamics of buying and selling media; and the role of audience data in generating publisher revenue.

This event is now sold out

New Rules of Revenue Agenda

2.00 pm Registration

2.30 pm Chair's Introduction and Overview

2.40 pm Trends and Expectations in display advertising
Matt O’Neill, President, AdMonsters

3.00 pm The changing dynamics of buying and selling media
Dave Katz, Head of Digital Trading, MPG

3.20 pm Panel Debate: The changing dynamics of trading media

  • Dave Katz, Head of Digital Trading, MPG
  • Marta Martinez, SVP Operations and Business Development, MediaMath
  • Nick Burcher, Head of VNC UK & Products / Partnerships EMEA, Vivaki
  • Tom Bowman, VP Strategy & Operations, Global Advertising Sales, BBC Worldwide
  • Ciaran O'Kane, Editor, ExchangeWire.com
3.50 Coffee Break

4.10 pm The legal aspect of data usage
Kimon Zorbas, Vice President, IAB Europe

4.25 pm The role of audience data in generating display revenues for publishers
Donald Hamilton, Managing Partner, Precedio Consulting

4.35 pm Panel Debate: The role of audience data in revenue generation

  • Donald Hamilton, Managing Partner, Precedio Consulting
  • Steve Dorey, Director of Business Development, Criteo
  • Stuart Colman, Managing Director, Europe, Audience Science
  • Naomi Hahn, Head of Display Advertising, AutoTrader

5.10pm Wrap Up

5.15pm Drinks Reception

6.30 pm Finish

Find out more about the event and book your place online.

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This event is supported by
Improve Digital

Sold Out image by Jeremy Brooks
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryCeros recognised as one of the UK's smartest businessesCeros has been chosen as one of the UK’s smartest businesses by a judging panel including Dragons Den’s Deborah Meaden. The ‘Smarta 100’ recognises the UK’s most exciting and disruptive businesses, and Ceros was described as “the fix that the digital publishing world has been looking for”.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/cerosrecognisedsmarta1001944.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/cerosrecognisedsmarta1001944.htmlMon, 22 Feb 2010 10:43:59 GMT
Ceros Logo
Ceros has been chosen as one of the UK’s smartest businesses by a judging panel including Dragons Den’s Deborah Meaden. The ‘Smarta 100’ recognises the UK’s most exciting and disruptive businesses, and Ceros was described as “the fix that the digital publishing world has been looking for”.

The judges include Deborah Meaden, Michael Birch (founder of Bebo), Charlie Mullins (founder of Pimlico Plumbers) and Sahar Hashemi (founder of Coffee Republic). They were particularly impressed by how the interactive publication platform is more technically advanced and boasts more monetary success stories for a new media format, than any other on the web.

Deborah Meaden commented:

"Discovering great new businesses is a passion of mine as is encouraging businesses to think and work better. The Smarta 100 does both of these things - and celebrates the best of British business at the same time. I was delighted to see ambitious people saving hard and raising finances to turn their ideas into flourishing businesses".

Ceros clients include Sky, Virgin Media, BT, Thomas Cook, Sears, Best Buy, Ikea, Dell, LoveFilm and publishers such as Dennis, Future, Haymarket, Conde Nast, IPC and Bauer. The team work with clients creatively and commercially to make their titles a success.

The full results and details of the winning companies can be found at www.smarta.com/smarta100.

About Ceros

www.ceros.com

Ceros is an interactive publication platform. It is the culmination of intensive consultation and research into the challenges faced by publishers, content-owners and retailers in delivering online content efficiently, profitably and in a compelling, engaging format. The only platform of its kind to incorporate live, auditable behavioural statistics and a comprehensive content API, Ceros provides:
(a) advertisers and publishers with a format delivering ad click-through rates in excess of any other online ad format;
(b) retailers with a platform from which to sell product directly from the page – without ever having to leave the catalogue and;
(c) readers and shoppers with an integrated, engaging and rewarding online experience.
As clients testify, Ceros provides the perfect platform from which to harness the interactivity of the Web with the engagement of a printed product.

Ceros is an Associate Member of AOP.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryAOP Gold Award: Digital Publisher 2010The AOP Gold Award: Digital Publisher 2010 is the most prestigious prize of the AOP Awards and will be given to the media owner that can prove they have achieved outstanding...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopgoldawarddigitalpublisher20101935.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopgoldawarddigitalpublisher20101935.htmlFri, 19 Feb 2010 10:55:55 GMT
AOP Awards 2010
The AOP Gold Award: Digital Publisher 2010 (Business / Consumer) is the most prestigious prize of the AOP Awards and will be given to the media owner that can prove they have achieved outstanding success for their business in the last year.

Winners will be able to prove they deliver well executed, forward thinking strategies and are true trend-setters in the digital space. Judges will look to award the business and consumer digital publishing company that can prove they have put growth and innovation at the heart of their strategy, and have the measurable results to prove it.

Last Year's Winners

TSL Education won Digital Publisher – Business 2009

Judges' comments: “TSL is delivering value to its audience through shared knowledge and a clear grasp of the digital space. The site provides not just a viable business model, but a personal experience to its users. In this, they have achieved exactly what they set out to do.”

Telegraph Media Group won Digital Publisher – Consumer 2009

Judges’ Comments: “With a comprehensive transformation of digital activity examining every part of their business, TMG showed impressive growth and innovation, working effectively with partners to explore all possible avenues.”

The judges also highly commended IPC Media - “Achieved strategic objectives and understood the market really well. Their strategy showed great insight.”

Category Criteria

Aimed at businesses rather than individuals, judging will be based on outstanding achievement in the digital media environment, with evidence of enterprise and innovation. This should be shown through a portfolio of sites or through breadth and versatility within a single site, indicating how the different elements figure in the publisher's strategy.


The prestigious AOP Digital Publishing Awards exist to celebrate and reward the best that the industry has to offer. Winners will be announced at the AOP Awards Ceremony taking place on 10th June 2010 at the legendary music venue that is The Roundhouse, Camden.

AOP Awards 2010

Entry Deadline: 5th March 2010
Entry Fee: £125 + VAT per entry
Enter Online: www.ukaop.org.uk/awards
Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryIPC Media appoints Basis Research for Origin PanelIPC Insight, the consumer research division of IPC Media, has announced the appointment of Basis Research to work on its AOP award-winning Origin Panel.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ipcoriginpanelbasisresearch1934.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ipcoriginpanelbasisresearch1934.htmlFri, 19 Feb 2010 10:10:26 GMT
IPC Insight, the consumer research division of IPC Media, has announced the appointment of Basis Research to work on its AOP award-winning Origin Panel.

The 7,500-strong female panel is designed to provide insights into the evolving attitudes and behaviour of women across the country. Previous studies have examined finance, technology and the environment among other hot topics.

Amanda Wigginton, IPC Advertising Director of Insight, says: “We’ve had great success with our online Origin Panel since its launch in 2007. Working with Basis Research, we aim to make the panel a destination website for the women taking part, delivering an increased sense of community and more interactive elements. The increased engagement that results will build on the quality insights for which the Origin Panel is already renowned.”

Rune Mortensen, Research Director at Basis Research adds: “With this change, IPC Insight is ensuring that the Origin Panel remains one of the most innovative research tools in the marketplace. In addition to conducting surveys and discussion forums with women, IPC will be able to engage with its target audience using a variety of exciting community tools, such as wikis, feedback centres, and blogs to generate deeper insights.”

Basis will begin work on the Origin Panel in April 2010, replacing SPA. IPC will continue to work with SPA on other projects.
Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCHMore info on speakers at New Rules of RevenueFind out more about the speakers at our New Rules of Revenue event, taking place on Tuesday 23 Feb...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/onlineadvertisingeventspeakerinfo1933.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/onlineadvertisingeventspeakerinfo1933.htmlWed, 17 Feb 2010 16:08:28 GMTThis event is now sold out

Panel 1 - the changing dynamics of buying and selling media

David Katz, Head of Trading, Media Contacts

Dave has been the Head of Trading at Media Contacts for over 4 years. His role ensures that MC clients get the best value for money from their digital display media spend, which is often translated to meaning that he gets good rates. Whilst he would contend that this only tells part of the story, he certainly wouldn’t argue that this was not a big part of it.

Prior to his role at MC, Dave headed up Publisher Services for the UK Advertising.com network, where he enjoyed a two year stint, following on from a constulancy role to Premierbet Limited. He joined the digital media industry at i-level in 1999, back in the days before third-party adserving, broadband internet and search marketing.

Marta Martinez, SVP Operations & Business Development, MediaMath

At MediaMath, Marta focuses on helping media and data partners activate and monetise their assets via the company’s TerminalOne platform – making them accessible to the dozens of agencies that have adopted the platform to power their media trading efforts. These activities are key to MediaMath’s continued ability to deliver greater global scale than any other platform, and support current campaigns across every major market in the world.

Marta joined MediaMath from Havas Digital, where she served as global SVP Partnerships and Product Development. In this role, Marta led management teams on identifying and implementing strategic partnerships, organic investments, and acquisitions.

Prior to Havas, Marta was an Associate VP at Marchfirst in their Media, Entertainment and Technology practice, and a management consultant with Cluster Consulting where she led numerous engagements in the media, publishing and telecom industries across Europe.

Marta earned an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business, and is a graduate of Barcelona’s ESADE with a degree in international marketing management.

Nick Burcher, Head of Vivaki Nerve Centre UK & Products / Partnerships EMEA, Vivaki

In his current role, Nick Burcher oversees the EMEA operation of the VivaKi Nerve Center (VNC)– a central hub that builds best-in-class tools, platforms and partnerships for Publicis Groupe agencies Digitas, Razorfish, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia.

He is chiefly responsible for driving digital development of the VivaKi agency brands across Europe, serving in a hybrid role that provides social media, performance marketing, research and display media expertise. In 2009, Burcher was instrumental in the UK launch of the VNC’s REAL Social suite, a series of tools and partnerships that allow clients to more easily navigate the social media space.

Prior to his new role at the VivaKi Nerve Center, Burcher spent 12 years working for both Zed Media and ZenithOptimedia.

Burcher started in traditional media, before moving into digital, where his most recent role was running the ZenithOptimedia Group Search and Performance marketing teams across some of the UK's largest brands, such as O2, Toyota, Lexus, Lloyds TSB, BT, Capital One and BMW.

During this time, he was also the ZO Group representative on the IPA Search council and won industry awards for work on Zurich, Open University and MG Rover.

Burcher is a frequent conference speaker and vocal advocate, discussing media and advertising trends on his Advertising Age Power 150 blog at www.nickburcher.com.

Tom Bowman, VP Strategy & Operations, Global Advertising Sales, BBC Worldwide

Tom is the Vice President of Strategy & Operations for Global Advertising Sales at BBC Worldwide. Tom heads up the team who advise internal clients and stakeholders across all BBC Worldwide's platforms. These include BBC Global Channels and BBC World News on TV, online with the BBC's international ad funded website BBC.com and its corresponding international mobile site. The team advises internal clients on ad sales strategy and is also responsible for Sales Operations and Custom solutions across TV, digital and mobile.

Tom joined BBC Worldwide in November 2007 as the Vice President of International Advertising Sales for BBC.com. He is well-known across the business as a digital advertising specialist, having worked for some of the largest names in the industry over the last 12 years.

Prior to joining BBC Worldwide, Tom held a number of commercial roles at MSN including leading the global sales team, opening new markets and heading up the EMEA sales team. Prior to his time at MSN, Tom was the launch sales director for Yahoo! in the UK.

Ciaran O'Kane, Editor, ExchangeWire.com

Ciaran O'Kane is editor and publisher of ExchangeWire.com, Europe's leading resource for ad trading, ad exchanges and media optimisation. He has been active in the digital media space for nearly nine years, and has worked in a number of areas during this time, including web development, account management, consultancy and online sales.

Prior to launching ExchangeWire, O'Kane worked as Online Sales Manager for Chinwag selling display advertising across both the company's online properties and its partner websites.

Panel 2 - the role of audience data in generating publisher revenue

Donald Hamilton, Managing Partner, Precedio Consulting

Donald Hamilton´s career has focused on direct marketing and digital advertising from the start. Prior to joining wunderloop, Donald spent six years as the Managing Director of AdLINK UK, where he grew the revenues and reputation of the company. He joined AdLINK as a result of AdLINK Media Service acquisition of DoubleClick Media in 2001. At DoubleClick, Donald served as Sales Director. His earlier experiences included Claritas (Axiom), Bananalotto, and ICD.

With over 15 years proven online branding, direct marketing and sales experience, with a hunger for growing and developing businesses in the UK and across Europe, he has a track record of being able to place companies at the forefront of the market to achieve success and growth, and to inspire and challenge people to reach their potential.

Stuart Colman, MD, European Operations, Audience Science

As Managing Director of European Operations, Stuart Colman oversees account management, business development, and agency outreach for AudienceScience across Europe.

Prior to joining AudienceScience, Stuart was Head of Digital Sales for the EMEA region at the Financial Times, focusing on delivering revenue growth and strategic direction for digital operations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Stuart graduated from the University of Worcester, UK with a degree in Geography.

Steve Dorey, Director of Business Development, Criteo

Steve joined Criteo late in 2009 after successfully helping launch Tremor Media in the UK. He manages the team responsible for all media buying in the UK and he and his team work closely with most major media owners.

Steve’s key remit is to ensure that Criteo’s UK clients receive the best possible coverage for their campaigns and media owners receive a new, long term source of revenue for their inventory. Steve’s online experience has included work for global networks and blue chip UK publishers.

Criteo specialise in the field of personalised retargeting combining proprietary technology with extensive market knowledge to deliver value to advertisers and media owners alike.

Chair: Matt O'Neill, President, AdMonsters

Matt O'Neill is the president of AdMonsters - the only professional association exclusively dedicated to online advertising operations and technology. In this role, he oversees the development and execution of the company's live and online events, professional services and consulting division, training, and other area of growth in both North America and Europe.

He joined the company in 2005 after nearly seven years at Yahoo! where he first served as project manager for the company's proprietary inventory management and forecasting system, and later at the manager of pricing and yield strategy in Europe.

Matt has over a decade of history in online advertising and is active in many industry organizations and trade bodies. He lives in North London.

Naomi Hahn, Head of Display Advertising, AutoTrader

Naomi has been working in online for over 7 years and joined AutoTrader.co.uk in 2007 to head up their Online Display Strategy as it moved from a Sales House to an Internal Team. Her role focuses on delivering the best solutions to advertisers and agencies, whilst maximising the revenue of the site and its audience. Over the past 2 years she has developed several strategies which have dramatically grown the overall revenue generated from this area.

Naomi has a strong background in networks and emerging technologies beginning her career at Advertising.com selling network solutions to agencies. Becoming Agency Sales Manager when AOL acquired the company, she was very involved in developing agency products and introduced a number of new network products into the agency market place including one of the first behavioural targeting technologies, network branding solutions and pre-roll video.

Kimon Zorbas, VP of IAB Europe

Kimon heads up the public policy programme of the association at EU level, engaging with the European Institutions, other international bodies and the media to promote the association’s positions and interests. Key platform topics for IAB Europe include Data Protection, Advertising, e-Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Before joining IAB Europe, worked for a major ICT related association where he was responsible for public policy on issues like software liability, data protection and ICT security, and also worked in-house on government affairs for a major semi-conductor company. Kimon is a qualified lawyer, having undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the University of Tübingen, Germany and the K.U.Leuven, Belgium, respectively.

Find out more about the event and book your place online.

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Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryJames Bromley elected to AOP Executive CommitteeJames Bromley, MD of Mail Online, has been elected to sit on AOP’s Executive Committee with immediate effect. The Executive Committee plays a central role in setting AOP’s agenda...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/jamesbromleyelectedtoaopexecutivecommittee1931.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/jamesbromleyelectedtoaopexecutivecommittee1931.htmlWed, 17 Feb 2010 11:28:23 GMT
James Bromley
James Bromley, MD of Mail Online, has been elected to sit on AOP’s Executive Committee with immediate effect. The Executive Committee plays a central role in setting AOP’s agenda, activities and approving membership to the organisation.

James has been Managing Director of the Mail Online since April 2008. During this time, the site has grown to contest the number one position of UK online newspapers, both in daily and monthly traffic. Prior to this, he was a Director at AutoTrader. James also sits on the JICWEBS board, and is an Executive Director of BIMA.

AOP Director, Lee Baker, and AOP Chairman and General Manager of Consumer Media, Thomson Reuters Tim Faircliff welcome James to the Executive committee. Tim Faircliff comments: “The Executive Committee plays a key role in shaping the development of the AOP. I am very excited at the level of expertise and insight that James will bring. From his experience at Mail Online, he complements perfectly the strategic approach and acumen of our existing members.”

The AOP, previously a subsidiary of PPA, formally became an independent membership organisation from 1 January 2010. The move followed AOP’s need to develop initiatives specifically tailored to its members, which includes TV and radio broadcasters, newspapers and pure-play digital organisation.

James takes the place of Dominic Collins, who stepped down from the Exec Committee following his departure from AutoTrader.

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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-category"Viewing data from one single touchpoint is not enough"Donald Hamilton, Managing Partner at Precedio Consulting and former UK MD of Wunderloop on audience data and online advertising.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/audiencedataadvertisingdonaldhamilton1930.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/audiencedataadvertisingdonaldhamilton1930.htmlTue, 16 Feb 2010 12:42:33 GMT
Donald Hamilton
A week today, on Tuesday 23 February, Donald Hamilton, Managing Partner at Precedio Consulting and former UK MD of Wunderloop is speaking at AOP’s next seminar - the New Rules of Revenue: Online Advertising 2010. Ahead of the event, we asked Donald for his views on audience data and online advertising...

Find out more about the event and speakers - early booker rates end Thursday 18th.

In your view, how do you think audience data could/should be used for display advertising purposes?

Data will become the defining factor for online targeting, while understanding consumers from both an online and offline perspective is imperative if the market wishes to continuously develop and grow meaningfully.

What role do you think audience data will play in revenue generation in the future?

The market of the future will be about audience segmentation - the value pyramid will change.

Audience targeting will increase in value and will play a major role in the increase in revenues that will be seen over the next five years.

Audience insight will be placed at the centre of the communication strategy within companies.

How do you see the struggle for data ownership between Digital Agencies, Media Owners and Search Engines shaping up?

I think that there is a more fundamental question that we have to ask:

Whose data is it anyway?

Viewing data from one single touchpoint is not enough. At the end the companies that can view data from many touchpoints will have better audience targeting insight.

The digital view is only one part of the puzzle, the other bits exist within the interactions between consumers and their trading partners.

What are the main legal implications/restraints that publishers should be aware of when gathering and storing data?

We must all understand:

The consumer has choice: keep them informed, make sure they understand and gain consumer trust.

Most consumers are willing to share information with organisations that they trust, so long as there is value to them. Tesco currently track 11 million store card users: they have successfully marketed their targeting insight tool as a value exchange/partnership between the consumer and themselves.

The art of targeting is not based at an individual level, but rather at a segment level. Targeting will be driven by building robust, marketable customer segments and using those segments to drive ROI.

Offering reward, capture and using data at a segmented level, in consultation with the consumer, while maintaining customers’ privacy at all times and rewarding them for their behaviour - I think that if the industry did all of that, it would not have any data issues.

The New Rules of Revenue: Online Advertising 2010 takes place on Tuesday 23 February at IPC Media, from 14.00pm. Early booker tickets cost £95+vat for AOP members, £195+vat for non-members – book online today.

(Members can invoice for bookings of 2 tickets or more - select the 'invoice' option when placing your booking - The early booker rate runs out this Thursday 18 February.)

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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.INTERVIEWDow Jones relaunches Financial News siteDow Jones’ Financial News, which covers the European securities market, has relaunched its site, bringing in more refined navigation and personalisation; a new blog; and innovative new data tools and features. http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/dowjonesrelaunchesfinancialnewssite1929.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/dowjonesrelaunchesfinancialnewssite1929.htmlMon, 15 Feb 2010 14:25:20 GMT
Financial News
Dow Jones’ Financial News, which covers the European securities market, has relaunched its site, bringing in more refined navigation and personalisation, a new blog, and innovative new data tools and features.

The focus of the newly-redesigned site continues to be based around Financial News’ four core sectors: asset management, investment banking, private equity and trading & technology.

It has also added a second set of links that take users deeper into the content, including special reports and in-depth features; a comprehensive press digest and a revamped comment page.

A new blog, Financial Muse offers pithy, concise analysis of news and data overseen by Financial News’ Associate Editor Mike Foster, while specially created Topics pages enable subscribers to tailor pages with the stories that matter most to them.

Phillipa Leighton-Jones, Online Editor, Financial News comments: “The changes we’ve unveiled today have created a site that’s richer, deeper and more flexible. But what hasn’t changed is our insight, expertise and accuracy, our commitment to breaking news, telling our readers why a story’s important and how it matters to them.”

In addition to the new blog, all Financial News’ popular coverage of people, personalities, jobs and pay will be featured on a new ‘People’ page, which will help users keep track of who’s moving where and why.

The site’s new Quick Links feature takes users to news, analysis and features on the most newsworthy subjects, while links to all news analysis, profiles, features and lifestyle content from the Financial News print edition is easily accessible on one page.

New data tools and features provide hard numbers on fund performance, investment banking league tables and short selling.

Advertisers will benefit from increased impact for their campaigns on the redesigned site, with two prominent advertising slots placed above the fold. New targeting opportunities for advertisers will be rolled out soon, including behavioural targeting and packages across the Financial News Web site and The Wall Street Journal Digital Network. A Europe edition of WSJ.com, launched a year ago and is also available on mobile products, including a Mobile Reader for BlackBerry smartphones and a mobile internet site for Europe.
Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-category"Publishers need to understand why networks have risen so quickly" Matt O'Neill, President of Admonsters, on the state of the online advertising marketplace.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/mattoneillonlineadmarketinterview1919.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/mattoneillonlineadmarketinterview1919.htmlFri, 12 Feb 2010 11:41:14 GMTOn Tuesday 23 February, AdMonsters President Matt O’Neill is chairing AOP’s next seminar: the New Rules of Revenues: Online Advertising 2010. Ahead of the event, we asked Matt about the state of the online advertising marketplace.

Find out more, or book your place online.
matt oneill

What do you see as the biggest shifts in the way the display advertising market is evolving?

There are definitely huge shifts going on right now and just in the last 12 -18 months, we've seen the beginning of a major change in the way media will be traded online.

It's tough to pull out the biggest shifts but I think it's safe to say it hasn't been around new ad formats or flashy rich media campaigns.

The big shifts in the media market have been and will continue to be around the way it is managed and traded.

For instance, the emergence and rapid adoption of ad exchanges is something that could be a significant game changer. RightMedia, AdECN, and DoubleClick AdExchange have and will continue to have a major impact on online ad trading.

A second, and related area that I think is one of the key areas to watch is the ad network optimisation space. Companies like AdMeld, Improve Digital and The Rubicon Project grew rapidly in the last 18 months due to the increasing complexity of managing multiple advertising networks on the publisher side.

Similar solutions - demand side platforms - are now cropping up on the buy side and putting this type of power directly into the hands of the agencies. This will have big ramifications in the way online ad inventory is bought and sold.

Beyond these areas, I think as mobile devices which, let's face it, still represent basically an experimental amount of marketing budget, will continue to evolve and become more interesting to marketers, especially with the proximity data they will be able to transmit.

But that's way out there still. Online video will continue to grow and be an important tool, and ad units will grow and by necessity have to be more interruptive. The OPA and IAB are looking into which formats will become the new standard.

But, I'd say hands down, networks, ad exchanges, and network optimizers both on the buy and the sell side are going to be the biggest areas to watch.

What has been the main impact on publishers in terms of challenges and opportunities and how do you think these challenges can best be overcome?

The days of an online media company being made or broken by a stellar premium sales team are behind us, I think.

The best sales teams of the future will have to have a deep understanding of the platform and technologies in the marketplace and will need to offer creative solutions to be competitive in premium sales.

With the emergence of network optimisers and real time bidding and the resulting increase in the complexity of the online advertising space, the role of technology and advertising operations becomes increasingly important.

Those publishers who invest heavily in developing the best possible operations teams will come out the winners. And this doesn't just mean traffickers and ad managers. This means really looking at ad operations as a critical business unit and empowering them with the role of business operations.

Publishers with strong business leaders running an operations team tasked with inventory, systems, yield maximisation, client services, and campaign trafficking and management will find it much easier to execute in the brave new world of online marketing.

Publishers will also have to work closely with overall ecosystem including agencies and the technology system providers. They'll want to inform decisions and direction, not just react to changes in the market.

How do you anticipate that the marketplace will continue to evolve in the decade ahead?

I would have a tough time looking out much past 18 months, much less a decade. I expect that the old adage will hold true: the only constant will be change.

No-one five years ago would have predicted Twitter, YouTube, the massive rise of Facebook, and other new types of online interaction. To even think about 10 years ahead in our industry is pretty much impossible. It's like trying to imagine a new color.

All that said, I do think we'll see a trend of moving away from online advertising being just about the browser. Online marketing will become increasingly disconnected from any one web interface or device. It will seep into and transplant traditional TV advertising, outdoor advertising, and others. You'll receive ads you don't know are ads (think iPhone/Pad apps), advertising will become not just about context and behaviour but about location and activity.

Anyhow, these are things that plenty of other people know far more about and it's not particularly useful for the issues people are facing today.

What do you think the impact on publishers will be?

Adapt and innovate or struggle and die. Honestly.

How do you think publishers can position themselves to take full advantage of the market changes both current and future?

I think publishers need to understand why networks have risen so quickly and why the game is shifting to the hands of buyers and out of the hands of sellers. It will take collaboration and interaction with all the concerned parties: their customers, advertisers and agencies, technology companies, the government, trade bodies, etc.

It will require smart, technical people at publishers to lead the way. A lot of their success will lie in determining ways to monetise the massive amount of data they can collect from their customers and technology platforms without breaching the public's trust.

It will involve figuring out how to provide information in real time regardless of medium (browser, mobile, television, etc.) and being able to serve as the moderator between the advertiser and the customer.

It's going to be exciting. But it's not going to be easy.

Find out more about the event and speakers, or book your place online.

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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.INTERVIEWUKOM launches with release of first online dataUKOM and The Nielsen Company have launched the UKOM Audience Planning System, publishing inaugural data as the first ever UK industry-agreed audience measurement and planning system for online media. http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ukomreleasesfirstdata1918.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ukomreleasesfirstdata1918.htmlThu, 11 Feb 2010 13:22:22 GMTUKOM and The Nielsen Company have launched the UKOM Audience Planning System, publishing inaugural data as the first ever UK industry-agreed audience measurement and planning system for online media.

The UKOM Audience Planning System (APS) means advertisers and their agencies now have an industry-approved system to plan online campaigns using the same targeted reach and frequency measures as they have with TV (BARB), radio (RAJAR) and print media (NRS).

Douglas McArthur OBE, Chairman of UKOM, commented “Today’s release of January 2010 data is a truly significant milestone for the online advertising industry in delivering comparable audience measurement data to other, established media channels. This first data represents an immediate improvement in the knowledge and confidence around online advertising for advertisers, agencies and media owners alike.”

The UKOM APS is a result of cross-industry agreement to establish a single set of person-centric audience numbers for online media. It has been built upon Nielsen’s established measurement system, adding new elements to improve the planning of online brand advertising campaigns. These include: a larger work panel;

  • UK Social Grade, which segments households based on the occupation of main income earner
  • Main Grocery Shopper, whether the panellist is the main purchaser of groceries in the household
  • ISBA Regions, how the official body of British advertisers segments postcodes

For example, amongst the ten most popular brands online in the UK, the BBC has the highest concentration (64 percent) of ‘ABC1’ social grade visitors followed by Wikipedia and Amazon (both 62 percent). Not surprisingly, Amazon has the highest concentration (50 percent) of main household shoppers amongst the ten most popular online brands followed by Microsoft (47 percent).

Read the full release.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCHTelegraph CIO Paul Cheesbrough on unlocking the value of online videoSpeaking at an Ooyala event last month, the Telegraph’s CIO Paul Cheesbrough explained video’s role within the Telegraph, and his tips for unlocking future revenues. http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/unlockingvalueofonlinevideotelegraph1916.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/unlockingvalueofonlinevideotelegraph1916.htmlThu, 11 Feb 2010 13:10:42 GMT
Ooyala Logo
Speaking at an Ooyala event last month, TMG’s CIO Paul Cheesbrough explained video’s role within the Telegraph, and his tip for unlocking future revenues.


Upping levels of online engagement, loyalty and innovation are all key to where TMG goes from here, he said. Video is a core part of that – in the shape of Telegraph TV, which was first standalone, then seeded into telegraph.co.uk’s news/lifestyle content published every day.
A central focus going forward is to increase interactivity and interaction, ensuring users consume more and come back – and robust analytics must be front and centre of this.

What’s more, the power of tools like Ooyala must be put into the hands of all journalists and integrated into their core way of working, not left in the hands of a few techies.

Key to TMG’s choice of Ooyala for its video platform, he said, was their analytics package, not to mention what they are developing going forward, as a partner, not just a supplier. Hence Ooyala’s ‘embedding’ in the Euston Project, and its future involvement in TMG’s emerging digital projects.

It is a lack of innovation in ad formats, he added, holding back online video, though content formats had to develop too: What TMG is really excited about for this year is looking at innovative in-stream ads and real interactivity that can enhance video content, as well as help to make more money.

In short, ad formats and content must evolve together to take online video revenues to the next level.

Watch the video of Cheesbrough's presentation.

Ooyala is an Associate Member of AOP.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryLast chance to enter PPA AwardsThe criteria for this year’s PPA Awards have been reviewed and rewritten across all categories to reflect the influence of digital media on the magazine publishing sector.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ppaawardsentrydeadline1917.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ppaawardsentrydeadline1917.htmlThu, 11 Feb 2010 12:13:14 GMT
PPA logo
The deadline for entries to the 30th Annual PPA awards is only a week away.

Entries can be submitted online at The PPA Awards website, which contains information on the criteria for each category and details of the submission process.

The criteria for this year’s PPA Awards have been reviewed and rewritten across all categories to reflect the influence of digital media on the magazine publishing sector.

AOP members qualify for a special discounted rate to enter of £93.50 +VAT per entry. Go to www.theppaawards.com now to start your entry.

Winners will be announced at a fabulous 1950s Hollywood-themed ceremony at Grosvenor House on June 16. Booking for the event will open in March. If you have any questions about the entry process, please email Emma Turner or call on 020 7404 4166.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryNew AOP Award category for ad technology providersA new Award category has been introduced to the AOP Digital Publishing Awards this year: Ad Technology Platform 2010.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/adtechnologyplatformnewaopaward1915.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/adtechnologyplatformnewaopaward1915.htmlWed, 10 Feb 2010 16:45:00 GMT
AOP Awards 2010
A new Award category has been introduced to the AOP Digital Publishing Awards this year:

Ad Technology Platform 2010

With 18 categories to enter this year, download entry forms and make sure you’re prepared for the 5 March entry deadline.

We have introduced this award to recognise ad technology solutions' contribution to media owners' digital properties and revenue streams.

This award will be given to the best existing, new or improved third party ad technology provider that has demonstrated the most effective results in driving digital publishers’ revenue forward.

Entry to the AOP Digital Publishing Awards 2010 is by online submission only.

