Iman Nahvi and Habib Wehbi after signing the partnership agreement

To bring next generation AI Technology in Retail Media and DOOH industry to the GCC

DigitAll, a subsidiary of W Group leading digital transformation and the evolution of measurable smart media in the region, and Advertima, the global market leader in real-time audience measurement, have entered a partnership that designates DigitAll as Advertima’s exclusive agent in the GCC region.

Under the partnership, DigitAll has begun deploying Advertima’s proprietary Smart Targeting technology on DOOH media networks in malls and retail in the UAE, providing consumer insights to advertisers across several sectors.

The roll-out, which started in Q1 of 2023 and covers all 53 Dubai metro stations, over 200 hypermarkets, and more than 40 shopping malls, will be completed by the end of 2023.

This strategic partnership aims to convert conventional digital-out-of-home (DOOH) and In-store Retail Media into audience data-driven media channels that maximize campaign effectiveness and increase advertisers’ return on advertising spend (ROAS).

Advertima’s Smart Targeting capability enables real-time segmentation targeting to accurately detect audience attributes (age, gender, and group constellation) and behavior, and automate the delivery of relevant content to the right target audience in front of the screen.

With Advertima’s technology, for the first time, real-time audience data can be utilized in programmatic DOOH for automated media inventory sales and reporting. In addition, Advertima’s proprietary Audience Analytics measurement tools will provide credible, real-time reporting on metrics such as audience traffic, impressions, qualified views, and view times to validate ad performance and improve ROAS.

W Group Chairman and CEO Habib Wehbi said, “I am thrilled to announce this exclusive partnership with Advertima, which further cements our position as a regional leader in retail media and out-of-home (OOH) digital transformation. The ability to offer real-time targeting and audience measurement in the GCC region is a game-changer for our industry. This partnership with Advertima represents a significant milestone in DigitAll’s efforts to expand its reach and enhance its smart technology capabilities in the region.”

Iman Nahvi, Advertima’s Founder and CEO added, “Today’s programmatic DOOH standards lack qualified real-time audience data, both for real-time targeting and advanced analytics capabilities. And that’s exactly the gap this partnership will fill. With DigitAll, we’ve found a partner pushing the boundaries of innovation in the OOH and In-store Retail Media space, not just in this region but even at a global level.”

DigitAll is rolling out this technology on several DOOH networks in the UAE, in a move that will revolutionize the DOOH landscape by introducing data-driven and highly effective measurement tools for advertisers. With this new technology, clients and brands can expect greater ROI, increased effectiveness, and a more sophisticated approach to advertising in the digital age.

“We are at the forefront of integrating data measurement into our DOOH and In-store Retail Media offerings. This will help deliver more personalized messaging to audiences based on analyzing data on individual behaviors and preferences,” said Wehbi.

“In the UAE, there is a growing interest and investment in this area. As advertisers seek to reach increasingly diverse and segmented audiences, data can provide a powerful tool to enhance the effectiveness of DOOH advertising campaigns and turn them into smart measurable experiences. Our partnership with Advertima allows our clients to use state-of-the-art AI technologies to create personalized and interactive content designed to engage audiences more meaningfully,” added Wehbi.

The Advertima Smart Signage solution is a combination of hardware (edge computers and 3D sensors), AI-enabled software which integrates seamlessly with any Digital Signage CMS platform, and 24×7 data analytics services to deliver real-time audience insights. Tested over the last few months at various locations across Dubai Metro stations and Dubai Malls, the technology ably handled the complexity and diversity of real-world audiences at these high-traffic locations and delivered more accurate performance on key parameters than any other alternative on the market.

“The People's Space" by Rick Robinson, CEO of PJX Media. A quick-moving and entertaining look at the role of OOH media's impact in the public space.

Recent OBIE, DRUM, and Cannes winners are featured to explore how creative thinking and OOH Media work together to bring forward intrigue, humor, and the sweet spot between content and context. No charts or maps, just eye candy. 20 minutes.

Speaker Profile

Rick Robinson is an OOH Media executive, public speaker, author, and sculptor. He started in the OOH business as a local salesperson and has developed, marketed, planned, or bought virtually all forms of traditional and non-traditional OOH media over his 37-year career. Rick is currently the Chief Executive Officer of NY-based OOH agency and AdTech provider PJX Media.

