E-News : December 8, 2009
Top Media Moves
The Jordan, Edmiston Group, Inc. (JEGI) announced that it advised four completed M&A transactions in a one-week period: The sale of Reed Business Information-US's Television Group, including Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News, and Twice, to NewBay Media; the sale of Times Publishing Company's Governing to e.Republic; the sale of WebMediaBrands' Internet.com division to QuinStreet; and the sale of Legal Research Systems to West Law.
Connotate announced that it was named to the EContent 100 list, which recognizes the top 100 companies in the digital content industry, by EContent magazine.
In five years, four out of five senior executives will consume more than half of their work-related media online, according to a new study by the Financial Times and Doremus.
'What ABM Means to Me'
American Business Media is working harder than ever to enhance the value proposition of your membership, and we’re constantly encouraged by positive feedback from our members.
Here in E-news each week will be a member testimonial which reflects how individual members view the ABM value proposition.
“ABM’s Editorial Committee is a great place to talk over our challenging times with other b-to-b editors. It’s so valuable to hear how others are holding the line on ethics and going through the digital transformation process. It’s also been very exciting to be part of the “Neal Change” Committee, where we have been reinventing the Neal Awards program. Watch for all kinds of new categories that reward excellence in journalism, regardless of the medium.”
- Jan Tuchman, Editor in Chief, Engineering News-Record
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Job of the Week
Online Production Manager, NewBay Media, LLC
In addition to the “Job of the Week” highlighted in each issue of E-news, ABM has recently expanded its online job board to better reach out to the membership and media community with quality career opportunities. Powered by mediabistro.com, the site is updated constantly with openings across the country and enables you to search by industry and location. So what are you waiting for … Click here to begin your search!
Committee Watch
Custom Media Committee: December 16, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST, ABM Headquarters
Neal Awards Call for Entries Deadline Extended to This Friday, December 11!
Crain & Timothy White Award Call for Entries now open
In case you missed last week’s video announcement from Gordon Hughes, we’ve extended the Neal Awards Call for Entries deadline to this Friday, December 11, to give you more time to submit your best editorial work. Click here to submit your entries online now … there are only three days left to enter!
We’re also giving you a final chance to learn how to use the new online entry system. Join us this afternoon at 3:00 PM EST for another FREE webinar demonstration on navigating the mBLAST system and successfully submitting your Neal Award entries. Space is limited, so sign up now to ensure your spot.
While you’re putting the finishing touches on your entries, we are pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the American Business Media Crain Award and the Timothy White Award for Editorial Integrity.
The Crain Award is given annually to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the development of editorial excellence in the business media. The award was established by a grant from the G.D. Crain, Jr. Foundation, and includes a distinctive crystal trophy and a check for $1,000. By its name, the award honors an outstanding business publication editor, the founder of Advertising Age, G.D. Crain, Jr. ABM members are invited to submit nominations for this award by Friday, January 8, 2010. Click here to download the Call for Entries.
The Timothy White Award for Editorial Integrity is a special honor that acknowledges the challenges and pressures that editors face daily. Named after the longtime editor of Billboard magazine who succumbed to a heart attack in June 2002, the award is given annually to an editor whose work displays courage, integrity and passion. ABM members can submit nominations for this award by Friday, January 22, 2010. Download the Call for Entries here.
And don’t forget to mark your calendars now: All awards will be presented during the 56th Annual Neal Awards Luncheon on March 11, 2010, at the Mandarin Oriental hotel at New York City’s Time Warner Center.
Updated ‘Importance and Value of B2B Advertising
During Times of Economic Uncertainty’ Study Now Available
Research finds that b-to-b marketers plan to
increase spending across all platforms next year
Did you know that, of the almost 40% of b-to-b marketers who plan to increase their spending in 2010, 73% will increase their online marketing budgets, 35% will increase spending on events, and 20% will increase their print budgets?
This is just one of many significant findings from ABM’s recently-produced sales tool, “The Importance and Value of B2B Advertising During Times of Economic Uncertainty,” which summarizes the wealth of data that has been accumulated over time. The data clearly demonstrates that companies who either steadily continued or aggressively increased their advertising experienced overall growth as well as continual growth past the period of economic uncertainty.
An updated version is now available here, with data for 2010, supplied by BtoB magazine.
B-TO-B ECOSYSTEM UPDATE
IAB Delivers Introduction to Industry Standards & Practices During ABM Committee Meeting, Outlines Opportunities for Collaboration
As an integral component of its new strategic plan, ABM continues to reignite its relationships with other organizations, positioning itself to develop an integrated b-to-b media ecosystem that will benefit the business media/information community.