Deadline for entries: 5 March 2010
Entry Fee: £125 + vat
Awards Event: 10 June 2010, at The Roundhouse in Camden

AOP Award Categories 2010

Launch 2010
Editorial Team 2010 - Business/Consumer
Research and Insights Project 2010
Digital Advertising Sales Team 2010
Commercial Partnership 2010
Innovation 2010
Cross-Media Project 2010
Use of Mobile 2010
Agency Campaign for Media Brand 2010 - New!
Use of Video 2010
Ad Technology Platform 2010 - New!
Digital Editorial - Individual 2010
Website 2010 - Business/Consumer
Specialist Digital Publisher 2010
Gold Award: Digital Publisher 2010 - Business/Consumer

Read full criteria and download entry forms.
Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryNew Rules of Online Revenue - speakers announcedOn 23 February at IPC Media, AOP brings together industry experts to examine the current state of online trading and to look in-depth, through cross-industry panels, at two key issues...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/newrulesofonlinerevenuespeakersannounced1912.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/newrulesofonlinerevenuespeakersannounced1912.htmlThu, 04 Feb 2010 14:45:07 GMTOn the afternoon of 23 February at IPC Media, AOP brings together industry experts to examine the current state of online trading and to look in-depth, through cross-industry panels, at two key issues affecting publishers:

  • The changing dynamics of buying and selling media
  • The role of audience data in generating publisher revenue
Find out more, or book your place online.

We ask

Where do publishers stand with display advertising today and what are the biggest challenges that they face? How can publishers benefit from new trading mechanisms and where do agency and publisher networks fit in? What role can and should audience data play in revenue generation, and what are the legal implications/ restraints?

Speakers include:

  • David Katz, Head of Trading, Media Contacts
  • Marta Martinez, SVP Operations & Business Development, MediaMath
  • Nick Burcher, Head of VNC UK & Products / Partnerships EMEA, Vivaki
  • Tom Bowman, VP Strategy & Operations, Global Advertising Sales, BBC Worldwide
  • Ciaran O'Kane, Editor, ExchangeWire.com

  • Naomi Hahn, Head of Display Advertising, AutoTraderDonald Hamilton, Managing Partner, Precedio Consulting
  • Kimon Zorbas, VP of IAB Europe
  • Steve Dorey, Director of Business Development, Criteo
  • Stuart Colman, MD, European Operations, Audience Science
  • Chair: Matt O'Neill, President, AdMonsters

Find out more about this event.

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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryAOP Digital Landscape Report Volume 12 - Jan 2010January's DLR Report includes the latest 2010 ad market forecasts from Enders for the UK and Magna for the US.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopdlrjan20101892.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopdlrjan20101892.htmlThu, 28 Jan 2010 15:23:21 GMTThe Digital Landscape Report for January 2010 includes ad market forecasts from Enders for the UK and Magna for the US.

The report also includes traffic data for UK news and media web sites, an update on the UK online audience and latest research on key interest areas of mobile, video, and online retail.

Download the January ReportDownload Type: ppt
Download Size: 3811k - members only.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCH‘Connected Advertising’ key to the kingdom of VoDWith the ‘pro VoD’ market still in its infancy, we are seeing an explosion of platforms, with publishers unable to keep up with consumers’ demand for content. For VoD to get its due share...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/connectedadvertisingkeytoonlinevideo1887.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/connectedadvertisingkeytoonlinevideo1887.htmlThu, 28 Jan 2010 12:06:29 GMTWith the ‘pro VoD’ market still in its infancy, we are seeing an explosion of platforms, with publishers unable to keep up with consumers’ demand for content. For VoD to get its due share of marketing spend, however, we are still in search of “the right type of data, to prove we’re good at response”.

This was the word from Gary Knight, Brand Partnerships Director at ITV, speaking at AOP’s ‘Driving the Online Video Market’ event yesterday.

With dual and triple screen experiences on the rise, Knight added that we’re creating a connected world, but not connected advertising – cross-media advertising, driving both branding and response, via TV, online display and VoD. At agency level, brand activation and brand building teams should be brought into closer contact.

Knight urged publishers to dismiss fears of cannibalisation - with VoD up to this point largely focused on catch-up, “quicker we unlock archive, the quicker we unlock revenue.”

YouTube and Channel 4 are doing just that - under the video site's ‘Shows’ channel, with the broadcaster retaining control of sales. YouTube’s Bruce Daisley explained its merits as a syndication partner in data terms – with 50% of users on average logged in at any one time, viewer information and stats extend to age and gender.

Echoing Knight’s view, David Webb, Client Director, Media & Entertainment Research at Nielsen explained the importance of the medium proving its effectiveness through cross-media research. UKOM is establishing an online audience measurement gold standard, and during the Summer, Nielsen’s Video Census product will enable tagging of video to ultimately allow granularity on a programme-by-programme level.

A multi-layered approach

With the final word on the key to commercial growth of VoD, PHD's Head of Online Trading, Harriet Perry and Head of Video on Demand Camilla Day emphasised again the importance of a ‘multi-layered approach’ – display with preroll ads, or on- and offline together. They urged publishers to collaborate – “act as a collective to compete”, whether via selling aggregated content verticals or standardised creatives.

Highlighting PHD’s partnership with ITV and Sainsburys on X Factor, producing cooking-themed shows online featuring the programme’s contestants, they showed ‘connected advertising’ in action, across multiple touchpoints, with engaging content benefiting both client and media owner.

A VoD blueprint for non-broadcast publishers

Representing non-broadcast publishers in this space, Future Publishing’s Programme Manager of Video, Grant Bremner gave a thorough summary of legal, editorial, technical and business concerns for non-broadcast publishers moving into VoD (members can access his presentation) – the key message was be adaptive, and adapt quickly:

  • Disclosure and rights need to be thought about – Future is developing acoustic and visual fingerprinting to protect its IP, and make monitoring and informing infringements easier
  • A central video management tool across all products is key – enabling you to move into new channels seamlessly as they emerge in future

In summary, ITV's Knight emphasised that we’re still playing catch up to the user. Killer research will follow case histories, which the World Cup will provide in spades, as the next major example of the growth of dual screen experiences.

He predicted a move towards a new definition of VoD – either ‘static’ TV VoD or a catch-all ‘roaming’ VoD, covering everything from computers to mobile and tablets.

Members can download presentations from the event.

Video from the event coming soon.

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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryDriving the online video market The seminar brought together traditional and newly-enabled broadcasters, commercial experts and measurement specialists to examine how the landscape currently looks and identify key areas to address in the year ahead...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/drivingonlinevideoevent.obyxhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/drivingonlinevideoevent.obyxWed, 27 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMTThis inaugural event of 2010 marks the first of a series of activities aimed at supporting AOP members to drive the online video market forward.

The seminar brought together traditional and newly-enabled broadcasters, commercial experts and measurement specialists to examine how the landscape currently looks and identify key areas to address in the year ahead -

Read AOP's report on this event:
‘Connected Advertising’ key to the kingdom of VoD

Speaker interview: YouTube Sales Leader Bruce Daisley

Speaker interview: Camilla Day, Head of Video on Demand, PHD

members can download speaker presentations below.

Presentations




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The event covered

  • How can publishers better support one another and work together to drive the market?
  • With no cohesive, universal trading mechanism - how can the online video market be made to work more effectively?
  • Is there a need to standardise the trading currency and if so how can this best be achieved?
  • Is the potential of online video widely enough understood amongst Clients and how can any knowledge gaps be addressed?
  • What are researchers and measurement firms doing to demystify the buying process?
  • How do publishers need to evolve to meet the needs of advertisers?


Highlights of AOP Events in 2009


Video image and quotation creditsno-categoryAOP Awards 2010 call for entriesNow in their ninth outing, the AOP Digital Publishing Awards 2010 is now open for entries. We know you don’t like to be coy about your success stories. And quite rightly so, we think...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopawards2010launchesforentries1876.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopawards2010launchesforentries1876.htmlMon, 25 Jan 2010 23:32:18 GMT
AOP Awards 2010
Now in their ninth outing, the AOP Digital Publishing Awards 2010 is now open for entries - find out how to enter.

Full list of award categories & criteria

Download entry forms.

Read the press release on our call for entries and new categories for 2010.
We know you don’t like to be coy about your success stories. And quite rightly so, we think. In 2009, the Digital Publishing industry proved once again that it has the focus and muscle to hold its own in these uncertain times. This sounds like reason enough to celebrate to us! So if you’re proud about your achievements from the last year and have something inspiring and exciting to celebrate and share with your peers, then listen up:

The prestigious AOP Digital Publishing Awards is your platform to champion your achievements from the last year. This is your chance to celebrate and to recognise the many great achievements produced by our creative and innovative industry.

AOP is dedicated to promoting branded, quality content online and we invite you to celebrate with us at the AOP Digital Publishing Awards on 10 June at The Roundhouse, Camden. Attracting entries from the entire spectrum of digital media, the AOP Awards offer unique industry recognition for the achievements of your business over the last 12 months.

With 18 awards spanning a range of publishing areas, this is your chance to confirm to your peers, your competitors, your advertisers and your users that you are an acclaimed leader in the world of digital media.

Got something worth celebrating? Find out more about entering the AOP Awards now.

Good luck!

What to expect

The black tie event will take place on 10th June at the legendary Roundhouse in Camden.

Guests at the ceremony will be welcomed with a cocktail reception before moving inside for a delicious three course meal, complete with complimentary wine and entertainment throughout.

As ever, the AOP Digital Publishing Awards will host the glitterati of the digital publishing industry. Expect red carpet glamour, buckets of entertainment, and of course, plenty of competition!
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no-categoryDriving the Online Video Market - speaker informationInformation on the speakers at this week's 'Driving the Online Video Market' event...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/drivingtheonlinevideomarketspeakers1875.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/drivingtheonlinevideomarketspeakers1875.htmlMon, 25 Jan 2010 14:40:29 GMTThis is your last chance to book a place at 'Driving the Online Video Market', taking place on 27 January at IPC Media. The seminar will feature the following speakers:

Gary Knight Communications Director, ITV Online

Gary Knight has spent over 29 years working in commercial television.

He joined London Weekend TV in 1978 in the airtime sales division and became Executive Sales Director at Granada in 1994.

In 1998 he set up a Commercial Enterprises division at Granada which focused on developing revenue streams across the company’s programme brands and encouraged advertisers to investigate ‘beyond the spot’ opportunities.

In 2004 he was appointed to run ITV’s Sponsorship & Branded Content unit as well as managing the company’s interests in the Irish Broadcaster, TV3, and their assets in the cable and satellite broadcaster, Granada Sky Broadcasting.

He became ITV’s Brand Partnerships Director in October 2005. His unit is responsible for all Broadcast Sponsorship, Online, Interactive, Mobile, Broadband and Product Placement trading with advertisers and their agencies.

Grant Bremner, Programme Manager, Video, Future Publishing

Grant Bremner is a veteran of the digital media industry having worked for the past 14 years exclusively with TV production companies and broadcasters including CNBC, SKY, Fremantle Media, Endemol, BBC, ITV, NBC, and FOX.

Whilst at the BBC, Bremner worked on a serious of projects to open up the Archive and collected a BAFTA for Interactive Innovation in recognition of this work.

Bremner is now heading up Video Strategy at Future Publishing and driving forward a vision that sees Future become modern day broadcaster.

Bruce Daisley, Sales Leader, YouTube UK

As Sales Leader for YouTube UK, Bruce works on YouTube and Google's Ad Exchange business. His role involves promoting the site's vast range of options to advertisers.

He has broad experience in publisher businesses and, before the internet was even thought about, his first love was radio. Bruce started his media career at Capital (now Global Radio) before moving to Emap. He left Emap, which was by then bought by Bauer, in 2008.

Harriet Perry, Head of Online Display, PHD

Harriet Perry started her media career in TV Buying 15 years ago and after 10 years, moved into Digital media in 2005. Transitioning into Digital at a relatively early stage enabled Harriet to bring cross discipline learnings and insights to the digital channel. She has worked across a range of roles including Head of Interactive TV, Head of Online Trading and Head of Mobile and Display. Harriet has been at the forefront of integrating Digital throughout PHD and maximising digital opportunities for PHD clients.

Joining the panel:

Camilla Day, Head of Video on Demand, PHD

Camilla Day is Head of Video on Demand at PHD, having started her career in TV, radio and cinema buying.

As Head of VoD, Camilla’s role is to ensure that PHD leads the way in this growing market. She forms partnerships with key media owners to ensure advertisers benefit from this emerging medium to its full potential, launching pioneering research initiatives and developing cross media solutions with partners. Camilla is also an active member of the IAB video council.

Facilitator:

Bill Murray, Digital Consultant

Bill Murray is a media veteran who spent 22 years with one of the largest independent magazine companies, Haymarket Media Group. For the past 12 years he has focussed on the digital arena. Latterly he served as managing director of digital strategy at Haymarket where he pioneered online business development across the Haymarket Group and lead a number of successful launches and acquisitions. Since the late ‘90s Bill has also contributed to the development of a number of varied, market leading online businesses.

Bill currently works across a portfolio of digital and media organisations, providing strategic and commercial direction on an advisory and consultancy basis. These include, amongst others, UK Association of Online Publishers, 10ACT, DN Capital, JackBrand and Accelerated Path. Bill is a director of UKOM and also Chairman of Hollins Murray Group Limited – a £100m+ commercial property company based in NW England. He is also currently pursuing several further personal business opportunities. Bill was founding chairman of AOP, a position he held for four years.

Book your place at this event.

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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryInterview: Camilla Day, Head of Video on Demand, PHD"The relationship between VoD and TV, VoD and display, and the merits of sponsorship vs pre roll all need to be explored further."http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/interviewcamilladayheadofvideophd1873.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/interviewcamilladayheadofvideophd1873.htmlFri, 22 Jan 2010 13:30:01 GMTNext week, AOP is hosting an event that brings together traditional and newly-enabled broadcasters, commercial experts and measurement specialists to examine how the video landscape currently looks and identifying key areas to address in the year ahead.

When: Wednesday 27th January 2010, 2.00pm - 6.30pm
Where: IPC Media, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street
Cost: £125 + vat (AOP members) £225 (non-members)

Book your place online

Camilla Day
Ahead of the event, we interviewed speaker Camilla Day, Head of Video on Demand, PHD, to get her thoughts on the lay of the land in the UK VoD market.

How can publishers better support one another and work together to drive the market?

Online video offers publishers the opportunity to drive consumer engagement and retention in a fragmenting marketplace as well as tap into new streams of advertiser revenue.

However, greater collaboration is needed to maximise the potential of online video.

Working as a collective group to share initial learnings and develop research insights would provide advertisers, publishers and agencies greater insight into the VoD marketplace.

Publishers should work collectively to drive uniformity in video measurement and standardisation of creative requirements. They should also agree a roadmap to implement third party ad-serving solutions to drive parity with other digital channels and enable greater accountability with performance benchmarks and deeper learnings.

Is there a need to standardise the trading currency for video, and if so how can this best be achieved?

Most online video is already traded on a CPM model. Publishers should be realistic in terms of the CPMs they want to charge and need to place these in context of the wider market, particularly TV pricing.

As the video market becomes more complex a deeper understanding surrounding the various parts of video will demand more flexibility in trading. Areas such as the value of long form vs. short form content, content by genre, a consensus on optimal ad exposures per viewing session and pricing vs. other channels are all important to understand.

Search driven trading mechanics (keyword targeting) will also demand new areas of expertise.

What are researchers and measurement firms doing to demystify the buying process?

The IAB, Thinkbox and PHD have commissioned research into online video, largely focused around long form content on broadcaster sites. However, there is a lot more to be done if publishers are to understand how best to harness the benefits of VoD for advertisers.

Initiatives such as a central research programme to drive greater understanding of key elements and the creation of a case study hub, centralised video metrix and benchmarks would certainly be a positive step towards gaining deeper learnings.

Publishers are uniquely placed to drive learnings around the value of cross-media solutions allowing advertisers to deeply integrate with their audiences. VoD is often not consumed in isolation (much of VoD viewing takes place on a laptop in front of the TV, for example) so publishers need to understand where it fits within the consumer journey and its role within the media landscape. The relationship between VoD and TV, VoD and display, the merits of sponsorship vs pre roll all need to be explored further.

How do publishers need to evolve to meet the needs of advertisers?

AOP should develop deeper relationships with other industry bodies to start demystifying and understanding the value video plays with traditional media channels. Advertisers want to learn how media channels complement each other and how media can be optimised to drive efficiency.

A collaborative approach in key areas such as research, measurement, content aggregation and integration with other media channels should be adopted. This should be brought to life through agency and advertiser workshops where innovation, best practice and learnings are shared to drive growth and knowledge in video.

There should be a timetabled agenda and roadmap to ensure momentum is created and success delivered.

‘Driving the online video market’ takes place on Wednesday 27th January, from 2pm at IPC Media. Tickets are £125+vat for AOP members, £225+vat for non-members – Book your place online.

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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.INTERVIEWSolbright partners with Ad-JusterAd-Juster and Solbright have signed a partnership agreement that will provide Solbright clients with the ability to automatically access third party delivery data from Ad-Juster for billing reconciliation and discrepancy management.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/solbrightpartnerswithadjuster1872.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/solbrightpartnerswithadjuster1872.htmlThu, 21 Jan 2010 09:22:25 GMT
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Ad-Juster and Solbright have signed a partnership agreement that will provide Solbright clients with the ability to automatically access third party delivery data from Ad-Juster for billing reconciliation and discrepancy management.

Solbright President and CEO Tom Pace commented: “Solbright is focused on giving publishers and websites the management tools they need to increase revenue and efficiency. Ad-Juster data delivered through the Solbright system is precisely the type of tool that delivers our clients maximum control over their information and operations.”

The non-exclusive partnership gives the two companies the ability to exchange new client leads and offer existing Solbright clients a discount on Ad-Juster. Publishers who are already using Solbright and Ad-Juster will see an immediate benefit from the partnership’s data integration. Ad-Juster data will be automatically passed to Solbright, providing critical third party ad delivery data for use in billing reconciliation as well as ad delivery discrepancy management.

About Solbright

Solbright provides business software solutions that help leading Web sites manage the entire spectrum of their online advertising and revenue operations, from proposals and insertion orders to real-time inventory management, ad trafficking, billing, workflow and reporting. More than 6,000 websites trust Solbright to solve their most daunting business challenges and build a proven, results-oriented plan for the future. Solbright is an Associate Member of AOP.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryAOP gains independenceAOP and PPA have announced that AOP – previously a subsidiary of PPA - has formally become an independent membership organisation, as of 1st January 2010. http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopannouncesindependencefromppa1865.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopannouncesindependencefromppa1865.htmlWed, 20 Jan 2010 15:32:32 GMT
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AOP and PPA have announced today that AOP – previously a subsidiary of PPA - has formally become an independent membership organisation, as of 1st January 2010.

The move follows AOP’s need to develop initiatives specifically tailored to its members, which includes TV and radio broadcasters, newspapers and pure-play digital organisations.

Lee Baker, Director of AOP comments, “The scale of demand on the AOP has increased as digital has grown to be a significant factor for businesses and consumers alike. We recognise our responsibility to continually review the needs and requirements of our members, and the changing nature of our relationship with the PPA."

"We will continue to add value as a trade body championing the interests of publishers that create original, branded and quality online content. This announcement purely formalises and acknowledges the way the two industries are evolving.”

Eric Verdon-Roe, Consultant to the PPA adds: "I hope that this relationship will be the model for closer co-operative ventures between PPA and other organisations that share similar interests with us. I wish AOP great success and look forward to working closely with them".

While AOP and PPA will continue to operate from the same offices and collaborate on issues of mutual concern such as regulation of online content, advertising and data privacy, independence provides AOP with the freedom to pursue interests and issues that are of particular concern to its members.

Read the full press release.

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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryAbacus E-Media's Ian Eckert on the ‘year of the paywall’"After all the prognostication and pronouncements in the dying days of the last decade, 2010 looks set to be the year when the payment walls go up..."http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/yearofthepaywallianeckert1860.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/yearofthepaywallianeckert1860.htmlTue, 19 Jan 2010 17:05:00 GMT
Abacus eMedia
Ian Eckert, Project Director at Abacus e-Media, and formerly Digital Director at TSL Education analyses the current trend towards charging for online content. Abacus provides the technology for a number of AOP Member sites, including those of Emap, currently transitioning to a paid content model:

Ian Eckert
After all the prognostication and pronouncements in the dying days of the last decade, 2010 looks set to be the year when the payment walls go up in the world of online publishing.

Some have argued that this debate has a distinct feel of traditional print publishers circling the wagons in a forlorn attempt to stop the advance of the web’s so-called freeconomists – those who believe unfettered access to high quality content is the inalienable right of all web users.

Arguments on the other side of the debate are scarcely more measured, with the likes of Rupert Murdoch and his acolytes routinely talking of content kleptomaniacs, digital vampires and parasites.

But behind all this hyperbole there are some stark economic facts. Much of the print publishing industry is seeing ad revenues haemorrhage. In the US, 11 print media companies from Advertising Age’s Top 100 filed for bankruptcy in 2009, a list that included iconic names such as Chicago Sun-Times. This is in part due to the extraordinary economic conditions currently prevailing. But the consequences of the credit crunch alone cannot explain the seismic shift that publishers are struggling to control.

Rupert Murdoch’s hypothesis is that publishers were ‘asleep’ and made a huge mistake in giving everything away for free online only to find that the hoped-for advertising revenues that were to finance this largess failed to materialise. In the meantime, quality content providers became devalued and ended up fighting in the gutter for the scraps of online ad revenue not already hoovered up by the search giants. And this is not sustainable. Or in Murdoch’s words: “There is not enough advertising in the world to go around to make all the [publishing] websites profitable”.

One thing seems certain. Print publishing’s display and classified ad revenues are unlikely to bounce back to pre-recession levels regardless of the delivery medium. So there has to be an alternative model that can fund the costly business of producing quality content.

Paid Content PanelThe panel on paid content at the AOP Summit 2009Of course it’s a generalisation to assume that all publishers have been giving their content away for free up to this point. In the B2B markets in which Abacus specialise, we’ve always had clients such as Thomson Reuters who’ve been able to charge for high-quality editorial content. But the key to charging is the uniqueness or proprietary nature of the content or service being provided.
So the recent announcement from the Financial Times that it expects content revenue (including print subscriptions and online access fees) to exceed print advertising revenues for the first time this year is no great surprise in a market where up-to-date, accurate and trusted information is at a premium.

But not all publishers share the FT or Thomson’s advantage of operating in a market where there is such an explicit link between the quality of the content being supplied and the potential incremental profits to be made by the content consumers.

Other publications will have a tougher job to do, but one by one they will have to follow the specialist’s example and start to erect barriers around their most valuable property. But in some ways putting up the paywall will be the easy part. Next, publishers are going to have to work very hard to convince users to part with their cash – a tough ask unless the would-be subscriber can be convinced there is an immediate and tangible benefit. Not easy with so much free content available.

And in an age where audience generation lies as much in the hands of the search engines, content aggregators and social networks as it does with the content owners, how can the competing priorities of product marketing and revenue generation be reconciled?

In most cases there will remain a need to promote sampling and more often than not take an incremental approach to the development of the relationship with the user. Such a model might see a certain proportion of content left completely ungated. Access to further content might depend on registration while some other material might only be available to paying subscribers.

Outside of a subscription regime there might be certain premium content or services that requires an additional one-off payment. Meanwhile, access to individual articles in an archive might be subject to a micropayment or a pay-as-you-go system. Another example, such as the one Abacus recently developed for Building and Property Week, might see the user’s level of ‘free’ access being metered to a certain number of transactions in a month before they are required to sign up for a product.

And just as the models to be implemented will be mixed and various it’s equally likely that any model adopted now will need to change – not least as the publisher monitors and responds to user demand.

So any Content Management System and associated access module needs to meet the following requirements:

  • Access controls should be highly flexible – ideally incorporating a rules-based system that can be adapted over time particularly as new content areas or functionality comes on stream
  • There should be support for incremental access regimes including provision for usage metering
  • The access regime should be controlled and maintained by the publication’s audience acquisition team. And they should be able to change and evolve the model at speed without the need for technical redevelopment
  • The system must be able to integrate with existing print fulfilment facilities to ensure a single customer view and a joined-up user experience
  • There should be close integration with the transaction engine to ensure that the system can offer a wide range of payment options from micropayments to direct debit support

All of these considerations came into play when leading B2B publisher Emap Inform decided in Autumn 2009 to move its entire online portfolio, including titles such as Nursing Times and Drapers, to a subscription-based model.

Drapers ScreenshotDrapers' relaunched siteJeff Leslie is Digital Development Director responsible for the roll-out of pay walls across the Emap Inform portfolio. He believes a combination factors is essential to success. "We need to ensure that our system can be adapted to suit the exact market circumstances of any product.

And we need to be able to adjust the access policies over time, through devices like teasers and free trials, to ensure the optimum balance between attracting new users and potential subscribers and converting these prospects into paying customers.

The ability to do this efficiently and without the need for constant technical redevelopment is fundamental to Emap's strategy and the number one requirement for our platform. That’s why we’ve invested in Webvision", says Leslie.

More information and case studies showing how Abacus e-Media’s clients are developing profitable online publishing strategies.

Abacus e-Media is an Associate Member of AOP.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryMcIlheney appointed new PPA CEOBarry McIlheney has been appointed CEO of PPA, effective from Monday, February 1. He succeeds Jonathan Shephard, who left the organisation in September last year. http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/mcilheneynewppachiefexecutive1859.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/mcilheneynewppachiefexecutive1859.htmlTue, 19 Jan 2010 16:36:26 GMT
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Barry McIlheney has been appointed CEO of PPA, effective from Monday, February 1. He succeeds Jonathan Shephard, who left the organisation in September last year.

McIlheney has worked in consumer publishing for 25 years, starting his career as Editor of Smash Hits at the height of that title's success in the late '80s. He went on to become Editor of Empire, and Managing Director of Emap Metro and Chief Executive of Emap Elan, responsible for brands such as Q, The Face, and Elle. He also launched FHM in France, and the men’s weekly Zoo in the UK and Australia.

"I am thrilled and honoured to be leading the PPA at such an exciting, dynamic time in media," said McIlheney. "I look forward to working with all PPA members and driving this great industry forward together."

Peter Phippen, Chairman of the PPA and Managing Director of BBC Magazines, added: “After a difficult period for the PPA, I’m excited that we are able to announce the appointment of Barry, who I am confident will rapidly restore the reputation of the PPA as one of the UK’s best trade associations.”

Group Managing Director of William Reed Business Media, Charles Reed, who will succeed Phippen as Chairman on February 1 said: "Barry has an outstanding track record in our industry, and I greatly look forward to working closely with him at the PPA."
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryITV's Sarah Messer appointed AOP Research ChairAOP has announced the appointment of Sarah Messer, Head of Commercial Research & Insight at ITV, as the new Chair of its Research Committee...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/sarahmesseraopresearchchair1801.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/sarahmesseraopresearchchair1801.htmlThu, 14 Jan 2010 14:30:11 GMT
Sarah Messer
AOP has announced the appointment of Sarah Messer, Head of Commercial Research & Insight at ITV, as the new Chair of the AOP Research Committee. Sarah takes over from Anita Hague, Head of Global Research at the Financial Times who was the AOP Research Committee Chair for three years.

As part of a comprehensive review of the internal structure of the AOP undertaken by Lee Baker, Director of AOP, the chairs of the committees will rotate more frequently: the post will be held for 12 months to allow more chairs to bring wider experience to the working groups.

Tim Cain, Head of Research and Insight at AOP comments: “Anita has done a fantastic job in chairing our Research Committee, which has flourished as a well supported group that has created value for members; and has driven a number of research projects to provide insight to digital publishers."

"We welcome Sarah who has over 13 years experience in online, broadcast and print media, and brings with her a clear understanding of how digital formats can play a key role for publishers. Sarah has also been an active member of the AOP, including a position as representative on the UKOM Technical Group for the past three years."

Sarah Messer adds: “I have been fortunate to have been working in media for about the same length of time as the internet has been growing and changing our lives, gaining exposure in all my work to the digital world and the challenges it brings. I believe the AOP has a unique opportunity, working with its family of media owners and agencies who have existed for many decades, to help them navigate the digital landscape.”

Read the full release.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryVertical ad network provider Adify joins AOPAdify, a leading solution for creating, managing and commercialising premium vertical ad networks, has joined AOP as an Associate Member...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/adifyverticaladnetworkproviderjoinsaop1805.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/adifyverticaladnetworkproviderjoinsaop1805.htmlThu, 14 Jan 2010 10:50:00 GMT
Adify
Adify, a leading solution for creating, managing and commercialising premium vertical ad networks, has joined AOP as an Associate Member.

Delivering strategic solutions working with publishers, brands, and agencies, Adify helps to improve their audience understanding, reach and revenue opportunities.

Adify was founded in the October 2005 in San Francisco by online ad industry veterans from Flycast & comScore and its global business currently has offices in US, UK, Germany, Australia, Singapore.

Nick Reid, VP of Platform Development said: “We are delighted to have joined AOP, as we see working with publishers to deliver strategic solutions to their current market challenges, as one of our core attributes. The AOP has grown significantly over the last 6 years and we look forward to playing a role in continuing their industry leadership in the UK”.

AOP Director Lee Baker added: “"As an innovative technology provider, Adify is well placed to assist AOP members, connecting quality, naturally targeted publisher audiences with brands. We look forward to their contribution."
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryAOP Awards 2010 to launch soon The AOP Digital Publishing Awards 2010 is set to launch, and will be inviting entries in the next week - in its ninth outing...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopawards2010tolaunchforentries1799.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopawards2010tolaunchforentries1799.htmlThu, 14 Jan 2010 09:00:00 GMT
AOP Awards 2010
The AOP Digital Publishing Awards 2010 is set to launch, and will be inviting entries in the next week.

Now in their ninth outing, the AOP Awards are firmly established as the definitive showcase for the best that the digital publishing industry has to offer.

Register your interest in this event.

What to Expect

The Awards will take place on 10th June at the legendary Roundhouse in Camden.

Guests at the ceremony will be welcomed with a cocktail reception before moving inside for a delicious three course meal, complete with complimentary wine and entertainment throughout.

As ever, the AOP Digital Publishing Awards will host the glitterati of the digital publishing industry. Expect red carpet glamour, buckets of entertainment, and of course, plenty of competition!

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2009’s Winners

Winners of 2009’s AOP Digital Publishing Awards included: Bauer Media, who won Consumer Website with FHM.com; Econsultancy won Specialist Digital Publisher; Telegraph Media Group won Consumer Digital Publisher; and TSL Education, who won Business Digital Publisher and the Business Website with TES Connect.

Read the full list of Last year’s winnersno-categorySpeaker interview: YouTube Sales Leader Bruce Daisley"FMCG has always been elusive in the display market - there's an opportunity for all video sellers to highlight the success of this sector across the pond."http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/brucedaisleyyoutubeinterview1798.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/brucedaisleyyoutubeinterview1798.htmlWed, 13 Jan 2010 11:23:15 GMT
Bruce Daisley

YouTube Sales Leader Bruce Daisley on driving the online video market

Bruce Daisley, Sales Leader for YouTube UK is speaking at AOP’s next event: Driving the Online Video Market, on 27 January - Book your place online now.

Is there a need to standardise the trading currency for online video and if so how can this best be achieved?

Certainly TV buyers are looking for an easy way to combine the results of their online and offline video campaigns to demonstrate incremental reach.

From the evidence I've seen online video can provide a strong incremental effect to TV campaigns - and an easy way to demonstrate this would be of benefit for the whole industry.

Is the potential of online video widely enough understood among clients and how can any knowledge gaps be addressed?

I tend to think that we are about 12-18 months behind the US in online video. The last 12 months saw some interesting trends in the American market - firstly online video was the main beneficiary of growth in the display market and secondly the biggest sector in online video is now FMCG.

FMCG has always been elusive in the display market - there's an opportunity for all video sellers to highlight the success of this sector across the pond.

How do publishers need to evolve to meet the needs of advertisers?

