Wow, what a week. We just returned from the action packed ad:tech event in New York where we unveiled our new Ad Targeting feature, which provides a powerful way to apply the BuzzLogic influence algorithms to online advertising. And what a reception we got. It was an excellent show, full of energetic people hungry to learn about the newest technology and what is ultimately going to make their advertising more efficient. I have to say, our Conversation Targeting concept, which builds on BuzzLogics foundation of finding social media publishers which link together about a specific topic, and targets ads to those which are most likely to be influential, really did resonate with the folks I talked to. And our thinking was further supported by the many positive posts by bloggers and mainstream press alike. We're humbled by the attention, and will be working ever harder to stay deserving of it.
On the bigger front, ad:tech further opened our eyes to the major changes happening in our industry. A fundamental shift is occurring, one that is reflected in Thursday's IBM study . Titled The End of Advertising as We Know It, the report sheds some light on the magnitude of change traditional media is facing when it comes to the flow of ad dollars. This figure really stood out: about 30 percent of the advertising revenue now residing with traditional media companies will shift to online ad exchanges like Yahoo! and Google in the next five years.
You could definitely feel the promise and excitement of IBMs predictions on the show floor and in the sessions at ad:tech. And its no coincidence that, as the report concludes, major drivers in this evolution are the new ways consumers are viewing and interacting with ads, as well as the rising popularity of social media. Its apparent that online advertising and social media are converging; look no further than the Facebook craze for proof. And though this does mean uncharted territory for advertisers, the overarching theme here is that we all enjoy a major opportunity. ad:tech proved what we at BuzzLogic already sensed: that right here, right now is a great place to be.
