Big Brother Is Watching… And Has Some Great Offers For You

November 25th, The Bath House, Dean Street, W1

NMK Asks “Is Behavioural Targeting The Saviour Of Internet Publishing Or The Death Of Privacy?”
Panel includes Guy Phillipson, IAB; Baroness Sue Miller, House of Lords; Nick Barnett, Phorm

Despite all its advantages, digital media has suffered from the perennial problem of paying for itself. Although the potential audience for internet publications dwarfs that of print editions, digital ad revenues have lagged well behind those for the print publications they are slowly replacing.

One potential solution to this is targeted advertising, where adverts displayed on a website are tailored specifically towards the viewer, allowing the media to charge a premium rate for ad space. Indeed speaking just last week at NMK’s ‘What Happens To Newspapers?’ event, Mike Rowley, Director of Digital Publishing, Northcliffe Media, agreed with an audience comment that ad revenues are falling because we can’t track well enough who’s buying them, saying “the print media industry is going to need to get a lot better at tracking.”

But while more relevant advertising may be a good thing for consumers and advertisers, it also means that more of our data will need to be gathered to ensure that advertising is targeted correctly. Whilst studies have shown that with guidelines in place users welcome targeted advertising, there is still concern amongst some consumers and privacy groups in regards to this data harvesting, especially as to the potential level of intrusion and other less benevolent uses the information might be used for.

NMK have assembled a panel taken from both sides of the debate to discuss the latest developments, concerns about and successes of behavioural targeting in online advertising. From Facebook profiles being used to target ads to BT’s recent controversial experiment with the Phorm behavioural targeting system, it’s a hot topic and this event will look at exactly how its increasing use will affect advertising, publishing, privacy and consumers.

Chairing the debate will be Guy Phillipson, CEO of IAB (Internet Advertising Bureau), and joining him on the panel will be Nick Barnett, UK Commercial Director, Phorm, Baroness Sue Miller, Liberal Democrat Member, House of Lords, Rupert Staines, VP Europe, Specific Media, and Dr Ian Brown, Research Fellow, Oxford Internet Institute.

Behavioural Targeting: The Fire and The Fury

When: November 25th, 2008 18:00 to 21:00

Location: Upstairs @ The Bath House, 96 Dean Street, London, W1D 3TDW

Price: £25.00

For more information and to book tickets please go to www.nmk.co.uk

About NMK
NMK is a learning and business information hub for companies and individuals working in UK digital media, launched by the University of Westminster.

NMK runs a website packed with articles, commentary and white papers and in turn produces a programme of topical and high-level events and courses. All events are offered at minimal cost to delegates to provide an accessible mix of knowledge and experience sharing combined with networking opportunities.

NMK actively encourages suggestions, feedback and requests from readers, delegates, companies and industry bodies – which helps shape its courses, events and online debate.

The University’s neutrality is a critical factor in the existence of a knowledge network that encourages adoption of best practice, new collaborations and evolution of creative ventures into professional success. NMK is a resource for the digital media industry.

www.nmk.co.uk