Stay responsive to the behaviours of your viewers. They react very quickly - identifying content they love and ignoring content that leaves them cold.

High production values are often less relevant than something that delivers what viewers are looking for.The phenomenon of 'unboxing' videos has been highly successful in the technology market for the last few years - but it remains a stronghold of independent producers - rather than the big publishers in the market. This is illustrative of the opportunities that publishers can look to take advantage of.

Daisley joins speakers from Future, ITV, Nielsen and PHD at Driving the Online Video Market on 27 January – find out more about the event’s speakers or book your place.
Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.INTERVIEWPPA defends cookies in OFT behavioural advertising reviewThe use of cookies to enable more relevant online advertising should not be impaired by unnecessary regulation, PPA has said.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ppadefendscookiesoft1797.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ppadefendscookiesoft1797.htmlWed, 13 Jan 2010 10:17:53 GMTThe use of cookies to enable more relevant online advertising should not be impaired by unnecessary regulation, PPA has said.

In its response to the Office of Fair Trading market study on advertising and pricing, PPA maintained that online behavioural advertising ("OBA"), also known as behavioural targeting, is crucial for publishers to be able to serve relevant advertising to consumers.

OBA also provides greater value to advertisers and is an important factor in the generation of revenues that support quality online content and services.
While some data protection concerns have been raised in relation to OBA, PPA underlined the fact that much behavioural advertising using cookies does not involve the use of personal data.

Where cookies are capable of being linked to an individual user, the data subject is then safeguarded by various regulations, including the Data Protection Act 1998 and Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

PPA added that consumers should continue to be informed about the use of cookies and the ability to regulate the acceptance, use and deletion of cookies via web browsers. However, any suggestion of introducing an opt-in regime - requiring prior consent on the part of users - would be disproportionate and damaging for business and would ruin a users' web surfing experience.

PPA legal director David Hyams said: “PPA is interested in working with the OFT to ensure that self-regulation is sufficient to protect consumers’ interests while at the same time not stifling business, innovation and consumers’ experience of the internet.”

Members can read the response in full. For more information contact David Hyams or James Evans.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryHaymarket acquires Friday Pint NetworkThe Friday Pint, which forms a network of websites and events for commercial media professionals, that includes media sales jobs and media sales jobs UK, has been acquired by Haymarket and is to be merged with MediaWeekjobs.co.uk.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/haymarketacquiresfridaypintnetwork1785.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/haymarketacquiresfridaypintnetwork1785.htmlThu, 07 Jan 2010 14:25:19 GMT
Haymarket
The Friday Pint, which forms a network of websites and events for commercial media professionals, has been acquired by Haymarket and is to be merged with MediaWeekjobs.co.uk.

Simon Devitt, Online Publishing Director at Haymarket Business Media commented: “The purchase of The Friday Pint clearly demonstrates our ongoing commitment to provide the best online experience for both recruiters and advertisers alike within the UK media sector."

“Lee Branch and his team have created a vibrant business over the past few years and by combining it with our established job site, MediaWeekjobs.co.uk, we will be able to capitalise on their efforts and provide the sector with a unique online recruitment proposition.”

As part of the agreement MediaWeek will also become the headline sponsor of The Media Sales Cup – the annual 5-a-side football tournament for advertising sales teams.

Source: Release
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categorySolbright Strengthens Sales and Marketing Team, Positions for 2010 GrowthSolbright, delivering solutions that drive the business of digital advertising, today announced that it has been well positioned for rapid growth in 2010 with two strategic additions to its sales and marketing team. http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/solbrightpositionsfor2010growth1784.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/solbrightpositionsfor2010growth1784.htmlWed, 06 Jan 2010 12:15:47 GMT
Solbright Logo
Solbright, delivering solutions that drive the business of digital advertising, today announced that it has been well positioned for rapid growth in 2010 with two strategic additions to its sales and marketing team.

John Nives, Senior VP of Worldwide Sales and Marketing, and Eric Berg, Director of West Coast Sales, join the digital advertising operations pioneer as the company readies for further growth in the year ahead.

Nives brings more than 25 years of experience building technology-driven information companies. In that time he served as SVP global sales and marketing at Nielsen/Netratings (eRatings), where he expanded the digital measurement business into 20 countries, growing sales to $30 million.

Also at Nielsen, Nives created a breakthrough initiative – Yahoo! Consumer Direct – that pioneered purchase behavior-driven targeting and ROI measurement, now a $60 million+ business.

“Solbright enables publishers to maximize the value of their digital advertising investments via innovative, comprehensive technology solutions,” said Nives. “The company’s potential for growth in this market is limitless, as publishers worldwide seek out tools that help them take greater control of their digital ad businesses.”

Berg joins Solbright after more than 17 years of experience in media and software sales. Most recently, he was the West Coast Sales Manager of the Microsoft Publisher Tools Group, where he led a sales team targeting online publishers with more than one billion ad impressions.

Berg was also responsible for a portfolio that included ad servers, yield management tools and media monetization products. Prior to Microsoft, he held several senior management positions with CMP Media, a leading B2B technology media company.

Solbright is an AOP Associate Member.

More on Solbright

Solbright delivers solutions that drive the business of digital advertising. The company provides the tools to help leading Web sites manage the entire spectrum of their online advertising operations, from proposals and insertion orders to real-time inventory management, ad trafficking, billing and reporting.

Delivering a simplified – not simplistic – solution to publishers' most daunting business challenges, Solbright enables them to take control of their digital advertising revenue and build a proven, results-oriented plan for the future.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryMarie Claire forms content partnership with MSNMicrosoft portal MSN has joined forces with IPC Media’s marieclaire.co.uk to create a new content partnership. The deal will provide MSN users with fashion and beauty editorial directly from the desks of Marie Claire’s beauty and fashion reporters, and in turn drive traffic back to Marie Claire’s website.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/marieclairecontentpartnershipmsn1783.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/marieclairecontentpartnershipmsn1783.htmlWed, 06 Jan 2010 10:28:37 GMT
marieclaire.co.uk logo
Microsoft portal MSN has joined forces with IPC Media’s marieclaire.co.uk to create a new content partnership.

The deal will provide MSN users with fashion and beauty editorial directly from the desks of Marie Claire’s beauty and fashion reporters, and in turn drive traffic back to Marie Claire’s website.

marieclaire.co.uk’s content will feature in MSN’s Life & Style channel, within new Marie Claire branded beauty, fashion and news sections. In addition to news, visitors to MSN will find Marie Claire’s buys of the day, revealing the latest must-have beauty products and on-trend fashion.

The Marie Claire editorial within MSN will carry links to other popular content from marieclaire.co.uk, including photo galleries, celebrity news and additional fashion and beauty.

Carla Bevan, editor of marieclaire.co.uk, adds: “We've cherry-picked some of our most popular online content for MSN's Life & Style portal, and are looking to grow that offering over the coming months.”

IPC Media is a Board member of AOP.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryDriving the online video market – speakers announcedSpeakers from ITV, PHD, YouTube and Future Publishing will feature at AOP's inaugural 2010 event on 27 January...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/videoseminarspeakersannounced1755.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/videoseminarspeakersannounced1755.htmlThu, 17 Dec 2009 09:25:20 GMTHarriet Perry, head of Online Trading, Display and Mobile, PHD, Richard Foster, Digital Director, Future Publishing, Bruce Daisley, Sales Leader, YouTube UK and Gary Knight Brand Partnerships Director, ITV will all speak at AOP’s inaugural event of 2010, taking place on 27 January.

Find out more about the event.no-categoryThe future of cross-media business modelsA massive research project is underway to establish a state-of-practice network on the future of cross-media publishing. What's working - what's not, from paywalls to postcode publishing...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/futurecrossmediabusinessmodels1754.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/futurecrossmediabusinessmodels1754.htmlThu, 17 Dec 2009 09:15:12 GMT

A collaboration of publishers, academics, and media policy workers

A massive research project is underway to establish a state of practice network on the future of cross media publishing. What's working - what's not, from paywalls to postcode publishing.

The network currently includes Brunel University, the London School of Economics, several UK and US media associations and leading digital and print publishers with funding from the London Development Agency and Brunel University.

After a launch meeting in central London, plans were put in place to build a website as a focal point for discussion and begin work on a portfolio of business model case studies.

A prototype website is now up and running. We would like to encourage you to visit the website, learn more about the project and contact us so that we can include you in the launch of this network later in the year.

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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryMerry Christmas from AOPWishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! With thanks to all of our members for their support in 2009...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/merrychristmasfromaop1753.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/merrychristmasfromaop1753.htmlThu, 17 Dec 2009 09:00:26 GMT

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Christmas



With thanks for your support in 2009


The AOP office will close on 24 December, and reopens on 4th January

Highlights of AOP Events in 2009

!!!MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! image by METAL-ARMZ

Video image and quotation credits including links to the various events
Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryiPhone users more likely to pay for video contentResearch from Olswang and YouGov found that iPhone users are more likely to pay for content, particularly TV on demand.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/iphoneusersmorelikelytopayforvideocontent1751.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/iphoneusersmorelikelytopayforvideocontent1751.htmlWed, 16 Dec 2009 10:00:56 GMTResearch from Olswang and YouGov has found that iPhone users are more likely to pay for content, particularly TV on demand.

The Olswang Convergence Survey found that 37% of iPhone users would be interested in watching mobile TV on demand in future. 41% of this group also said they would be willing to pay to access TV services which are normally free on mobile, such as 7 day catch-up.

Find out more about the report

Download the full reportDownload Type: pdf
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Source: Release
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCHUK local market an “ecosystem of varying motivations”At AOP’s forum this week, Guardian Local Launch Editor Sarah Hartley outlined the latest big shifts in this space: while the US has seen acquisitions of startups aggregating news and data...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/uklocalmediaonlineecosystemeventreport1747.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/uklocalmediaonlineecosystemeventreport1747.htmlFri, 11 Dec 2009 10:00:11 GMTAt AOP’s forum on 9 December, Guardian Local Launch Editor Sarah Hartley outlined the latest big shifts in this space: while the US has seen acquisitions of startups aggregating news and data to create ‘microlocal’ sites, the UK remains a patchwork “ecosystem of varying motivations”, presenting real opportunities around forging new partnerships.

From grassroots public interest tools like Help me investigate or hyperlocal community sites such as The Litchfield Blog, to AND’s local ‘People’ conversation sites , and GMG’s own embryonic ‘beatblogger’ projects for selected UK cities, the wildly varying motivations in this space spell greater opportunity for collaboration, instead of competition.

For the benefit of those whose motivations included making money online, Birmingham City Uni Senior Lecturer (and publisher of the Online Journalism Blog) Paul Bradshaw gave a neat summary of the most promising areas to look at:

  • ‘What’s the package you’re selling?’ he asked. “People never paid for news, they paid for newspapers” he said, implying that monetisation lies in the continued development of online services and products
  • For instance, ‘Birmingham, it’s not shit’ makes money through selling branded products. He also cited Manhattan Media, already making 20% of its revenues from spin-off events
  • With users spending more and more time online on community sites – in hyperlocal’s favour, he said, is the fact that membership of a community is already part of the package – “it’s not just content”

Digital MD for Newsquest Roger Green gave insight into the nuts and bolts of running such community sites: “it’s a channel that needs to be worked hard”, as it tries to involve people more and more. Green urged publishers to “adapt in appropriate ways - if it’s not sustainable, don’t bother” and to delve even further into “community correspondence”. He singled out the efforts of Brighton Argus Online Editor Jo Wadsworth, using Twitter to engage with her community of readers, rather than simply using it as a broadcast channel.

Panel Debate

Joining the panel, Johnston Press Digital Stategy Director Lori Cunningham was brought straight to the subject of JP’s paywall experiment – faced by a multiplicity of solutions, and routes to market, she explained: “the quickest way to understand that dynamic is to get out there, and ask ‘is there value in that?’”

James Thornett, Executive Product Manager, Local and Location Services, BBC explained that the broadcaster is committed to making the local ecosystem work, whilst it “tries to deliver what the UK wants”.

Just as the BBC may be looking to instill a more robust policy around crediting stories and linking out to local publishers, David Higgerson, Trinity Mirror’s Head of Multimedia, explained that building partnerships with smaller publishers and community sites needs further development, for the benefit of both sides: “the power lies somewhere in the middle”.

Listen to Patrick Smith's interview with David Higgerson

Read PaidContent:UK's coverage of the event.

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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryAOP Microlocal Media ForumAn increasing number of today's major media groups are giving more emphasis to their local, hyper and microlocal offerings: Associated Northcliffe, Guardian Media Group, Johnston Press, Newsquest, Trinity Mirror and others.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/microlocalmediaforum.obyxhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/microlocalmediaforum.obyxWed, 09 Dec 2009 14:00:00 GMTRead AOP's summary of the event

Read PaidContent:UK's summary of the event.

Tweets from the event #aopforum

An increasing number of today's major media groups are giving more emphasis to their local, hyper and microlocal offerings: Associated Northcliffe, Guardian Media Group, Johnston Press, Newsquest, Trinity Mirror and others.

But the prospects for microlocal are by no means certain. Publishers look likely to be in competition for ownership of the space with low or no-cost, community-created initiatives - so how best should they invest in their efforts and leverage their advantages? This forum brought together experts on local and digital publishers to explore what local has to offer UK publishers - what the real opportunities are and how local can be made to pay.

Agenda

Chair's Introduction & Overview: The Local Landscape


Sarah Hartley
Sarah Hartley, Local Launch Editor, Guardian

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  • Overview of local
  • Profiling the players
  • Tends and influences shaping the landscape

Monetising Microlocal


Paul Bradshaw
Paul Bradshaw, Senior Lecturer in Online Journalism, Birmingham City University

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Read our interview with Paul Bradshaw.

  • Emerging business models
  • Successful and not so successful approaches
  • Opportunities and pitfalls
  • The independent’s view

Case Study: Newsquest

Roger Green
Roger Green, Managing Director, Digital Media, Newsquest Media Group

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Read our interview with Roger Green.

  • The potential of Microlocal
  • The true costs
  • Maximising participation
  • Sustaining a business

Panel Debate and Q&A

Moderator: Sarah Hartley, Local Launch Editor, Guardian


Panellists:

  • Paul Bradshaw, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, Birmingham University

  • Roger Green, Managing Director, Digital Media, Newsquest Media Group
  • James Thornett, Executive Product Manager, Local and Location Services, BBC
  • Lori Cunningham, Digital Strategy Director, Johnston Press

  • David Higgerson, Head of Multimedia, Regional Newspapers, Trinity Mirror



Read our interview with David Higgerson.

More information on the speakers.no-categoryTrinity Mirror Head of Multimedia David Higgerson on local"The notion that people no longer care about local news online is wrong. Across the UK, newspapers see huge spikes when big stories break..."http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/davidhiggersonlocalinterview1738.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/davidhiggersonlocalinterview1738.htmlMon, 07 Dec 2009 12:00:49 GMT
David Higgerson
David is speaking at AOP's local forum on Wednesday 9th December

How can publishers compete with zero cost base community developed and run sites?

To describe them as zero cost is misleading in many ways, because the best community sites are those which have a lot of time, care and attention invested in them by people who feel they can make a difference with what they do. That's still a cost - just not one you'd see on a balance sheet.

As for competing with community-developed sites, I think the future lies in finding ways of working with such sites for the benefit of both parties. This could be as simple as linking to each other, or more complex in terms of sharing an advertising network.

Could we share content? There will be sites we have no choice but to compete with, but I see a lot of potential in trying to work with hyperlocal sites going forward.

Are publishers wise to be investing in microlocal at this time?

Regional newspaper publishers have been investing in microlocal for decades. The content our journalists provide is the sort of information which people appreciate about their local areas, and which no-one else provides.

Providing that local information has never been more important now that people can easily sift, sort and choose the local information they need online. The challenge for regional publishers is ensuring that the content we are generating is the content people want.

What kind of local sites are likely to succeed and who do you think will ultimately emerge as owners of this space?

I don't believe any one organisation or body will ‘own’ the whole space. No one site or publisher will own the space in any one area, either. The local sites which succeed are those which listen to the audience they write/produce content for, and encourage participation.

Every now and again, someone will claim that publishers are only interested in community hyperlocal sites so that they can rip off their content, while occasionally you will hear a traditional journalist suggest all hyperlocal sites and bloggers are ‘Sid Nutters’. Those who continue to push forward with those views, and refuse to work with one another, are those who will fail.

How useful are the many tools and suppliers springing up to support local publishing

The usefulness of the tools out there depends very much on what the end goal is for the microlocal site, be it a one-community site or a network of microlocal sites, such as Trinity Mirror's sites in Teesside or Northumberland. If we consider Twitter, Flickr and Facebook to be tools for this, then they are only as good as the person using them.

We have to see social media tools as a way of communicating rather than broadcasting, sharing rather than publishing. Anyone looking to launch such tools needs to make sure the tool they've got is worth people getting to know and, above all, works. Flaky tools are soon forgotten.

How do you think the landscape is likely to develop going forward?

More partnerships will emerge in the future, with an emphasis on the partnership being based on what users need, rather than what suits each partner.

For journalists working within mainstream media, I think we'll see a transparency continue to become a more important part of what we do. Our audience is now more empowered to ask questions of what we do and why we do it, and we should welcome that. It's the best way to be connected to the communities we seek to serve.

What do you think it takes for publishers to succeed in this area?

Publishers need to look at the content they produce - still primarily for print - and ask themselves what else they need to produce to make their content desirable for an online audience seeking local information.

The notion that people no longer care about local news online is wrong. Across the UK, newspapers see huge spikes when big stories break, even in the face of stiff competition from national players such as Sky and the BBC and regional newspapers enjoy large audiences online, but shouldn't take them for granted.

Working with hyperlocal start-ups, regional publishers should be well-placed for
the future, but shouldn't lose sight of their USP: strong, local content which the audience can trust. Any website can add 10,000 page impressions instantly by republishing football transfer rumours, but the real reward will go to those publishers which listens to the audience, and involves the audience, in the future.

What do you see as the main threats to publisher success?

A refusal to change. Publishers have always prided themselves on knowing the community they serve, and in the past that just meant telling the community what it wanted/needed to hear. Now we are just one voice in a vocal community, and we have to ensure that those voices are represented in what we do, listened to as we go about our work, and embraced when they challenge us.

If we continue to see ourselves as publishers and broadcasters to a community, rather than an active part in a community, then we'll be pushed to the sidelines.

David is speaking at AOP's local forum on Wednesday 9th December - find out more and book your place online.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.INTERVIEWAOP Ad Effectiveness Research - key findingsThe 2009 AOP Ad Effectiveness Study demonstrates how brand display advertising performs in different online environments and has confirmed the strengths of quality original content rich web sites for brand display advertising versus portals or social media sites.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/adeffectivenessresearchkeyfindings1733.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/adeffectivenessresearchkeyfindings1733.htmlThu, 03 Dec 2009 14:00:42 GMTThe 2009 AOP Ad Effectiveness Study demonstrates how brand display advertising performs in different online environments, and confirms the strengths of quality original content rich web sites in this field versus portals or social media sites.

More information on the research.

Download the full results of the researchDownload Type: pdf
Download Size: 228k - AOP members only.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCHHow to compete with low cost local sites"Apply the same free tools and techniques to proven brands, distribution channels and customer relationships..." - Roger Green, MD of Digital Media, Newsquest.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/rogergreennewsquestlocalinterview1725.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/rogergreennewsquestlocalinterview1725.htmlTue, 01 Dec 2009 10:30:26 GMT
Roger Green
Roger Green, Managing Director of Digital Media, Newsquest, will be speaking at AOP’s Microlocal Media Forum on Wednesday 9 December.

He joins speakers from Johnston Press, BBC Local, Guardian Local & Trinity Mirror - view full lineup.

Tickets for this event are just £40+vat for AOP members – Find out more and book online now.

Ahead of the event, we got his view on local: the 'zero cost' competition,
commercial opportunities, and the main threats and opportunities for digital
publishers.

What do you feel are the main issues for publishers developing their businesses in microlocal?

Evolving the proven business models of their local media brands from a tradition of one-way broadcasting of news and relatively soft information to a place where there is more emphasis on hard data, collaboration and local conversation.

How can publishers compete with zero-cost base community developed and run sites?

Local media companies have been used to dealing successfully with low-cost competition in the low-tech world so competition is not a new concept. I don't believe that anything that is 'zero cost' can possibly have wide enough appeal, achieve an appropriate amount of awareness or grow enough sales momentum to be sustainable, whatever fashionable technology it is using.

Some seductive 'zero cost' initiatives are based upon the premise that they
shouldn't pay for intellectual property that clearly belongs to someone else.
This is an untenable and unsustainable business model. Not surprisingly they
don't last.

To compete effectively, publishers should assume the 'zero costers' will be
around for at least a while and apply the same free tools and techniques to
their proven brands, distribution channels and customer relationships. They
should also look out for opportunities for partnerships and collaboration. I'm
sure some will emerge.

Is there any sign of a robust commercial model to justify publisher investment?

The present regional media model is considerably more robust than it's often given credit for, having evolved to encompass many distribution channels - newspapers, magazines, events, radio, television, fixed and mobile telephone services and - since 1994 - websites. The nation's local media companies deliver trusted local news and information to 40 million print readers a week and 37 million web users a month - bigger audiences than many have ever had.

If real revenue opportunities arise through microlocal there's no reason why
they shouldn't be incorporated into the incumbents' commercial mix and attract
an appropriate level of investment.

Are publishers wise to be investing in microlocal at this time?

It deserves serious attention, but how much remains to be seen.

What do you think it takes for publishers to succeed in this area?

To adopt the best of the ideas that are out there and to leverage their advantages to do them better than the zero-costers can. There may be mutually beneficial opportunities in partnership.

What do you see as the main threats to publisher success?

The main challenge for incumbents in local publishing is being able to adapt in appropriate ways in a timely enough fashion. Avoid being Disco Dads, think things through. 'Appropriate' refers to things that are worth doing.

Ever since the internet went commercial publishers have been encouraged to do
things that frequently turned out to be a waste of time. Microsoft Channels. Be a
free ISP or a 'portal'. The high level of noise - peaking in 1999 and probably again in 2009 - obscured developments that took root quietly and turned into unanticipated outcomes - the most notable being Google.

The AOP Microlocal Media forum takes place on 9 December at Olswang's Offices - book your place online - tickets half price for AOP members.

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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.INTERVIEWDigital Landscape Report for November ReleasedAOP's latest monthly aggregation of research is now available for members to download...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/dlrnovember20091718.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/dlrnovember20091718.htmlThu, 26 Nov 2009 15:19:45 GMTThe AOP Digital Landscape Report for November is now available for members to download.members only

More information on the contents of this month's report.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCHCBS Interactive launches GameSpot Trax UKUK’s first dedicated real-time tool to measure consumer interest in video games...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/cbsinteractivelaunchesgamespottraxuk1726.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/cbsinteractivelaunchesgamespottraxuk1726.htmlThu, 26 Nov 2009 11:43:35 GMT
CBS Interactive
CBS Interactive's GameSpot UK has announced the launch of GameSpot Trax UK, the UK version of its games intelligence tool which allows retailers, games publishers and industry marketeers to measure consumer interest and desire in video games.

GameSpot Trax was originally launched in the USA in 2003 and provides data and analysis at a global level. The new GameSpot Trax UK follows the behaviour of more than 4.5 million UK gamers, making UK-specific data on what’s hot and what’s not in video games available for the first time.

The tool monitors daily how UK gamers are responding to gaming products and brands, and benchmarks them against their competitors at each of the five major stages of the buying cycle, including awareness, consideration, trial, purchase, and post-purchase engagement or feedback.

Marketeers can easily set parameters for a daily feed, mapping their own and their competitors' activities -- such as ad campaigns and PR activities -- into user trend graphs that show the effectiveness of their efforts in building mindshare.

“Last year the UK video games market was worth over £3.8bn, and for the first time ever video games are out-selling DVD and Blu-Ray discs” said Julian Childs, UK Commercial Director, CBS Interactive. “The stakes are incredibly high for game publishers, and the need for a powerful tool providing comprehensive information and insights – specific to the UK market – has never been greater."

CBS gave a presentation on GameSpot Trax at AOP's forum on diversifying revenues in January. CBS Interactive is an AOP Board Member.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryInterview with Paul Bradshaw on local media Interview with Paul Bradshaw, Senior Lecturer in Online Journalism at Birmingham University. Bradshaw is speaking at AOP's next event on 9 December...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/interviewwithpaulbradshaw1717.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/interviewwithpaulbradshaw1717.htmlWed, 25 Nov 2009 15:44:21 GMT
Paul Bradshaw
Paul Bradshaw, Senior Lecturer in Online Journalism at Birmingham City University. Bradshaw, and Publisher of Online Journalism Blog, is speaking at AOP's next event on 9 December - find out more abotut the event and book your place online.

What kind of local sites are likely to succeed and who do you think will ultimately emerge as owners of this space?

The sites that have been most successful so far are those that focus on relationships as much as content, and who have an open and transparent approach to production. Sites that challenge power while inviting collaboration.

How can publishers compete with zero-cost base community developed and run sites?

They can't - and they shouldn't. When it comes to the web, the value lies in the network, not in the content. Look at the biggest web success story: Google.

Google's value - contrary to the opinion of Rupert Murdoch - is not in its content. It is in its connections; its links; its network. You don't go to Google to read; you go there to find. The same is true of so many things on the internet.

One of the problems for publishers is that people use the web as a communications channel first, as a tool second, and as a destination after that. The successful operations understand the other two uses and work on those by forging partnerships, and linking, linking, linking.

So publishers should be working with those community sites for long-term mutual benefit - and I emphasise 'mutual': publication in your print edition 'Photos of the Week' does not really constitute a long-term strategy here.

Are publishers wise to be investing in microlocal at this time?

Yes. The regional approaches of print and broadcast are based on the logistics of delivery vans and radio waves. Online those logistics don't apply, while you get other advantages like personalisation, aggregation and social recommendation.

Readers are more likely to go to a website based on their postcode and friends rather than plough through pages of generic 'regional' content on the chance they'll find something relevant.

What do you see as the main threats to publisher success?

The biggest threat is in continuing to focus on maximising the efficiencies of existing assets rather than using the efficiencies that the internet offers.

The internet makes it incredibly efficient to collaborate, to distribute, and to link, but publishers' moves online so far have neglected all three of those opportunities, focusing instead on content, content, content.

Content, for most people, is a means to an end: typically conversation or action. Established publishers face enormous threats from other online operations make that connection easy through collaboration, distribution and linking.

How do you think the landscape is likely to develop going forward?

I've said this before at the Cabinet event, so I'll quote from that: I see 2 main paths of development, and both have one thing in common: the future is networked.

On the one side I see the national-grassroots-data path - I'll call it the Networked Model for simplicity's sake. As increasing numbers of local newspapers close or stunt their operations, hyperlocal blogs will spring up to address the gap.

At the same time national news organisations enter the local market and partner with these and data-based operations. The most likely figures in this scenario are The Guardian, hyperlocal blogs and the likes of MySociety and OpenlyLocal. It's a patchwork solution that is likely to leave gaps in coverage.

On the other side is the Local News Consortia proposed by Ofcom. Established operators like PA, ITN and regional newspaper publishers will partner up to gain access to a pot of public money and efficiencies that they cannot achieve without ending up in front of the Competition Commission.

This will require some public service commitments such as covering councils and courts, and universal coverage - but fundamentally this will be Business As Usual.

What tactics do you think publishers should be adopting to leverage their strengths?

Focus on adapting ad sales departments for the internet age and the measurability and interactivity that that offers. Don't just sell internet ads - sell the internet to advertisers; because if you don't, a competitor will.

Be as transparent as possible about everything that they do, linking to sources of information and publishing them in their unedited form if they're not already online. This creates material for others to work with, leading to more stories, and more people clicking back to the material, not to mention the goodwill that can help drive more leads and more sales.

Paul will be speaking at AOP's Microlocal Media forum, taking place on the afternoon of Wednesday 9th December, at Olswang's Offices find out more and book your place online.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.INTERVIEWFormer Wunderloop Exec Bas Seelen, appointed Rubicon Director of Publisher DevelopmentThe Rubicon Project, the Internet advertising infrastructure company, continues to build out its international presence with the appointment of Bas Seelen as Director of Publisher Development for Northern Europe. Seelen will be responsible for strategically supporting publishers across Northern Europe as they leverage the Rubicon Project’s technology to optimise and monetise advertising inventory, as well as help grow relationships with ad networks in the region. http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/basseelenrubiconproject1723.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/basseelenrubiconproject1723.htmlTue, 24 Nov 2009 10:18:26 GMT
Rubicon Project
rubiconproject.comthe Internet advertising infrastructure company, continues to build out its international presence with the appointment of Bas Seelen as Director of Publisher Development for Northern Europe.

Seelen will be responsible for strategically supporting publishers across Northern Europe as they leverage the Rubicon Project’s technology to optimise and monetise advertising inventory, as well as help grow relationships with ad networks in the region.

Seelen’s experience in Internet advertising extends over ten years and includes previous roles at companies such as Wunderloop, the leading independent provider of targeting services, AdLINK Internet Media and Netplus Advertising Network. At Wunderloop, Seelen served as Managing Director, responsible for opening the firm’s first office in Benelux and growing the company to become the market leader in under a year. Seelen is based in Amsterdam, from where he’ll continue to serve on the Advisory Board of IAB Netherlands, and reports to Jay Stevens, the Rubicon Project’s VP and GM International.

Stevens said: “With his industry experience and knowledge of the market, Bas is well-suited to deliver the support and education that publishers need to start rebuilding trust in ad networks and in turn improving their channel management practices – and with it their revenue potential.”

Founded in Los Angeles in 2007, the Rubicon Project opened its first international office in London in June 2009, with industry veteran Justin Thomas at the helm, to support publishers in the UK. Since then, the Rubicon Project has opened offices in Australia and Hong Kong with Kaylie Smith, former Head of Platform Japan + Asia Pacific at Google, leading the APAC market and Jayne Leung, former DoubleClick executive, leading Hong Kong.

The Rubicon Project recently debuted REVV for publishers™, a comprehensive technology platform that empowers premium Web publishers with complete control and visibility to best manage their ad inventory, matching every impression with the highest paying demand source. Combining technology, tools, access and integration, REVV for publishers delivers a complete Yield Management Optimization solution to premium Web publishers.

The Rubicon Project is an Associate Member of AOP.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-category"In an integrational world, UKOM is a game-changer"UKOM “will bring online up to the same level as other media” said Harry Davies, Team Head for Digital Marketing, COI at yesterday’s AOP Research Forum. He added that it would “help the industry start to think about online as mainstream...” http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ukomgamechangeraopresearchforum1710.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ukomgamechangeraopresearchforum1710.htmlThu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:09 GMT
Harry Davies
UKOM “will bring online up to the same level as other media” said Harry Davies, Team Head for Digital Marketing, COI at yesterday’s AOP Research Forum. He added that it would “help the industry start to think about online as mainstream.”

David Fletcher, Head of MEC MediaLab, Mediaedge:cia agreed, highlighting how “in an integrational world, UKOM is a game-changer”, more so for those working cross-media, he stressed, than the purely digitally-focussed.

Chairing the event, Tim Cain, AOP’s Head of Research, outlined the current challenge facing media research: a fragmented digital landscape, with multiple access points – how to determine and prove the value of audiences in this environment?

Download presentations from the event (AOP members only.)

“Relevance is key”

Giving the agency view on how publishers can prove value, Fletcher revealed that integration (even more than ideas, innovation and integrity) is the pitch buzzword of the day. He advised:

  • Prove the reach gain for cross-media, where audiences don’t overlap – “no-one has yet cracked the integration piece”.
  • Be an expert in your audience segment – for example, if yours is a business audience, know that online dominates for business news at certain hours during the day.
  • See the wider context – how yours fits into a broader media context, and the life of your audience.
  • The COI’s Davies added that media owners need to prove how they match clients’ target audiences - where they didn’t, they should consider collaborating with other publishers.
  • He also urged publishers to highlight behavioural targeting technologies at their disposal.
  • Ad server data is not always the most robust, he said, so any additional information media owners are able to share with clients is very useful.

