In October, we wrote a post about our support of a great new group called the IAB Long Tail Alliance. Today, we wanted to provide some more information on the benefits of joining. So,  here are a few things you should know about the Long Tail Alliance:

• Founding members include: AskTheBuilder.com, Condo.com, DailyMe.com, Destructoid.com, Elfster.com, HowStuffWorks.com, Muxlim.com, PetStyle.com, PrimaryGames.com, TopTenReviews.com, VegSource.com and more.
• Alliance members have the opportunity to participate in webinars designed specifically for long tail publishers to grow their business.
  • The next round of webinars begins February 18th and will be lead by IAB member company, TrustE.
  • The first webinar is entitled: What You Need To Know About Privacy–Challenges and Solutions
• Membership in the Alliance is open to any publisher that sells directly, indirectly, or through a network, and has revenues of under $1 million.
• Enter the promotional code CPXLTA to reduce the membership fee from $250 to $100!!

Visit the Alliance website to find out more about the IAB and the Long Tail Alliance.

Welcome back to the CPX Interactive Blog! If you haven't already, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed, and be sure to connect with CPX across the Web! Thanks for visiting!

Get to know Mike Farber, Senior Sales Director of Publisher Development. Find out about his favorite industry event, his international adventures, and more…

1.  Who are you and what do you do here at CPX?

As Senior Sales Director of Publisher Development, I am the direct contact between our publishers and CPX.

2.  What kinds of things do you do on a normal workday?

Aside from maintaining our current relationships, I am responsible for seeking new opportunities and developing relationships with publishers we do not actively work with. My main objective is to educate the market as to who CPX is and how we can add value to their respective businesses.

3. What drew you to the field of online advertising?

Online advertising is a fast paced industry.

4.  What has been your favorite industry, or CPX sponsored, event you have attended?

Although it wasn’t a CPX sponsored event, I’d have to say the Circus Party at Ad:tech San Francisco 2009. It was definitely the most unique party I’ve been to, featuring people on trapeze, fire breathers, and countless other circus-related acts.

5.  You love traveling and adventure; tell us about your most recent trip.

My most recent trip was to Belize. I slept in the jungle for three nights, and a tiny island off the coast called Caye Caulker for four nights. Overall, it was an epic journey of adventure consisting of climbing waterfalls in a cave, repelling 300 feet into a sinkhole, snorkeling with sharks, scuba diving at the second largest reef in the world, and hiking through the jungle. I topped off the trip with nice food poisoning and almost getting bumped off my flight because they overbooked, but it was still a great time!

Next week, CPX will be exhibiting at and attending ad:tech NY for the fifth year. New York is one of ten ad:tech shows that are put on each year in seven different countries.  For more than ten years, ad:tech has provided an opportunity for brand advertisers, agencies, portals, online publishers and technology providers to come together, network and learn. Each conference features keynote speakers, panel discussions and hands-on workshops on topics ranging from search to behavioral targeting.

Attendees are also given the opportunity to have a place in the exhibition hall. For the first time this year, ad:tech New York will be held at the Jacob Javits Center. CPX Interactive will be at booth #1500. Be sure to stop by and say hello!

In his article Online Ads Not Working for You? Blame the Creative, Kunur Patel discusses a study that finds that ad placement may be less important than design when it comes to making the big impact that advertisers want. We agree completely.

CPX has been developing conversion-oriented creatives for clients for years. We regularly find that creatives we develop for advertisers have significantly higher click-thru and conversion rates than creatives they have run in the past. While online delivery is focused on numbers, metrics and technology, it is important to remember that there are still underlying principles of advertising that apply.

Among Patel’s suggestions: Highlight the brand throughout the ad, Make each second count, and Stay simple.

Read more here.

The IAB Long Tail Alliance is a new program that focuses on serving the needs of smaller publishers, and making sure that they derive value from their relationship with the IAB. CPX Interactive is a major supporter of the Long Tail Alliance because we believe that publishers of all sizes have a role to play at the table when it comes to issues that significantly affect the industry as a whole.

