San Francisco, CA April 17, 2008 -- The art of consumer conversation and the burgeoning digital marketing industry brought record crowds to ad:tech San Francisco on Tuesday--opening day of the three-day interactive marketing and technology conference held at Moscone Center.
According to the show organizers, the growth in attendance is largely due to increased interest from traditional marketers as they realize that all media, not just the Internet, is becoming digital.
The interactive advertising market now totals more than $20 billion and traditional advertisers are continuing to shift greater portions of their ad spend online to achieve new efficiencies in uncertain economic times. "Organizations are striving and in some cases struggling to realign their companies to execute in an increasingly digital world," said Drew Ianni, Senior Global Analyst & Programming Chair for ad:tech. "For example, organizations now need to place greater importance on analytical skills even over creative--long the prized jewel of the advertising industry--to help ensure they achieve the level of targeting, optimization and accountability that digital marketing offers. In this tightening economy, organizations are focused more than ever on return on investment, which is something that digital marketers can deliver."
Industry Awards
Tuesday evening, more than 35 award winners were honored for their creative contributions in the 11th Annual ad:tech Awards Ceremony. Three marketing veterans were also presented with the Industry Achievement Award: Pete Blackshaw (Executive VP, Digital Strategic Services of Nielsen Online), Kate Thorp (CEO of Real Girls Media) and Rich LeFurgy (General Partner of Archer). For complete details on the ad:tech awards and this year's winners, visit http://www.ad-tech.com/awards/winners/.
Still to Come
Thursday, the remaining day of ad:tech San Francisco, features a full-day of sessions, panels and workshops with speakers from adidas USA, Disney, Microsoft, NBC Universal, Nike, REI, Sprint, TiVo and more. The agenda includes 20 sessions discussing the latest trends such as multicultural digital marketing, booming digital out-of-home advertising, empowered consumers and making marketing mobile. Following are Thursday program highlights:
Urban Wallpaper: Digital Signage and the Rise of the Fourth Screen - Discover how increasing prevalence of digital signage, embedded screens, projected interfaces and kiosks presents a range of new considerations and opportunities for both advertisers and consumers.
Multicultural Marketing: US Hispanics Driving the Digital Revolution -A panel of experts provides insight on how marketers can best make use of digital communications to target and reach the US Hispanic market.
The Empowered Consumer: Are We Losing Control of Our Brands? -This panel offers perspectives and insights on how to target, reach and engage a consumer-in-control nation.
Making Widgets and Gadgets Work for You - Learn the value of incorporating widgets and gadgets into marketing plans, and understand the research, analytics and solutions for building and deploying these mini-applications across the social media ecosystem.
Exchange Series VI: Green Marketing in the Digital Age - Establishing Credentials While Sidestepping the Landmines - Marketers discuss how to effectively leverage digital media and technologies to become a part of the Green Revolution while avoiding consumer resentment and revolt.
About ad:tech: ad:tech expositions, LLC is the leading organizer of conferences and exhibitions for the interactive marketing community worldwide. ad:tech produces the world's largest interactive marketing events held in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, London, Paris, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney. ad:tech is produced by dmg world media; based out of the company's headquarters in Larkspur, California. For listings of exhibitors, speakers, events and upcoming conference offerings, visit www.ad-tech.com.
About dmg world media: An international exhibition and publishing company, dmg world media produces over 300 market-leading trade exhibitions, consumer shows and fairs each year and publishes 45 related magazines, newspapers, directories and market reports. dmg world media employs 700 people and maintains a worldwide presence through more than 30 offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, the United Arab Emirates, China, India, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. dmg world media is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT), one of the largest and most successful media companies in the United Kingdom. Additional information on dmg world media can be found at www.dmgworldmedia.com