For the COI’s purposes, Davies added that the proxy for measuring behaviour change needs to be developed further, as it looks increasingly at the entire consumer journey, from exposure to conversion, linking offline and online.

Sue Gray, Head of Commercial and Corporate Research, Channel 4 gave practical insight into how just such a campaign had been carried out for the Home Office, which aimed at raising awareness around the risks of binge drinking.

Linking up with a storyline in Hollyoaks, the campaign capitalised on the high engagement of VOD viewers, and managed to prove the markedly high effect of the campaign on VOD viewers.

A mix of old and new

“Everyone thinks the web is easy to report on, which is not the case”, according to Gary Roddy, Research Director, GfK NOP Media.

A mix of old & new is required – citing research proving the effectiveness of TV and online working in tandem, Roddy stressed that proving “what each media adds” is key: “ask how online is the best medium for conveying your client’s message.”

He added that Gfk’s own panel-based research is showing online’s influence over FMCG buying habits, “in ways you wouldn’t expect.”

Defining Engagement

Proving engagement around ad campaigns has been a growing trend in 2009, and the panel was asked how engagement might be defined.

For Channel 4, said Gray, proving engagement relates back to the broadcaster’s core purposes, including inspiring change in viewers lives, as the Home Office campaign had worked towards.

For Fletcher, engagement is “a means to an end” – with many different manifestations. Follow the COI model, he advised, and take 10-12 KPIs with a clear line of site, “then obsess over them.”

Download presentations from the event (AOP members only.)

Notes for NNFP webinar 090108 image by esagor.
Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryAOP Research Forum - increasing audience value & effectivenessAs audiences splinter across multiple platforms and screens, the need for accurate, detailed media measurement has never been greater...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/digitalresearchforum.obyxhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/digitalresearchforum.obyxWed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMTRead AOP's report on this event

As audiences splinter across multiple platforms and screens, the need for accurate, detailed media measurement has never been greater.

Yet integrating digital and traditional data is far from simple. And when it comes to making best use of the data that is available, are we really getting it right? In this forum we ask, where does the future of innovative research lie and what is being done to realise it?

Agenda

Improving data provision and usage

David Fletcher
David Fletcher, Head of MEC MediaLab, Mediaedge:cia

  • Importance of providing good insight
  • The pros and cons of existing digital data
  • Using metrics effectively: cutting through the clutter
  • How to serve the agencies what they need

Download David Fletcher's presentationDownload Type: ppt
Download Size: 8726k (AOP Members only)

Harry Davies

Maximising client value through data

Harry Davies, Team Head for Digital Marketing, COI

  • Defining a client’s needs and requirements
  • The essential metrics that prove ROI
  • Affecting the decision-making process
  • Delivering the most pertinent insight

Download Harry Davies' presentationDownload Type: ppt
Download Size: 6518k (AOP Members only)

Sue Gray

Proving effectiveness

Sue Gray, Head of Commercial and Corporate Research, Channel 4

  • Understanding Channel 4’s online audience in context
  • The challenges of providing online audience insight
  • Examples from engagement and impact case studies

Download Sue Gray's presentationDownload Type: ppt
Download Size: 6369k (AOP Members only)

Gary Roddy

Innovation in practice

Gary Roddy, Research Director, GfK NOP Media

  • How cutting-edge research is increasing the value of online audiences
  • Latest improvements in techniques and how they are being implemented
  • Digital footprints - mapping an evaluating the consumer journey
  • Future view and opportunities

Download Gary Roddy's presentationDownload Type: ppt
Download Size: 2416k (AOP Members only)

Find out more about the speakers

Tim Cain
The event was chaired by Tim Cain, Head of Research and Insight, AOP

Media Partner

Research Magazine
Research Magazine is supporting this event as Media Partner. no-categorySpeakers announced for microlocal media forumSpeakers from Newsquest, Trinity Mirror, Johnston Press, BBC Local & Guardian Local to feature at our next event on 9 December...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/speakersmicrolocalmediaforum1705.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/speakersmicrolocalmediaforum1705.htmlWed, 18 Nov 2009 10:05:29 GMTRich in UGC, low-cost to run and supremely relevant to users' lives, microlocal is viewed by many as a significant opportunity for publishers in current times.

An increasing number of today's major media groups are giving more emphasis to their local, hyper and micro-local offerings: Associated Northcliffe, Guardian Media Group, Johnston Press, Newsquest, Trinity Mirror and others.

But the prospects for microlocal are by no means certain. Publishers look likely to be in competition for ownership of the space with low or no-cost, community-created initiatives - so how best should they invest in their efforts and leverage their advantages?

Speakers at the event

  • Paul Bradshaw, Senior Lecturer in Online Journalism, Birmingham University
  • Roger Green, Managing Director of Digital Media, Newsquest
  • Sarah Hartley, Launch Editor, Guardian Local

Plus a panel debate from

  • Paul Bradshaw, Senior Lecturer in Online Journalism, Birmingham University
  • Lori Cunningham, Digital Strategy Director, Johnston Press
  • Roger Green, Managing Director of Digital Media, Newsquest
  • Sarah Hartley, Launch Editor, Guardian Local
  • David Higgerson, Head of Multimedia at Trinity Mirror
  • James Thornett, Executive Product Manager, Local and Location Services BBC Local
This forum brings together experts on local and digital publishers to explore what microlocal has to offer UK publishers - what the real opportunities are and how, if at all, microlocal can be made to pay.

Find out more about the event and book your place online.

More about the speakers

Paul Bradshaw
Paul Bradshaw, Senior Lecturer in Online Journalism, Bimingham University / Publisher, Online Journalism Blog

Paul is the publisher of the Online Journalism Blog and Award Leader for the new MA in Online Journalism at Birmingham City University's School of Media. He has contributed to a number of books about journalism and the internet and is currently writing a book on the subject for Pearson.

Paul's 'Model for a 21st Century Newsroom' forms part of many news organisations' multiplatform strategies and has been translated into Russian and Spanish. He has spoken at a range of international events and also organises the JEEcamp conference for journalism entrepreneurs. This year Paul founded Help Me Investigate - a website to allow journalists and members of the public to work together to 'crowdsource' investigative journalism.

Lori Cunningham
Lori Cunningham, Digital Strategy Director, Johnston Press

Lori Cunningham is the Digital Strategy Director at Johnston Press. Her remit includes building the vision and roadmap for the full digital portfolio, and forging partnerships where necessary. Prior to joining Johnston Press, Lori worked with fashion etailer NET-A-PORTER to develop new revenue streams.

Previously, Lori spent eight years with AOL UK as its Vice President of Strategy and worked for three years as a Senior Associate in Booz Allen's Communications, Media and Technology practices in New York and London. Lori holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA from Georgetown University.

Roger Green
Roger Green, Managing Director, Digital Media, Newsquest Media Group

Roger Green is an experienced publisher, writer, magazine editor, online publisher, corporate intrapreneur and digital media strategist. During his career he launched the first-ever PC and Internet magazines in Europe, as well as some of the UK's first successful electronic commerce businesses.

A Glasgow University graduate, Green began his media career as a reporter for a weekly computer magazine. He rapidly progressed through a series of editorial and management positions notably at the former Emap plc magazine, radio, and events group. He took up his present position, as managing director digital media for Newsquest Media Group in September 2004.

Sarah Hartley
Sarah Hartley, Launch Editor, Guardian Local

Sarah Hartley has been an online journalist since 2000 after starting her career in regional newspapers.

She blogs about the evolution of journalism, social media and online communities at http://sarahhartley.wordpress.com as well as the Media Guardian’s PDA blog.

Journalism training and development is an area of particular interest for Sarah who has run courses in all aspects of online content production, blogging and multimedia for organisations in the UK and oversees ranging from NATO to NCTJ journalism colleges.

Before joining the Guardian she was the head of online editorial for MEN Media in Manchester, publishers of the award-winning www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk.

James Thornett
James Thornett, Executive Product Manager, Local and Location Services, BBC

James Thornett is responsible for overseeing the product development of BBC Local, the BBC's online news and information service across the UK, and location services across BBC Online including mapping and location based technology.

He has been working in regional and local broadcasting since 1998, initially as a strategy analyst covering the audience reporting and strategic positioning of regional television and local radio services across England.

'<-----' image by Whatknot
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryLast chance to book research forumEvent this week features speakers from Channel 4, COI, Mediaedge:cia, GfK NOP and AOP.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/lastchancetobookresearchforum1701.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/lastchancetobookresearchforum1701.htmlMon, 16 Nov 2009 12:05:21 GMTAOP's event this week covers research - increasing audience value & proving effectiveness, and takes place on 18 November at IPC Media.

Speakers

  • Sue Gray, Head of Commercial and Corporate Research, Channel 4
  • David Fletcher, Head of MEC MediaLab, Mediaedge:cia
  • Harry Davies, Team Head for Digital Marketing, COI
  • Gary Roddy, Research Director, GfK NOP
  • Chair: Tim Cain, Head of Research and Insight, AOP

Tickets are just £40+vat for AOP members - Find out more about the event and book your place online.

Notes for NNFP webinar 090108 image by esagor.no-categoryAdMeld processes billionth real time ad bid AdMeld, an ad network optimiser for publishers, has announced it has processed more than a billion API-based real time bids (RTBs) on behalf of its customers, including Thomson Reuters...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/admeldbillionthrealtimebid1689.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/admeldbillionthrealtimebid1689.htmlThu, 12 Nov 2009 10:28:03 GMT
Admeld
AdMeld, an ad network optimiser for publishers, has announced it has processed more than a billion API-based real time bids (RTBs) on behalf of its customers, which include Thomson Reuters and Discovery.

The results provide an encouraging view into how its technology performs in practice, delivering increased value to publishers and buyers and greater levels of efficiency and transparency across the board.

"The data we've collected on the way to reaching this milestone has affirmed our best hopes for RTB," said Michael Barrett, CEO of AdMeld. "The technology provides significant benefits to parties on both sides of the transaction, and it's clearly on a path for accelerated adoption across the industry in 2010."

AdMeld lists the benefits of RTB as follows:

Higher CPMs for publishers, better ROI for buyers

On average, real-time bids yield higher CPMs for publishers than optimised ad tags, mainly since buyers will pay a premium for RTB's improved targeting and inventory access.

Improved efficiency for ad operations teams

RTB requires less manual work from both the sell and buy side, resulting in far fewer discrepancies between ad servers.

Increased competition for ad tags despite low RTB volumes

Though growing fast, RTB volumes are still far too low to fill the lion's share of most large publishers' discretionary ad inventories. Running RTB alongside optimised ad can “increase free market competition and apply upward pricing pressure on buyers working through both methods.” As RTB scales, this pressure will accelerate as buyers seek to maintain predictable impression volumes.

More branded advertisers, more control for publishers

AdMeld noted a higher concentration of quality branded advertisers coming through its RTB partners than other channels. In addition, says Barrett, "RTB allows for creative control down to the individual advertiser. This makes it even easier for publishers to effectively block certain advertisers to avoid conflict with their direct-sold inventory."

Dramatically increased transparency

RTB enables publishers to see more detail about buying patterns and rates, unclouded by issues related to discrepancies and passbacks. It also provides buyers with increased visibility into each impression so they won't get stuck with inventory that is off-target or on the wrong sites. This level of transparency will become even more important as the amount of discretionary ad inventory in the marketplace continues to increase.

AdMeld is an associate member of AOP.
Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryFT's Christie to chair AOP Product Development CommitteeMB Christie, Head of Product Management for FT.com is to Chair AOP's newly formed Product Development Committee...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/mbchristiechairproductdevelopment1685.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/mbchristiechairproductdevelopment1685.htmlTue, 10 Nov 2009 09:20:15 GMTMary Beth (MB) Christie, Head of Product Management for FT.com is to Chair AOP's newly formed Product Development Committee.

The AOP Board has tasked the committee with ensuring that digital publishers maximise value from their investments in technology.

Christie said: "I’m thrilled to be chairing this group. I think there is a great opportunity to create a common understanding of the roles and responsibilities of digital product managers, and I’ll be aiming to encourage media owners to recognise the discipline as a critical part of their digital transformation."

Read the full release.no-categoryRubicon Project expands UK teamAOP Associate member the Rubicon Project has added two new hires to continue building its European operation. Leon Siotis will have responsibility to maximize the Rubicon Projects relationship with the leading online advertising networks in the UK, while Jana Jakovljevic will be leading the same efforts with advertising networks across EMEA. http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/rubiconprojectexpandsukteam1683.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/rubiconprojectexpandsukteam1683.htmlFri, 06 Nov 2009 12:20:39 GMT
Rubicon Project
AOP Associate Member the Rubicon Project has added two new hires to continue building its European operation.

Leon Siotis will have responsibility to maximize the Rubicon Project's relationship with the leading online advertising networks in the UK, while Jana Jakovljevic will be leading the same efforts with advertising networks across EMEA.

Jakovljevic and Siotis join from Fox Interactive Media where they both worked in the network performance team. They will report into Oli Whitten, Director of Ad Network Development for EMEA at the Rubicon Project, sourcing campaigns for the Rubicon Project's global publisher clients by establishing and expanding relationships with advertising networks, ad exchanges and ad sales representative firms.

Jakovljevic and Siotis will match traffic with the best advertising network partners to increase the effective rates (eCPMs) for publishers as well as using targeting technologies including behavioural, geographic and contextual targeting to increase their revenue.

Jana Jakovljevic brings four years of European online advertising network optimisation experience to the company. She spent two years monetising unsold inventory for MySpace across EMEA through online advertising networks and generating new revenue streams for emerging markets.

She negotiated contracts and pricing models and appointed third party site representation firms which collectively doubled MySpace's effective cost-per-thousand (CPM) across Europe.

Leon Siotis spent two years monetising all non-guaranteed inventory across Fox Interactive Media sites including IGN, MySpace, AskMen.com and Rotten Tomatoes, online and on mobile. Whilst there he increased effective CPMs across all non-guaranteed inventory by eighty per cent.

Prior to that, he worked at Advertising.com as an account manager working with publishers across Europe on multiple products such as behavioural targeting and video advertising.

Earlier this month the Rubicon Project created REVV for publishers, a platform that gives publishers control and visibility to best manage their direct and indirect inventory, and match every impression with the highest paying demand source.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-category"Innovation gets you noticed, but can make you both saint & sinner"Interview with David Fletcher, Head of MEC MediaLab, Mediaedge:cia, featuring at AOP's next event: 'increasing audience value & proving effectiveness' on 18 November.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/davidfletchermediaedgeinterview1682.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/davidfletchermediaedgeinterview1682.htmlThu, 05 Nov 2009 14:04:54 GMT
David Fletcher
David Fletcher, Head of MEC MediaLab, Mediaedge:cia will feature at AOP’s Research Forum - increasing audience value and proving effectiveness, on 18 November.

Ahead of the event, we quizzed him on ROI and metrics, publishers' insight offerings, effective use of data and other key areas of research.

Tickets for this event are just £40+vat for AOP members – find out more and book your place online.

What do you think are the essential metrics that prove the effectiveness of ROI?

All metrics should have a clear "line of sight" to the ultimate objective. This is a challenge especially for digital brand activity but we also allow a naivity to persist in response campaigns.

How effectively are publishers providing insight that shows the value of their audiences and sites and how can this be improved?

It's not enough to provide insight - the challenge is to get it to the right person at the right time (what we usually call contextual targeting!) - and agencies aren't helpful in this.

How important is integrating online and offline data and what are the challenges and opportunities of doing so?

This is the huge prize and also the most elusive.

In your opinion, how effectively is the data that currently exists being used by publishers, advertisers and agencies?

There is an oversupply of data and an underappreciation of insight. One of the most interesting things in Tesco Clubcard - perhaps the best example of consumer data in action - is how much of it gets thrown away. Too many people in digital media want to present data down to the last cookie and rather than adding value we often lose clarity in the process.

How important is innovation into insight gathering and how do you think this will impact going forward?

Innovation gets you noticed but can make you both saint and sinner.

How do you think future research into online audiences will be conducted and what results should we expect to see?

The future lies in merged data sets that relate online behaviour (transactionally and in both receipt of messages and search behaviour) to offline (messages and behaviour)

This event takes place on the afternoon of Wednesday 18th November, at IPC Media – find out more and book your place online.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.INTERVIEWInterview: COI Team Head for Digital Marketing Harry DaviesDavies' view on how effectively publishers are making use of data, the essential metrics that prove the effectiveness of research, and how online audience insight will be conducted in future...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/harrydaviescoiinterview1660.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/harrydaviescoiinterview1660.htmlTue, 27 Oct 2009 14:30:30 GMT
Harry Davies
COI Team Head for Digital Marketing Harry Davies will speak at AOP’s Research Forum - increasing audience value and proving effectiveness, on 18 November.

Ahead of the event, we got his view on how effectively publishers are making use of data, the essential metrics that prove the effectiveness of research and how online audience insight will be conducted in future.

Tickets for this event are just £40+vat for AOP members – find out more and book your place online.

How effectively are publishers providing insight that shows the value of their audiences and sites and how can this be improved?

Some publishers are really good at supplying us with demographic information on their audiences. Where we need more information is on the lower socio-demographic groups and life stage, habits etc. It is very useful to know things like: How many of your audience smoke? Does your audience have children? Are they unemployed? Do they go out drinking?

How important is integrating online and offline data and what are the challenges and opportunities of doing so?

This is one of the biggest things we are struggling with at the moment. We try to be media neutral in our planning, but it is very difficult not having a way of comparing online and offline simply.We have run a number of econometric research projects with our clients to try and solve some of these issues, but this requires at least 18 months worth of data, and it is difficult to get relationships at a site or network level. They are generally useful to say TV has driven search, and PR is more important than we thought!

We are currently pitching a project to pull the way we evaluate everything together, so hopefully we will be closer to the solution, but it is very difficult, and if any one has a silver bullet we would be interested in hearing from them!

In your opinion, how effectively is the data that currently exists being used by publishers, advertisers and agencies?

The current data is being used relatively well. Where I think the entire industry is missing a trick is in getting better at sharing our information. Often, and we are fairly bad at this too, each campaign's results go into a silo that is not used for other campaigns.

One of the reasons this happens, is that we generate such a high volume of reports and metrics, that we can't easily identify what went well and what didn't. It is frustrating for COI, as advertisers, that we don't have standardised metrics that we can compare all our campaigns with.

What do you think are the essential metrics are that prove the effectiveness of ROI?

Often the advertising we do at COI is aimed at long term behaviour change, so it is difficult to assess the success of a campaign based on traditional online metrics.

One thing that we are very interested in is in testing the shift a campaign makes to attitudes. We have done this by serving an awareness tracking survey to a group of people that we know have seen the advert, and the same survey to a group we know haven't.

This kind of research will play a greater part in what we do, as our advertising moves away from driving clicks to websites, and is more about giving people rich experiences. This is true of the work we do in adding content to partner sites, however we can test the effectiveness of that by looking at the page views, comments, repeat visits etc.

On our more traditional direct response campaigns it is important to link the serving of the advert to the website journey, and into the CRM database. This is something we are getting better at, and will lead to us planning our campaigns based of the value of the activity at the bottom of the funnel.

How do you think future research into online audiences will be conducted and what results should we expect to see?

I hope to see more intelligent surveys to show the shift of awareness due to online advertising. It would be really great if the more qualitative surveying was fused with the quantitative metrics and the behavioural tracking to give a rounded view of audiences so that we can talk to them as individuals.

This, however, has big risks as it could be seen as infringing on people's privacy. The more information we can get, so we can serve the right message to the right person at the right time is great in my book.

Tickets for this event are just £40+vat for AOP members – find out more and book your place online.

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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.INTERVIEWAOP Summit keynote and panel videosMissed the AOP Summit? Members can now catch up on full videos of the day’s keynotes and some of the panel sessions... http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopsummitkeynoteandpanelvideos1655.obyxhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopsummitkeynoteandpanelvideos1655.obyxThu, 22 Oct 2009 12:30:45 GMT
Shawn Colo, Demand Media


Paid Content Panel


Simon Francis, Saatchi & Saatchi


David Montgomery, Mecom


Video Panel


Chris Cramer, Reuters Head of Multimedia


Luke Johnson, Channel 4 Chairman


David Gilbertson, CEO, Emap


Members can now catch up on full videos of the 2009 Summit keynotes and paid content and video panel sessions.

Keynote videos include Channel 4 Chairman Luke Johnson, Demand Media Co-Founder Shawn Colo, Emap CEO David Gilbertson, Reuters Head of Multimedia Chris Cramer, Tim Cain, Head of Research and Insight, AOP, David Montgomery Mecom CEO and Simon Francis, CEO EMEA of Saatchi & Saatchi.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.VIDEODigital Landscape Report for October releasedAOP's latest monthly aggregation of research is now available for members to download...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/digitallandscapereportforoctoberreleased1654.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/digitallandscapereportforoctoberreleased1654.htmlThu, 22 Oct 2009 10:20:49 GMTAOP's latest monthly aggregation of research is now available for members to download.members only

This month's report features research from ComScore, Dynamic Logic, Experian Hitwise, eMarketer, Econsultancy and Nielsen.
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RESEARCHVideo: key trends for publishers CBS Interactive, FT.com and UBM give their thoughts on paid content, mobile, social media and user-generated content, in four two minute videos. Covering the main issues and trends raised by...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/videopublishersonkeytrends1646.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/videopublishersonkeytrends1646.htmlThu, 22 Oct 2009 09:05:38 GMT
Key trends for publishers in 2009


CBS Interactive, FT.com and UBM give their thoughts on paid content, mobile, social media and user-generated content, in four two minute videos.

Covering the main issues raised by AOP’s Content and Trends Census, these videos offer a more in depth version of the video originally shown at the AOP Summit.

FT.com Managing Director Rob Grimshaw, Jill Orr, MD of CBS Interactive, and John Welsh Digital Director of UBM Live all feature in these short videos, tackling four essential areas for publishers.

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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter. VIDEOInterview: GfK NOP Research Director Gary RoddyAhead of the AOP Research Forum on 18 November, we speak to Gary Roddy, Research Director, GfK NOP about the essential ROI metrics...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/gfknopresearchdirectorgaryroddyinterview1651.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/gfknopresearchdirectorgaryroddyinterview1651.htmlWed, 21 Oct 2009 15:16:40 GMT
Gary Roddy
GfK NOP Research Director Gary Roddy will speak at AOP’s Research Forum on 18 November. Ahead of the event, we got his view on the essential ROI metrics for advertisers, current innovation in online research and the importance of integrating online and offline data.

Tickets for this event are just £40+vat for AOP members – find out more and book your place online.

What do you think the essential metrics for publishers are, to prove ROI?

In each case, metrics that define the effectiveness of ROI are a moveable feast and can’t be pre-defined and set in stone.

Advertisers will look to achieve different goals, and so the metrics for each are unique. Publishers need to thoroughly understand what an advertiser’s goals are and then adopt the following approach: Enter conversations with an open mind; ask the right questions; and then target research for individual advertisers – ensuring the level of metrics set is sensible, and not prone to methodological inaccuracies.

Where advance insight is crucial, is in helping publishers understand their properties well enough to be able to recommend an approach that clients can use, that is tailored to their goals and will work.

How important is integrating online and offline data and what are the challenges and opportunities of doing so?

Understanding which elements of the communication are working and how is, of course, the holy grail. In this landscape of multiple advertising vehicles, we need to understand what each brings to the mix.

Touchpoints has been great for bringing together different industry type currencies and has changed the way people use these data sources. However, the answer may not lie in trying to force together different types of online and offline data but in creating a new system.

This is an area research companies have been focussing on. GfK, for example, has developed a panel-based system that monitors household online and offline media exposure electronically. The panel can also scan in the FMCG products purchased and thereby close the loop between exposure and sales.

In Germany we have launched this year a tool that also measures the exposure to both on and offline media and how this relates to the non-FMCG markets.

In your opinion, how effectively is the data that currently exists being used by publishers, advertisers and agencies?

From observations, most people still focus on one or two media sources, measure the effects of each medium and focus on delivering to clients the results of these using statistical models - rather than providing a single source of data.

I believe some agencies are thinking more along this route but we have had the internet for a while now and perhaps we haven’t been as quick as we should have been to incorporate online elements into marketing plans.

How important is innovation into insight gathering and how do you think this will impact going forward?

Insight innovation is a vital element to sustaining business in a fast-moving industry and many companies are investing in developing robust, accurate tools that are fit-for-purpose. The problem, however is joining up the thinking.

We have leading tools used in other countries that have been proven to work. But, instead of coming together to achieve a global solution, we seem to work in silos to deliver something we think may be better than what is down the road.

Advertisers, agencies and publishers need to come up with integrated solutions that work every time to demonstrate effectiveness. And this can best be done together.

Tickets for this event are just £40+vat for AOP members – find out more and book your place online.

Media Partner

Research Magazine
Research Magazine is supporting this event as Media Partner.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.INTERVIEWIAB launches search guide for publishersProduced by the IAB Search Council, this guide offers up search tips and case studies for publishers, including advice on communicating search knowledge within teams, natural search and using PPC to build subscriptions. http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/iablaunchessearchguideforpublishers1644.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/iablaunchessearchguideforpublishers1644.htmlTue, 20 Oct 2009 10:15:16 GMTProduced by the IAB Search Council, this guide offers up search tips and case studies for publishers, including advice on communicating search knowledge within teams, natural search and using PPC to build subscriptions.

Download the IAB Search Toolkit.Download Type: pdf
Download Size: 947k

The main areas covered by the guide are:

  • Communicating search knowledge within teams
  • 16 points on natural search 'everyone should know'
  • Various uses of paid search
  • Using search to boost subscriptions

The IAB is holding an event on Friday 13th November to explain the guide in more detail. Only publishers are allowed to attend and it is aimed at marketing and search teams.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryOfcom Report gives snapshot of UK online trendsOfcom's UK Adults’ Media Literacy interim report sheds light on UK online trends over the past two years...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ofcomukmedialiteracyreport1643.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ofcomukmedialiteracyreport1643.htmlThu, 15 Oct 2009 15:07:00 GMTOfcom has released its UK Adults’ Media Literacy interim report – with key findings listed below:

  • Since 2007 there has been considerable growth in household take-up of the internet among older adults aged 65 and over (41 per cent vs. 26 per cent)
  • As well as those in low income households (51 per cent vs. 35 per cent). However, these figures are still at a much lower level compared to all UK adults (73 per cent)
  • There are some gender differences in what the internet is regularly used for - males are more likely than females to say they use the internet at least weekly for news (27 per cent vs. 16 per cent), while females are more likely than males to use the internet at least weekly for social networking (39 per cent vs. 28 per cent)
  • One in three UK adults who use the internet (29 per cent) are watching online or downloading TV programmes or films, with adults aged 25-34 more likely to do this (43 per cent) compared to other age groups. Almost all of these are doing so through UK TV broadcasters’ websites
  • Compared to 2007, people are more likely to think that content is regulated, whether it be on television, radio, the internet, gaming or mobile phones. For example, 38 per cent of people think that internet content is regulated, compared to 26 per cent in 2007

Growth in Social Networking

  • Almost twice as many internet users say they have a social networking site profile than in 2007 (38 per cent up from 22 per cent)
  • 41 per cent of users now say they use a social networking site daily, compared with 30 per cent two years ago
  • Three quarters of those with a social networking profile (76 per cent) now say that it can only be seen by family and friends, up from 48 per cent in 2007

The research involved 812 in-home interviews with adults aged 16 and over from April to May 2009 and gives an overview of media literacy among UK adults aged 16 and over.

Download the full research.

Notes for NNFP webinar 090108 image by esagor.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCHNME launches iPhone applicationNME today launches a dedicated iPhone/iPod application via the iTunes store. The app allows music fans to view and own iconic NME photos on their mobile...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/nmelaunchesiphoneapplication1642.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/nmelaunchesiphoneapplication1642.htmlThu, 15 Oct 2009 09:42:44 GMTNME today launches a dedicated iPhone/iPod application via the iTunes store.

The app allows music fans to view and own iconic NME photos on their mobile, download the pictures as wallpapers to decorate their iPhones, upload thumbnail versions immediately to their Facebook profiles or save the images to their phones to keep or send to friends.

The app costs 59p and has been developed by Umee using their unique Umee Mobile for iPhone platform.

Anthony Thornton, editor-in-chief, IPC Ignite digital says: “NME has long been renowned for its iconic rock photography. This iPhone app allows us to take those shots from the pages of the magazine to music fans’ phones for them to use and pass on.”

Miles Ross, IPC Media’s head of mobile development, adds: "The iPhone and iPod Touch are key platforms for music consumption, the Apple AppStore has extended this into content, and it is only right that NME be there to deliver to music fans on mobile."

The launch follows that of the NME Radio app earlier this year, which featured an immediate purchase and download facility of music played on the station.

The NME Radio app reached number two in the UK iTunes (paid for) music app chart, the highest such chart position of any UK radio station app.
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no-categorySpeakers announced for AOP Research ForumSpeakers from Channel 4, COI, Mediaedge:cia, GfK NOP and AOP will feature at the event on 18 November...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/speakersannouncedforresearchevent1641.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/speakersannouncedforresearchevent1641.htmlThu, 15 Oct 2009 09:19:19 GMTAOP's next forum, covering research - increasing audience value & proving effectiveness is taking place on 18 November at IPC Media.

Speakers

  • Sue Gray, Head of Commercial and Corporate Research, Channel 4
  • David Fletcher, Head of MEC MediaLab, Mediaedge:cia
  • Harry Davies, Team Head for Digital Marketing, COI
  • Gary Roddy, Research Director, GfK NOP
  • Chair: Tim Cain, Head of Research and Insight, AOP

Tickets are just £40+vat for AOP members - Find out more about the event and book your place online.

Media Partner

Research Magazine
Research Magazine is supporting this event as Media Partner.

Speaker Biographies

Sue Gray
Sue Gray, Head of Commercial and Corporate Research, Channel 4

Sue's role as Head of Commercial and Corporate Research is to understand and evidence Channel 4's commercial impact and delivery of public service value. Her career in media research first began at Channel 4 in 1987 (the era of the 'Red Triangle' and the first TV lesbian kiss).

She initially focused on programme and corporate research but this brief widened to include commercial research following the 1990 Broadcasting Act.

In 1993 Sue moved across to the agency world to join the media department of BBH (subsequently 'Motive') as Head of Research. In her seven years there she worked across a range of clients including Whitbread, NatWest, Häagen-Dazs and Audi.

The millennium inspired a change of direction and Sue became a freelance consultant working with companies such as IPC, the BBC, IPA, and BMRB. Sue completed an MSc in psychology in 2007 before returning 'home' to Channel 4 at the start of 2008.

David Fletcher
David Fletcher, Head of MEC MediaLab, Mediaedge:cia

David joined Allen Brady Marsh in 1984 having studied Physics at Bristol

He joined Billett and Company – one of the earliest media independents – in 1986, which was acquired by CIA in 1989 and merged to form Mediaedge:cia in 2001.

