Patience is a virtue in the online ad world

New Media Age, October, 2003 by Ashley Friedlein

Ashley Friedlein, CEO, E-consultancy

I was at the Association of Online Publishers' (AOP) conference this month and heard the keynote speech from Richard Eyre, chairman of the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Leadership Council (NMA 23 October). His remit is to build online's share of total ad spend. He's well qualified to do so, having achieved a similar task for radio. However, some of his key points gave me cause for concern.

First, Eyre strongly urged the online ad industry to have a single voice if it was to succeed In winning a greater share of advertisers' budgets. I certainty agree that unanimity of voice is Important In this respect, but I wouldn't go as far he did in suggesting (unless I misunderstood him) that the IAB and AOP should merge into...