SEM Conferences

Are you Attending Adspace 2009 in San Francisco?

March 20, 2009 By Manoj Jasra 1 Comment

ADSPACE is the first and only conference and expo dedicated to AdSense and contextual advertising. ADSPACE is targeted towards small to mid-sized publishers looking for insider tips on how to maximize AdSense revenue. And advertisers wanting to learn how top marketers drive huge investment returns from Google’s content network and other contextual advertising.

Who will be Speaking at Adspace?

Keynote: Brad Bender, Product Management Director, Google
Will Martin-GillSenior Manager, Internet Marketing
Tim Kendall Director of Monetization Facebook
Jared Friedman, Founder and CTO, Scribd
Darrin Shamo, Senior SEM Manager, Zappos.com
Kevin McCabe, Senior Product Manager, Microsoft

About the Sessions

One of a kind AdSense Publisher Forum – your chance to share your ideas and suggestions directly with the AdSense team.
Measurement and Metrics – top advertisers tell you how they manage their contextual advertising accounts on Google and elsewhere – learn how they make content consistently profitable!
The Secrets to Success: Tips and Tricks from Leading Publishers – Stop dreaming of building a site with 150 million page views a month – find out how it’s done from successful publishers.
Social Media Strategies – Experts from FaceBook, RockU, and SocialMedia.com tell you why you need to make social media part of your media budget now.

Filed Under: SEM Conferences

Interview of Jim Sterne on eMetrics London 2009

March 16, 2009 By Manoj Jasra 1 Comment

Last week I had the opportunity to speak with the founder of the eMetrics Optimization Summit, Jim Sterne. During our chat, I was able to capture some of Jim’s insight on the upcoming eMetrics Conference in London (which is scheduled right after eMetrics Toronto).

[Manoj]: What is the interest level of Web Analytics conferences in Europe compared to North America?

[Jim Sterne]: Right now everybody is interested in how to get more with less, working smarter with fewer resources and leveraging technology. The per capita interest is the same although the overall numbers are different in each country. But companies see that this is a tool that can help them survive and be in a stronger position when the market picks up.

[Manoj]: What are some of the hot topics in terms of Analytics in Europe at this time?

[Jim Sterne]: The hot topic of the moment is still Social Media. What is it? How do you determine if it’s worth the effort? We’re still in the early stages of figuring that out, but the same questions and the same metrics we used on the Web in 1995 apply to Social Media today. How much reach? What’s the frequency? Is it raising awareness? Is it improving opinion? And, of course, finally, is it driving sales?

[Manoj]: If you only had 3 sessions you could attend in London, which ones would they be?

[Jim Sterne]: Oooo, I just HATE that question because I’m face with it every time. I personally see fewer sessions at my own conferences because I’m in so many hallway meetings and fascinating discussions and I just can’t get enough. But if I must… so I’m going to cheat a little and assume that I get to see all the keynotes. Now it’s a matter of which breakouts are top of mind for me.

I am intrigued by Angela Hill’s session on The Art of Analysis. So much so in fact, that I’m putting on an eMetrics Analysis Symposium in San Jose as well. Given the tools and the data and the mathematical models – what is the nature of analysis? How does one become a creative analyst? Matthew Tod does a brilliant job of laying out the groundwork and the high end detail of Conversion Optimization but I as I am not a hands-on practitioner, I am more interested in the philosophy of analysis at the moment.

Next., I’d want to see Vicky Brock champion her favorite topic, Understanding Visitor Behaviour when your Visitors are not Shoppers. I’m quite familiar with multivariate testing and as deeply engaging and knowledgeable as Craig Sullivan is, I’m draw to the subject I know less about in order to learn more.

The next struggle is between finding out what Ask.com is up to or learning about multinational websites from Rene Dechamps Otamendi, Steve Jackson and Oliver Schiffers who are absolutely tops in their field.

Manoj – you’ve given me an impossible task! I have a headache…

[Manoj]: How has the global recession affected the attendances of eMetrics conferences?

[Jim Sterne]: The economic climate has people focused on the practical and tactical. The theory is nice and will help me explain it to my boss, but we need to know – specifically – how we can raise revenue, lower costs and increase customer satisfaction.

[Manoj]: Is it me or has the buzz word “enagement” died down since we last spoke at WebTrends Engage ’07?

[Jim Sterne]: It’s died down a bit, but with the advent of books like Martin Lindstrom’s Buy-ology, it will be back!

The eMetrics Marketing Optimization Summit London takes place at The New Connaught Rooms, Covent Garden, London on 18-19 May. See http://www.emetrics.org/london/

Filed Under: emetrics, SEM Conferences, Web Analytics

eTail 2009 Conference Announces Keynotes and Content Advisory Board

December 8, 2008 By Manoj Jasra Leave a Comment

Worldwide Business Research (WBR) is pleased to announce Keynote Speakers and the Content Advisory Board for the 10th Annual eTail 2009 Conference at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix, AZ on February 23rd- 26th, 2009. Jon Kubo, CIO of Wet Seal and Lee Bissonnette, SVP Direct to Consumer at FAO Schwartz are delivering Keynote speeches on February 24th and 25th, respectively.

“We are very excited to have both Jon and Lee join us for our annual West Coast conference,” said Lori Holden Executive Director of the eTail Conference Series. “Jon speaks to unique innovations in Wet Seal’s Fashion Community, and Lee delivers a 360 degree perspective on remaking a classic brand in today’s retail climate.” Holden adds, “With a challenging economic environment, enhancing profitability through a mix of focusing on the core of business and innovate technologies is more important than ever before.”