During this time David has worked on a wide range of industry sectors, with blue-chip brands including the Cabinet Office, Channel 4, Danone, DHL, Lloyds TSB, Morrisons, Oxfam, Specsavers, Vodafone and Wrigley’s

He has developed a reputation as an insightful commentator on media issues, is frequently quoted in trade and national media and speaks at conferences the world over

Since 1999 David has been responsible for MEC MediaLab, the research and development function of Mediaedge:cia. This has involved the development of proprietary tools both for UK and international use. MediaLab has a strong reputation for innovative and provocative research, with studies covering issues including factors affecting TV ad recall; finance directors’ perception of marketing accountability; the opportunity and challenge of minority ethnic audiences for mainstream marketers. MediaLab’s Where’s Debbie? study into the mechanisms of word of mouth is globally acknowledged as a leading insight into this oldest of media

David is a trustee of the microfinance charity Five Talents, which seeks to fight poverty in the developing world by creating jobs.

Harry Davies
Harry Davies, Team Head for Digital Marketing, COI

Harry started working online at a retailer that managed 12 months of trading before the dotcom bubble burst. He then moved into traditional marketing at a bricks and mortar retailer. Following a desire to 'do some good' he moved into the public sector doing integrated marketing in colleges and universities. He then moved to Central Government, advising DWP on ecommunications.

Harry moved to COI two years ago, where he works as part of the Digital marketing team looking after Tobacco, MMR, RAF, and a number of other accounts. He works with a cross COI team who are developing an holistic approach to marketing evaluation. He specialises in cross media evaluation and digital evaluation.

Gary Roddy
Gary Roddy, Research Director, GfK NOP Media

Gary joined GfK NOP in April 2007 having worked for a variety of media owners latterly at ids, the sales division of Virgin Media TV.

Prior to that he worked for Channel 4 and various ITV companies. He has also worked for other media owners. He has worked both in sales and research roles at these companies and brings with him the added experience that allows GfK NOP to offer more of what clients need.

Gary is responsible for a number of major clients as well as developing new revenue streams. He is the UK media representative on the GfK worldwide internet competence centre which strives for excellence and innovation in research projects across the world.

Gary has spoken at a variety of conferences around the world on topics ranging from basic research methods across all media through to more complex topics covering more recent advances in media distribution. He sits on the MRG committee and was a former chair of the MRG.

Tim Cain
Tim Cain, Head of Research and Insight, AOP

Tim Cain is Head of Research and Insight at AOP and is responsible for strategic project planning and tactical implementation of research initiatives for the association.

Prior to joining AOP in 2008, Tim enjoyed a lengthy career at EMAP, occupying a number of senior roles in Research, Business Development and Publishing. Throughout his career in the media, Tim has built up broad experience in both B2B and B2C sectors working across both print and online media.

Find out more about the event, and book your place online.

'Notes for NNFP webinar 090108' image by esagor
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryMadgex listed in Tech Media Invest Top 100Europe Unlimited, Europe’s leading event organisers for investors and technology companies, has revealed that recruitment software provider Madgex has been selected in its 2009 Tech Media Invest Top 100 list.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/madgexlistedintechmediainvesttop1001637.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/madgexlistedintechmediainvesttop1001637.htmlWed, 14 Oct 2009 11:34:14 GMT
Madgex
Europe Unlimited, Europe’s leading event organisers for investors and technology companies, has revealed that recruitment software provider Madgex has been selected in its 2009 Tech Media Invest Top 100 list.

Tech Media Invest Top 100 in association with The Guardian, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Kemp Little, is a list of the hottest emerging and most innovative companies in the ever converging tech and media industries.

Simon Conroy, CEO of Madgex said; “We are delighted to have been chosen as a key UK company for the future in the Tech Media Invest Top 100 list. This achievement reinforces our mission to be the most successful global provider of trusted online recruitment solutions and software”.

The current economic climate is challenging most businesses in the UK large or small, however innovation in the technology and media industry continues apace as the edges blur between these industries, digital transformation continues, social networking transfers to the business environment and consumers increasingly demand mobile content and real time solutions any time any place anywhere.

William Stevens, CEO of Europe Unlimited commented “The Tech Media Invest 100 aims to showcase young entrepreneurial companies that are developing innovative new ways to serve business and consumers, and have the potential to radically change the shape of the technology and media industry, Some companies may go on to be the leaders of tomorrow and others may falter but we certainly think these companies have potential and look forward to seeing how they monetise their innovation.”

The Tech Media Invest Advisory Board deployed a detailed process to whittle down a pool of eligible, promising companies to get to the top 100 winners. Evaluations were made on both quantitative and qualitative criteria, such as financial performance, innovation, management, global strategy, and ecosystem integration.

More information on the Tech media invest 100.

Madgex is an Associate member of AOP.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryStream UK to present at Streaming Media Europe eventStream UK will be presenting at this year's Streaming Media Europe event in London. The digital media specialists will also webcast the conference sessions, seminars and keynote speakers live...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/streamuktopresentatstreamingmediaeuropeevent1636.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/streamuktopresentatstreamingmediaeuropeevent1636.htmlWed, 14 Oct 2009 10:34:04 GMTStream UK will be presenting at this year's Streaming Media Europe event in London.

The digital media specialists will also webcast the conference sessions, seminars and keynote speakers live and Stream UK’s Duncan Burbidge will participate in ‘Will the cloud rain on the CDN’s parade?’ session at 10.30 am on Friday 16th October.

Stream UK will be demonstrating its enterprise level streaming media solution, Stream Connect, along with its award-winning Crowdsourcer – Stream's ingest, transcoding and moderation tool.

More information on Stream's presentation

More information about Stream UK.

Stream is an Associate Member of AOP.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryCondé Nast Digital launches standalone dating siteCondé Nast Digital UK has launched a standalone paid-for dating service – trulymadlydating.com, which will be promoted across the Condé Nast brand portfolio...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/condenastdigitallaunchesstandalonedatingsite1635.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/condenastdigitallaunchesstandalonedatingsite1635.htmlWed, 14 Oct 2009 09:24:06 GMTCondé Nast Digital UK has launched a standalone paid-for dating service – Trulymadlydating.com, which will be promoted across the Condé Nast brand portfolio.

The site is powered by the Dating Lab, whose partners include The Guardian, The Times, The Telegraph, Global Radio and Time Out.

Trulymadlydating.com is launching with an introductory free trial offer, giving all new members unlimited use of the site for seven days.

Beyond the launch offer members may chose from a variety of subscription packages to gain access to the site's full functionality ranging from 1 month at £19.99 to 6 months at £59.99. The site will also take banner advertising, creating a further revenue opportunity which falls under the remit of the Condé Nast Digital UK advertising team.

Emanuela Pignataro, Country Manager of Condé Nast Digital UK, said: “Online dating is a significant revenue earner, and an area we have been investigating for some time... It’s very thrilling to be able to continue to invest in new products, particularly in this challenging marketplace, and is a sign of our confidence and commitment to the digital division.”
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryDouglas McArthur appointed UKOM ChairmanDouglas McArthur, former Chief Executive and Founder of the Radio Advertising Bureau, has been appointed Chairman of UKOM, as it prepares for...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/douglasmcarthurappointedukomchairman1633.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/douglasmcarthurappointedukomchairman1633.htmlTue, 13 Oct 2009 09:28:59 GMT

Former RAB chief enlisted to lead the UK Online Measurement Company as January 2010 launch approaches

Douglas McArthur, former Chief Executive and founder of the Radio Advertising Bureau, has been appointed Chairman of UKOM – the UK online audience measurement company. The announcement comes as UKOM prepares for the January 2010 launch of its Audience Planning System, powered by the Nielsen Company.

A media heavyweight and highly relevant appointment, McArthur worked to develop the radio audience measurement system, RAJAR, in 1992. At the head of the RAB, he spent 14 years leading and sustaining radio's revenue share growth from 2% to 7%.

As independent chair, McArthur will ensure that the key stakeholders are able to contribute to the development of UKOM: agencies and advertisers, primarily via their representative trade bodies the IPA and ISBA, and UK publishers. McArthur has been working with UKOM in a consultancy role since Mark Cranmer stood down from UKOM earlier this year to join Aegis Media's digital agency network Isobar, as chief executive.

In September 2009, UKOM appointed The Nielsen Company as its official partner to deliver an industry-agreed online audience planning system, which will allow advertisers and their agencies to plan online campaigns targeting specific audiences, using an industry-approved system, just as they do with traditional media.

Douglas McArthur, chair of UKOM said: “Advertisers have been calling for a consumer-centric planning system for their investments in areas like digital display. I aim that under my chairmanship, UKOM will deliver what they asked for - a planning system for digital display, digital video and mobile.“

Guy Phillipson, CEO of the IAB and UKOM Director said: “Douglas McArthur’s broad experience and mature approach is just what UKOM needs, now we’re preparing for the launch on the UKOM Audience Planning System in just a few months. He’s a highly respected media professional and we’re very proud to have Douglas as our chairman.”

Bob Wootton, Director of Media & Advertising at ISBA said: “Douglas is an excellent appointment. He has seen the industry from all sides, so he knows what’s what. And he’s experienced, connected and energetic enough to keep things moving in this rapidly-changing world. We look forward to working with him again in the UKOM context”.

About UKOM

The UK Online Measurement Company is the authoritative voice for UK online audience measurement, run in response to the needs of advertisers, media agencies and online media owners. Powered by The Nielsen Company, the UKOM Audience Planning System will allow advertisers and their agencies to plan online campaigns that target specific audiences, using an industry-approved system just as they do with TV (BARB), radio (RAJAR) and print media (NRS).
no-categoryHighlights from the AOP Summit 2009At the AOP Summit, where the digital publishing community came together to discuss collective challenges and opportunities facing the industry, Emap CEO David Gilbertson gave a timely keynote speech about ‘intelligent content’, and the difference between chargeable content and “just ‘quite interesting’”. http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/highlightsfromtheaop3csummit1634.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/highlightsfromtheaop3csummit1634.htmlSat, 10 Oct 2009 15:48:36 GMTAt the AOP Summit, where the digital publishing community came together to discuss collective challenges and opportunities facing the industry, Emap CEO David Gilbertson gave a timely keynote speech about ‘intelligent content’, and the difference between content that is chargeable, and “just ‘quite interesting’”.

David GilbertsonGilbertson: "Quite interesting is not enough."As long as consumers think they can find everything online, he explained, “no-one can build a volume game…If all we have is volume, we must attract audience quality to survive.”

The way to do this, said Gilbertson, is via sustainable unique content. “Quite interesting is not enough,” it is “decision-ready information” that is key to success in B2B markets – “intelligence prompts and enables a decision.”

“Gone are passive audiences”

Chris Cramer, Head of Global Multimedia, Reuters gave an alternative view of future media business models, as based on practised, demonstrable editorial integrity, twinned with content curation and the link economy – media as guide rather than oracle.

Chris CramerCramer: "Not oracles, but guides"Source checking is ever more important in this environment, said Cramer – if TMZ, the blog that broke the story of Michael Jackson’s death had it got the facts wrong, it would have been ‘lights out’ time for the site, by its founder’s own admission.

Loyalty beyond reason

With yet another view on building success online, Saatchi & Saatchi EMEA Chief Executive Simon Francis explained how his agencies seeks “loyalty beyond reason”, so that customers buy, and buy again, without thinking.

Giving valid insight into agencies’ demands for simplicity and reach, he explained that the average Chief Marketing Officer will have 6 months in that role, and must prove ROI as well as return on return on time invested in that time.

In this environment, proven solutions, and upfront evidence of successful approaches are vital – “give them something big, branded, fast and simple to execute.”

For Francis, publishers’ aims aren’t entirely different: we should be investing in developing “content which can change behaviour”, and he called for greater collaboration between ad creatives and editorial teams and creatives within publishing.

Disruption all about the Product

With more ideas on where publishers should be looking to innovate, the afternoon’s Digital Disruptors panel advised on where next to look for the greatest change and growth online.

Disruptor PanelCridge: "Look where no-one even knows where to start."Demand Media’s Co-Founder Shawn Colo emphasised the importance of product to success -

Yahoo failed to innovate from a product perspective, he said, while Demand foresaw a disruptive production model with Pluck, in that ultimately “every site would have a social network on it.”

The key to success in innovation (and perhaps even in charging for content) is user interface, said Lastminute.com Co-Founder Brent Hoberman, “as Spotify shows.”

Mark Cridge, Founder of glue London, had some alternative advice: “Find an area no-one knows about, where no-one even knows where to start.”

Watch videos from the event and access presentations.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryAOP Summit videosVideos from the AOP Summit, featuring Simon Francis, Brent Hoberman, Hugo Drayton, Luke Johnson and Chris Cramer...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopsummitvideos1630.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopsummitvideos1630.htmlFri, 09 Oct 2009 11:10:13 GMT
AOP Summit videos

Videos from this week's AOP Summit, featuring:

Brent Hoberman, Co-Founder of Lastminute.com & ProFounders Capital, Simon Francis, CEO EMEA of Saatchi & Saatchi, Hugo Drayton, CEO of InSkin Media, Shawn Colo, Founder of Demand Media, Chris Cramer, Reuters Global Head of Multimedia and Channel 4 Chairman Luke Johnson.

You can also watch the AOP Content and Trends Census video, including the thoughts of Rob Grimshaw of FT.com, CBS Interactive's Jill Orr and John Welsh of UBM Live.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.INTERVIEW-VIDEOLuke Johnson & Chris Cramer videos from the AOP SummitVideos of Channel 4 Chairman Luke Johnson and Reuters Multimedia Head Chris Cramer at the AOP Summit...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/lukejohnsonchriscramervideointerviews1628.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/lukejohnsonchriscramervideointerviews1628.htmlThu, 08 Oct 2009 13:06:26 GMT
Luke Johnson, Chairman of Channel 4

Johnson's keynote at the AOP 3C Summit focussed strongly on the third 'c' of creativity, and the web as "the most powerful engine of innovation of all time".

"Pessimists are always on the losing side", he said: "all challenges can be addressed", adding that "the expansion of the wealth-creating economy is the only way to offset the current deficit".

Chris Cramer, Global Head of Multimedia at Reuters

For Cramer, our present media culture is one of "continuous partial attention... an untreatable addiction", and citizen journalists "electronic canaries in an online mine shaft".

Social media should be "newsgathering of the first resort, not an 'intriguing addition'".

Future media businesses, he added, will be "guides, not oracles", though organisations with "practised, demonstrable" editorial integrity still have a significant role to play, in an increasingly fragmented world, "no community, all factions."

Photos from the Summit


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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.VIDEOAOP Summit 2009 coverage and photosLinks to coverage and photos from the AOP Summit...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopsummit2009coverage1622.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopsummit2009coverage1622.htmlThu, 08 Oct 2009 07:52:10 GMT


Photos from the AOP Summit on Twitter

See what people are saying about the AOP Summit on Twitter.

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New Media Age

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Saatchi & Saatchi CEO calls for agency/publisher collaboration

MediaGuardian

Online publishers examine the future of news

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MediaWeek

Online charging can work, AOP delegates told

PaidContent:UK

Emap CEO: Don’t Charge For Abundant Content

Hoberman & Meyer: VCs Must Take More Risks

Press Gazette

Emap boss David Gilbertson: 'Business journalism can over-estimate its own importance'
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no-categoryAOP Digital Publishing Summit 2009AOP's 8th. Digital Publishing Summit, 3C – Content, Convergence and Creativity, will bring together industry leaders from around the world to share their views on the digital landscape.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/aopannualsummit2009.obyxhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/aopannualsummit2009.obyxWed, 07 Oct 2009 09:00:00 GMTThe AOP 3C Summit is the annual flagship event of the UK Association of Online Publishers, and is firmly established as the digital publishing event of the year.

Full keynote and panel videosmembers only are available for AOP members.

AOP Summit SponsorsAOP Summit SponsorsFocussing on Content, Convergence and Creativity, 3C brought together industry leaders from around the world to address the key issues and challenges faced by media owners in the digital space and focus on how publishers can prepare for 2010.

Photos from the event


Watch videos from the AOP Summit

Speaker Presentations

Download Naomi Climer's presentation.Download Type: ppt
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Download Simon Francis' presentation.Download Type: ppt
Download Size: 719k

Headline Speakers included


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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categorySift Media acquires public sector publisher Online B2B publisher Sift Media has expanded its range of titles with the acquisition of the successful PublicTechnology.net website portfolio.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/siftmediaacquirespublictechnology1621.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/siftmediaacquirespublictechnology1621.htmlFri, 02 Oct 2009 12:14:20 GMTOnline B2B publisher Sift Media has expanded its range of titles with the acquisition of the successful PublicTechnology.net website portfolio.

The Bristol-based online community specialist has made a move into public sector publishing with the purchase of Public Technology Limited. Sift Media will take on 10 separate content driven titles that serve 15,000 registered subscribers, 150,000 unique users, generating upwards of 1 million page impressions per month. The acquisition was brokered by Prism Consult Ltd, the media M&A consultancy.

Public Technology also runs the annual e-Government National Awards – a technology awards event for the public sector, and was established in 2003 by founder Chris Histed.

Public Technology has become the UK's most-read online public sector news and information network, with a strong reputation both online and through the e-Government National Awards.

The acquisition will also allow Sift Media to move into the paid-for subscription market, with a number of subscription solutions already available on Public Technology’s tender alert sites (including TechTenders.net and HealthTenders.net), with more in the pipeline.

Ben Heald, CEO of Sift Media says: "We’ve wanted to add public sector audiences to our portfolio for a while, and Public Technology fits like a glove. Chris Histed has done a tremendous job to build the brand; and working with Chris our teams can now develop the business using their sales, editorial and community-building expertise."

"Even though public sector spending might be somewhat curtailed over the next few years, there’s still going to be billions procured; with huge opportunities for us to help vendors and customers find each other through our range of publishing products."

With the public sector expected to make serious drives for efficiency, the UK government is likely to remain one of the largest customers to the technology industry. Government IT spend is expected to exceed £14 billion in the period 2008/09: 20% more than any other government in Europe, and accounting for almost 1.2% of the UK’s GDP.

The future of government service delivery depends on this technology investment. Over the next decade, mobile and internet technology will increasingly become the preferred method of public interaction and information transfer for government departments.

While for the 50,000 IT professionals employed directly by the government, at both central and local levels, technologies involving networking and connectivity, web services, CRM systems, call centres and mobile technologies will become a fundamental part of the universal drive for greater efficiency.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryInterview: Bill Murray on paid content"It will be the creative integration of functionality and services that really add value... Ultimately, I believe those that succeed will be 'selling' much more than content..."http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/interviewbillmurraypaidcontent1620.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/interviewbillmurraypaidcontent1620.htmlThu, 01 Oct 2009 12:25:55 GMTDigital media consultant Bill Murray will join the panel on paid content at the AOP Summit on 7 October.

The Twitter hashtag for the event is #aop3c.

Bill currently works across a portfolio of digital and media organisations, providing strategic and commercial direction on an advisory and consultancy basis. These include, amongst others, AOP, 10ACT, DN Capital, JackBrand and Accelerated Path.

Latterly he served as Managing Director of Digital Strategy at Haymarket where he pioneered online business development across the Haymarket Group and lead a number of successful launches and acquisitions.

With a number of publishers apparently moving towards charging for more content online, are there any lessons from the past here? Didn't a number of publishers try this in the 'web 1' phase?

I think the world has changed from ‘last time around’. Broadband has arrived and along with it a richness of experience, content and functionality that is way beyond anything consumers experienced 8-10 years ago.

So the level of engagement and consequent value they can obtain is clearly greater. So to make judgements about what may be possible on the basis of what didn’t work then, is to compare apples with cabbages!

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in August launched a members-only subscription site, offering new paid content and services on top of its standard free content - is this a model we might see more of, as opposed to pay walls simply locking content away from readers and search engines?

It’s interesting. I tend to agree with Eric Schmidt’s recent comment that while it is unlikely anyone will ever get very far trying to charge for news, there are certainly more specialist, deeper, expert or very high quality content that will command payment.

This example points in that direction but is, I suspect, just the start. Ultimately, I believe those that succeed will be 'selling' much more than content – while that may be at the heart of the proposition, it will be the creative integration of functionality and services that really add value to the consumers’ experience that will command true value.

In your view, have publishers sufficiently differentiated their web content from print/broadcast TV and radio?

Getting better all the time, but always room to do even better. We now have many experts with similarly developed creative skill sets developed and honed in the online space as has always been the case in the traditional space.

But this remains an incredibly young, new medium so we shouldn’t expect everyone’s delivery to be as fine-tuned and perfect yet. Nonetheless, consumers are demanding, and are increasingly clear on what they want and can be very fickle. So high performance here is a competitive requirement.

Is there any truth, do you think, in the suggestion (made in PaidContent) that paywalls for online news might be "an exercise in promoting printed newspapers"?

If it is true, then I fear it is short-sighted. Print and web are different media channels and used by consumers in different ways at different times. Of course they can be complementary and cross-promote, in fact that’s a very definite advantage that established, traditional media owners have.

But to start making such things conditional is a very dangerous game, especially if it’s news. News is not exclusive to anyone (has arguably become rather commoditised). For sure if anyone pits the slightest barrier in the way of what you know you want, the fickle consumer knows it is the work of two quick clicks to get it elsewhere.

Bill Murray will join the panel on paid content at the AOP Summit on 7 October.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.INTERVIEW2009 AOP content & trends censusThe results of the AOP Census survey released today shows that nearly 70% of respondents will continue to, or plan to, charge for content – with only 30% of respondents saying they have no plans to charge for content...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopcontenttrendscensus20091616.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopcontenttrendscensus20091616.htmlThu, 01 Oct 2009 09:34:39 GMTThe results of the AOP Census survey released today shows that nearly 70% of respondents will continue to, or plan to, charge for content – with only 30% of respondents saying they have no plans to charge for content.

The balance of view has shifted from two years ago, when the same question in 2007 showed 54% of respondents said they had “no plans to charge for content”.

Download the full 2009 content & trend census resultsmembers only (members only).

Read the full summary of the report.

This year’s Content and Trends Census, AOP members focuses specifically around paid and free content, user-generated content (UGC), social media, content delivery mechanisms, mobile sites and apps.

The biggest opportunities identified by AOP Members in 2009 are:

  • Mobile Web (85%)
  • UGC (75%)
  • High speed broadband (75%)
  • Community/social networking (73%)

Read the full summary of the report.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCHInterview: Chris Cramer, Global Multimedia Editor at Reuters"Social media sites like Twitter and Flickr are remarkable newsgathering tools - newsgathering of first, not last resort..."http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/chriscramerreutersinterview1613.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/chriscramerreutersinterview1613.htmlMon, 28 Sep 2009 10:57:50 GMTChris Cramer, Global Multimedia Editor of Reuters, will deliver a keynote at the AOP Summit on 7 October.

With more than 40 years’ experience in international broadcasting, Cramer previously brought together the BBC's huge radio and television newsgathering services into a single and powerful operation.

At CNN, he helped the organisation respond to the transition to digital broadcasting, making CNN the leading news operator in the employment of video and cell phone newsgathering and broadcasting.

What’s your take on the state of the media industry as we edge towards 2010?

Any economic recovery will not save traditional media business models. The landscape has changed – ad supported media will continue to drive businesses and, in addition, premium online publishers will need to create a compelling value proposition which must include true multimedia.

How do you see the relationship between social networking sites and publishers going forward?

Publishers need to go where the audiences are and social networking communities and publisher communities will increasingly be intermingled.

And where does Google fit into the debate around the importance of editorial integrity and the future of journalism?

It doesn’t. Google is a search engine that directs traffic and makes money selling ads against user intention. Look upon it as a news-stand which supports media business models which, in turn, can support media with editorial integrity.

Have publishers and broadcasters gone far enough, do you think, in terms of integrating social media and interactivity?

Probably not. Broadcasters that spend time simply reading out tweets and email miss the point here.

Social media sites like Twitter and Flickr are remarkable newsgathering tools - newsgathering of first, not last resort. Crowdsourcing can make for very exciting news development - but has risks.

What would you say will be the most important trends in multimedia and publishers’ use of social media going forward?

We need to figure out how to monetise multimedia and social media.

Chris Cramer will deliver a keynote at thec AOP Summit on 7 October. INTERVIEWLee Baker appointed AOP DirectorAOP has appointed Lee Baker as its new Director with immediate effect. Lee joins from Microsoft Advertiser & Publisher Solutions where he was Commercial Lead...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/leebakerappointedaopdirector1606.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/leebakerappointedaopdirector1606.htmlThu, 24 Sep 2009 10:12:13 GMTAOP has appointed Lee Baker as its new Director with immediate effect. Reporting to AOP co-Chairs: Alison Reay, Digital & Multi-Media Director Telegraph Media Group and Tim Faircliff, General Manager of Consumer Media at Thomson Reuters.

Lee will be responsible for representing the AOP’s extensive membership of digital publishers who cover the broad range of newspaper and magazine publishing, TV and radio broadcasting and pure online media in the UK.

Lee joins from Microsoft Advertiser & Publisher Solutions where he was Commercial Lead, working with internal teams across Microsoft, he was responsible for local, regional and global co-ordination, creation and driving media partnerships across targeted publishers.

Co-Chairs, Alison Reay and Tim Faircliff, comment on the appointment: “This is an exciting time for Lee to be joining the AOP, he completes a strong management team line up which includes Tim Cain, head of research and insight."

"We have a comprehensive programme of forthcoming events and forums; together with a range of focuses that Lee will be looking at from day one. We are confident that he will be able to take the AOP to the next level and help add value to all our members in this challenging economic climate.”

Lee has over 11 years experience in press, broadcast, online and direct marketing in UK and European roles. Prior to Microsoft, Lee was Business Development Director Europe at Lycos UK Ltd responsible for UK and European client partnerships for companies such as Yahoo!, MIVA and Ask.

Lee added: “I am excited about joining the AOP at a time when the demand for a strong voice in the industry has never been greater, and the needs of our members never been wider."

"I look forward to bringing my experience to help build on all of the hard work of the team and our members, and lead the AOP to the next stage of its evolution.”
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryAOP Digital Landscape Report for September now availableThis month's report includes a number of online ad forecasts, media category insights and trend analysis in key interest areas including CPMs, ad networks and ad effectiveness, with specific focus on the entertainment sector.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopdigitallandscapereportsept20091604.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopdigitallandscapereportsept20091604.htmlThu, 24 Sep 2009 09:47:14 GMTAOP's Digital Landscape Report for September is now available for members to download.Download Type: ppt
Download Size: 1958k

This month's report includes a number of ad spend forecasts, with views at UK, Europe, US and Global levels, as well as media category insights and trend analysis in key interest areas including video, ecommerce, ad networks and ad effectiveness, with a specific focus on the entertainment sector.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCHOnline accessibility: what you need to knowThere are some 10m disabled people in the UK, with a combined spending power of around £120bn - clearly, online accessibility is an issue that cannot be ignored...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/onlineaccessibilitywhatyouneedtoknow1589.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/onlineaccessibilitywhatyouneedtoknow1589.htmlTue, 22 Sep 2009 11:00:00 GMT
For me being online is everything: It's my hi-fi, my source of income, my supermarket, my telephone. It's my way in.Screen reader user, Web Developer and Programmer
There are some 10m disabled people in the UK, with a combined spending power of around £120bn - clearly, online accessibility is an issue that cannot be ignored.

There is still no UK test case for accessibility online, but “reasonable adjustments” to make your sites accessible to all are still a legal requirement. So Foviance’s Lis Shorten explained, speaking at an APA event on 15 September.

She described that many users with visual impairments scan the web in high contrast mode, reversing black and white for a clearer display. (You can see how your site would look in high contrast in Windows via a quick change from your control panel.)

For blind users, screen reading software, like Jaws converts text to speech, sometimes up to 300 words per minute. Barriers to accessing sites for screen reader users include:

  • A lack of alt text on images, or unreadable words within images – alt text should include what’s important about the image, but not already in the body of the article
  • Banner ads without alt text - all the relevant information displayed in the ad should be included
  • Flash-based features and interfaces, including interactive magazines, can prove inaccessible, though writing accessible Flash is also possible
  • Poorly contrasting colours – Shorten recommended Paciello’s colour analyser tool to test the most readable colour combinations
  • Links which read ‘click here’ - screen reader users regularly tab through all links on a page, or extract links and order them alphabetically. Links saying ‘click here’ tell users nothing, and make reading more time consuming

Page titles (the text that appears at the top of your browser pane) are vitally important, as the first thing a screen reader picks up – confirming to the user they’re on the correct page, and should also have a clear hierarchy.

Here, as in many of the other area's outlined, making content accessible also tends to match effective SEO, she said.

Shorten concluded with the following statistic: by 2050, 50% of the UK population will be 60 or over - online accessibility can only become an increasingly important factor in the years ahead.

More information on the event.

Homepage image by Wordle
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryFresh Media Group announces group-wide restructuring and rebrandLondon-based media services group restructures to form one-stop creative and production agency working across print, digital and video media...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/freshmediagrouprebrand1583.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/freshmediagrouprebrand1583.htmlMon, 21 Sep 2009 12:38:36 GMTFresh Media Group, the London-based media services group, has rebranded as ‘FMG,’ a creative and production agency working across print, digital and video media.

The restructuring and rebranding sees Group companies Colour Systems, Fresh-Vision and BigKid combine to form a single agency perfectly positioned to address the cross-media challenges faced by today’s publishers.

“Having been providing our wide range of cross-media products and services for some years now, our new identity enables us to easily convey the full extent of our services to new and existing publishing clients,” explains Simon Berg, CEO.

An extensive refurbishment of FMG’s London headquarters building accompanies the restructuring, which includes the completion of three purpose-built photographic studios and four video editing suites, making FMG one of the few agencies to operate using its own, wholly-owned resources.

With clients such as Dennis, Haymarket, Bauer, VNU and Conde Nast taking full advantage of FMG’s cross-media services, FMG is the perfectly placed to help publishers negotiate the challenging multimedia landscape.

FMG is an AOP Associate Member.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryThe Rubicon Project joins AOP The Rubicon Project has joined AOP as an Associate Member. Rubicon works with more than 1,500 publishers to increase the monetisation of online advertising space that goes unsold...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/rubiconprojectjoinsaop1582.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/rubiconprojectjoinsaop1582.htmlMon, 21 Sep 2009 11:26:30 GMT
Rubicon Project
The Rubicon Project has joined AOP as an Associate Member.

Rubicon works with more than 1,500 publishers to increase the monetisation of online advertising space that goes unsold, across a fast-growing number of global ad networks.

Its Ad Network Optimisation (ANO), powered by patent-pending SmartMatch™ technology, uses billions of pieces of proprietary market data to match each online publisher advertising impression to the best money-making opportunities from online advertising networks.

Reaching more than 500 million unique users, the Rubicon Project is one of the largest sources of advertising inventory and reach on the Internet and the preferred source of targeted, audience-segmented inventory for ad networks and other resellers, many exclusive, around the world. The unique combination of demand optimization and SmartMatch™ technology technology drives revenue lift ranging from 30-300% for the Rubicon Project’s customers.

The Rubicon Project also offers a brand protection programme to resolve issues of online advertising quality, channel conflict and online advertising network serving speed.

Jay Stevens, Vice President and General Manager, International said: “We are delighted to join AOP, to engage even more deeply with the publisher community in the UK, express our commitment to the industry, and also benefit from AOP’s research. ”

“Publishers are looking for ever more innovative strategies to maximise online revenues, and the Rubicon Project hopes to play a key role in this rapidly evolving area.”
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryVideo - Thomson Reuters' Tim Faircliff on AOP SummitAOP Co-Chair Tim Faircliff highlights his must-see sessions for the forthcoming AOP Summit – from Mobile to Paid Content, he outlines...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/timfaircliffreutersinterview1580.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/timfaircliffreutersinterview1580.htmlFri, 18 Sep 2009 09:08:21 GMT
Tim Faircliff, General Manager of Consumer Media at Thomson Reuters


AOP Co-Chair Tim Faircliff highlights his must-see sessions for the forthcoming AOP Digital Publishing Summit on 7 October – from Mobile to Paid Content, Faircliff outlines the lively debates shaping the digital publishing industry, which will feature at the event.

