Facilitate Digital Lists, Looks Overseas
Facilitate Digital, which recently listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, is rolling out an overseas expansion plan that targets smaller, sophisticated online advertising markets. CEO Ian Lowe said international growth is an important part of the future for Facilitate Digital, well-known in media land for its display and search ad serving capabilities but increasingly moving into site and business analytics. “This is really a key part of our vision,” said Lowe, claiming that the ability to cross-reference data from different ad channels means its services are akin to a “business intelligence machine”. It’s a vision the stock market is buying. The Facilitate Digital share price has reached highs of 68 cents after the company achieved a back door listing through a ‘merger’ with Purus Energy. Shares were offered at 20 cents. Lowe claims a 70% share of the ad serving market in Australia, a figure strongly disputed by primary rival Double Click, and said the share listing gives it access to the necessary capital for expansion. “We didn’t want to sit back and watch the horse bolt – we wanted to be part of it (but) the big mistake we did not want to make is failing by going straight to the biggest markets,” Lowe said “We want to take a position in countries that give us exposure to the larger markets as a basis to learn. We targeted Scandinavia and Holland first (because) everyone speaks English and they are sophisticated markets.” Lowe said Facilitate Digital customises its products – which are mainly sold to media agencies – in fresh markets, an approach which is paying appears to be paying dividends. “The Scandinavian operation became profitable after six months – it’s a very scalable business.” Lowe said FD will be setting up its Southeast Asia headquarters in Singapore, while offices in Belgium and London office are also on the cards. Search Engine Room Latest News
© Copyright 2008, Bluewater Press |
Events
Australia’s original search marketing and optimisation event, Search Engine Room, is returning to Sydney with a fresh theme and approach. Highlights include:
Search Engine Room an Australian-owned event that strives to reflect the market in which it operates while embracing international trends. It’s outward rather than inward looking, taking great care to incorporate consumer and marketing priorities into innovative and provocative programs. The program will be launched the week beginning July 21. Informative, educational, provocative and sometimes controversial, Search Engine Room is the leading event for Australasia's rapidly-growing search industry. It's held annually, attracting widespread industry support, and has a reputation for quality content, excellent event management and staging. The program focus is on respected, well-connected speakers delivering topical, relevant information. Search engine optimisation and marketing is well-covered, while broader industry issues are also addressed through interviews with leading search industry figures. There are case studies and debates, plus panels led by informed journos. Audience interaction is encouraged and Search Engine Room always makes an effort to be forward-looking, tracking the latest search and digital trends. Consumers are also given the once-over, enabling delegates to gain a better understanding of their customers. This format has great appeal and delegates come from around the country. Apart from search marketers, marketing managers, e-commerce managers, online business owners, senior management, digital media executives and agency types predominate. Companies large and small from diverse industries are represented. Some have been in the game for years, others are just starting out. A good way of keeping in touch is to subscribe to Search Engine Room News, which is packed with original content and comes out every five or so weeks. If you have any questions, please call Martin Kelly on 612-9882-1575. Meanwhile, here are some images from the 2007 event.
Bookings are now open for TRAVELtech 2008 - Australia's leading online travel marketing, distribution and tech event. This year's theme is the open-ended Year of Living Dangerously? It can be taken a couple of ways ... the obvious: oil, inflation, interest rates and marketing costs up - challenges ahead. But it's also a question, and the good news is there's increasing evidence the online channel may be the place consumers turn at times like these. Find out more at TRAVELtech 2008. Confirmed speakers are listed below, while the latest program has just been posted - it's packed with industry leaders and topical content.
TRAVELtech, founded in 1999, focusses on the latest online travel marketing and web-based innovations. It has a well-established reputation for delivering relevant, high-quality content and excellent networking - more than 300 delegates attended in 2007. If you have any questions, suggestions or would like to sponsor, please call Martin Kelly on (612) 9882-1575. Please visit the TRAVELtech photo gallery to see some photographs from the 2007 event. |