Benefits of joining the Alliance include:

• Learn from the pros in exclusive seminars designed specifically for long tail publishers.
• Get invited to special events.
• Be part of IAmTheLongTail.com.
• Protect your business.
• Network with your peers.
• Get noticed!
• Receive special pricing on insurance, TRUSTe and more. Plus receive discounts to IAB Events and Professional Development.
• Participate in Webinars like Legal Affairs Best Practices for Small Publishers on October 23.

Online Ad Network, CPX Interactive, lends voice and thought leadership to PubMatic’s Ad Revenue 2009 in NYC

October 5, 2009 – (New York) CPX Interactive continues its role in defining the online advertising landscape later this week with a sponsor and speaking role at PubMatic’s second annual Ad Revenue Conference taking place on October 8th in New York City. With a focus on increasing online ad revenue by premium publishers for remnant or non-guaranteed inventory, the conference promises to address many of the hot-button issues floating around the industry. CPX is a sponsor of the all-day event, and CPX Interactive President & COO, Rob Rasko, will be participating in a panel entitled: The Blurring Lines of Ad Exchanges, Ad Marketplaces and Ad Networks.

Other speakers at the event include; Bill Wise, VP and General Manager, Ad Platforms, Yahoo!, Jeff Green, COO, AdECN/Microsoft, and  Joe Mandese, Editor In Chief, MediaPost.

Regarding his role on the panel, Rasko explains, “There has definitely been a blurring of the lines within the industry. I’m not sure it’s a bad thing, per se, but it probably has confused many advertisers and publishers, alike. Ultimately, regardless of what a model calls itself, it has to add value to the system and we think that the best way to do that is to stay plugged into what the industry is saying and asking for. This conference and panel are great tools to accomplish that.”

PubMatic is a global Ad Revenue Optimization company that works with premium online publishers to manage and monetize non-guaranteed ad inventory. CPX has been working with PubMatic for a number of years.

“CPX is proud to be a sponsor of this conference as we work in conjunction with quality companies such as PubMatic to develop strategies which effectively maximize the value of Publishers non-guaranteed advertising inventory,” said Mike Fleischman, EVP of Business Development at CPX Interactive.

CPX Interactive offers publishers a choice of Reach, Content, and Premium networks, and monetizes 100% of its publishers’ inventory, serving impressions across more than 3,400 websites.

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Contact:

Samantha Karol
Senior Marketing Assistant
CPX Interactive
(516) 693-0758
SKarol@cpxinteractive.com

Get to know Ansel Olson, CPX’s West Coast Account Manager, as he shares about his past work experience, favorite CPX event, and what he loves about the LA team.

1. Who are you and what do you do here at CPX?

As the Account Manager for the West Coast office, I am responsible for providing premium customer service to each advertiser/client brought forth by my premiere sales team. I work closely with the VP of Sales and the Director of CPM Operations to optimize all campaigns and provide innovative ideas for upcoming strategies. I also serve as the conduit of information between the East Coast operations, trafficking, and account managing teams, and the West Coast office. In a nutshell, I enjoy being part of a team that helps advertisers get their message across, while optimizing every moment of it.

2. Before you joined CPX, you worked in special events and in the entertainment industry. What drew you to online advertising?

After years of producing special events on a business-to-consumer level (Hollywood nightlife, restaurants and fashion), I found myself eager to learn all aspects of the business. When an opportunity popped up with CPX Interactive, I jumped at the chance to work for a company that has so much influence in the online realm. Not only do we work with thousands of publishers, we also work with dozens of brand advertisers – it’s an exciting thing to be part of. I decided then that it’d be easy to leave the Hollywood glitz and glamour for the CPX reach and advertising clamor.

3. You went from working for a publisher to working for an ad network. How has your prior experience helped you in your current role?

As the Marketing Director of LA.com, the entertainment portal for the Los Angeles Daily News, I had the ideal opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the publisher side. The fact that I was able to have a “hands on” experience is a great asset when meeting with agencies and their respective buyers/planners. After all, some wise person did say that “knowing is half the battle.” Also, having a close relationship with the amazing CPX publisher team dually helped me with publisher recommendations and suggestions for various campaigns. I feel that my experience on the publisher side has definitely given CPX an edge with our West Coast clientele.