Focusing on Content, Convergence and Creativity, 3C brings together industry leaders from around the world to address the key issues and challenges faced by media owners in the digital space and focus on how publishers can prepare for 2010.

3C takes place on 7 October at the Business Design Centre in London
- Read the full programme for the day.

Book Now

Video produced by BigKid London
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter. INTERVIEW-VIDEOAOP announces Dominic Collins as new co-ChairAOP has announced the appointment of Dominic Collins, Group Director of Trader Media Group, as the new AOP co-Chair to take up the role from October...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopnewcochairdominiccollins1579.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopnewcochairdominiccollins1579.htmlThu, 17 Sep 2009 17:20:16 GMTAOP has announced the appointment of Dominic Collins, Group Director of Trader Media Group, as the new AOP co-Chair to take up the role from October 2009, for one year, working with the current co-Chair Tim Faircliff, General Manager of Consumer Media at Thomson Reuters.

Alison Reay, Digital & Multi-Media Director Telegraph Media Group and current AOP co-Chair, who was appointed in October 2008, has completed her tenure and will formally hand over to Dominic at the AOP Summit on 7 October 2009.

Alison Reay comments, “I’ve enjoyed co-chairing the AOP, in a fantastic but challenging year for all businesses, especially AOP members. We’re excited that Dominic has agreed to take up the co-Chair role alongside Tim; his business skills and experience are going to be useful assets to the association."

"The following year is going to be no less challenging, I’m sure, but I believe Tim and Dominic can steer a clear path on behalf of AOP.”

The joint chairmanship, introduced at the AOP Summit last year, allows greater rotation in the role of representatives drawn from newspapers, magazines, broadcasters and online only players, to truly reflect AOP’s diverse membership of the publishing industry.

Dominic, incoming co-Chair for AOP and Group Director of Trader Media Group, responsible for AutoTrader.co.uk, one of the most successful migrations from traditional media to digital globally, adds, “Trader Media Group strongly supports the AOP’s efforts for our industry. I am thrilled to be accepting the position of co-Chair for such an important and established industry body, helping the sector during such a pivotal point for our businesses.”

AutoTrader.co.uk is the world of cars made easy – from new and used cars to insurance and finance, along with advice and solutions to help reduce the cost of motoring.

Tim Faircliff, AOP co-Chairman and General Manager of Consumer Media at Thomson Reuters says, “I’m looking forward to working with Dominic as we tackle issues relevant to our members. It’s been a pleasure working with Alison, and on behalf of the AOP, I want to thank Alison for her resolute and inspired chairmanship through some of the toughest 12 months digital has experienced."

"She has provided reassurance, stimulation and enormous value to all member companies which Dominic and I will aim to continue.”
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryVideo interview with Telegraph Digital Director Alison ReayAhead of the AOP Summit, Alison Reay picks out some of the highlights to look out for at the event...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/alisonreayvideointerview1565.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/alisonreayvideointerview1565.htmlThu, 10 Sep 2009 14:06:22 GMT
Alison Reay, Digital and Multimedia Director, Telegraph Media Group


Ahead of the AOP Summit, Alison Reay picks out some of the highlights to look out for at the event – from Luke Johnson, to sessions on video, maximising ad campaigns and mobile to the discussion around paid content. She also shares her ideas on the commercial areas publishers should be looking to expand in the coming year.

Focusing on Content, Convergence and Creativity, 3C brings together industry leaders from around the world to address the key issues and challenges faced by media owners in the digital space and focus on how publishers can prepare for 2010.

3C takes place on 7 October at the Business Design Centre in London
- Read the full programme for the day.

Book Now

Video produced by BigKid London
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INTERVIEW-VIDEOInnovation – “not just around the edges, but at the core"Kicking off AOP’s forum on shaping your digital business for 2010, Runcat Consulting’s Tom Turcan outlined the “structural shift” underway...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/shapingyourdigitalbusinessforsuccess1564.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/shapingyourdigitalbusinessforsuccess1564.htmlThu, 10 Sep 2009 13:33:19 GMTKicking off AOP’s forum on shaping your digital business for 2010, Runcat Consulting’s Tom Turcan outlined the “structural shift” underway in the advertising market. One result of this, he predicted, is that innovation will more than ever be key to commercial success.

Both managing change, and innovation are back at the top of the agenda, he said, but “at the core” of businesses now, “not just at the edges”.

Where markets are diverse, the ideal strategy for accommodating change and creativity might be ‘bottom up’, rather than ‘top down’ he added - where experimentation and creativity are fostered organically from within.

A good map and compass

Taking a step back, Howard Davies, Media Partner at Deloitte, reminded the group that ‘digital’ will represent completely different opportunities to different publishers: for instance, is it core or supplementary to traditional media? Or an added service to existing customers?

On your digital journey, he said, the scouts’ code still applies - travelling with a good map and compass: having a shared vision of why you want to be a part of the digital future is vital.

Qualifying this, Dietmar Schantin, of WAN-IFRA said that having a “rough destination” is fine, as long as you have buy-in from your people. He added that senior management admitting it doesn’t have all the answers can itself inspire trust.

For those fearing being able to justify investment, he stressed that innovation can be more about mindset than money.

“Little ideas help” - for instance, there is a lot of learning and research still to be done around understanding the demands of publishers’ audiences online, and how this might expand their product offerings.

The role of product management

Picking up on this idea, FT.com’s Head of Product Management Mary Beth Christie explained her role in the Financial Times’ successful diversification.

With business priorities varying by department, each with their own view on how a product should look, and the purpose it should serve, product development can bridge a structural gap which might otherwise hinder digital development.

Smiley facesEveryone has their own view of what digital products should look likeHaving one product owner is crucial, she added, as is having someone to ensure that commercial and editorial work alongside and effectively with developers.

This approach to getting to the root of the motivations behind new products is enabling the FT to continue to innovate – in the past few months alone, launching a ‘save & clip’ article service, and iPhone app and Lexicon - investments which have already paid for themselves.

Further emphasising the importance of experimentation, Christie revealed that A/B testing around user registrations and logins is currently “really making a difference” to the company’s paid content model, and bottom line.

The Trader Media Transition

Having a process in place to unite business and IT is vital to online success, Trader Media’s Digital Publishing Director, Edwin Ulak agreed, explaining how the transition of AutoTrader from a magazine brand to a vastly profitable digital business grew out of a unique setup:

Its online entity was originally set up to compete nationally with its 13 regional print businesses. When digital revenue overtook print, there were only 250 employed in digital, and 3500 still in print.

Its continued success, he added, is based on an entrepreneurial spirit that permeates the organisation, and “knowing when to pull the trigger on change”. His advice to other publishers was:

  • Focus on providing solutions for your customers, not building audiences
  • Motivate sales teams around profit, and not just revenue, for sustainable growth

On the road of change, companies themselves can “exceed their bandwidth”, said Ulak, as the speakers emphasised the importance of celebrating success, and having clear milestones (not to mention breaks, and parties) along the way.

Davies pointed out that, in a time of recession, it’s a great opportunity to challenge and try things your company, and even your industry hasn’t done before – “the order going in and out is still undecided”.

AutoTrader, after all, has long been building websites and desktop applications for its customers, without considering itself a web development or software firm.

The view from the AOP ForumThe view from the AOP Forum at IPC MediaPhoto by John Welsh

Coverage of the event on Journalism.co.uk:
Media industry must look to other sectors to grow digitally
FT.com's online launches 'paying for themselves' says product manager

Download presentations from the event - login required.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryShaping Your Digital Business for Success In 2010This forum examined how publishers are positioning themselves to take advantage of market changes next year. Speakers from FT.com and Trader Media...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/shapingdigitalbusinessfor2010forum.obyxhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/shapingdigitalbusinessfor2010forum.obyxWed, 09 Sep 2009 14:00:00 GMTThis forum explored some of the management challenges and opportunities facing digital businesses as they turn their attention to 2010 and beyond:

How to manage the successive waves of organisational change that the coming years will require, how to keep the company lean as it continues to diversify, how to manage an ever-expanding range of digital products, how best to engage with the company's people.

Read our summary of the event:
Innovation – "not just around the edges, but at the core"

Read our interview with Tom Turcan, '2010 will see “Relentless pursuit of ROI, rather than reach”'

Read biographies of the speakers at this event.

Full Event Programme

Chair's Introduction and Overview - Download Presentationmembers only
Tom Turcan, Founder, Runcat Consulting

  • Market context: what (ever) next?
  • Making strategy relevant
  • The challenges change presents

Building Products With Impact In A Changing Digital Landscape - Download Presentationmembers only
Mary Beth Christie, Head of Product Management, FT.com

  • Setting priorities
  • Solve the problem; don't build a solution
  • The right rhythm - sprints vs distance
  • Giving birth to a new product is just the beginning

Managing An Efficient Digital Transformation - Download Presentationmembers only
Howard Davies, Media Partner, Deloitte

  • Structuring an effective traditional/digital organisation
  • Balancing revenues and resources appropriately
  • Managing the journey...to an uncertain destination

Managing People Through Change - Download Presentationmembers only
Dr. Dietmar Schantin, Group Director, Editorial, Advertising and General Management, WAN-IFRA

  • Why getting it right is vital
  • Helping staff adapt to change
  • Supporting and motivating individuals through change

The Trader Transition - Case Study: Trader Media Group
Edwin Ulak, Publishing Director (Digital), Trader Media Group

  • The Transitional Journey of Trader Media
  • Challenges, opportunities and results
  • Preparing for 2010
no-categoryChannel 4 Chairman Luke Johnson to speak at AOP SummitChannel 4 Chairman Luke Johnson is the latest keynote speaker confirmed to present at the AOP Digital Publishing Summit taking place on 7th October... http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/lukejohnsonaopsummit1540.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/lukejohnsonaopsummit1540.htmlFri, 04 Sep 2009 13:01:24 GMTLuke Johnson, Chairman of Channel 4, is the latest keynote speaker confirmed to present at the AOP Digital Publishing Summit taking place on 7th October.

Chairman of Channel 4 since January 2004, Luke has appointed a new CEO, restructured the board and seen the organisation enjoy record ratings, revenues and surplus.

Luke also writes a weekly column for the Financial Times and wrote for the Sunday Telegraph for eight years. Since 2000 Luke has run Risk Capital Partners, focusing on private equity deals.

The early booker rate runs out on 11 September - book your place online now

Luke completes an impressive lineup of digital pioneers taking centre stage at the event, which includes:

David Gilbertson, Chief Executive, Emap
Naomi Climer, Vice President, Sony Europe
Chris Cramer, Global Editor, Multimedia, Reuters
Simon Francis, CEO EMEA, Saatchi & Saatchi
David Montgomery, Chief Executive, Mecom Group

As publishers prepare for the new opportunities and challenges of 2010, we will be examining the key themes for business success:

View the full programme and list of speakers for the day.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryshaping your digital business for success speaker biographiesAs the fog of recession begins to clear, the next AOP Forum, on Wednesday 9 September, explores some of the management challenges and opportunities facing digital businesses as they turn...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/digitalsuccessforumlineup1530.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/digitalsuccessforumlineup1530.htmlTue, 01 Sep 2009 13:50:39 GMTAOP's forum on Wednesday 9 September explored some of the management challenges and opportunities facing digital businesses as they turn their attention to 2010 and beyond:

How to manage the successive waves of organisational change that the coming years will require, how to keep the company lean as it continues to diversify, how to manage an ever-expanding range of digital products, how best to engage with the company's people.

Download presentations from the event

Read our summary of the event:
Innovation – "not just around the edges, but at the core"

Speaker Biographies

Dietmar Schantin
Dr. Dietmar Schantin, Group Director, Editorial, Advertising and General Management, WAN-IFRA

Dr. Dietmar Schantin joined IFRA in 2005 as Director of Newsplex, which looked at editorial strategy and change in news publishing organisations. Since 2009, he is now Group Director of the Business Unit Editorial, Advertising and General Management (EAGM), of the newly merged news publishing association WAN-IFRA. In his role he advises companies on the development and implementation of editorial strategies and structures.

He has carried out such projects in the UK at the Telegraph Media Group, Northcliffe Media Group and Archant Media Group.

He has also advised News publishing companies in Europe, USA and Asia.
He started his career as a studio manager at the Austrian Broadcasting
Cooperation, then worked as project leader for a management consultancy
in Switzerland before becoming the managing director of an online system
consulting service.

Howard Davies
Howard Davies, Media Partner, Deloitte

Howard is a Partner in Deloitte’s consulting practice where he leads the Telecoms, Media and Technology Strategy team.

With nearly 15 years experience as a consultant, Howard has undertaken a wide range of assignments, both in the UK and in Europe, specialising in corporate and business unit strategy development, business planning and M&A support. His clients include most of the UK broadcasters, newspaper and magazine publishers and new media companies.

Over the last 5 years he has focussed on the challenges and opportunities resulting from the increased digitisation of content and distribution. He is one of the key architects behind the Digital Index, Deloitte’s quarterly assessment of the state of Digital Britain and a regular press commentator on this subject.

Mary Beth Christie
Mary Beth Christie, Head Of Product Management, FT.com

MB Christie is Head of Product Management for FT.com, the definitive home for business intelligence on the web. She assumed this position in January 2007.

Christie manages the online product team that handles all of the Financial Times’ digital media; including the core FT.com website, interactive markets data features, blogs, and search. In this capacity she has been instrumental in transforming the Financial Times from a traditional newspaper publisher into a web-centric business.

Previous to her work at the FT, Christie was Head of Product Development at Rightmove.co.uk the UK’s largest property website. Prior to that, she was Product Development Director for QXL Ricardo PLC, a leading online auction website in Europe. In 1991, Christie founded Resources, the first phone directory published in post-communist Czechoslovakia. She remained President of the company through 1999.

She obtained her BSc from the London School of Economics, where she studied in Economics, Economic History and Political Thought. Christie has also studied English Literature at the Connecticut College.

Edwin Ulak
Edwin Ulak, Publishing Director, Trader Media Group

Edwin is Publishing Director (Digital) for Trader Media Group, responsible for product and content on autotrader.co.uk. In his time leading the development of Europe’s largest motoring portal, unique users have near doubled from 5.5m to 10.3m, time on site has grown to exceed that of facebook and the business has undergone one of the most profitable transitions from print to online in Europe. Underpinning this success has been a focus on consumer led innovation expanding Auto Trader’s offering from a used car site to an online motoring marketplace serving all the motorist’s needs.

Prior to joining Trader Media Group Edwin provided consultancy for online retailers as well as heading up digital at a full service agency in Toronto. Edwin’s first venture was an online ticketing start up in the first dotcom boom.

Tom Turcan
Tom Turcan, Founder, Runcat Consulting

Tom is a business consultant who specialises in developing competitive strategies and managing change. His clients include established media companies, charities and young, high growth ventures.

Tom's previous roles include General Manager, Digital at Guardian News and Media, where he was responsible for the digital P&L, and where he led the recently-completed programme to deliver the new online platform for guardian.co.uk.

As Chairman of Dovetail Services, he led the merger, reorganisation and re-launch of this marketing and fulfilment JV for BBC Worldwide and Dennis Publishing. As CEO of Virtual Internet, he managed the turnaround, re-positioning and trade exit of this publicly-listed internet services provider.

As Director of Business Development at News International, he managed acquisitions, investments and operational improvement initiatives across the NI portfolio. Tom's early career was spent as a technologist and software developer at Logica.

Download presentations from the event

Read our summary of the event:
Innovation – "not just around the edges, but at the core"
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryAOP Summit – Reuters / Sony Europe keynotes announcedNaomi Climer, VP of Sony Europe and Chris Cramer, Global Editor, Multimedia at Reuters are the latest high profile speakers to join the line-up for the AOP Summit, taking place on 7 October at the Business Design Centre in London.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/3csummitkeynotesannounced1527.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/3csummitkeynotesannounced1527.htmlThu, 27 Aug 2009 10:00:00 GMTNaomi Climer, Vice President of Sony Europe and Chris Cramer, Global Editor, Multimedia at Reuters are the latest high profile speakers to join the line-up for the AOP Summit, taking place on 7 October at the Business Design Centre in London.
Naomi Climer, Vice President, Sony Europe
David Gilbertson, Chief Executive, Emap
Simon Francis, CEO EMEA, Saatchi & Saatchi
David Montgomery, Chief Executive, Mecom Group
Chris Cramer, Global Editor, Multimedia, Reuters

Last year’s event sold out early so, if you want to secure your place, book now.

Full list of AOP Summit speakers

View the AOP Summit Programme

Naomi Climer, Vice President, Sony Europe

Naomi Climer joined Sony in 2002 and was appointed Vice President of Sony Europe in May 2006.

She is responsible for leading the continued expansion of Sony’s Professional business in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

The professional business provides solutions and services to entertainment segments such as media, broadcast, digital signage and digital cinema as well as other B2B markets such assecurity, healthcare and education.

The overall mission of the division is to bring ‘Visual Wealth’ to businesses and their customers through innovative application of technology.

As part of the overall Sony Europe team, Naomi also plays a major role in the development and delivery of solutions harnessing the expertise of ‘Sony United’, such as sustaining the rate of adoption of High Definition and 3D technologies, delivering content to multiple consumer platforms from TVs to games consoles, innovating in the area of Sport content acquisition and distribution, establishing Sony as IPTV innovators, as well as building the strongest possible business case for migration to digital cinema across Europe

David Gilbertson, Chief Executive, Emap

David joined Emap as Chief Executive Officer in March 2008.

He has some 30 years' experience in the information industry having held editorial and management positions with Metal Bulletin, Reuters, Reed Elsevier and Informa. He joined LLP in 1987 as Editor of Lloyd's List, joining the LLP board in 1992. Mr Gilbertson was a member of the 3i-backed management buy-out team which bought LLP from Lloyd's of London in 1995, becoming its Chief Executive in 1997.

He took LLP to flotation on the London Stock Exchange in early 1998, and became Chief Executive of Informa Group plc upon its formation from the merger of LLP with IBC in December 1998.

Mr Gilbertson was appointed Managing Director on the merger of Informa and Taylor & Francis in May 2004, and was reappointed as Chief Executive of Informa plc in 2007. He is also Non-Executive Chairman of John Brown Holdings Limited.

Simon Francis, CEO EMEA, Saatchi & Saatchi

Simon was appointed EMEA CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi in August 2007.

He joined Saatchi & Saatchi from OMD where, as EMEA MD, he held responsibility for 34 markets. At OMD, Simon helped double profits across the region, while winning agency of the year accolades four times.

He was also instrumental in the agency winning major new client assignments worth €1.6bn including Vodafone, Sony, Sara Lee, Kia, Carlsberg, Bridgestone and Danone.

During his career, Simon has served as director of futures at MindShare where he founded TV production company, Shine: M.

He was also board account director and director of integration at Leo Burnett and group media director at Leo Burnett Media. Simon has won awards for his media work for Nike, Heineken, IBM, United Airlines and others. He is the credited writer of press and outdoor ads for Kellogg’s, Hoover and Nike.

David Montgomery, Chief Executive, Mecom Group

David Montgomery founded Mecom in 2000, and was the Executive Chairman until January 2009.

He has since worked on a number of acquisitions in Europe to establish Mecom as one of the leading European publishing and content businesses. Prior to becoming editor of News of the World in 1985, he was managing director of News UK Limited, editor of the Today newspaper and a non-executive director of Satellite Television plc.

Between 1992 and 1999, he was chief executive of Mirror Group plc, where he oversaw its substantial restructuring.

Chris Cramer, Global Editor, Multimedia, Reuters

Chris Cramer has more than 40 years experience in international broadcasting. He is currently Global Editor for Multi Media at Reuters News and, during his career, has led the world’s largest newsgathering organization while at the BBC and developed the world’s most influential, profitable and widely distributed news channel, CNN International.

While at the BBC, Cramer brought together the BBC's huge radio and television newsgathering services into a single and powerful operation. At CNN, he helped the organization respond to the transition to digital broadcasting making CNN the leading news operator in the employment of video and cell phone newsgathering and broadcasting.

Chris Cramer is an advocate and authority on African Journalism having been president of the CNN African Journalism Competition for 11 years. Cramer has been instrumental in bringing the industry together in order to ensure the protection and training of journalists who work in hostile environments. He is President and a founding member of the International News Safety Institute (INSI) the global organization devoted to the ethical treatment and safety of journalists. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Television Society.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryKeynote videos from AOP Summit 2008For a flavour of what you might have missed at last year's AOP Summit, we have made three of the full keynote speeches widely available for the first time...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/keynotevideosaopsummit20081493.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/keynotevideosaopsummit20081493.htmlFri, 21 Aug 2009 09:30:38 GMTFor a flavour of what you might have missed at last year's AOP Summit, we have made videos of three of last year's Summit keynotes available to all for the first time:

You can now watch full videos of:


Find out more about this year's AOP Summit, taking place on 7 October at the Business Design Centre in London.

Read up on the speakers appearing at the 2009 Summit.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.VIDEOAOP Digital Landscape Report for August now availableThis month's report includes an update on global ad forecasts and total communications spending and features topical insights into online video viewing...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopdigitallandscapereportaugust20091494.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopdigitallandscapereportaugust20091494.htmlWed, 19 Aug 2009 17:15:47 GMTAOP's Digital Landscape Report for August is now available for members to download.Download Type: ppt
Download Size: 1186k

This month's report includes an update on global ad forecasts and total communications spending and features topical insights into online video viewing and video ads, as well as the latest results of advertising effectiveness research.

In addition, there is an up to date view of online audience trends and an analysis of traffic to key media categories.

Homepage image '<-----' by Whatknot
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCHSpeakers announced for AOP Summit 3C addresses the key trends, opportunities and challenges media owners will face in 2010. As publishers continue to refine their strategies, we hear from leading innovators on how best to capitalise in the ever-evolving digital space.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aop3csummitspeakersannounced1491.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aop3csummitspeakersannounced1491.htmlTue, 18 Aug 2009 16:26:55 GMT
AOPSummit09
3C addresses the key trends, opportunities and challenges media owners will face in 2010. As publishers continue to refine their strategies, we hear from leading innovators on how best to capitalise in the ever-evolving digital space.

In the year of the app, with paid content models, video convergence and eReaders on everybody’s lips, we offer a unique line-up from the frontline of digital publishing - read the latest list of confirmed speakers for the AOP Summit 2009.

3C takes place on 7 October at the Business Design Centre in London - Save the date to Outlook.Download Type: vcs
Download Size: 0k

AOP 3C Summit 2008 Highlights


More information is at www.ukaop.org.uk/3c.no-category2010 will see “Relentless pursuit of ROI, rather than reach” Former Guardian Digital General Manager Tom Turcan gives AOP his views on change, the future shape of digital media businesses, and the key factors for success in 2010.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/tomturcaninterview1471.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/tomturcaninterview1471.htmlThu, 13 Aug 2009 09:58:00 GMT
Tom Turcan
Tom Turcan, Founder of Runcat Consulting, and former Digital General Manager at Guardian Media Group is speaking at AOP’s next forum on shaping your digital business for success in 2010 on 9 September.

Find out more about the event, and book your place online – tickets are just £40+vat for AOP members.

We spoke to Tom to get his views on organisational change, the future shape of digital media businesses, and the key factors for commercial and creative success in 2010.

Q. Many publishers have undergone radical structural changes in the past 12 months, what do you think will be the effect of these changes?

In the past year there have been two drivers of change - the need to lower costs, and the desire to integrate businesses across media distribution platforms. Falling revenues drives the first, and continuing consumer migration online the second.

Most companies know how to take cost out, but multimedia integration is new, and it is likely to have the more profound impact on performance over time, positively or negatively. A third change driver, the need to innovate, has been somewhat placed on hold since the recession took hold.

Q. What are the main things to think about when planning a change programme?

Having clear objectives, linked to the company's strategy. If either strategy or objectives are opaque any change programme will struggle, because the daily implementation decisions that need to be made will lack a business context.

That said, most publishers find it hard to articulate strategy precisely, as there's still much uncertainty about which business models to back, so building new competencies, investment options and business flexibility are likely to figure strongly. These objectives can sometimes sit uncomfortably in the same change programme as cost reduction.

Then, organisations need to think about methodology:

  • Do they want a top down rapid change or a bottom up high engagement process.
  • Externally facilitated or internally managed
  • Single step ‘big bang’ or incremental
  • How much technology management is required to support the change
  • What employee engagement and project governance models to follow
  • And how success will be measured

Q. Who do you think have managed change most successfully? Who are the players to watch in the future?

It's always hard to judge from the outside, but the continuing development of Trader Media from traditional regional publisher to online market leader is impressive. The Telegraph's bold change programme deserves admiration. The replacement and upgrade of the Guardian's online publishing platform is a great example of incremental change on a large scale.

Looking forward, the impact of News International's reorganisation will be fascinating to follow, and, for sheer complexity, the BBC's efforts to simplify its operating core. I think also the more progressive magazine publishers have the creative and competitive instincts to evolve very successfully.

Q. As publishers' grip on engaged, loyal online audiences grows ever more important, will editorial and organisational structure come in for even greater scrutiny?

I expect structures and processes will be under regular review for many years to come. Imagine, for example, if most publishers adopt models of many more revenue sources than they have had in the past.

This could elevate the customer database from a back room in the marketing department to become the company's major asset, requiring a new focus from most existing functions. Alternatively, if major collaborations become more important then the company's approach to sourcing, project implementation and governance would need to change.

Q. What do you see as the major trends affecting digital media businesses in the coming year?

A broadening of the revenue sources, smarter data management for insight, analytics and CRM, more collaborations with non-publishers, more enlightened management of technology-enabled change, and relentless pursuit of ROI, rather than reach, from online activities.

Q. How can publishers best prepare for these?

Having spent the past year taking out cost and integrating, many publishers will need to create some time for thinking about and planning for 2010 and 2011. With internal resources stripped back, they will need to look beyond their own organisations for some of the answers, through collaborations, strategic supplier partnerships and personal networks.

Q. If you had to pick three key factors for commercial and creative success in digital publishing, that you have observed from different businesses over the years, what would you say they are?

Restless leadership, clarity of business objectives (beyond the usual 12 month budgetting cycle) and performant multi-functional teams.

Tom is speaking at AOP’s next forum on shaping your digital business for success in 2010 on 9 September.

Book your place online – tickets are just £40+vat for AOP members / £80+vat for non-members.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.INTERVIEWStream UK's technical guidelines for quality online videoAOP Associate Member Stream UK has produced a useful set of guidelines for video, summarising formats, quality, sources and codecs...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/streamuktechnicalvideoguide1472.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/streamuktechnicalvideoguide1472.htmlThu, 13 Aug 2009 09:31:09 GMTAOP Associate Member Stream UK has provided this white paper, assessing suitable source formats for online video, the relative optimum quality you can expect from various sources, advice on choosing a codec (Flash, Windows media etc.) and their relative market penetration.

Also covered is encoding to the right format, as defined by user connection speed, and types of video content.

Download Stream UK's Video White PaperDownload Type: pdf
Download Size: 176k (AOP members only)

Stream UK provides businesses worldwide with reliable, professional level tools to manage and distribute multimedia content over the internet.

Its clients include AOL, BBC, Disney and Reuters.

For further information, please contact William Rea, tel. 020 7419 2088
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCHOnline behavioural advertising: what you need to knowAOP Strategic Partner Olswang gives a summary of OBA, the consumer view and the IAB’s Good Practice Principles, which come into effect on 4 September.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/onlinebehaviouraladvertising1468.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/onlinebehaviouraladvertising1468.htmlWed, 12 Aug 2009 09:00:14 GMT
Olswang
On 8 July, AOP hosted an event at Olswang's offices entitled Going Global: Monetising your International Audience. The event was attended by a high calibre audience comprised of digital media owners, and their partners in ad exchanges, optimisers and networks.

As media owners look to efficiently understand and monetise an array of distinct regional audiences around the world, one potential means of maximising revenue, for UK and non-UK inventory alike, is online behavioural advertising (OBA).

Olswang has been closely following the progress of OBA technologies in the UK. With some more controversial than others, the media spotlight has fallen particularly on Phorm's Webwise software.

What is Online Behavioural Advertising?

OBA is the process of analysing internet users' web-surfing habits to determine their interests. The data collected during this process can then be used to deliver highly-targeted advertisements that are tailored to the interests of the user.

To some, this delivers benefits across the board. Advertisers reach a more receptive market, consumers receive promotions that are of interest or of relevance to them and, as a consequence of increased responses to advertising appearing on their sites, online publishers' content receives a commensurate uplift in value. To others, however, OBA raises significant invasion of privacy issues.

There are a number of key players in the OBA market but the one to have hit the headlines is Phorm owing, in part, to the controversy surrounding British Telecom's ("BT") trial of Phorm's Webwise software on its customers in 2006 and 2007. Phorm works at an ISP level to monitor and collect information on internet users' viewing habits. This information would then be sold to advertisers to allow them to direct their advertising at particular users whose web use indicates an interest in the products or services being advertised.

The Consumer’s View

Recent studies would indicate that consumers are more willing to accept advertising if it means access to free content. According to the IAB, 85% of consumers would prefer to have access to free online content with advertising than to pay for ad-free content – the success of ad-funded music streaming service Spotify is a good example of this. In addition, 50% of the consumers who took part in the IAB survey indicated that they would prefer to receive targeted advertising which was relevant to them.

Despite BT's very public announcement that it has no immediate plans to use Phorm's technology, BT has said that "we continue to believe the interest-based advertising category offers major benefits for consumers and publishers alike." Indeed, Virgin Media is believed to still be considering working with Phorm, although it has said that no deal is imminent.

In Olswang’s view then it is likely that OBA will, in one shape or form, be implemented in the future, but what are the legal issues?

Compliance

Tracking technology can offer considerable advantages to advertisers, but the complaints which BT's trial of Phorm's Webwise software on its customers in 2006 and 2007 attracted illustrate the concerns of privacy campaigners. Although Phorm has said that the data it collects is anonymised and cannot be traced to an individual, BT's trial sparked complaints from UK citizens and UK MEPs. These complaints resulted in the European Commission announcing, in April of this year, that it had opened infringement proceedings in the United Kingdom in relation to the implementation of the EU Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications.

If OBA does get taken up in the UK, there are legal and regulatory issues of which ISPs, online publishers and advertisers will need to be aware.

Data Protection Legislation

In the UK, the collection of personal data and the processing of such data are governed by the Data Protection Act 1998 (the "Act"). The Act imposes obligations of fair and lawful processing and the obtaining of consent from the data subject is a pre-requisite before the data can be processed. The Act applies to both the online and offline collection and processing of data.

Consent is not defined in the Act but, under the EU Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC) which the Act implements, consent must be "freely given, specific and informed". The opt-out policies currently employed by Phorm arguably conflict with these requirements. Indeed, the Information Commissioner's position had been, until recently, that OBA technologies should operate on an opt-in basis. However, the introduction of the IAB Good Practice Principles (further described below) has seen a u-turn in this position.

In addition to their obligations under the Act, marketers using electronic means or who use cookies to collect information about visitors to their websites will also need to comply with the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 ("PEC Regulations") which require marketers to obtain the consent of the recipient prior to sending marketing communications and which limit the use of website cookies to obtain personal data.

As part of a review of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive at a European level, there is a proposal to amend the current provisions relating to cookies and other devices. This amendment would require websites to obtain consent from site users to the use of cookies in contrast with the existing provisions which only require information and an opportunity to refuse their storage and disable them to be given. However, the debate has taken a break until September so, for the time being, the PEC Regulations still stand in their current form.