ABM continues to collaborate with other like-minded organizations, including the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), whose presentation during ABM’s Digital Media Council meeting last Thursday delivered an introduction to industry standards and practices.
The IAB’s president and CEO, Randall Rothenberg, its VP of industry services, Jeremy Fain, and director of industry services, Gina Kim, outlined opportunities for the two trade associations to join forces in areas such as the development of industry standards, research and regulatory efforts in Washington, among others.
Click here to view the IAB’s presentation on-demand, and stay tuned to E-news for updates as this partnership continues to unfold.
Live Webinar on Behavioral Targeting Hits Desktops THIS THURSDAY!
You've heard the term “behavioral targeting,” and for many in the b-to-b industry, it can be a confusing practice. What is it? How do I get involved? What does it mean for my business?
If you've asked yourself these questions or others, join us this Thursday, December 10, as Chris Hulse, founder and CEO of Inflection Point Media, discusses the issue and its effect on b-to-b publishers during a live webinar.
You'll learn valuable insights to help you better understand behavioral targeting, as well as the evolution and landscape of the data-driven advertising world today, and gain the confidence you need to make better informed decisions on what's right for you and your business.
We asked Chris a few questions about Inflection Point Media and what he’ll be discussing during Thursday’s webinar. Read his responses below:
ABM: How would you define “behavioral targeting” and how can b-to-b publishers benefit from using it in their own businesses?
Chris: Behavioral targeting is best defined as “data-driven” advertising. The origin, method of collection and scarcity of the data being utilized will be the driving force in its value to both the publisher and advertiser alike. Publishers can use data from home-grown, as well as outside, sources to better serve relevant advertising to their users on-site and give the publisher the ability to extend its audience footprint off-site.
ABM: What role does Inflection Point Media play in helping b-to-b publishers become involved in behavioral targeting?
Chris: Inflection Point Media (IPM) is an audience-targeting platform that is exclusive to the b-to-b marketplace. IPM works with business publishers, business marketers and search engines to give them the ability to re-target their users off-site as well as bundle their audiences with like-audience segments built from IPM’s vast data provider network of over 42 million monthly b-to-b decision-makers.
IPM audience segments are built on self-identified data that is collected in real-time as the business decision-makers hit “Inflection Points” in the life of their businesses. Through this process, IPM is able to generate scale of audience for the publisher without sacrificing quality. Publishers can re-target their users as stand-alone segments, bundled in larger IPM segments of shared intent, or leverage the IPM data to better serve ads to their users on-site.
ABM: What insights can ABM members expect to take home from your presentation?
Chris: A clear understanding of “data driven” advertising, its evolution, where it is headed and how you as a publisher can participate today.
You have two ways to tune in: watch FREE from your desktop, or attend in-person at the ABM headquarters to interact with Chris Hulse and take advantage of the valuable opportunity to network with your colleagues. Click here to register for the virtual event, and here for the in-person event.
Thursday’s webinar marks the second in ABM’s series focusing on digital media topics and issues affecting the membership and b-to-b industry. The first, which addressed social media, kicked off last month and was streamed live to desktops around the world.
The ABM Video Network Goes ‘Outside the Cube’ Tomorrow Morning
New video library continues to expand
It’s a new month and a new “Outside the Cube” for ABM’s Wally Koval, who returns tomorrow morning with the latest edition of his video series exploring issues from the vantage point of the next generation of business media professionals – the Millennials. Tune in to www.AmericanBusinessMedia.com tomorrow at 9:00 AM EST as Wally explores another hot industry topic from his cubicle.
Also be sure to check out ABM’s new-and-improved ABM Video Library at video.americanbusinessmedia.com. Not only have the Association’s videos been uploaded and organized, but ABM member videos produced for the public domain have also been included and sorted by format or topic.
Some of the most popular member videos include:
- PC Magazine’s “Motorola Droid for Verizon Wireless;”
- PCWorld’s “How to Manage Multiple Users with Windows 7;” and
- Business Finance magazine’s “Death of the Budget?”
We invite you to submit and share your own videos here using our fast and convenient uploading process, and we hope you’ll enjoy ABM’s new engaging, informative online video experience.
E-MEDIA UPDATE
ABM’s Digital Annual Report Delivers
As 2009 comes to a close, ABM is reflecting on some of the year’s greatest successes and proudest moments. Undoubtedly one of the Association’s most innovative and successful initiatives this year was its 2008-2009 Annual Report, which was delivered electronically for the first time ever, thanks to our friends at Zeta Interactive.
