In this issue:
- In Our Opinion: Technology Sector Leads Recovery in 2013
- Blog Roundup: What Is Your Personal Brand Value? Online Identity Survey Update
- Placement Announcement: Gridley & Co.
- Career Announcements: Investment Banking & Financial Services
In Our Opinion: Technology Sector Leads Recovery in 2013
by Jeff Gundersen & Lola White
It is fitting that we begin to kick start each new year by attending various meetings and conferences with a primary focus on themes and trends and the Gridley & Company Annual M&A Conference is always a good resource for us. We are keen to hear Linda Gridley’s digital industry outlook followed by presentations from 50+ CEOs of Mobile, Social, Performance-based Marketing, e-Commerce, Payments, Financial Technology, e-Mail Marketing, and Marketing Automation companies, entrepreneurs and thought leaders.
It’s No Surprise What’s Hot…
What we hear is that digital continues to be the “hot” sector as evidenced by the NASDAQ gaining 15.9% in 2012 and outpacing market cap growth in both the S&P (13.4%) and Dow (7.3%). Dismal performances by newcomers Facebook (-30%), Groupon (-76%) and Zynga (-75%) notwithstanding, winners (43) far outpaced losers (12) including strong gains from more traditional internet companies including AOL (+96%), eBay (+68%) and Expedia (+118%). All these facts and figures are compliments of the Gridley’s Digital Dealings Compass Newsletter (Jan. 14, 2013).
Perhaps most impressive is the internet and overall stock market gains were accomplished in spite of European and US economic crises including “a U.S. Congress filled with fractious and quarrelsome representatives in Washington DC with seemingly no ability to negotiate bi-partisan deals.” While these governmental financial crises continue to present threats in 2013, the markets appear to be discounting the possibility we (US) will actually drive off any fiscal cliffs.
“Connectivity” Raises the Stakes for Marketers in More Ways than One
The strongest overall theme we heard from Linda, other CEOs, and Analysts is 2013 will be “The Year of Social and Mobile.” Forrester Research advised us we are now in the Age of the Consumer (we just completed the Information Age) where advances in Social and Mobile technologies and connectivity have placed consumers firmly in charge of purchase decisions and shopping options through multiple online and offline channels accessible through multiple devices.
In fact 44% of e-mail messages are opened on mobile devices (phones and tablets), and the development of new devices in these categories (i.e. including “Phablets” – phones with screens twice the size of the original iPhone), suggests mobile advertising will grow exponentially despite previous concerns regarding screen size. These new mobile technology and connectivity changes have raised the stakes for marketers, and in addition to previous consumer demographic data, and purchase data, analytics must now integrate additional “context” information about consumers (i.e., location, social networks) and these factors must be integrated into determining the timing and content of marketing offers.
Are You Really Prepared for 2013 and Beyond?
This should make 2013 another exciting year in the global transformation of the marketing and marketing services sectors. With global digital media at 20% share and rising, we are seeing an increasing demand for Chief Digital Officers and Heads of Social/Mobile Marketing. This is critical since almost one-half of the top 100 Global Advertisers have not yet built their Digital/Social organization with the senior-level talent to strategically manage and direct these rapidly increasing budgets.
Blog Roundup
Did you catch these recent posts on our blog?
What Is Your Personal Brand Value?
We are approaching the time of year when annual bonuses (both short-term cash incentives and long-term options/restricted stock) are being paid out and the incomes of CEOs and senior officers in public companies are disclosed. It’s the perfect time to ask yourself, “What’s the value of my personal brand and how beneficial is my current company (and industry sector) as a vehicle to increasing my brand value over time?” Read more
Online Identity Survey Update
As we continue to provide offerings that meet the evolving needs of our executive clients, we created this survey related to how executives manage their online reputation. Here are preliminary results highlights:
- 87% agree that their online identity plays a part in securing new roles and/or clients
- 57% report that their biggest challenge in building their online brand is knowing the right tools to utilize
- 85% agree that they should be investing more time in managing their online reputation
Placement Announcement
EC is pleased to announce the placement of John Burns III in the role of VP, Investment Banking at Gridley & Company in NYC. John previously held a similar VP-level position at Palazzo Investment Banking and earlier he was a Senior Analyst at AdMedia Partners. As part of his hiring by Gridley & Co., John will be receiving EC’s unique one-on-one Transition Support Coaching to assist him in exceeding expectations in this new Gridley career opportunity. John joined Gridley & Co. on January 14, 2013 just prior to Gridley’s 12th Annual Conference at The Plaza in NYC.
Gridley & Company is a boutique investment banking firm, providing advisory services to companies in the Internet & Information Services industry. Gridley specializes in AdTech, Data Services, Digital Marketing, E-Commerce, Mobile, Social, Payments & Financial Technology, and Traditional Marketing & Media Services.
Career Announcements
Global Head of Digital/Social Marketing – Healthcare Client — NEW
Managing Director, Investment Banking
Senior Executive – Financial Services
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