IAB Good Practice Principles

The IAB launched good practice principles for OBA which will come into effect on 4 September 2009. Google, Microsoft Advertising, Phorm and Yahoo! are a few of the key players to have signed up to the principles so far. The aim of the three key principles – notice, user choice and education - is to provide consumers with transparency and greater choice in relation to OBA. A company using OBA must provide:

  1. A 'clear and unambiguous notice' to users that it is collecting data for this purpose
  2. a mechanism for users to opt-out
  3. information to users about OBA, the collection and use of data and how to opt-out

The self-regulatory guidelines are endorsed by the Information Commissioner (although privacy campaigners do not consider the principles to go far enough to protect consumers).

Conclusion

Despite the introduction of the IAB's principles, privacy campaigners are still concerned about the potential for misuse of data if OBA is adopted by ISPs. To date, the Information Commissioner is satisfied with Phorm's claims that it 'anonymises' the information it collects by tracking internet users' surfing habits so that the user cannot be identified.

The negative press surrounding OBA means that it will be a while yet before we see technology such as Phorm's Webwise software adopted into the mainstream (if at all). However, if and when we do, advertisers and online publishers alike should be prepared to take advantage of what could be a valuable new tool.

For further information about the issues raised in this article, please contact Anouska Spiers or Jamie McIntyre-Brown at Olswang LLP. Please also see the Datonomy blog for updates on this subject.

Read the IAB's Consumer Guide to Online Behavioural Advertising
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryBrand Republic appoints new EditorRich Sutcliffe has been appointed as the new Editor of Brand Republic – Haymarket Business Media’s leading website for marketing, media and advertising. http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/brandrepublicappointsneweditor1450.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/brandrepublicappointsneweditor1450.htmlThu, 30 Jul 2009 17:11:25 GMTRich Sutcliffe has been appointed as the new Editor of Brand Republic – Haymarket Business Media’s leading website for marketing, media and advertising.

Sutcliffe joins from Media Week, also published by Haymarket, where he was Digital Editor and will take up the new role on 1 September. He is the second Editor in the site's history, succeeding Gordon Macmillan, who has edited the site for the past eight years.

Macmillan will take a new role in Haymarket Brand Media as Social Media & International Editor.

Sutcliffe has worked in various roles in magazine and digital publishing over the past 10 years including senior posts at Highbury House and Swinstead Publishing. He joined the Media Week team at the beginning of 2008.

Commenting on his appointment, Sutcliffe says: "To be offered the chance to lead Brand Republic, where we are able to bring together the expertise of award-winning journalists, columnists and editors from across the group, is a great opportunity."

Matthew Gerry, Online Publisher, Haymarket Brand Media, says: “Rich combines digital expertise and editorial flair with a deep understanding of our audience. His ideas and leadership are key to the next stage of Brand Republic’s development.”

Gerry adds: “I’d like to thank Gordon for his continued contribution to Brand Republic, which has been critical to the site’s success. Gordon is passionate about social media and brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role.”
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryAOP Digital Landscape Report for July now availableThis month's report includes global and UK ad forecasts, online audience size, profile and activity summaries, a media category analysis of web traffic, and a snapshot of the latest research into key interest areas including:http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopdigitallandscapereportjuly20091436.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopdigitallandscapereportjuly20091436.htmlFri, 24 Jul 2009 09:30:41 GMTAOP's Digital Landscape Report for July is now available for members to download.Download Type: ppt
Download Size: 1740k

This month's report includes global and UK ad forecasts, online audience size, profile and activity summaries, a media category analysis of web traffic, and a snapshot of the latest research into key interest areas including:

  • Display advertising effectiveness
  • Mobile activity
  • Lead generation

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RESEARCHAPA Digital Breakfast - Notes from the EditorsOnline editors face a host of challenges – communicatively, commercially, operationally and politically. Often online editors are drivers of real change within traditional publishing businesses, and have to break the mould in terms of the way in which they reach and communicate with customers online.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/notesfromtheeditorsapadigital.obyxhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/notesfromtheeditorsapadigital.obyxTue, 21 Jul 2009 09:00:00 GMTRead APA's Summary of this event -Usefulness is the key to successful online content

Online editors face a host of challenges – communicatively, commercially, operationally and politically. Often online editors are drivers of real change within traditional publishing businesses, and have to break the mould in terms of the way in which they reach and communicate with customers online.

At this month’s APA Digital Breakfast we hear from three market leading online editorial specialists, who will share with us their challenges and successes, and provide some guidance as to how publishing agencies can deliver effective editorial solutions for our clients:

How does writing for the internet differ to writing for print? What can it bring to a business?

Annie Deakin, Editor of mydeco.com and design columnist for The Independent.

Discussing the challenges of editing the online magazine for mydeco.com, the no.1 website for designing and shopping your home.

Topics to cover: SEO, daily news, social bookmarking, blogging, competitions, mydeco TV, re-design, e-zines, staff picks, twitter, book extracts.
In a nutshell, how to make online editorial (on a tight budget) boost a business.

Are you clients fit for online (FFO)?

Anne Caborn, Creative Director CDA, shares insights around preparing clients for online editorial planning.

Your client may be great on clay (offline) but what about grass (online)? ‘FFO’ explores the role of the agency ‘coach’, transforming mindsets so clients grasp the ‘change of surface’ between online and offline branded communication.

BlogaPenguinClassic, a case study

Anna Rafferty, Managing Director, Penguin Digital. Also winner of New Media Age’s Greatest Individual Contribution To New Media 2009.

How to let go of control; the challenges and rewards of handing over control of your content to your readers when you are a 75 year old, editorially-led content company.

The digital breakfast is open to both APA members and non-members

APA/AOP members - £50 per person, inclusive of breakfast
Non-members - £80 per person, inclusive of breakfast

To guarantee your place, contact Amanda Burrell // 020 7400 7542no-category“Video still most important area of growth for digital media”A report by Strategy Analytics says that broadcasters are moving towards a 'targeted model', as knowing the individual viewer becomes increasingly important...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/videomostimportantgrowthareafordigital1425.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/videomostimportantgrowthareafordigital1425.htmlThu, 16 Jul 2009 10:40:34 GMTVideo will be the most significant area of growth for digital media in the immediate future, according to a report by Strategy Analytics.

Digital Media Analyst Martin Olausson explained in the report how publishers are “cutting out the distribution guys” on digital platforms, as the traditional TV experience gets better and better:

Key Findings

With TV now time shifted, as well as place shifted, choice and quality are improving for the everyday consumer. Additionally, the “TV experience is becoming more personal – as they decide increasingly how, when, what to watch, it’s becomes “my TV content”.

Consumers are quickly adapting to all forms of premium video content, as more and better legal services become available “illicit alternatives are starting to give way”, though, he warned, p2p shows no sign of disappearing.

Both free and paid-for services (such as Netflix and iTunes) continue to grow online, and are “projected to show strong growth” in the coming year.

The Effect of the Economy on Broadcasting and Entertainment

Strategy Analytics’ research showed that people paying for online video and entertainment has been relatively unscathed by recession, and will also be the fastest growing digital media sector. Other findings include:

  • Web video ads are doing better than other forms of online advertising currently
  • Video subscriptions will see a 38% compound average growth rate (CAGR) over next four years – as TV companies offer a multi-platform pay TV product, along the lines of the TV Everywhere concept, and online video rental continues to grow
  • The research said that compound growth until 2012 in paid video would be 39%, with 33% growth in video ads
  • Leading broadcasters are well positioned to offer free web video, but also paid-for premium content to viewers, according to the research – “broadcasters always come out on top” over iTunes & Amazon in consumer attitudes to paid services
  • Online video rental would see the biggest growth of all (71% CAGR) over the same period – driven largely by services like Xbox Live, and other ‘straight to TV’ on-demand services
  • Media owners, said Olausson, should therefore focus on rental and subscription models, rather than download to own models, which might eat into physical sales

He concluded by saying that broadcasters are transforming their businesses from a waste model (one to many), towards a targeted model (one to one) – moving from what used to be an unknown mass audience, to interactive services, and more individual targeting.

In this environment, it would be increasingly important to “know the individual viewer”, he predicted. “To better serve both consumers and advertisers," and face the challenge of broadcasters making their voice heard through increasing levels of ‘media noise’.

You can view a webinar on Strategy Analytics' Report for free by registering your details online.

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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCH'Right audience' takes priority over highest number of users, says WelshThere was plenty of lively debate at AOP's first 'virtual' event last week, on the growing impact of B2B online media. For this sector of digital media, attracting the ‘right’...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopwebinarpaidforcontentb2b1423.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopwebinarpaidforcontentb2b1423.htmlThu, 16 Jul 2009 09:52:02 GMTBetter 17 of the right people visit your site, than 17 million outside of its target audience, said John Welsh, Digital Director of UBM Live, speaking at AOP’s first ever online event last week, 'the Growing Impact of B2B Online Media'.

Gone are the days of obsessively comparing traffic figures, he said - attracting the ‘right’ audience takes priority over seeking the highest number of users.

He stressed that UBM isn’t encouraging editors to ‘do social media’ to attract revenue – but rather to attract the right sort of traffic. James Foulkes of Kingpin agreed that from an advertiser’s perspective, social media, whether it be Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter, is a useful way of pre-qualifying the ‘quality’ of a publisher’s audience.

Watch the full video of the event

The seminar was chaired by John Barnes - Managing Director, Digital Strategy and Development UK & Asia of Incisive Media, and also featured James Foulkes, Managing Director of Kingpin, and Tim Cain - Head of Research and Insight at AOP, who introduced the event with a summary of AOP’s Research on B2B Media Online. This research report confirms the effectiveness and growing usage of B2B online media as a leading source of information for business decision makers.

Paid-for Content

John Barnes quickly led the debate onto the topic of the day – charging for online content, with a poll during the event showing how widely opinions still range on the subject:

Will content increasingly be paid for online?'Will paid-for content online increase?' - 45% said yes, 35% no, and 20% maybe.Echoing AOP’s own summary on the subject, John Welsh said the key trigger for the debate has been Rupert Murdoch.

Murdoch's declaration that the web as we know it is about to change caused consternation in some quarters of the industry, Welsh added, though the News International Chief faced a similar reaction in 1988, when he started charging for TV.

However, he argued that publishers hoping paid content will be their ‘get out of jail’ card for the next year would be sorely disappointed. Setting up an effective new distribution platform is no mean feat, he argued, with James Foulkes of Kingpin agreeing that paywalls were not “an easy win” in the current climate.

The knock-on from introducing a paywall might include user access and experience issues, and a negative effect on SEO, as inbound links drop off, However, the panel broadly agreed people would pay for certain types of specialised content, or for small communities of “high intellect professions”.

Key Areas

Leading the debate, Incisive's John Barnes then asked the panel which other areas B2B publishers should be looking at to profit online:

  • For B2B, they agreed there is still untapped potential in charging for special reports online, wherever publishers are able to provide “greater depth you can’t get elsewhere
  • Video promotion has produced up to 90% of responses for campaigns covering this type of paid content for Kingpin’s clients
  • Lead generation is on the rise as a source of revenue – but publishers shouldn’t simply be providing a list of names and addresses, publishers' strength, Welsh argued, is in the added value and creativity they can provide

Finally, with Google still our number one referrer, "usability, SEO and user experience are still key to all we do online as publishers", said Welsh. Our ultimate goal should be to "make these things as sexy, and discussed just as much as social media is now".

Watch the full video of the event

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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryThe key to monetising foreign marketsPublishers speaking at AOP’s Forum on 8 July are seeing tangible results from segmenting, understanding, then monetising a...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/monetisinginternationalonlineaudiences1415.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/monetisinginternationalonlineaudiences1415.htmlMon, 13 Jul 2009 11:03:43 GMT
“The two fundamental trends of our age – globalisation and digitisation – have created an extraordinary opportunity for people around the world to access the world’s most trusted and insightful journalism”Robert Thomson - Editor-in-Chief of Dow Jones and Company and Managing Editor of The Wall Street Journal
Publishers speaking at AOP’s Forum on 8 July are seeing tangible results from segmenting, understanding and then monetising a long tail of international users, though, they warned, you should never make any assumptions about understanding local audiences, and be prepared for the idiosyncrasies of regional ad ecosystems.

Premium international versus remnant

Challenging the traditional view of global inventory as ‘remnant’, Louisa Wong, Sky Digital Media’s Head of Network Advertising explained how Sky is gaining valuable returns in Asia, through a mix of local sponsorship deals, and close coaching and guidance given to regional sales partners. She advised:

  • Build up each regional audience and commercial proposition simultaneously
  • Consider self-representation in relevant markets

Luisa Bright, Group Associate Director, Carat Digital agreed, saying that ‘remnant’ is only viewed as such because agencies don’t have the relevant audience information from publishers. This data needn’t be exhaustive, just “enough to justify it will deliver on the client’s objectives.”

From an agency perspective, global monetisation has been on the agenda for a couple of years, though never at the top of it, due to the cost of adapting creatives, among other things. Still – the opportunity is there for anyone who can “match brand to audience, extending their reach with contextually relevant ads.”

The “2nd Channel” Approach

Alternatively, publishers might also want to consider specialist partners, when looking to optimise international revenues. Joëlle Frijters, CEO and Founder of yield optimiser Improve Digital was on hand to explain how she and her team are offering a middle way between sales house and the complete automation offered by ad networks & exchanges, with an international focus.

This “2nd channel” approach, she said, offers the efficiency of automation with a human touch and, crucially, higher yields. In regular contact with the networks, Improve brings together the benefits of automatic real time optimisation, while enabling networks to make higher spot buys on your site.

The Wall Street Journal’s move to Europe

Taking a holistic approach to extending its worldwide reach, the launch of WSJ.com Europe followed extensive research into the demands of European readers and advertisers, feeding into a localised homepage and navigation.

Tristan Leaver, its Director of Business and Audience Development, EMEA, emphasised the importance of localised editorial as well as ads.

The Wall Street Journal Europe"Differentiate your audience" worldwide, urged WSJ.com's Tristan Leaver“Apply the same rigour” you do for the UK to foreign markets, he urged, producing a useful checklist for publishers looking to expand in global markets:

  • Be Unique – differentiate your audience, as the Guardian has done successfully in the US, as (in the words of Editor-in-Chief Alan Rusbridger) “the world’s leading liberal voice”
  • Size matters – If national audiences don’t offer sufficient scale, pursue pan-regional deals - WSJ.com, for instance, offers global, pan-European, as well as regional targeting
  • Be distributed – be smart about how you cover the ground, forging content/distribution deals and partnerships – making use of allies, as WSJ Europe is doing with its News Corp colleagues, driving traffic and sharing data between their sites
  • Customer Service is paramount – for subscribers in WSJ.com’s case, but this also applies to ad clients – having a local ad operations team has brought real benefits, in terms of response times, and client support
  • Engage offline too – you learn more from face-to-face meetings with customers and advertisers, than you ever can from desk research

“No great thing is created suddenly”

The event chair, Bauer Media Head of Digital Sales Kurt Edwards stressed that “convincing international markets of the value of your brands” takes time.

Similarly, Leaver said that monetising international audiences “is not simply a question of adding new clients”, but may be seen as a change management process in itself, perhaps even part of a 3 or 5 year plan, “to be woven into the DNA of your company.”

Subscriptions and advertising are “just the bedrock” for digital publishers’ international businesses going forward, he said. Their continued development and future success rests on the cultivation of our relationship with the reader.

The AOP Forum on Monetising International Audiences was sponsored by Improve Digital.

Coverage: FarneyMedia - Publishers At AOP Event Discuss The Merits Of The Ad Exchange Platform
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryGoing Global - Monetising your international audienceAt AOP's Forum on 8 July, entitled Going Global - Monetising your International Audience, we asked: what steps are being taken to improve international monetisation, which new approaches are being adopted, and with what level of success? The event will feature case studies from Sky and the Wall Street Journal Digital Network, the agency view from Carat, and also included speakers from Bauer and Improve Digitalhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/monetisingglobalaudiencesforum.obyxhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/monetisingglobalaudiencesforum.obyxWed, 08 Jul 2009 14:00:00 GMTAt AOP's Forum on 8 July, entitled Going Global - Monetising your International Audience, we asked: what steps are being taken to improve international monetisation, which new approaches are being adopted, and with what level of success? The event will feature case studies from Sky and the Wall Street Journal Digital Network, the agency view from Carat, and also included speakers from Bauer and Improve Digital -

Read AOP's report on the event: The key to monetising foreign markets

Full Forum Schedule

2.00 pm - Registration

Kurt Edwards
2.30 pm - Chair’s Welcome and Opening Remarks
Overview: Issues, opportunities and trends

Kurt Edwards, Head of Digital Sales, Bauer Media


Joelle Frijters
2.40 pm - Creating Worldwide Monetisation Mixes

Joëlle Frijters, CEO and Founder, Improve Digital

  • Yield management - balancing potential revenue against costs
  • Determining an international market’s potential
  • Selecting your approach - direct sales, sales houses, ad exchanges, networks, optimisers or a hybrid set-up

Tristan Leaver
3.00 pm - US to Europe - Case Study: Wall Street Journal Digital Network

Tristan Leaver, Director Business & Audience Development, EMEA, Wall Street Journal Digital Network

  • Monetising the WSJDN portfolio across Europe – web and mobile
  • Revenue mixes – advertising, sponsorship and subscription
  • Building relevance for international audiences and advertisers
  • Partnership opportunities

3.20 pm - Coffee Break

Louisa Wong
3.40 pm - UK to Global - Case Study: BSkyB

Louisa Wong, Head of Network Advertising, Sky Digital Media

  • Challenges of delivering incremental revenue
  • Global advertising ecosystems: market diversity (capabilities, platforms and sophistication)
  • Localising content and appeal
  • Partnerships versus self-representation
  • Recession impact and industry trends


Luisa Bright
4.00pm - Working With Agencies To Unlock Revenue

Luisa Bright, Group Associate Director, Carat Digital

  • The agency perspective
  • Opportunities and barriers for publishers internationally
  • Future view

4.20 pm - Panel Debate and Q&A

5.00 pm - Drinks reception and networking

5.30 pm - Finish

Read Speaker interviews and Biographies

Interview with Kurt Edwards

Interview with Joëlle Frijters

Speaker Biographies

Thanks to Improve Digital for sponsoring this event.
no-categoryThe growing impact of B2B online mediaWatch the video of this event, featuring speakers from Incisive Media, UBM Live, AOP and Kingpin. Topics covered include paid-for content and the shift of ad spend online...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/aopb2bwebinar.obyxhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/aopb2bwebinar.obyxTue, 07 Jul 2009 11:00:00 GMTBetween 11:00am and 11.30am on Tuesday 7th July our panel of industry experts discussed the role of online B2B media in today's challenging economic climate.

They considered how media is evolving to meet the changing demands of business decision makers and deliver value in an economic downturn and through a period of structural change.

Watch the video of the event

Speakers


  • John Barnes - Managing Director, Digital Strategy and Development UK & Asia, Incisive Media
  • John Welsh, Digital Director, UBM Live
  • Tim Cain - Head of Research and Insight, AOP
  • James Foulkes, Managing Director, Kingpin

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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryStream UK launches Silverlight-compatible Video Management System The Stream UK Video Management System (VMS) allows complete management of video assets from upload to deployment on end-user websites. The Q2 2009 release makes Silverlight-ready, which means users can upload windows media files and cut and paste code into their websites which delivers a Silverlight player. The player includes social media sharing features and all usage is tracked through a detailed statistics back-end.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/streamuklaunchesvideomanagementsystemsilverlightready1406.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/streamuklaunchesvideomanagementsystemsilverlightready1406.htmlFri, 03 Jul 2009 14:18:53 GMT

Stream UK includes Silverlight within its VMS 2.1

Stream UK, a leading provider of technically-advanced digital media solutions, based on streaming technologies, has launched a new version of its Video Management System (VMS), which is now Silverlight-ready.

The VMS allows complete management of video assets from upload to deployment on end-user websites.

The VMS is now Silverlight-compatible, which means users can upload Windows Media files and cut and paste code into their websites which deliver a Silverlight player. The player includes social media sharing features and all usage is tracked through a detailed statistics back-end.

The VMS also allows users to arrange content within playlists to create a WebTV interface complete with electronic programme guide (EPG), all in Silverlight.
Both the standard and WebTV players include bandwidth and port-detection code to ensure that delivery of content is optimised right up to HD levels.
For the first time users can get an attractive and robust Silverlight player into their websites within minutes of uploading a file.

The most obvious beneficiaries are content owners.

They can now deliver cross-platform in windows media format, thus benefitting from market-leading security protection (Microsoft DRM and PlayReady), whilst benefitting from rich 2D animations and graphics offering the end-user a variety of interactive options. Stream UK led the way in demonstrating this last year, with their global streaming of Bacardi’s ‘La Fiesta’ indoor festival from the centre of London.

Stream UK’s VMS 2.1 maintains the company’s position at the forefront of online content management and distribution. The product allows the user to get content online quickly and delivered on a network that can cope with global demand. As web users are spending more time than ever watching online video content, management and distribution has become a key business area for companies of all shapes and sizes.

"Silverlight enables us to present windows media files within an interface which we know will play across all browsers. That’s extremely important to us and the delivery of content using the http protocol means it will work with the worst corporate firewalls." Said Duncan Burbidge, CEO of Stream UK.

Stream UK’s VMS system is used by a range of clients, from global corporations to leading digital agencies and niche content providers. Current users include BBC News, Ideal TV, The British Council, and Grey London.
To get a demo account call us on 0800 061 2361 or visit http://www.streamuk.com/vms-alpha.php to find out more.

About Stream UK

Stream UK is Europe’s leading provider of technically-advanced digital media solutions, based on streaming technologies. Industry-leading, privately held, Microsoft Gold Partnered, ISO 9001 approved with offices in Madrid and Rome, Stream UK is relied upon by the most demanding clients in the industry it is also the only streaming media company with a significant in-house research and development team. We provide businesses worldwide with reliable, professional level tools to manage and distribute multimedia content over the internet.

For more information, press only:

Danielle Philip, Stream UK Media Services, danielle@streamuk.com, Tel: 020 7419 1820
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryOpinion polls launched on AOP websiteWe have launched a series of online opinion polls, with the aim of gaining a snapshot of member opinion on a range of issues raised by event and committee activity...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/opinionpollslaunchedonaopsite1398.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/opinionpollslaunchedonaopsite1398.htmlThu, 02 Jul 2009 13:51:15 GMTWe have launched a series of opinion polls on the AOP website, with the aim of gaining a snapshot of member opinion on a range of issues raised by event and committee activity.

AOP PollsAOP opinion polls, new on the siteEasily accessible from the site homepage, the first poll covers resourcing around international monetisation, tieing into our July Forum.

Users can vote on the latest poll, then view live results. As an extra resource, members can also view the results of all past polls when logged in to the site.

Vote in the AOP Poll.

If there are any burning issues you'd like us to cover in upcoming polls, please contact Website Manager Ron Nussey.

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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryOPA study released: “The Silent Click: Building Brands Online”The Online Publishers Association (OPA) has unveiled research pointing to the branding effectiveness of display ad campaigns online. The study, conducted by comScore, assessed 80 of the biggest branding campaigns across 200 of the most trafficked US branded content sites over a month, analysing the consumer behaviour of those who were exposed to those campaigns.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/opaonlinebranddisplayads1400.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/opaonlinebranddisplayads1400.htmlThu, 02 Jul 2009 11:00:22 GMTThe Online Publishers Association (OPA) has unveiled research pointing to the branding effectiveness of display ad campaigns online.

The study, conducted by comScore, assessed 80 of the biggest branding campaigns across 200 of the most trafficked US branded content sites over a month, analysing the consumer behaviour of those who were exposed to those campaigns.

Download the full report

“The Silent Click” measured three consumer actions:

  1. Searches conducted related to the advertisers’ brands
  2. The level of traffic driven to advertisers’ site by campaigns
  3. Consumer spending - the e-commerce transactions driven by advertisers’ display branding campaigns


For consumers exposed to brand display ad campaigns, the research found that:

  • One in five conduct related searches and one in three visit the brands’ sites
  • Users spent over 50% more time than the average visitor to these sites and consumed more pages
  • Users spent about 10% more money online overall, and significantly more on product categories related to the advertised brands
  • Higher income audiences visited the advertisers sites

OPA President Pam Horan commented: “Marketers recognise that consumers are spending nearly 40% of their media time online, making it an ideal place to deliver their brand messages."

"To date, measuring a brand campaign meant relying on the click, a metric more appropriate for direct response advertising. In order to understand the value of the audiences that display advertising attracts, our study helps marketers think about real behavioural measures designed to move the needle,”

To understand if the environment that the advertising appears in has an impact on its effectiveness and more importantly the characteristics of the audiences that the different environments attract, comScore analysed some of the most popular consumer content categories (e.g., business, entertainment, news and sports) with a particular focus on advertising among high quality content sites, as represented by OPA members.

The research found that OPA members reach higher income audiences who are more likely to visit advertisers’ web sites, where they spent significantly more money on related products and services. The results continue to reinforce why ad environment matters and how the brand halo effect is furthered among high quality trusted content sites.

Key findings include:

  • OPA Business News Sites: E-commerce spending by those visitors exposed to ads on OPA business news sites was 21% higher (a total of $334) than those exposed on the top 50 business sites
  • OPA News Sites: E-commerce spending by exposed visitors on OPA news sites was 15% higher (a total of $426) than those exposed on the top 50 news sites
  • OPA Sports Sites: E-commerce spending by those exposed to ads on OPA sports sites was 8% higher (a total of $241) than those exposed on the top 50 sports sites

Source: OPA Release
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCHJames Bilefield named Condé Nast International Digital PresidentJames Bilefield has been named President of Condé Nast International's new media division, which has been renamed Condé Nast International Digital. Bilefield will also become a member of Condé Nast International's five-person Executive Committee.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/jamesbilefieldcondenastinternationaldigitalpresident1396.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/jamesbilefieldcondenastinternationaldigitalpresident1396.htmlWed, 01 Jul 2009 10:55:08 GMT
James Bilefield
James Bilefield has been named President of Condé Nast International's new media division, which has been renamed Condé Nast International Digital. Bilefield will also become a member of Condé Nast International's five-person Executive Committee.

Bilefield has a track record of successfully leading digital businesses. He was formerly CEO of OpenX, the leading open source advertising platform, delivering billions of online ads every day around the world.

He was also an early executive at Skype, the internet communications company, where he led global business development and then ran European operations. Prior to that, Bilefield held a range of senior commercial and general management roles across Yahoo!’s European businesses.

His first digital venture was UpMyStreet.com, a local information company, which he co-founded in 1998 following a successful career in the investment banking division of JP Morgan Chase.

Bilefield holds a first class degree in Modern Languages from the University of Bristol. He also serves as a Non-Executive Director of NMSIT, the commercial arm of the Science Museum in London.

"Bilefield is a talented executive who has demonstrated a command of new media and the ability to get results. He is just the person needed to lead our digital growth," said Jonathan Newhouse, Chairman of Condé Nast International.

Condé Nast International Digital encompasses the organisation's new media operations outside the US. There are currently 71 websites in 18 markets including Great Britain, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Russia, China, Taiwan, Japan, India, Korea, Australia, Poland, Greece, Mexico, Hungary, the Netherlands and Sweden. Condé Nast International publishes 105 magazines in 23 countries.

Bilefield replaces Stefano Maruzzi who has left the company to return to Italy for personal reasons.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryMadgex launches new intelligent CV Search & Match productOnline recruitment software producer Madgex is launching a new CV Search & Match product, which uses specialist technology to intelligently match job seekers and recruiters.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/madgexlaunchesnewsearchandmatchproduct1393.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/madgexlaunchesnewsearchandmatchproduct1393.htmlMon, 29 Jun 2009 17:36:32 GMTOnline recruitment software developer Madgex is launching a new CV Search & Match product, which uses specialist technology to intelligently match job seekers and recruiters.

Madgex CV Search & Match delivers a number of benefits over existing CV systems:

  • An increased quantity of quality Job seekers CVs available due to the ease of CV upload or import from social network sites
  • Employers and recruiters benefit from three ways of getting the right candidates without the need for specialist technical expertise: faceted search, browse and match either 1) job role description or 2) an existing CV
  • The system shows the full anonymised CV pre-purchase, with a relevancy ranking to improve the decision-making enabling employer and recruiter to make an instant accurate purchasing decision

Madgex CV Search & Match Services can be used in conjunction with the Madgex Job Board Platform or on a stand-alone basis.

Simon Conroy, CEO of Madgex, comments, “We started our investment in our new product using Actonomy search & match technologies a year ago, with the aim of helping our clients move up the value chain in terms of their ability to provide flexible commercial models which aided all participants in the recruitment process. We are pleased to be closing deals in the UK with a number of prominent B2B/ professional media companies, and an increasing number of associations.”

With over 4 million CVs and 12.5 million user visits per month across their client network, Madgex anticipates the benefits of the structured industry standard data format and the use of open protocols to increase data portability and secure transfer and aid job seeker acquisition, matching and profile freshness.

In harder times for the recruitment industry, job board owners are stepping up their fight to help job seekers find the best jobs and recruiters find the best candidates by working with Madgex to implement their new Madgex CV Search & Match product for their brands online. Clients are overcoming the problems of existing CV databases by improving the experience and results for job seekers and recruiters in a highly cost effective and efficient way.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryAOP Digital Landscape Report Vol. 5 - June 2009This month’s issue includes the latest PwC UK online advertising forecast for 2009. Also in this issue are latest online audience trends, an analysis of key media categories...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopdigitallandscapereportjune1336.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopdigitallandscapereportjune1336.htmlThu, 25 Jun 2009 13:00:59 GMTAOP's Digital Landscape Report for June is now available for members to download.Download Type: ppt
Download Size: 1562k

This month’s issue includes the latest PwC UK online advertising forecast for 2009.

Also in this issue are latest online audience trends, an analysis of key media categories and insights into a number of other advertising-related areas, including mobile (ads, commerce and apps), search, ad networks and ad effectiveness.

The AOP Digital Landscape report is a monthly aggregation of the latest research, trend and forecast information in a digestible, easy to access format.
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Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCHImprove Digital CEO Joëlle Frijters on global monetisation"According to EIAA research, advertisers are now spending around 16% of their online budget on pan-European campaigns..."http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/joellefrijtersinterview1334.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/joellefrijtersinterview1334.htmlThu, 25 Jun 2009 12:15:01 GMTHow best to capitalise on global audiences has long been a conundrum for publishers. Many UK media owners have significant and growing worldwide online audiences, yet they are often fragmented and overlooked commercially.

With advertising planning and buying within the UK focused on local or national campaigns, there has been little interest in buying overseas. 
 


But is this about to change? With more publishers now finding new ways to unlock worldwide revenue streams and specialist international agencies springing up to fill the void, will the commercial potential of overseas audiences finally be realised?

AOP's Forum on 8 July, entitled Going Global - Monetising your International Audience will feature speakers from Bauer, Carat Digital, Improve Digital, Sky Digital Media and the Wall Street Journal - Book your place online.

Joelle Frijters
Ahead of the event, Joëlle Frijters, CEO and Co-Founder of Improve Digital gave us her thoughts on how UK publishers can capitalise on their international audiences:

Why do you think so many UK publishers are failing to fully commercialise their international audiences?

Fully commercialising local audiences is already a huge struggle for most publishers so, naturally, international audiences become a lesser priority.

Furthermore, there are resource challenges such as the cost and time requirements for operating local in-house sales teams or in managing multiple sales houses and ad networks.

Is the attitude of UK advertisers and agencies contributing to the problem?

As a result of the many languages in Europe and the fragmentation of audiences, managing pan-European campaigns and their creatives is a hassle for media agencies, especially given the small volumes and budgets involved.

It is not surprising if they prefer to focus on domestic traffic. However, according to recent research by the EIAA, advertisers are now spending around 16% of their online budget on pan-European campaigns and, although the research did not say where they spent it, it is a start.

Do you see this situation improving in the future?

