3 May, 2010: IAB Australia has broadened the composition of its Board with the announcement today that it has appointed three new Board member companies, REA Group Ltd, MySpace; and Network Ten. The new members will share full Board rights with those of the founding members, with their appointment renewable on an annual basis.
REA Group Ltd, MySpace; and Network Ten will join the existing Board members AIMIA, ninemsn, Fairfax Digital, News Digital Media, Sensis Mediasmart and Yahoo!7, as well as Alex Littlejohn, managing director of Adconion, who is midway through a one year IAB Australia Board term to represent the interests of the non-founding IAB Australia members.
Paul Fisher, CEO of IAB Australia commented: “With the rapid growth of the online advertising industry and an ambitious program of work in place to underpin and support this growth, it was vitally important that IAB Australia broadened the composition of the Board. We believe that REA Group, MySpace and Network Ten will each briREA Group, MySpace and Network Ten join the Board.ng considerable value to the Board.”
Nic Cola, IAB Australia Chairman and Fairfax Digital COO commented: “As IAB Australia’s membership continues to grow and diversify it is important that the Board reflect those membership changes. We believe REA Group, MySpace and Network Ten will bring a new and important perspective to our Board, especially as the IAB focuses in on making measurement make sense, proving the efficacy of online advertising and establishing industry standards and guidelines around crucial issues such as online video and online behavioral advertising.
The three new companies will be represented on the IAB Australia board by Greg Ellis, CEO and MD of REA Group Ltd, Rebekah Horne, MD and Senior VP International of MySpace; and Nick Spooner, Chief Digital Media Officer of Network Ten.
Nick Spooner, chief digital media officer, Network Ten said: “With online advertising representing an important and growing part of our business, Network Ten welcomes the opportunity to join the board of IAB Australia. Our online platform is an important vehicle for clients looking to more deeply integrate their brands and products within our distinctive program line-up. We look forward to sharing our expertise in developing and delivering creative and successful online extensions for clients looking to promote their brands across multiple platforms.”
“As a very early player in the interactive advertising market, MySpace has held a key role in defining the value of advertising on social media, educating the market on its potential and consistently proving its effectiveness. We’re delighted to have the opportunity to take a greater role in the IAB as there has never been a more critical time to promote industry standards and recognise some of the truly inspiring work that is emerging in this rapidly evolving space,” said Rebekah Horne, MD and Senior VP International, MySpace.
“REA Group is delighted to become a member of the IAB Board. We value the important role the IAB plays in the development of online advertising in Australia and we look forward to contributing our interactive marketing expertise and international experience,” said Greg Ellis, CEO and Managing Director, REA Group. “This is a great opportunity to collaborate with other industry players for the benefit of the industry as a whole. It will also enhance the value we can offer to the customers, advertisers and consumers of our market-leading real estate sites.”
The appointments follow a private application process conducted during March 2010.
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About the Interactive Advertising Bureau
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) is the peak trade association for online advertising in Australia. As one of over 25 IAB offices globally, and with a rapidly growing membership, IAB Australia’s principal objective is to increase the share of advertising and marketing dollars that interactive media captures in the marketplace.
Officially launched in October 2005 by Australia’s six major online publishers – News Digital Media, Fairfax Digital, ninemsn, Yahoo!7, Google and Sensis Media Smart – together with the Australian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA), the IAB has four objectives:
• To develop, coordinate and promote industry standards and guidelines that make interactive advertising a simpler and more attractive medium for agencies, advertisers and marketers
• To prove and promote the effectiveness of interactive advertising to advertisers, agencies, marketers, and the press
• To be the primary advocate for the interactive marketing and advertising industry
• To expand the breadth and depth of IAB membership while increasing direct value to members
For further information about IAB Australia please visit: www.iabaustralia.com.au
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