Previously Rick served as the Chief Creative Officer in Residence at the OAAA and as a member of West Hollywood’s Design Excellence Review Committee for the Sunset Strip.

His legacy of achievement stretches across multiple disciplines including local and national sales, OOH media planning & buying, product development, marketing & promotions, legislative testimony, creative commentary, data science applications, and executive leadership. Rick is internationally recognized as one of the most versatile, influential, and passionate advocates in the OOH industry today. He is a highly requested public speaker for trade groups, ad clubs, universities & OOH companies across the globe.

Rick is a powerful communicator, relationship builder, change agent, and inspired leader. He has delivered value and growth at every organization throughout his career. His calling card is one of strategic thinking coupled with innovative solutions leading to material business outcomes. He is forward-leaning yet prudent, gains consensus where needed, and is well-known for representing the highest levels of fairness and integrity.

As an energized catalyst for the business, he has been recognized with the industry’s most prestigious honors (OAAA Hall of Fame & The L. Ray Vahue Marketing Award of Merit). Rick believes OOH is at its best when media, creativity, and technology work together to achieve a perfect merger of content and context - all in service of the public realm. The OAAA published his book on the topic, “The People’s Space”, in 2013.

Rick’s personal pursuits include local pro-bono work for the arts as Board President and Advisor for Art Share LA where he gained LA City Council recognition while rescuing and stabilizing the organization after the 2008 recession. He has shown his Primitive Pop steel sculptures at galleries all over the world, and his secret indulgence is racing stock cars with his father in Northern California.

The last time the global Out of Home industry gathered in Europe for annual Congress was back in 2018, in Sorrento when we were known as FEPE International (Federation European Publicite Exterieur) referencing our European roots from foundation in 1959.

Since then, a lot has changed. We are now much larger and more global as the World Out of Home Organization and we have navigated a hugely challenging time, for all media operators including OOH, with the pandemic, cost of living crisis and galloping inflation.

But we reconvene in Lisbon, a great European capital, in good heart with the prospect of a return to macro-economic normality, although we're not quite there yet.

Last year's Congress in Toronto, interestingly the venue for FEPE's first Annual Congress in 1960, was the first as WOO and the first since Dubai in 2019 as the pandemic brought much of the world to a strange halfway house, between crisis and normality. 2023 and beyond promises a well-deserved, full-scale return to the latter.

We gather again in very good heart, because Out of Home has established itself as an important player in the new media landscape, dominated to a large degree by on-line digital media, but digital is a challenge the OOH industry has embraced, bravely and successfully. However, in the excitement of digital, we mustn't overlook the continuing status and impact of classic OOH, still the main platform in many parts of the world.

This year's Congress will again see us tackling the major issues of the day. In no particular order: Sustainability, Measurement and Automation, as well as celebrating the creative and marketing impact of one of the strongest foundations of the global media scene.

Click here for the full programme

Leading Brands and Agencies Discuss Innovations in DOOH and CPG Marketing

DPAA, the global trade marketing association driving the growth and digitization of out-of-home media and its role in the omnichannel mix, announced today the third Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) CPG Event with strategic partner Quotient (NYSE: QUOT), the leading digital media and promotions technology company that provides a DOOH DSP for brands and agencies. The virtual event will take place on June 7 at 11 a.m. ET. Registration is now open here.

Speakers and case studies/presentations at the event will include:

Yolanda Angulo – Director, Customer Marketing, Mondelēz International
Mary Katherine Woltz – Director, Media Connections, Danone
Jess Chappell – SVP, Managing Director Digital and Out-of-Home, Evergreen Trading
Andrew Weinstein – Director, RapportWW
Amie Owen – US Head of Commerce, UM Worldwide
Dan Dawson – Chief Creative Officer, Grand Visual
Al Dejewski – VP of Marketing, MilkPEP
Barry Frey – CEO, DPAA
Michael Burgi – Sr. Editor, Media Planning & Buying, Digiday
Matt Krepsik – CEO, Quotient
Norm Chait – RVP, DOOH and Social, Quotient
Susan Cho – Head of Agency and Programmatic Sales, Quotient
Mitchell Killian – VP, Strategy & Insights, Quotient
Karen Chan – Sales Director, Quotient
Leslie Weigandt – Sales Director, DOOH, Quotient
Matt Sahadi – Sales Director, Quotient

This year’s program will spotlight industry experts from leading CPG brands and agencies as they share their success stories with DOOH and the latest innovations in the channel, including dynamic creative, increased measurement and interactive screens.

“Each year our streaming conferences with Quotient have been huge successes, and many of our brand and agency partners asked for more,” said Barry Frey, President & CEO of DPAA. “We are excited to showcase our biggest agenda yet. This is another must-attend event for all involved in CPG and media industries.”

“We are delighted to return this year bigger and better than ever with an inspiring lineup of speakers featuring top brands, their agencies and technology partners,” said Susan Cho, Head of Agency and Programmatic Sales at Quotient. “DOOH continues to evolve as a focus of interest from CPG advertisers across the industry. Viewers will get an opportunity to hear from these industry leaders and learn what’s next for the future of media.”

WWDC23 program is unveiled, showcasing an exciting slate of online events for Apple developers around the globe to experience

Apple unveiled the lineup for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, including the timing of the keynote and Platforms State of the Union presentations, and shared more information with developers about what they’ll learn and experience. Free for all developers, WWDC23 will take place in an online format from June 5 through 9, with an opportunity for developers and students to celebrate in person at a special experience at Apple Park on opening day. The packed week of events and activities will help developers learn about the latest technologies, tools, and frameworks coming to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. Throughout the week, developers will be able to connect directly with Apple engineers and experts through one-on-one labs and activities in Slack for guidance on building innovative and platform-differentiating apps and games.

Apple Keynote

June 5, 10 a.m. PDT

The biggest and most exciting WWDC to date launches with a first look at exciting updates coming to Apple platforms later this year. The keynote address will be available via apple.com, the Apple Developer app, the Apple TV app, and YouTube, with on-demand playback available after the conclusion of the stream.
Platforms State of the Union

June 5, 1:30 p.m. PDT

Developers will learn how they can take their apps to the next level with a deeper dive into the new tools, technologies, and advances across Apple platforms. Platforms State of the Union will stream via the Apple Developer app and the Apple Developer website.

Apple Design Awards

June 5, 6:30 p.m. PDT

The Apple Design Awards recognise and celebrate the art, craft, creativity, and technical expertise of Apple’s developer community. This year’s Apple Design Award winners will be unveiled via the Apple Developer app and website.

Access to Experts

Featuring 175 in-depth session videos, WWDC23 brings together the latest tools and technologies to give developers the chance to learn how they can create the next generation of apps and games. Developers can get answers to their technical, design, and App Store questions — including how to improve their app’s presence on the store — with Apple experts in one-on-one online lab appointments. From June 6-9, session videos will be posted daily on the Apple Developer app and the Apple Developer website.

Activities

In addition to session videos and one-on-one labs, Apple engineers and designers will host activities all week online in Slack to help developers engage in technical discussions, get answers to their questions, and connect with each other. Participate in a technology or design Q&A, watch a session video and ask the presenter questions, or build community in an icebreaker activity.

Developer App

The Apple Developer app is a great way to experience WWDC23 on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, with daily updates and notifications on the latest news, content, and activities. Developers can browse content by topic, register for online Slack-based activities and one-on-one labs, watch videos with their peers using SharePlay, copy code directly from session videos into Xcode, read feature stories, and more.

Developers can also access all WWDC content, registration, news, feature stories, and documentation at developer.apple.com.

E-commerce & mobile retail Online video planning & buying YouTube

YouTube continues to command a strong position in the online video advertising market and is actively looking for ways to forge deeper connections with viewers, creators and brands through multi-format video strategies.

Context

YouTube is prioritising Shorts and CTV engagement, and is innovating with unskippable 30-second ads and “pause experiences” on TV to help marketers engage audiences across screens and achieve both performance and brand-building goals.

Takeaways

Ad investment with YouTube is set to rise 4.0% in 2023 to reach $30.4bn

That marks a turnaround from Q4 2022 when ad revenue declined 8.8% year-on-year, as marketers shifted investment to retail media and search. But growth is expected to resume in 2023, at more than double the rate of growth recorded in 2022. WARC Media forecasts YouTube’s revenue growth to accelerate 10.3% in 2024, to reach $33.5bn by the end of that year.

Commerce brands are expected to spend $4.1bn on YouTube ads in 2023

This is a 4.6% rise on 2022. Retail remains YouTube’s most important category for ad investment, but growth from other sectors has been harder to achieve. While some categories will see double digit spending increases in 2023, including technology and electronics (+13.9%) and toiletries and cosmetics (+12.1%), figures elsewhere are more modest.

YouTube advertisers can reach half of all internet users globally. More than one billion hours of video are watched every day on YouTube

YouTube is the world’s most popular online platform, with an adult advertising reach estimated at 2.07 billion people, almost twice as much as TikTok and Instagram respectively. YouTube Shorts (60 seconds or less) will provide more opportunities for marketers to reach new audiences, but its 50 billion daily viewer total is some way behind the 140 billion daily views achieved by Instagram Reels; under-18s, meanwhile, spend on average 60% longer on TikTok than with YouTube content.

YouTube has overtaken Netflix as the biggest TV streaming platform in the US

YouTube accounted for 22.9% of OTT viewing in March 2023. It is also the most popular channel for US Gen Zs to catch up with sports news, and last year it was the most popular platform for both music and podcast listening in the US.

APAC is a key growth region for YouTube – from live shopping and Shorts to gaming – while in Latin America, YouTube delivers brand impact more cost-effectively than any other video platform, according to research by Kantar.

Emerging technologies will continue to force the news media landscape to evolve.

Technology transformed the way readers read news, and digital products and technologies have played a significant role in this transformation. The news media industry has had to adapt to this shift, investing in robust digital infrastructures that provide a seamless and personalised experience to their audience.

The question is: What does the future hold for the industry?

Digital products such as Web sites, mobile apps, and social media platforms have become the primary sources of news consumption for a majority of people instead of conventional printed newspapers, radio, and television.

Adapting to this transformation, news media organisations must provide a well-maintained user experience on Web sites and mobile apps. This can help news media organisations to deliver news updates in real time, curate content based on user preferences, and offer an immersive multi-media experience.

Technology has also played a crucial role in enabling news media organisations to innovate and experiment with new content formats. Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and 360-degree video are just a few examples of new technologies that have been used to create engaging and immersive news experiences. These technologies allow news media organisations to transport their audience to the scene of the news story, providing a more visceral and impactful experience.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are also transforming the news media industry. These technologies can be used to analyse vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and generate insights that can inform editorial decisions. AI and ML can also be used to personalise news content based on the user's preferences and browsing history, making the news experience more relevant and engaging.

The rise of digital products and technologies has also opened up new revenue streams for news media organisations. Advertising remains the primary source of revenue for most news media organisations, but digital products and technologies have enabled new forms of advertising such as programmatic advertising, native advertising, and sponsored content. News media organisations can also monetise their digital products through subscription models, paywalls, and e-commerce.

However, the digital transformation of the news media industry has also created challenges. The rise of social media and user-generated content has led to concerns around the credibility and accuracy of news. News media organisations must also navigate issues around data privacy, fake news, and the role of algorithms in shaping news consumption.

To address these challenges, news media organisations must invest in robust fact-checking processes and ensure that their content is trustworthy and accurate. They must also provide transparency around how their algorithms curate and prioritise news content, and work toward building trust with their audience.

In conclusion, digital products and technologies have transformed the news media industry and opened up new opportunities for revenue generation and audience engagement.

News media organisations must continue to innovate and experiment with new technologies while also ensuring they uphold the highest standards of journalistic integrity and ethics. The future of news media is digital, and the organisations that can adapt and leverage these technologies will thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Source:INMA

INMA members elected 10 new executives to its governing board of directors during the non-profit organisation’s annual business meeting on Wednesday.

Executives elected to new board terms are:

Marcelo Benez, chief commercial officer, Folha de S.Paulo, Brazil

David Dinsmore, chief operating officer, News UK, United Kingdom

Carsten Erdmann, editor-in-chief/digital products, Funke Media, Germany

Frederic Kachar, chief executive officer, Infoglobo, Brazil

Frank Mahlberg, managing director, BILD and B.Z., Axel Springer, Germany

Mapula Nkosi, managing editor, City Press/Media 24, South Africa

Gerold Riedmann, chief executive officer, Russmedia, Austria 

Pam Siddall, co-president, Advance Local, United States 

New INMA Board terms begin June 1. 

