At CPX Interactive, perhaps our greatest assets as a company are our people. We are blessed with a fantastic team chemistry that makes working here a real pleasure for everyone from account managers to our exec team. We thought we would introduce a series that would convey the kind of company we have created by letting these assets speak (and laugh) for themselves.

Enjoy ‘On the Couch’ with CPXers – Vol. 1 in which you will meet Business Analyst – TJ Bramblett, Manager of Business Analytics – Erin McCay, Account Executive – Stephen Kelly and Publisher Development Manager – Nick Colletti.

(We apologize for the less than terrific sound on this one, but if it catches on, perhaps we will invest in lavaliere mic…)

Nina Disi is one of the newest members to the CPX Interactive family, joining us in January, 2012.  Find out more about where she’s from, where she’s been and what she’ll be doing here at CPX.

What is your title and what do you do here at CPX?

I joined CPX Interactive as the Director of Sales for the Eastern Region.  I partner with agencies and brands to help scale digital with the plethora of media solutions that our company has to offers.   I welcome the ever changing media environment and enjoy translating new offerings into simple yet successful solutions for my client’s.

What did you do prior to coming to CPX?

Prior to joining CPX Interactive I assisted agencies and brands in streamlining their digital planning and buying process so they can devote more resources to strategic thinking and maximize their potential revenue growth.

Where are you from and where did you go to school?

I am originally from New York receiving my Bachelors Degree in Media Studies from Queens College.  I enjoyed living in Cambridge, MA for a few years and when I returned to NYC I settled in the Upper Westside of Manhattan.

We know you recently visited a far off destination over the holiday. Can you tell us more about that and why you traveled so far?

I have a passion for traveling.  The best way to learn about a country and its culture is to submerge yourself into it.  My most recent trip took me to Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh.

What is your favorite piece of technology?

At the fear of sounding cliché…the iphone.  I’ve got to have my Words with Friends and Spotify apps.  I also like to check my weather app before I leave the house in the morning…making sure I’m prepared for whatever the day may bring.

What is one website that you constantly find yourself visiting?

I constantly find myself visiting Linkedin.com.  I enjoy networking and keeping up with the projects my colleagues in the industry are working on.

Connect with Nina on LinkedIn.

CPX CEO, Mike Seiman has been named as a contributor to the BTM Institute, a ‘global research think-tank focused exclusively on the convergence and technology.’

His first contribution is a video of him discussing what is the Institutes January topic in the Entrepreneur category: The Human Factor & Authentic Leadership.

You can also view this video on the BTM website HERE

New York, NY, January 11, 2012 –(PR.com)– Digital advertising company CPX Interactive has retained Bazini Hopp as its PR agency of record to communicate its messaging to advertising agencies, marketers and the online advertising industry as a whole through traditional and social media as well as thought leadership programs.

During its 10 years in business, CPX has developed practices that have helped to shape the online advertising landscape. Serving 2 billion ad impressions a day across both its Private Marketplace and On-Demand Network, CPX helps clients effectively implement the solutions that best serve their businesses’ advertising needs.

…Read More

fa·ble [fey-buhl] (noun)

A special thanks to our Marketing Associate, Taylor Hall, for the contribution.

It was a full day of talking about Display…advertising, that is.  OMMA Display New York was held at the Sentry Centers in Midtown Manhattan on Nov. 7, 2011 as industry professionals gathered together to spend the day listening to some of the greatest minds in the internet advertising space. It was my first time attending an OMMA event as I tagged along with my fellow CPX Interactive team members, Jamie Gutterman, Director of Sales; Ross Cohen, Director of Sales and Matt Fillingame, Account Manager/Brand Sales.  I came to OMMA Display mostly to follow along with the overwhelming amount of tweeters who were vigorously participating in our sponsored Twitter feed throughout the day, but I left with an inside look at the future of display advertising.

CPX Interactive Team Members Jamie Gutterman, Dir. of Sales; Ross Cohen, Dir. of Sales; and Matt FIllingame, Acct. Manager/Brand Sales

Stephen J. Kim, the General Manager, Global Creative Solutions, at Microsoft was the first speaker of the day, following intros and opening remarks. The theme of his conversation was on the advances of storytelling and the future of digital display.  As Kim presented an array of case studies and stimulating imagery, we were all pleasantly reminded about what’s possible when we return to the idea of storytelling through a technology standpoint.

