Here’s what the research shop sees happening in the local media market in 2010.

Search Market Recovery – The increased activity in the market will mean higher costs for advertisers active in paid search.

Yellow Pages – These publishers will seek to diversify their products and may move into mobile search.

Local Broadcasters – These business will operate from a position of strength with their expertise in local brands, content and sales forces.

Vertical Ad Networks – This rapidly changing channel may find money in hyper-local sites and local lifestyle networks.

Twitter/Facebook – Analysts expect social media outlets to monetize their models by offering geo-targeted audiences.

It’s too soon to tell which of these predictions will prove most accurate. But businesses looking for new ways to reach customers in local marketers have no shortage of options to try.

[Source: BIA/Kelsey Analysts Identify Key Local Media Trends to Watch in 2010, Company release, January 2010]

Pivotal Veracity tracked differences in email engagement metrics between the first and third quarters of this year in several large sectors, including retail, financial, technology and travel. In general, the survey revealed that consumers tend to read emails from financial services and technology and telecommunications firms at a higher rate than the communications they receive from retail or travel concerns.

However, the timing of e-mail releases can make a difference. During the first 9 months of 2009, consumers responded at the following rates to all emails:

January 56%
February 56%
March 53%
April 60%
May 59%
June 56%
July 63%
August 58%
By specific sector, the peak month for email engagement occurred as follows:

Financial institutions – July
Technology and telecommunications – August
Retail – May (engagement drops during the summer and begins to rise in August again)
Travel and hospitality – April
Pivotal Veracity also tracked the elapsed time between when emails are sent and when they are noticed by consumers. On average, the time period is about 24 hours and it has grown by nearly 2 hours during 2009. Analysts believe this growing time frame is linked to the variety of demands on consumer time. In general – people have fewer hours to devote to e-mail.

Then there are the read rates. According to survey findings, the read rates break out as follows:

Industry average – 25%
Financial institutions – 34%
Technology and telecommunications – 27%
Retailers – 21%
Travel and hospitality – 18%
This survey data indicates that more businesses may be taking several factors into account as they prepare their e-mail marketing campaigns. Companies that consider their industry’s seasonal peaks and time their campaigns to those peaks may experience higher rates of return on their investment.

[Source: Vertical Market Benchmarks & Trends, Pivotal Veracity, Fall 2009]

Crain’s presents a half-day conference examining the future of the arts in New York City. The financial crisis and severe economic downturn have presented unprecedented challenges for the City’s performing arts organizations with declines in both attendance and fundraising. This conference, part of the Crain’s Future of New York City series, examines what is happening, how arts organizations are coping with the economic squeeze and how they are planning to survive and thrive in the future.

PROGRAM

Morning Keynote: Patricia E. Harris, First Deputy Mayor,
City of New York
Breakout Sessions:
The Major Institutions: How Size Matters
The Future of the Theater Business
Beyond the Biggest: Operating with Limited Funds
Fundraising – Where the Money Is
» Click here for more information

DATE
Wednesday, September 30, 2009

TIME
8:30 am – 12:30 pm

LOCATION
Columbia University campus centered on Miller Hall, Broadway and 116th Street

TICKETS
$59 if pre-registered by Sept. 14;
$69 thereafter.
Please note: this event features auditorium seating.

» Purchase your tickets now!

The monthly Observer Guide to Luxury Rentals special section is on stands today. They will be publishing a Luxury Rental section once a month from September through November. Dates are below:

September edition:
On stands September 23rd
Reservations: September 15th
Materials: September 17th

October Edition:
On stands: October 21st
Reservations: October 13th
Materials: October 15th

November Edition:
On stands: November 18th
Reservations: November 10th
Materials: November 12th

Bonus distribution: We will be distributing an additional 10,000 copies to the lobbies of luxury rental buildings throughout the city
All advertisers will receive a 75 word write up and a photo.

Please contact MARENA STUDIOS for rates and placement