INMA Past President Damian Eales, global head of transformation for News Corp, also made note of two additional board appointments made since the last business meeting in June 2022:

Pablo Deluca, director of institutional affairs, Infobae, Argentina, as president of the Latin America Division.

Petteri Putkiranta, president/news and feature, Sanoma Media, Finland, as president of the Europe Division.

Stepping down from the board are: 

Saarah Survé, director of Sekunjalo Media, INMA’s fourth-ever chair of the Young Professionals Committee. 

Mariano Nejamkis, general manager of Grupo El Comercio stepped down as Latin America Division president late last year.

The INMA Board of Directors is the fiduciary body overseeing the association’s activities worldwide.

The Interactive Advertising Bureau’s Executive Vice President for Public Policy, Lartease Tiffith, issued the following statement after the European Union fined Facebook parent company Meta $1.3 billion for transferring EU residents’ personal information to the United States.

The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) levied the fine and ordered Meta to stop transatlantic data transfers by October:

“This decision has consequences for every American company transferring data from EU markets to the U.S. and underscores the need for a new transatlantic data agreement that enables continued commerce between our two important trading blocs. Transatlantic data flows support an estimated $7.1 trillion in EU-U.S. trade – a trillion dollars annually. Since EU courts struck down a previous agreement, American businesses of all sizes have been relying on standard contractual clauses (SCCs), however the Irish DPC has practically eliminated this measure of legal protection too, injecting further uncertainty into a vital economic relationship. IAB and other leading industry associations are urging EU leaders to swiftly approve President Biden’s solution, which we believe satisfies the United States’ and EU’s high standards for international data privacy and security and would help small and medium-sized businesses, especially, to prosper.”

CEO of StrawberryFrog to Launch a New Content Series “Purpose Haze”

Innovative Marketers Unpack Purpose-Driven Work That Leads to Brand Stature

New York Festivals® Advertising Awards and Scott Goodson, CEO of StrawberryFrog, the global authority in activating purpose, have partnered on a new content series, “Purpose Haze,” a series that cuts through the fog of Purpose.

As series host Scott Goodson sits down with some of the industry’s most admired marketing leaders who are at the forefront of purpose-driven companies and through in depth interviews they de-fog purpose.

In the premiere episode of “Purpose Haze” Scott interviews Ramon Soto, SVP, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Northwell Health, the largest and most highly regarded Healthcare Provider System in New York. Together they examine purpose within the Health & Wellness marketing world, how Northwell activates purpose, and creates value for their clients, connecting with consumers about issues that affect them, and how purpose-driven marketing allows Northwell to successfully expand market share.

Within the interview, Ramon Soto, a bold innovator known for challenging the status quo in the healthcare space, explores with Scott the impact of Northwell Health’s purpose driven movement work created by StrawberryFrog. Recent campaigns, part of the “Raise Health” movement, include “Ferocious Tiger,” the nonpolitical spot heralding that asking about unlocked guns in the home could help save lives, “Breaking the Mold” created for the Katz Institute for Women’s Health to rethink the healthcare journey of women, and the impressive integrated communications platform “Heal” focusing on the importance of children having a voice and the commitment of Northwell’s pediatric team to help kids feel empowered.

Series partner Scott Goodson is a trusted strategy advisor for CEOs, CMOs and leaders of some of the most iconic companies across the globe including ASICS, Emirates Airline, Google, Heineken, Jim Beam, Mahindra, Mercedes, Northwell, P&G, PepsiCo, Truist, and Walmart. He started StrawberryFrog - the global authority in activating purpose with Movement Thinking™ with offices in NYC.

“We’re honored that Scott Goodson has brought to the forefront these impressive marketing innovators who understand the importance of activating brand purpose strategies and its profound ability to connect with consumers,” said Scott Rose, President, New York Festivals Advertising Awards Competition. “We look forward to upcoming episodes that will continue to shine a light on purpose driven marketing.”

Visit HERE to view episode 1 of “Purpose Haze” Featuring: Ramon Soto and learn how the ‘’Raise Health’ Movement is increasing the willingness for people to work with and use Northwell Health. Stay tuned for more upcoming episodes of “Purpose Haze.”

For more information on the 2023 New York Festivals Advertising Awards visit HERE.