That conversation became the true focus of all the presentations at OMMA Display.  There were plenty of other points of view and professional opinions, and I will get to them, but I think the main take-away from the event was the idea that, as we embrace the growth in technology and acquire new tools for reach and targeting and incorporate all the different layers of data, we cannot forget to couple all of that equally with the technological possibilities of creative.

The following panel was titled “Man vs. Machine”, and was an in-depth discussion about the move into the Age of Analysts.  Panelist Maryann Bekkedahl, President of AdKeeper jokingly referred to it as, “It’s Revenge of the Nerds.” With technology-heavy approaches to online advertising, the industry has started to see a new generation of innovators come onto the playing field. The title of being “creative” is being replaced by “Technology creative” where artistic minds with a tech savvy side are slowly going to take over the traditional creative realm of the industry.

My favorite panel of the day was, “Try that with a DSP,” which raised the issue of technology still centering on the idea of more performance around clicks and conversions and less on creativity.  Jim Meskaukas, Co-Founder of Media Darwin, Inc. said,

“Brand advertising is a rhetorical exercise of persuasion, not bludgeoning one over the head with a click. Agencies make more money in transactions than ad creation so the creativity suffers in online ads.  The only thing that advertising technology did recently was create a better mousetrap, but at the same time, it ignored the dearth of mice and quality of bait.”

The CPX Interactive sponsored Twitter Feed located to the left of the stage.

After hearing every different take on the Display Advertising marketplace, I still stand by my original statement that the idea of storytelling or truly making a connection through good creativity must continue to be intertwined with the technology side of things. You can add new targeting tools, make a data-layered cake if you want, 100 layers high, but at the end of the day, if the creativity isn’t making that connection, offering some kind of solution or engaging the user on a personal level, then the display advertising space isn’t reaching its true potential.

As the technology in data and targeting become more advanced and widely adopted by the industry, I think we will see these “technology creatives” come in and really change up the game.  It’s only a matter of time before the art of advertising figures out how to use the science side to its advantage and evolve right alongside side in online advertising harmony.

If you would like to see more pictures from the event, visit our Flickr page.  To see more information from OMMA Display and video recordings from each of the presentations, visit their site at http://www.mediapost.com/ommadisplay/.

Last week, a press release reported on some of the new strategic changes taking place within the company and a realignment of our C-level executives as we begin to move forward into the next phase of the online display advertising space.

–(PR.com)– The changes come at a time when the company is beginning the unification of its global sales efforts, a move designed to leverage the synergies that exist between the traditionally independent silos of performance and brand advertising in the online realm.  CEO and Chairman, Mike Seiman, explains, “For a long time the industry has assumed that ‘branding’ and ‘performance’ were distinct entities.  The truth is, however, that they are two different tactical directions that ultimately both support the strategy of driving revenue to the bottom line.  With our new team in place, we are set to create significant synergies from value we have always offered on both sides of that tactical equation.”

READ ENTIRE PRESS RELEASE

A special thank you to our Marketing Manager, Dana Posner, for the contribution.

CPX Interactive employees at the 4th Annual Softball Game and BBQ

On Wednesday, October 12^th 2011, the CPX Interactive staff gathered at Eisenhower Park in Westbury, NY, for the company’s 4^th annual softball game & BBQ. With the fear of Mother Nature rearing its ugly head, predictions of thunderstorms nearly canceled the game. However, CPXers decided that a few measly raindrops wouldn’t allow them to miss a fun-filled day of festivities.

Mike Seiman, Founder & CEO, checks his phone in between games to make sure he didn't miss any important emails.

CPX Interactive holds true value to its employees’ team spirit in addition to supporting some healthy competition. After all of the hard work and dedication that these employees put in day-after-day, throughout the year, the annual company softball game & BBQ is one small way that the CPX Interactive executive team likes to say, ‘break-time everyone’! Since family and friends were also invited to join, dodgeball, Frisbee and a piñata were available in addition to the softball game.