This year’s conference provides over 90 speakers and panelists, more than 60 unique sessions, retailer-specific networking activities each and every day and more than 100 industry exhibitors – all delivering valuable insight and information on gathering strategies to fine-tune retail enterprises; driving loyalty and incremental revenue growth with an understanding of consumer demand; and developing an understanding the next fundamental shift in the retail industry which will change the norms of consumer expectations surrounding shopping experiences.

For registration or exhibition information at this conference visit http://www.wbresearch.com/etailusawest/
Use reference code 10701XZ851

The eTail 2009 Program Advisory Board

WBR is also proud to announce the first ever eTail Program Advisory Board. The board is comprised of senior retail executives providing strategic guidance on the content provided in this year’s program. The contributions provided by the Board guarantee relevant topic information is presented on the agenda. A special thanks extended to this year’s advisory board members:

Peter Cobb, SVP and Co-Founder, eBags
Kevin Ertell, SVP E-Commerce, Borders
Carey Dietz Lyne, Sr. Manager, Customer Marketing, Expedia
Melissa Minihan, Sr. Manager, Customer Experience, HomeDepot
Sean Spector, SVP Business Development and Co-Founder, Gamefly

Filed Under: SEM Conferences

Selling Online Subscriptions Summit 2008 – MarketingSherpa

March 12, 2008 By Manoj Jasra Leave a Comment

MarketingSherpa is set to host it’s 8th annual Selling Online Subscriptions Summit on May 12-13, 2008 in New York City. The unique thing about this conference is that there will be no vendor presentations, rather companies who have succeeded in online subscription selling and will be sharing their case studies/trade secrets.

This year’s Summit offers:

Advanced Case Studies that focus on successful strategies for a softening economy, subscription building forecasting, and more the economy of paid search – detailed and practical information that even the most seasoned veteran can use to increase subscription sales.
Panel discussions on revenue strategies to support changing business models and Web 2.0 strategies for acquisition and retention.
New Expert Online Subscription Marketing Package which includes Landing Page Optimization for Subscriptions Certification Course, a 6-session online and on demand course proven to help you increase conversions.

Case Studies will be provided on the topics of A/B Testing, Paid Search, Landing Page Testing, Segmentation/Usability by the following companies:

Magazines.com
ShareFile
American Greetings
Informa
TheLadders.com

Filed Under: SEM Conferences

Is the un-conference the future of the Online Marketing conference?

August 2, 2007 By John W Ellis 2 Comments

As I gear up for my speaking engagement at BarCamp Nashville on August 18^th, I began to wonder if this concept could be the future of the Online Marketing conference.

BarCamp is promoted as the un-conference. It’s a spin off of Foo Camp, an annual invitation-only un-conference. However, the BarCamp philosophy takes “open-sourcing” to a whole new level.

Like many conferences, BarCamps are organized through the web. But unlike other conferences, that is where the organization stops. There is no model, no format and no standard to follow. They have very little rules, but even those are flexible. Anyone can initiate an event. BarCamps, like BarCamp Nashville, consist of presentations scheduled each day by attendees, mostly on-site, using white boards, napkins, or whatever can be found.

Could the un-conference idea be the future of the Online Marketing conference?

This would eliminate unnecessary vendor presentations. The casual atmosphere, and possibly even alcohol, will encourage a “true” open exchange of ideas. We could all open the doors to our “tricks and techniques”. Everyone could present on any topic. The audience will dictate the demand. If they like the topic they will listen. If not they move on.

I realize tradition in the search engine marketing world is to keep ranking tips secret. But for a fun event, with limited people, why not truly “open-source” all online marketing ideas?

Who wants to present the first Search Engine un-Conference?

** Find more articles from John W Ellis at http://www.johnwellis.com

Filed Under: john ellis, Search Engine Strategies, Search Marketing Expo, SEM Conferences

SES San Jose 2007: The Perfect Conference Schedule

July 23, 2007 By Manoj Jasra 3 Comments

Search Engine Strategies San Jose is less than one month away and the 4 day event contains break-outs/sessions which are jam packed with information goodness. I have looked over the 4 day schedule numerous times so I can understand the difficulty in choosing which sessions to attend. I have taken the liberty of creating the perfect SES San Jose conference schedule (geared towards the “advanced users”).

Get my SES SJ conference schedule via Google Calendar:

Day 1

9:00am-10:30am: The Search Landscape
11:00am-12:30pm: Universal & Blended Vertical Search
2:00pm-3:30pm: Personalization, User Data & Search
4:00pm-5:30pm: Searcher Behavior Research Update

Day 2

10:30am-12:00pm: Ad Testing: Research & Findings
1:30pm-2:45pm: Converting Visitors Into Buyers
3:15pm-4:30pm: Video Search Optimization
4:45pm-6:00pm: Landing Page Testing & Tuning

Day 3

10:30am-12:00pm: Search APIs
1:30pm-2:45pm: In House: Big SEO
3:15pm-4:30pm: SEM Pricing Models
4:45pm-6:00pm: B2B Tactics

Day 4

9:00am-10:15am: SMO: Social Media Optimization
10:45am-12:00pm: Meet The Web Analytics Players
12:30pm-1:45pm: Usability & SEO: Two Wins For The Price Of One

Complete Agenda Coverage:

Agenda Day 1 – Aug 20
Agenda Day 2 – Aug 21
Agenda Day 3 – Aug 22
Agenda Day 4 – Aug 23

Filed Under: Search Engine Strategies, SEM Conferences

ad:tech Chicago 2007: Sessions You MUST Attend

July 23, 2007 By Manoj Jasra Leave a Comment

With ad:tech Chicago about a week away I thought I would recommend some conference sessions you absolutely MUST attend. ad:tech Chicago features 3 Tracks all with multiple sessions that I want to attend: