Press Release Summary = "From the Alley to the Avenue", was the perfect theme for ad:tech New York 2006. Interactive marketing is indeed a hot property for advertisers. No one had a better seat to this show than me, because I worked the tables of ICMediaDirect.com - a Gold Sponsor of this year's event. From across the hall of the registration area I got the chance to introduce scores of attendees to our company and its new video ad network. Sponsorship has its privileges. Did you know who else was a media sponsor? Digital Moses Confidential. Nice.
Press Release Body = ad:tech New York 2006: A Big Apple Wrap-Up
"From the Alley to the Avenue", was the perfect theme for ad:tech New York 2006. Interactive marketing is indeed a hot property for advertisers. No one had a better seat to this show than me, because I worked the tables of ICMediaDirect.com - a Gold Sponsor of this year's event. From across the hall of the registration area I got the chance to introduce scores of attendees to our company and its new video ad network. Sponsorship has its privileges. Did you know who else was a media sponsor? Digital Moses Confidential. Nice.
Numbers back my assertion that ad:tech New York 2006 was the best event held in the Big Apple yet, but you'll have to take me at my word that it was a blast. I learned Sunday night at the exhibitor cocktail party that there were over 10,000 pre-registered attendees, up tremendously from last year's record attendance that was somewhere north of 7,000. And the after hours festivities were, as usual, the most fun of its kind in this business.
I visited with as many exhibitors as possible to get the flavor of ad:tech. There was so much to take in. Get this, ad:tech New York 2006 had over 220 speakers! On the one hand the massive size precluded any individual from taking it all in, but this also guarantees that no two people have the same experience. This gives attendees so much to talk about.
There were, what, 12 babies born at Woodstock? Well, I believe there was a grand total of one email-based newsletter launched at ad:tech NewYork 2006, and that was ConnectThru.com. Staffed by contributing writers and editors, this start-up promotes itself as an interactive advertising voice for professionals in the greater New York metropolitan area, so ad:tech New York was a perfect launching pad.
This promising newbie also encourages article submission from industry professionals. The content will be running the gamut from Big Apple happy hours for the internet advertising crowd to interviews with local figures in our field. The newsletter will also have a corresponding website for article archival and fresh content. Interestingly enough, ConnectThru.com is ad-free, so it will probably be a no-holds barred opinion generator and idea lab. Keep an eye on these guys.
I got to visit a number of remarkable exhibitors. One name from the hyped video space was VIMATION whose video demonstration blew me away. VIMATION's brass was on hand to show how their platform, VIM, provides interactive video. Simply put, end-users are handed more control of their video, and content providers get to expand message. It's an outstanding use of Web2.0 and a possible glimpse into where video is headed.
ItsPerformance.com was an ad network exhibitor of note. Friendly faces from the company explained in detail the ItsPerformance network and demonstrated how creativity plays a vital role in their ad delivery. It stood out memorably among the many ad networks exhibiting at this year's event not only for its geniality, but also for its huge size.
The ItsPerformance.com network gets tens of billions of impressions monthly, plus over 27 million daily searches. Zowie! When did Internet advertising get so big? Well, vast ad networks like ItsPerformance.com is likely either the reason for or the effect of (chicken or the egg?) the 3Q, 2006 numbers that announce a record $4.2 billion spent on Internet advertising.
Here's a commendable co-registration company for you, PermissionData. PermissionData has the good business, the personable staff and a loyal customer base, but what makes them particularly noteworthy right now is the ethical stance they are taking in matters of professional ethics. Apparently they are not content in letting some bad apples spoil the niche for everyone and PermissionData is promoting an industry standard in terms of professional accountability. Word has it this has been earning them some serious kudos. Bravo!
All the walking around made me tired so I flopped on a comfy leather sofa provided by AffinityDirect. I intended to nap, but instead talked with staff. This was a good move on my part because they filled me in on the opportunities of the student loan consolidation business. These guys were impressive and highly informed.
There were plenty of remarkable exhibitors present at ad:tech New York 2006, obviously too many to mention. I'll add that the Hilton was packed with wonderful attendees, too. For many present, meeting the attendees at ad:tech conferences might be as valuable an experience as meeting the exhibitors. Great people flocked to Manhattan from an array of backgrounds, often fronting start-up businesses. These conference goers represent potential customers, partners, vendors, and even friends.
Would it be too early to say I'm looking forward to the next one? Well, if I were to feel this way I wouldn't be alone. I've learned that the best exhibiting spaces at ad:tech New York 2007 are already being snapped up by companies in the know - and who could blame them?
Joseph Pratt Editor ConnectThru.com Address: PO Box 881, New York, NY 10156 Email: Editor@connectthru.com http://www.connectthru.com
2022