Mike Seiman, Founder and CEO; Mike Weissman, Publisher Development Manager; and Jeffrey Reitzen, VP of Sales, CPA Division, all playing little dodgeball in between softball games.

All departments, regardless of responsibility and rank, gathered together for one afternoon and left all thoughts of business behind. Even Blackberries and iPhones were turned off…well MOST of them anyway. I did happen to catch our CEO, Mike Seiman, at one point checking in on a few things, but notably with Frisbee in-hand, so kudos on the multi-tasking skills. Aside from that, the only conversations which ensued were those of sports and games.

Sal Castelli, Director of Creative Development, gets ready to hit a home run.

While folks in the stands listened to the crack of a bat, gazed as their coworkers slid into first and, on occasion, ducked from a foul ball or two, they happily dined on some tasty grub. Catering consisted of finger-licking BBQ ribs, pulled-pork sandwiches, spicy green-bean casserole, delicious mac-n-cheese, sweet corn bread – and what’s a BBQ without some freshly-made potato salad!? 

With minimal bruising, scrapes, face-dives and trip-ups, the CPX staff clearly “had a ball” at this year’s annual event. Feel free to visit our CPX Interactive Facebook page to view our softball photo album.

CPX Interactive’s Strategy is the New Creative initiative has always been a conversation about, “The Promise of Digital” and reaching its full potential in the world of online advertising.  We recently revisited this conversation by hosting a panel discussion at the IAB MIXX 2011 Conference and Expo on October 4, 2011 at the Crown Plaza Times Square in NYC.

David Shay, our EVP of Marketing, moderated the panel discussion and opened up a conversation that explored how a pendulum counter-swing that has seen the industry rapidly move towards a pure technology-based vision of ad serving, combined with an acceptance of a poor online attribution model, now runs the risk of marginalizing the value of the human element that makes up the ‘art’ of ad placement.

Hear thoughts about the opportunities, challenges and dangers of the technology-heavy ad placement tactics currently being used from our panel of industry execs:  Zach Coelius, CEO of Triggit; Steve Latham, Founder & CEO of Encore Media Metrics; Michael L. Miller, CMO of SolutionSet MediaWhiz Partnership; and Mike Seiman, Founder and CEO of CPX Interactive.

CPX Interactive recently sponsored the iMedia Brand Summit held this past Sept. 11-14, 2011  in Coronado, CA.  Ross Cohen, Director of Sales at CPX Interactive  gives us his account of the event and shares more about the theme, ‘Going Big in 2012.” 

“What happens when advertising can’t bullsh*t us anymore?”  That was the question.  A provocative question, to be sure, but all the more so when you consider who was being asked: the very people behind the ads.  No, not the creative wizards, but the brand marketers — the stewards of the brand.

The setting was the iMedia Brand Summit.  The theme was “Digital Marketing at Scale: Going Big in 2012.”  A few hundred executives, representing major brands and leading providers of digital marketing solutions descended on Coronado, California with gusto, relishing the opportunity to hear from industry heavyweights, meet fellow marketers and exchange ideas.

A few hundred may sound crowded, but for an advertising industry conference, it’s downright intimate.  iMedia carefully crafts its summits for an enjoyable, informative, collegial, and with any luck, productive atmosphere.

CPX Interactive is proud to sponsor these gatherings and our own Jamie Gutterman, Dir. of Sales and Brie Thomas, Dir. of Sales, helped kick off the events with a lunchtime presentation that took the audience on a trip through time.  Marketers witnessed just how far advertising has come in recent years, culminating in the latest marketing capabilities CPX brings to bear.  Jamie, Brie, and I were on hand throughout the summit and were pleased to see iMedia once again outdid itself, delivering the impressive lineup we’ve come to expect.

Conventional wisdom was challenged, worn strategies refreshed, and clichéd buzz words dismissed, even as new ones were introduced.  Summit Host and former Mars Chocolate marketer, Carole Walker, encouraged attendees to be “tradigital.” Shiv Singh, keynote speaker and global head of digital at PepsiCo Beverages, spoke of going “glocal” to achieve scale.  While squeezing words together seemed to be the thing to do, others went a different route.