4. What has been your favorite industry, or CPX sponsored, event that you’ve attended so far?

Hands down(!), I feel the inaugural CPX Beach House event at the Manhattan 6-Man Volleyball competition this summer was my favorite industry event. It was CPX & Southern California at its finest. Not only were we able to thank our clients for their business, we were able to celebrate our relationship by really making a day out of it. It had all the makings of a great summer day: a few blocks from the ocean, BBQ, drinks, A/C, Wii, music, and thousands upon thousands of excitingly creative beach volleyball fanatics. What I found most amazing was the fact that our guests were having a great time throughout the event and we still hear about how much fun they had. The fact that this event made such a positive impression on everyone made it my favorite for the year.

5. How would you describe the LA team? What is the dynamic like in your office compared to New York?

First of all, I’d like to insert laughter after reading this question (after jokingly being advised to choose his words wisely). The East Coast team is amazing, and I can’t speak to their day-to-day dynamics as I am only there a few weeks a year (ahem). We, at the West Coast office, are a much smaller team and are in very close proximity to one another on a daily basis. This allows us to really keep a close eye. We’ve definitely become like a tight-knit family, and that makes it easier for every industry social event to be an opportunity to represent CPX as a potential business partner to our Agency neighbors. I can say that we are definitely a breath of fresh air to the West Coast online media scene, and with the tutelage of our leadership (here and on the East) are always prepared to place CPX ahead of the competition.

James Faherty, Director of CPM Operations at CPX Interactive, talks about the commitment and dedication of the global account management team.

Meet Samantha Racco, CPX Interactive’s Q/A Manager, and find out how she helps publishers on a daily basis.

1.  Who are you and what do you do here at CPX?

My name is Samantha Racco and I am the Q/A (Quality Assurance) Manager at CPX Interactive.

2.  What kinds of things do you do on a daily basis during a normal work day?

My days are filled with communicating with publishers that are experiencing any sort of problem. I put publishers in touch with our accounting team to get any payment issues cleared up. I also manage the publishing interns, who do various research projects for the Account Managers and the Q/A Team. I handle all aspects of publisher support, and work closely with my associate John Rosa to ensure that all publishers that work with CPX Interactive have a positive experience and receive hands-on support. On any given day, I can be creating sites, reviewing publisher applications for acceptance, updating the CPX Verticals, or working with the accounting team to get a payment problem cleared up. I like to think of myself as a utility player.

3.  In what way do you work with the publishing team?

I am the liaison between the publishing team and the finance department. I also work closely with the publishing team on large research projects.

4.  What is your background, and how did you end up at an online ad network?

I graduated from Long Island University in 2004 with a BA in History. While at college, I concentrated heavily on history and political science courses. In addition to ten years experience on a functioning Long Island farm, I was also the Executive Assistant to the head instructor at the Stevenson Academy of Fine Arts. I always liked working in a laid back and productive atmosphere, so when I was offered a position as an Account Manager back in 2007, I jumped at the opportunity. I was an account manager for about a year, and when the Q/A team was being developed, I was offered a spot, and decided it would be a great move. I like helping people; whether getting them a payment reissued, adding sites to their accounts, or answering any other questions they may have about our network.

5.  What is your favorite thing about working for CPX?

It’s hard to narrow down my favorite thing about CPX, but I guess it would have to be the work environment. Being surrounded by some of the smartest people I know, in and out of the industry, makes it exciting to come to work. There is always an opportunity to learn something new, and take on new responsibility.

CPX Interactive President and COO, Rob Rasko sounds off on the growing chorus of high-profile publishers calling for the demise of Ad Networks. Rasko addresses the value that Ad Networks bring to the industry and the reasons they remain a powerful ‘field leveler’ in a space where players run the gamut of sizes and resources in his article posted on MediaPost.