Zeta’s “Next Page” platform was developed earlier this year as a solution for marketers seeking to better and more effectively engage with their audience through digital channels. Not only could recipients read about ABM's 2008-2009 fiscal year, but they were able to dive deep into the Association's various activities.
Among the features included in ABM’s robust, interactive 2008-2009 Annual Report were:
- E-mail delivery notification – enabled ABM to understand exactly who was reading the report, when they were reading it, and what their level of engagement was.
- Integrated Web site interaction – increased site traffic back to the ABM site and information sharing.
- Share-to-social and share-with-friends capabilities – maximized the report’s influence and viral nature.
- Embedded video – allowed ABM to share key speeches, visions and highlights from conferences and events held throughout the year, thereby virtually extending their reach beyond in-person attendees.
- Report analysis and response tracking – advanced analysis and reporting, which enabled ABM to track readership and gauge engagement level of report.
ABM’s Annual Report typically costs several thousands of dollars to produce via traditional printing methods as well as high postage costs. By leveraging Zeta Next Page, ABM not only saved those dollars, but was also able to extend our reach and gain additional insights into reader engagement. Not only did we realize a 16% open rate within the first week of release, which, in many cases, surpasses industry averages, but we continue to promote the digital report (on our homepage, at events and in various communications).
Click here to view ABM’s 2008-2009 Annual Report.
Save the Date: ABM’s Events Summit Comes to New York City on March 24
New half-day program to focus on virtual event models
Building upon the overwhelming positive response and success of the Virtual Events Workshop, which kicked off ABM’s Executive Forum last month, the 2010 ABM Events Summit will further delve into the topic of virtual events. While the Workshop defined opportunities for using virtual events in the b-to-b industry, the new half-day program, being held on March 24, 2010 at the Sentry Center in New York City, will offer insights and tips for utilizing a combination of virtual and face-to-face event models to maximize your profitability.
The Events Summit will take virtual events to the next level, giving you an in-depth look into how to use virtual tools to extend the reach and impact of your face-to-face events.
The full agenda and speakers will be announced soon, but in the meantime, you can view coverage from the Virtual Events Workshop on-demand for a small preview of what to expect from the Events Summit. Click here to watch now.
Have YOU Taken Advantage of ABM's New Resources, Member Discounts?
Adhering to its new strategic plan, which, among other things, emphasizes the importance of industry research and intelligence, ABM is continuing to create synergies with other organizations that will benefit the business media/information community. As a result, ABM members now have cheaper (or free!) access to must-have industry resources from leading organizations like CEIR, Outsell and Vital Business Media.
ABM ‘Vital Guide’ Explores Digital Media Trends
Through a new partnership with Vital Business Media’s eMedia Vitals, an online publication covering e-media strategies, ABM is proud to deliver the “ABM Vital Guide,” a weekly e-newsletter containing high-quality, actionable content on the hottest digital media trends affecting the b-to-b industry.
Each week, the ABM Vital Guide tackles one specific digital media trend or product with the potential to dramatically influence members’ digital revenues. Previous editions have thoroughly covered such issues as content aggregation, community-based media, online event models, e-newsletters and subscription management.
Click here to view the latest ABM Vital Guide on organizational models, or contact Jenna Lisanti to subscribe.
ABM Offers Member Discount on ALL Outsell Research
As an ABM member, you are now entitled to a 20% discount on all must-read industry reports from leading research and advisory firm Outsell, Inc. Not only will the member discount offer savings on your purchases, but the data and analyses from Outsell will provide must-have advice and essential actions for b-to-b publishers and information providers looking to create revenue opportunities, attract new buyers and achieve competitive advantage.
The Outsell Store houses hundreds of recent research studies delivering fact-based recommendations about markets, companies and trends in the information industry. Click here to enter the Outsell Store, and enter promotional code 101209 during checkout to receive your ABM member discount.
Members, Have You Requested Your Free CEIR Research Yet?
ABM has recently partnered with the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) to provide members with important, timely information on the powerful world of face-to-face … all at no cost. The variety of free CEIR research available for ABM members includes:
- How Digital Marketing Affects Exhibition and Event Performance
- Looking Past the Recession: Exhibition Strategies for the Interim
- The Cost Effectiveness of Exhibition Participation
- The Power of Exhibitions in the 21st Century
- Digital + Exhibiting Marketing Insights 2009
- and more!
Contact Kate Patton with your request(s), and the research will be sent to you directly.
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