Geoff Ramsey, CEO and Co-Founder of eMarketer, spoke about “magnetic content.”  Advertising grew up on the interruption model of TV, but digital gives brands the power to make audiences find them.  “It’s more about attraction, rather than distraction,” said Ramsey.  This was exemplified perfectly soon after as General Mills showed off their impressive foray into the market with branded information.  As General Mills VP Doug Moore explained, users search for help baking cakes all the time, and there’s no shortage of ads fighting for their attention on the results and landing pages, but that really doesn’t concern General Mills.  After all, with their branded information strategy, virtually every organic result links to a page syndicating one of their Betty Crocker how-to videos.  That’s magnetic content.

Mitch Spolan of Living Social eschewed the vocabulary portion of the speaking formula and instead treated the audience to some amateur video of his daily lunch routine.  The group couponing craze is about breaking pattern—getting someone to turn left, when every other day they go right.

Jeff Rosenblum, Co-Founder of Questus/Filmmaker

He was a great speaker, but the real entertainer on stage was Questus founding partner turned filmmaker Jeff Rosenblum, who stole the show with his caustic takedown of traditional advertising, hilariously scathing rebukes of advertising gone wrong and clarion call to embrace the new reality of marketing in the digital age.  It started with a sneak peak at his upcoming documentary, The Naked Company.  Jeff traveled the country interviewing academics, CEOs, and industry luminaries to discern the future of advertising.

Of course, to know where you’re going, you need to know where you are, and where you’ve been.  Cue the black and white Flintstones episode with the cigarette product placement and full-throated endorsement by Fred and Barney (here’s another).  It’s pretty shocking to today’s eyes but that’s where advertising started.  Cut to the famous shot of the tobacco executives being sworn in for Congressional testimony and you can see where this is going.  Trust in corporations is at an all time low.  Advertising’s credibility has diminished over the years.  Few industries in history have faced change as dramatically as advertising has over the past decade. But some brands are still preaching from the hilltop while consumers ignore ads and turn to unbiased sources of information.

Nowadays, brands can’t (and shouldn’t) stretch the truth.  In the digital age, brands can’t claim their product is amazing when it’s a dog.  To illustrate, Rosenblum tells a little story about a seemingly wonderful product he found online… and proceeds to mercilessly skewer it (although to be fair, it’s really the abysmal user reviews that do the heavy lifting).

He tells us he works too much and travels more than he should, so he wants to buy his kids a little something.  He goes hunting for the perfect present to buy back their love; something fun but not too expensive.  Voila!  He comes across Crayola’s Washable Colored Bubble Launcher and its wondrous scenes of children filling the air with colorful bubbles, grinning ear to ear with the unbridled joy only a child can experience.  It’s perfect, exactly what he wants.  He’s ready to buy it and win Father of the Year award.

Unfortunately, before pulling the trigger on the purchase, he can’t help but notice that Amazon customers gave it just one out of five stars.  Every product has a few detractors though, right?  Well, in this case it was 80 detractors.  And it turns out they gave it one star because Amazon doesn’t let you give zero stars.  At this point in the presentation, there’s blood in the water and you can see Crayola is in for a tough time in this room full of brand marketers.  Scientifically speaking, we’ve seen the quantitative feedback, now it was time for some qualitative reviews.  Customer reviewers didn’t disappoint, saying it was “invented to torture parents,” and calling it “the worst ‘toy’ I have ever purchased.”

Perhaps the expression should be changed to “Hell hath no fury like a customer scorned.”  The rebukes continued:   “Whoever designed this product is a sick individual that hates parents, and thinks torturing children is great fun. It drips everywhere and destroys everything it touches”

These reviews may have made for some nice Schadenfreude, but a customer saying “you can no longer trust the Crayola name,” is a brand’s worst nightmare.  That’s where the opening question comes in, “What happens when advertising can’t bullsh*t us anymore?”  The answer, of course, is to watch his documentary and find out.  Transparency has to be embraced, either you make it happen, or it happens to you.  Making that point in the film is no less an authority than creative genius turned altruistic entrepreneur, Alex Bogusky.  He continues, “Being a great company is the new brand, because there’s not going to be anything between the consumer and the reality of that company.”