Around the Globe
By David Fishman

The Confidential often focuses our attention on events that are occurring in the US based internet marketing firms. Here is a quick look at a few stories happening in the US and other parts of the world.

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An interesting story about a firm trying to create a local niche for themselves based on the national EBAY explosion…….

“Affordable Internet Advertising Debuts At McBuy And Sell.”

In Tuscon AZ the firm McBuy And Sell announces the launch of McBuyAndSell.com, a new website designed for paperless advertising in dozens of categories in the Tucson area.  The auction site differs from its competitors in that buyers and sellers can contact one another directly. Buyers do not openly compete with one another, which allows the seller more freedom with the terms of the sale. Users of the website can post their own contact information, so communication may take place by way of email, phone, instant messaging, or whichever means the user provides.  There are no buying fees or other hidden costs involved with McBuyAndSell.com.

In Europe a well known US advertiser is making its mark…

“24/7 Real Media Europe Signs Reseller Partnership with Anemone to Market Open AdStream and Insight XE in Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and the Balkan Countries “

PARIS - 24/7 Real Media Europe, a division of 24/7 Real Media, Inc. (Nasdaq: TFSM), announced that Anemone (www.anemone.gr), the leading company in Greece for interactive marketing technologies and services, has signed an exclusive reseller agreement to market 24/7 Real Media's Open AdStream(R) ad serving solutions and Insight XE(TM) Web analytics solution, in Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and the Balkan countries.

In other parts of Eastern Europe……

“ In a country where the Internet penetration is still a measly 23 percent, compared to over 50 percent across Western Europe as a whole, it would seem there is nowhere to go but up when it comes to Poland's online business potential.”

Poland has experienced a 50 percent increase in online advertising since the beginning of 2004, thus far this year compared to 2003, new reports from CR-Media and PricewaterhouseCoopers provide something more to look forward to. The forecasts reveal continued increases for the years to come, with an average 56 percent increase this year compared to last year, followed by a 36 percent rise in 2005 and 22.5 percent in 2006. Also, the new wealth of figures, forecasts and trends reveal a veritable 'happy meal' for market watchers to digest when it comes to Poland's virtual future. It is also nearly impossible to find any losers in the equation. So who stands to gain the most?

Certainly the countries top portal Onet.pl, which is now basking in the glory of having posted the first net profit ever recorded by a Polish portal, with over z∏.2 million for the first six months of 2004.  

Anybody else?

Indeed it would seem the portals have the most to gain in this, with advertising making up the bulk of their revenues. In fact 70 percent of online ad spending goes to the portals, according to Jasieniecki from PWC, followed by 20 percent to broker sites and 10 percent for the rest. Considering the influx of available online ad money, it begs the question - will this make room for another major player?

Interestingly, rumors of Yahoo! launching a Polish site earlier this year appeared to have disappeared just as fast as they arose. But, considering the booming market potential, surely there has been no waning in Poland's attractiveness to a global player of this magnitude.

In parts of Asia

“Media Search and Hitwise Form Technology Alliance: To Provide Companies With the Most Relevant and Timely Online Media Monitoring Service in New Zealand”

WELLINGTON, New Zealand Media Search, New Zealand's leading media information service, and Hitwise, the world's leading online competitive intelligence service have announced an alliance to provide Media Search's clients with the latest technology to monitor the Internet for online news and information.

Foreign markets are difficult areas for the online advertising community in the US to figure out how to further develop and monetize partners. However, as we can see these markets are emerging with a great deal of speed and financial support. Within each market there will be a need for expertise along with advertising support. If we can find a way to work more effectively with sites and advertisers outside of the United States we will quickly find new revenue streams that as of now remain obscure and untapped.

 
David Fishman
dfishman@ileadmedia.com