More transparency is key. Advertisers are seeking cost reductions and the growth of pan-European ad networks, while ad exchanges and optimisers will all help publishers’ ability to monetise their international audience and provide a more reasonable yield for lower costs.

How can publishers determine the potential returns of their international traffic and ensure revenue outweighs any costs?

You should treat every single market as a separate P&L, with various sources of income, fixed and variable costs, which are dependent on volume, reach and the maturity of the markets you are in.

What selling options should publishers be considering?

First, publishers should be focusing more on selling pan-European campaigns from the UK office. Secondly, where the volume is high enough, engage a local sales house or develop a dedicated in-house team.

Finally, any remaining traffic, should be vested in an ad network optimiser to manage costs and make sure you are connected to all best performing local networks.

Which publishers are getting it really right and are the ones to watch?

The publishers that are sharp are creating local monetisation mixes through an understanding of local ecosystems and various related sources of revenue. It all comes down to calculating things back, reviewing and improving over and over again.

Also speaking at the event will be:

  • Louisa Wong, Head of Network Advertising at Sky Digital Media
  • Luisa Bright, Group Associate Director, Carat Digital
  • Tristan Leaver, Director of Business and Audience Development, EMEA, The Wall Street Journal Digital Network
  • Kurt Edwards, Head of Digital Sales at Bauer Media, and Chair of the AOP Commercial Committee will chair the event
  • Read more about our speakers

Thanks to Improve Digital for sponsoring this event.


Date: 8th July 2009
Time: 14.00-17.30
Venue: Olswang's offices: 90 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6LJ

Tickets are: £40 + VAT for members and £80 + VAT for non members.

Book your place online now
Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.INTERVIEWBackground information on speakers at the July AOP forumFind out more about the speakers at AOP's Forum on 8 July, including Carat, Bauer, Improve Digital, Sky and the Wall Street Journal Digital Network...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/speakerbiogsworldwidemonetisation1320.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/speakerbiogsworldwidemonetisation1320.htmlFri, 19 Jun 2009 09:56:11 GMTThe AOP Forum on monetising international audiences takes place at Olswang in Holborn, from 14.00-17.30 on July 8. Tickets are £40+vat for AOP members, £80+vat for non-members. on 8 July. Find out more about the event, and book your place online.

Tristan Leaver

Tristan Leaver, Director of Business and Audience Development, EMEA, The Wall Street Journal Digital Network

Tristan is Director of Digital for Dow Jones Consumer Media Group Europe with P&L responsibility for the Wall Street Journal Digital Network, including WSJ.com, MarketWatch.com and efinancialnews.com.

He started his career at the Guardian, where he was Head of Business Development for several years.

Luisa Bright

Luisa Bright, Group Associate Director, Carat Digital

Luisa has more than ten years of digital marketing and media experience - both agency and client side.

Luisa began her agency career at Agency Republic in 2002 managing and growing the digital acquisition activity for O2 before joining digital specialist agency Green Cathedral for four years as Head of Media. During her time there, Luisa was responsible for driving growth of the department and client digital media activity for brands such as The Open University, PC World, Cadbury, Business Link and Center Parcs.

In 2007 Luisa joined Mediaedge as Business Director within the digital division, focusing on driving digital integration across a wide selection of agency clients. Prior to joining Carat, she served as Business Director at MEC Interaction.

Carat Digital was established in 1999 to provide digital media and search services to all Carat clients in the UK. Last year, Carat Digital’s traded billings exceeded £180m, making it the clear UK market leader.

Carat Digital employees over 60 digital media specialists alone, with a further 120 experts in Aegis Media’s digital umbrella group Isobar, which includes award-winning digital creative resource glue:London, Anorak, de-construct, Vizeum Digital, Diffiniti and Marvellous Mobile in the UK.

Kurt Edwards

Kurt Edwards, Head of Digital Sales at Bauer Media

Kurt has led the Digital Sales team at Bauer Media since 2006. His key responsibilities are selling Bauer Media’s 15 Consumer Brands across mobile and online and driving digital learning across the Group.

Kurt is also a member of an executive team developing Group strategy for websites and project managed the successful relaunches of heatworld.com and FHM.com. He is currently the Chair of the AOP Commercial Committee, and represents Bauer Media on the IAB Leadership Council.

Managing a team of 21 people, Kurt has improved the company’s standing in the IPA Digital Media Owner Survey for Customer Service to 9th (March 2009).

Kurt joined Bauer Media (then Emap) in 2003; his first role was in Business Development, Interactive, where he was responsible for the commercial management of FHM.com. From there, he moved up to become Group Account Director, Radio.

Prior to his current role heading up Digital Sales, Kurt spent a year as Commercial Director at Kiss Radio, developing and delivering the commercial strategy for the UK's number one dance station.

Kurt began his career at Capital Radio, joining February 1995.

Joelle Frijters

Joëlle Frijters, CEO and Co-Founder of Improve Digital

CEO and co-founder of Improve Digital, a company providing global monetisation solutions for premium publishers. With over 11 years in online marketing and advertising, she is an international specialist in remnant inventory monetisation and revenue management.

In her last role at Microsoft, she launched and maximised the performance based business (MSNDR), solving Microsoft’s unsold inventory challenge in 11 European markets.

Prior to Microsoft she was involved in launching a social media start-up, later sold to Sanoma Publishing. Joelle’s career started at the head office of KLM Airlines, where she got her first experience with revenue management in the airline industry. Joëlle graduated from the Global Executive MBA at IESE in 2008.

Louisa Wong

Louisa Wong, Head of Network Advertising at Sky Digital Media

As Head of Network Advertising at Sky Digital Media, Louisa Wong is responsible for leading inventory monetisation programmes in the UK and internationally. In addition, she also heads up the Behavioural Targeting strategy across SDM’s portfolio of websites.

Prior to joining Sky Digital Media, Louisa was Sales Manager at ADTECH (a global ad-serving platform, and part of the Platform-A portfolio of digital marketing solutions.) There she established the Agency sales division and APAC proposition for ADTECH’s mobile and display ad-serving solution.

Louisa has also held various positions at international digital publishers; Reed Business Information and CBS Interactive (then CNET Networks). She holds an honours degree in Applied Psychology from Durham University.

Find out more about the event, and book your place online.

Homepage image by werkunz1

Thanks to Improve Digital for sponsoring this event.

Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryAOP Content and Trends Census 2009AOP is currently conducting the 2009 Content and Trends Census amongst member companies. Since 2003, the AOP Census has provided members with valuable insight into the shape of the digital publishing environment. Earlier this year we conducted the Organisation Census and now the second census survey of 2009 will focus on Content and Trends.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopcontentandtrendscensus2009tolaunch1301.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopcontentandtrendscensus2009tolaunch1301.htmlThu, 18 Jun 2009 14:30:33 GMTAOP is currently conducting the 2009 Content and Trends Census amongst member companies. Since 2003, the AOP Census has provided members with valuable insight into the shape of the digital publishing environment. Earlier this year we conducted the Organisation Census and now the second census survey of 2009 will focus on Content and Trends.

This census will profile how content and business models are changing, along with our relationship with social media, formats and delivery mechanisms and forecast the digital landscape over the next 12 months. Results will be published on the AOP website in late summer.

The June edition of AOP’s Digital Landscape Report will be released next week
Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCHBauer Media's Kurt Edwards on international monetisation"Many publishers lack the resources to be able to focus on commercialising their international audiences in the way they deserve. But the landscape is changing..."http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/kurtedwardsinterview1299.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/kurtedwardsinterview1299.htmlWed, 17 Jun 2009 14:23:01 GMT
Kurt Edwards
Kurt Edwards, Head of Digital Sales at Bauer Media, will be chairing AOP's forum on monetising international audiences on 8 July.

Find out more about the event, and book your place online.

Ahead of the event, we asked him about global monetisation, and what the future holds for international partnerships.

Q. What do you think are the main issues facing publishers looking to monetise their international audiences?

Many publishers lack the resources to be able to focus on commercialising their international audiences in the way they deserve. But the landscape is changing, with more companies willing to do the work on the publishers behalf. Culturally, it's a big hurdle to suddenly turn up in another market and expect agencies to immediately start buying your brands and inventory. It takes time to convince others about the value of your audiences.

Q. Can publishers rely on networks and other partners to do the selling for them? What are the advantages / disadvantages?

If publishers are happy with the returns being delivered by networks, then why not? The more premium you are, the more concerned you are about representation and will want to be pooled within a vertical of similar quality sites.

Q. Do think in future publishers will focus more on collaboration or going solo?

Initially on solo - so we can make our own learnings - but some companies are already pooling publisher inventory to deliver greater scale in the market. Collaboration will be the end goal but again it would need a focused resource and absolute conviction that the prize is there. In markets like the US, scale is very important and collaboration might be the only way of delivering it.

Q. How do you think UK agencies and advertisers view international traffic? Do you see this evolving?

At the right price supported with the right insight and if it's shown to perform, then it will be taken seriously. There are only a limited number of European accounts being planned from London so that's why you need the representation in other markets to cover all your bases.

Q. How important is gathering information about international audiences? Are publishers doing enough and, if not, how could they improve?

Insight will alway be important and the more we have, the better price we can command as we can clearly demonstrate their value. I think newspaper publishers know their non-UK audiences very well and other publishers need to play catch up.

Q. Are their any revenue sources outside display advertising that publishers should be considering either now or in the future?

The potential relaxation of US Gaming laws could deliver a sizeable revenue stream for publishers, and there is, of course, Google Adsense but with minimal returns. Paid for content is also worth considering and is very much in the news now.

Louisa Wong
Joelle Frijters
Also speaking at the event will be:

  • Louisa Wong, Head of Network Advertising at Sky Digital Media
  • Joëlle Frijters, CEO and Co-Founder of Improve Digital
  • Tristan Leaver, Director of Business and Audience Development, EMEA, The Wall Street Journal Digital Network
with another speaker to be confirmed soon.

The AOP Forum on monetising international audiences takes place at Olswang in Holborn, from 14.00-17.30 on July 8. Tickets are £40+vat for AOP members, £80+vat for non-members. on 8 July. Find out more about the event, and book your place online.

Thanks to Improve Digital for sponsoring this event.

Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.INTERVIEWThe growing impact of B2B online media - AOP WebinarThis AOP web seminar which will cover how online B2B media is embracing changing information demands to be at the forefront of relevance amongst business decision makers, and...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/growingimpactofb2bonlinemedia1294.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/growingimpactofb2bonlinemedia1294.htmlTue, 16 Jun 2009 09:23:55 GMTThis AOP web seminar will cover how online B2B media is embracing changing information demands to be at the forefront of relevance amongst business decision makers, and discover how online media works effectively with offline media.

Between 11:00am and 11.30am on Tuesday 7th July our panel of industry experts will examine the role of online B2B media in today's challenging economic climate. They will consider how media is evolving to meet the changing demands of business decision makers and deliver value in an economic downturn and through a period of structural change.

This web seminar is free and you can confirm your attendance by registering here.

The benefits of attending this live, online web seminar are:


  • Discovering the key findings of the AOP research project 'The Role of Digital Content in the B2B Environment'
  • Learning how specialist business media is evolving to reflect wider structural change
  • Finding out the changing dynamics of delivering vital content to business decision makers through the economic downturn
  • Understanding the value relationship between online and offline media for business decision makers
  • Put your questions to our expert panel of speakers

Speakers include:-


  • John Barnes - Managing Director, Digital Strategy and Development UK & Asia, Incisive Media
  • John Welsh, Digital Director, UBM Live
  • Tim Cain - Head of Research and Insight, AOP

Register your details to be included in this event.

Homepage image created with Wordle.net
Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryReed Business Insight Research released for AOP membersA collection of B2B ad case studies and research, adding colour to advertising in B2B media, provided by RBI exclusively for AOP members.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/reedbusinessinsightresearch1289.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/reedbusinessinsightresearch1289.htmlFri, 12 Jun 2009 08:48:16 GMT
Reed Business Insight
RBI and Reed Business Insight have kindly provided a set of B2B advertising case studies, and a compilation of B2B research to share with AOP members.

Download 'The Colouring Book - a collection of research case studies that add colour to B2B Media.'members only - AOP members only.

If you don't yet have a login for the AOP site, please register your details.

Reed Business Insight is the independent research and marketing services division of Reed Business Information. It provides a media effectiveness service to customers to help them improve and measure the performance of their advertising.

To discuss the findings of this report in greater detail, or to find out more about RBI's media effectiveness research, please contact Key Account Manager Jan De Iulio.

More information on Reed Business Research.

If your company has produced research you would like to share with your fellow AOP members, you can submit your researchmembers only via the AOP site, or email Ron for more details.
Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.RESEARCHAOP Awards photos and video highlightsCatch a glimpse of the AOP Awards night’s festivities with our video highlights and slide show...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopawardsphotosandvideos1267.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopawardsphotosandvideos1267.htmlThu, 04 Jun 2009 14:48:03 GMTCongratulations to all the winners at 2009's AOP Awards! Digital publishers proved once again that they are consistently delivering innovative, high-quality content to their audiences. It was a fantastic night of entertainment and celebration at Old Billingsgate but there’s no need to take our word for it, you can catch a glimpse of the night’s festivities in our slide show below: View the 'digital paparazzi's photos from the event.

AOP Awards 2009 Highlights



Video produced by BigKid London
Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.VIDEOAOP Award Winners 2009 in fullThe AOP Awards 2009 were held on 2 June at Old Billingsgate. Congratulations to the following winners and special mentions...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopawardwinnersfulllist20091261.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopawardwinnersfulllist20091261.htmlTue, 02 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT&showCongratulations to all the winners at 2009's AOP Awards! Digital publishers proved once again that they are consistently delivering innovative, high-quality content to their audiences. Pictures and video highlights of the night are here.

With a large, diverse array of entries this year, all the entrants who made it onto the shortlist should be proud:

AOP Awards 2009 Shortlist Showreel


Read the AOP Awards Book of the Night

Full list of AOP Awards 2009 winners

Congratulations to the following winners and special mentions. Winners are invited to download a copy of the winner's logo.Download Type: GIF
Download Size: 9k

Launch

Sponsored by Sapient

Winner - BNET UK - CBS Interactive

UK business professionals are arguably facing the biggest challenges to their careers and companies in living memory. Responding to this need, CBS Interactive launched BNET UK as the first comprehensive, free destination where UK managers and executives can find a wealth of practical information, insight, advice and resources.

Judges’ comments: “An innovative and unique new launch with proven commercial viability, which lifts digital publishing standards to a new level. Audience growth within the judging period was phenomenal, given the conservative marketing budget.”

Editorial Team - Business

Sponsored by Brand Republic

Winner - Farmers Weekly - RBI

This fully integrated team, with true ‘muddy boots’ credentials, works across all media to deliver content for print, web and face-to-face activity. A creative approach, and use of social media have expanded its readership beyond its core audience, while imaginative changes to working practices have lifted efficiency and given greater flexibility and immediacy online. Respecting existing journalism skills while learning and developing new ones have both been key.

Judges’ Comments: “FWI’s editorial team demonstrated a great knowledge of their market and passion for their subject and audience, with whom they showed deep engagement in the past year.”

The judges would also like to highly commend the TES Connect editorial team.

Editorial Team - Consumer

Sponsored by Brand Republic

Winner: Comment is Free - Guardian News & Media

Through social media outreach and tracking, combined with a sophisticated approach to moderation and community management, plus consistently high-quality, stimulating editorial, Comment is Free is raising the visibility of important debate and is getting people talking about things that matter. With around 50 posts every day, from an army of writers dotted around the globe, CiF Editors ensure engagement with readers is maintained.

Judges’ Comments: “This editorial team brings traditional editorial rigour and values to the future of online citizen journalism – it rocks!”

Research & Insights Project

Sponsored by Olswang

Winner - The Brand Aid Panel - Guardian News & Media

Proving return on online media investment is all the more important during a recession, as every penny of marketing spend comes under increased scrutiny, and advertisers must be convinced of display’s positive brand impact. With this in mind, GNM developed a panel-based solution to provide insightful feedback on cross-media campaign performance, building a database of online brand ad effectiveness, against which other ads can be benchmarked.

Judges’ Comments: “A timely research project for these recessionary times which delivers effective R.O.I. information to advertisers.”

Digital Advertising Sales Team

Sponsored by Solbright

Winner - RBI Job Sites – RBI

With a team of people who think, live and breathe recruitment media (and nothing else) during their working day, customers receive an unrivalled level of service and experience. Product development is linked very closely with feedback from sales and customers, and the team’s integrated approach to selling means that it can put the customer’s individual requirements at the heart of the business.

Judges’ Comments: ”This is a strong operation delivering solid results. They are selling efficiently and doing everything they can in the classified space.”

The judges would also like to highly commend the. Guardian News & Media Digital Ad Sales Team

Innovation

Sponsored by Deloitte

Winner - The Economist Debate Series - Economist Group

The Economist’s founding aim is to take part in ‘a severe contest between intelligence, which presses forward, and an unworthy, timid ignorance obstructing our progress’, and The Economist Debate Series aims to further this mission online. Providing a forum for independent, intelligent and reasoned discussion -and inviting its readers to participate through an immersive online experience, the debates have also provided a unique and premium opportunity for commercial sponsorship.

Judges’ Comments: ”The debates in this series have engaged The Economist’s audience in a new and compelling way, and the commercial success it has generated in the last year is extraordinary.”

Cross-Media Project

Sponsored by Nstein

Winner - Corduroy Mansions - Telegraph Media Group

In an online first, the best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith’s latest novel was published exclusively on Telegraph.co.uk, chapter by chapter, for 20 weeks. Users could access each chapter via web, spoken word podcast, or direct to desktop through a dedicated widget. Readers could also contribute to the novel’s storyline, or even enter a writing competition judged by the author himself.

Judges’ Comments: ”A cross-media literary first, combining well-executed reviews, comments and a retail channel. Taking something all too ‘offline’ on to the web showed great ingenuity, involving a new audience of readers in the process.”

Commercial Partnership

Sponsored by Madgex

Winner - Mirror Cashback in partnership with V A C Media - Trinity Mirror

By partnering with V A C Media, Trinity Mirror was able to move quickly and launch a differentiated, stand-out product, owning the cashback concept in the eyes of its readers and users. Through strong editorial support and sustained in-paper and online promotion, the partnership has brought cashback to the mainstream, a valuable, timely service which in turn strengthens the Mirror’s ‘Peoples’ Champion’ credentials.

Judges’ Comments: “In exploring new commercial activities, this partnership provided a fundamental understanding of the consumer and the potential for longevity.”

Use of Video

Sponsored by InSkin Media

Winner - Car Tech on CNET UK - CBS Interactive

Treating the car as the ultimate gadget - a home for the latest, most innovative and stylish consumer technology, it was clear from early on that Car Tech on CNET UK was ideally suited to an online video series. CBS Interactive produced something unique, stretching itself both creatively and technically in the process, and presenting the technology in the most visually exciting format possible.

Judges’ Comments: “A combination of high production values, enthusiasm and expertise worked seamlessly together, using video to really bring out the personality of the site’s writers. Original, fun and high quality content which is relevant to its audience, with a clear commercial underpinning.”

Mobile Site

Sponsored by Reality

Winner - FT Mobile: m.ft.com - Financial Times

m.ft.com maintains the design ethic of FT.com: clear, uncluttered design and an easy to read, ‘need to know’ briefing. Different interfaces for touch screen and non-touchscreen phones, combined with automatic reformatting for different screen sizes mean the site looks its best on all phones. Commercially, web and mobile are increasingly integrated, while personalised content is delivered to the user without the need to log in.

Judges Comments: “Clear, clean, easy to use, with good use of personalisation while staying true to the brand. Overall, a thoroughly effective mobile site.”

Digital Commercial Individual

Sponsored by Platform-A

Winner - Alex Outlaw – IPC Media

Through a range of innovative projects, Alex Outlaw has been responsible for phenomenal growth both in terms of traffic and engagement in the judging year, in addition to an array of profitable eCommerce partnerships.

Judges Comments: “Hugely innovative. Alex’s work stayed in your mind long after reading his entry. Excellent performance figures and admirable dedication to the job in hand. Truly enterprising!”

Digital Editorial Individual

Sponsored by MSN

Winner - Julian Gairdner - Farmers Weekly Interactive / RBI

Julian Gairdner has led a significant organisational change within the Farmers Weekly Group, resulting in fully integrated editorial, production and sales functions across web and print, as well as a research and redesign process which is paying dividends in traffic and diversified commercial results.

Judges Comments: “Clearly a natural digital editor, Julian displays a strong understanding of his target market, producing innovative editorial devices outside the traditional core pillars of web journalism. He has demonstrated a highly skilled approach to both strategy and execution.”

The judges would also like to highly commend David Moynihan, for “a superb entry and strong editorial track record.” NME.com

Website - Business

Sponsored by Abacus eMedia

Winner - TES Connect - TSL Education

Following 18 months of research, development and testing, TES Connect was relaunched as the first real application of networking technology for the UK teaching community. Social networking tools have been applied to the education vertical with a strong, useful professional purpose.

Judges’ Comments: “A vibrant and optimistic site which empowers its users. With high quality UGC at its heart, TES Conntect has harnessed the power of the community in a slick and professional way, and is clearly respected and valued by its users. With fantastic design and usability, it has enabled teachers to make a beneficial impact on the lives of their peers.”

Website - Consumer

Sponsored by Pluck

Winner - FHM.com - Bauer Media

With a substantially upgraded site, seamlessly integrating gaming, video, and social networking, the FHM team is making the most of its international brand online - effectively and profitably syndicating content across its worldwide sister sites, and those in turn contributing to its ‘incoming news’ channel. To cap it all, FHM.com now even ranks first for Kama Sutra in Google (after Wikipedia, of course).

Judges Comments: “Bauer has transitioned the FHM brand successfully across video, social networking and community on and off the site, seeing fantastic growth in the judging year. The FHM.com team understands its audience, knows what it wants and gives it to them with both barrels.”

Specialist Digital Publisher

Sponsored by ABCE

Winner - Econsultancy

With its stated vision to provide a leading global resource for training, research and events on digital marketing and e-commerce, Econsultancy capitalised on its international audience in the judging year with the opening of a US office, and an increase focus on social media through its relaunched website.

Judges’ Comments: “The winner showed a strong performance, effectively diversifying its revenue streams at a key moment to include internationalisation.”

The judges would like to highly commend eCancermedicalscience from Cancer Intelligence.

Digital Publisher - Business

Sponsored by BigKid

Winner -TSL Education

TSL Education’s aim is to ‘drive up the quality of UK education’, and over the last year it has done so not just through an innovative recruitment service, but also social networking and resource-sharing tools tailor-made for the education sector. TSL’s websites celebrate the skills, energy and creativity of teachers, no matter what their discipline or where they teach.

Judges’ Comments: “TSL is delivering value to its audience through shared knowledge and a clear grasp of the digital space. The site provides not just a viable business model, but a personal experience to its users. In this, they have achieved exactly what they set out to do.”

Digital Publisher - Consumer

Sponsored by Ceros

Winner - Telegraph Media Group

Building on its digital presence and profitability, TMG has positioned technology internally as a strategic enabler for growth, and to improve working practices. Telegraph Labs acts as a focal point for this, encouraging experimentation across editorial, technology and commercial departments, and taking TMG to the forefront of innovation.

Judges’ Comments: ”With a comprehensive transformation of digital activity examining every part of their business, TMG showed impressive growth and innovation, working effectively with partners to explore all possible avenues.”

The judges would also like to highly commend IPC Media - “Achieved strategic objectives and understood the market really well. Their strategy showed great insight.”

View the digital paparazzi's photos from the event.

Read the AOP Awards Book of the Night
Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter.no-categoryAOP Digital Publishing Awards 2009In their eighth outing for 2009, the AOP Digital Publishing Awards are firmly established as the definitive showcase for the best that the online publishing industry has to offer.http://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/aopdigitalpublishingawards2009.obyxhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/events/aopdigitalpublishingawards2009.obyxTue, 02 Jun 2009 18:30:00 GMTIn their eighth outing for 2009, the AOP Digital Publishing Awards are firmly established as the definitive showcase for the best that the online publishing industry has to offer.

Read the AOP Awards 2009 Book of the Night

More info on the shortlist, and the full list of winners.

Old Billingsgate, the prestigious and glamorous venue nestled between London and Tower Bridge played host to the AOP Awards on Tuesday 2 June 2009.

AOP Awards 2009 Highlights

Video produced by BigKid London




no-categoryUKOM moves into final stages of consultation with UK advertisers and agenciesThe UK Online Measurement Company (UKOM) has moved into a critical stage of its development, and is reaching out to agencies and advertisers...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ukomfinalstagespr1252.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/ukomfinalstagespr1252.htmlMon, 01 Jun 2009 13:00:19 GMT

Measurement body remains on track for 2010 product launch

The UK Online Measurement Company (UKOM) has moved into a critical stage of its development, and is reaching out to agencies and advertisers to drive the development of an online planning currency, remaining on track for a 2010 launch.

The body has enlisted both the IPA and ISBA to help facilitate discussions and constructive debate between all relevant parties within the marketing community, to ensure there is full agreement and budget to make the system a reality.

All tenders were received at the end of March, and since then UKOM has conducted an in-depth review of the submissions from Gemius/IPSOS, GFK, comScore and Nielsen Online. Following an extensive technical review, Nielsen’s has emerged as the leading tender.

Final Announcement

UKOM is now in the final stages of bringing together media owners, agencies and advertisers to reach clear consensus and widespread support. As a part of this process, UKOM is entering preliminary contract discussions with Neilsen Online regarding the commercial and technical elements of the planning tool.

It remains UKOM’s objective that a final announcement will be made in July on the official status of a unified base planning currency for the medium. The product is still on course to be delivered within budget ready for January 2010.

Mark Cranmer steps down

Mark Cranmer, who was appointed UKOM’s first chairman in May 2008, has now stepped down, to take on the role of chief executive of Aegis Media's digital agency network Isobar.

Guy Phillipson, CEO of the IAB and director of UKOM said: “UKOM has made terrific progress since its official establishment at the end of last year, particularly with an illustrious industry leader such as Mark Cranmer driving the project in its latter stages.

In this latest development, Nielsen have met all of the critical requirements of the brief, offering improvements over and above what is currently available in the market.

And whilst we are confident that we can introduce an advanced system with transparency comparable to traditional media surveys, it’s now essential that we work with all the industry stakeholders to make it happen."

Mark Cranmer, former chairman of UKOM said: "I want to thank my UKOM colleagues for a productive start to the year. We are ahead of the schedule we set ourselves and are now in a position to engage all parties in the industry to assess if there is real appetite and funding for the base product that the industry challenged us to investigate last autumn. From UKOM's perspective we are confident that a solution is within the grasp of the industry and look forward to the next stage of engagement with all parties."

About UKOM

The UK Online Measurement Company is the authoritative voice for UK online audience measurement, run in response to the needs of advertisers, media agencies and online media owners. With the IAB and AOP at the helm, UKOM was established to drive progress in audience measurement and create, administer and fund an industry agreed system for planning online advertising campaigns in Britain.
Join the AOP group on LinkedIn - open for all Members to join
Subscribe to AOP's e-newsletter. no-categoryAn inside look at AOP’s Digital Editorial Individual shortlistFor the first time, we will be announcing the winner of our brand new Editorial Individual award at the AOP Awards Dinner, on 2 June At Old Billingsgate...http://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopdigitaleditorialindividualawardshortlist1248.htmlhttp://www.ukaop.org.uk/news/aopdigitaleditorialindividualawardshortlist1248.htmlThu, 21 May 2009 12:34:53 GMTFor the first time, AOP will be announcing the winner of its brand new Editorial Individual award at the AOP Awards Dinner, on 2 June At Old Billingsgate.

Our shortlist of 11 Digital Editorial Individuals can be very proud to have made it this far, in what was a very popular category, and we would like to take this opportunity to cast a light on our nominees.

This year's awards ceremony will see AOP delivering a fantastic night of glamour and entertainment for the digital publishing industry, and with our stellar shortlist of entries, the night promises to be as memorable as last year.

If you are yet to book your place, the last few tables are available – book now.

AOP Digital Editorial Individual Shortlist

Natasha Aitken - Glamour.com / CondéNet UK

Natasha Aitken

“Natasha stormed into her role as glamour.com Editor and immediately, instinctively knew what was needed to make the website worthy of the brand name, Glamour.

She has made it a relevant, compelling site for anyone who wants lashings of gossip, relevant fashion and beauty news, serious retail therapy, smart health advice – that’s why traffic has made such an incredible leap in her short time on the site.”

Jo Elvin, Editor, Glamour, Condé Nast

Barbara Cockburn – Flight Global / Reed Business Information

Barbara Cockburn

"Barbara has successfully showcased, highlighted and presented the vast array of content produced by the entire Flight Content Team throughout all areas of the site, leading to an impressive growth in site traffic.

She has done a sterling job editing the Flight Archive channel, the Flight Blog – which covers aviation’s quirkier angles, and the Image of the Day blog."

Michael Targett, Editor, Flightglobal

Isabel Davies – Farmers Weekly Interactive / Reed Business Information

Isabel Davies

"Working across print and online makes Isabel unique as a community editor within RBI and she has worked hard to maximise the value of community content in both environments.

She is seen as an example of excellence within the company and should be credited with the fact that FWi is touted as the most successful example of community content and interaction within RBI."

Julian Gairdner – Online Editor, Farmers Weekly

Julian Gairdner – Online Editor Farmers Weekly / Reed Business Information

Julian Gairdner

"In the past year, Julian has taken FWi forward in leaps with a raft of initiatives of a technical, content and organisational nature to ensure FWi continues to be the biggest and most successful website in the UK agricultural space.

He has helped lead significant organisational change within the Farmers Weekly Group, resulting in fully integrated editorial, production and sales functions across web and print. He has also lead a research and redesign process which is paying dividends in traffic and commercial results including joint ventures/ partnerships – Muddy Matches online dating and Property Search partners."

Jane King – Editor, Farmers Weekly

Dolly Jones – Vogue.com / CondéNet UK

Dolly Jones

“Dolly has huge respect within CondéNet and Condé Nast due to her perseverance over the years to make Vogue.com the incredible site it is today.

Since taking over the role of Fashion Channels Manager she has been a fantastic leader and lent a wealth of her industry knowledge and editorial experience across the portfolio. She has a great talent for public speaking and communicating her passion for Vogue.com which not only her team online, but the magazine are extremely proud of!”

Condé Nast Team

Maria Milano – instyle.co.uk / IPC Media

Maria Milano

"Maria is highly-regarded both by her team members and her colleagues on the magazine.

Her passion for the brand and her enthusiasm for digital media are infectious and have led the team to constantly seek improvements to the website and become competitive with rival brands. She is hard-working, motivating and efficient."

Jeannette Arnold, Managing Editor of InStyle

David Moynihan – NME.com / IPC Media

David Moynihan

“David becoming Editor of NME.COM has given a massive shot in the arm to what was already a leading website. From brand positioning to major record industry deals, from page design to efficiency of code and minimising load-times, David has been over every inch of NME.COM improving the offering.

David is clearly one of the most talented web editors of his generation and his award-winning work on NME.COM is an example to the industry of how to be best in class and lead the way.”

Conor McNicholas, Editor, NME

Pete Picton – Sun Online / News International

Pete Picton

"Pete can only be described as the Kofi Annan of digital media. He has managed to bring together some of the best content creators and the finest digital geeks to produce one of the most talked-about newspaper offerings on the web.

His quiet, but steely determination has been the major reason why a big old-school brand has achieved so much in the digital age. He's led a fantastic team and is a great external ambassador for News International and the digital industry as a whole."

Marc Webber – former Assistant Editor, Sun Online

Tim Pollard – CAR Magazine / Bauer Media