CAREERS MEDIA: XS-Media targets top professionals in bid to be No.1 portal

When Mr Paul McNeill and Ms Julie Harrison decided to set up a one-stop Asia-Pacific portal (www.xs-media.com) for advertising agencies, media buying companies and media owners to buy and sell media space online, they knew that for XS-Media to succeed, it needed the greatest resource of all - brainpower. "The industry is very closely-knit," said Mr McNeill. "When Julie and I decided to start XS-Media, we immediately knew who are the people with the drive and the entrepreneurial spirit which we must approach in order for the company to succeed. "We are glad that we have got them on board. They are definitely the greatest assets of XS-Media." XS-Media was soft-launched last November, and already has operations in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. Key staff at the company also include CFO Ian Folkes, chief content officer Ward Edmonds, Hong Kong GM Winnie Tam Bolande, New Zealand GM Scott MacDonnell, sales director Andy Barton, business development director Justine Moss, marketing director Szeto Kuan Yee, client service director Eric Tam, research director Helen Pemberton and client services director Canny Teo. Mr Cameron Knight, MD of Australia and New Zealand said: "Online transacting will very quickly become the norm for the buying and selling of media inventory. "XS-Media is at the forefront, due mainly to the calibre of (its staff). "Great people are associated with XS-Media because they believe in the idea and believe that we collectively are really able to make a difference." In slightly more than a month of its soft launch, XS-Media has signed on more than one thousand members. According to Ms Harrison, the immediate plans are to sign up a significant number of advertising and media members. "Our portal went fully online in January, and by the end of 2001, we are confident that XS-Media will become an important part of the advertising and media industry." XS-Media aims to set up the largest network in buying and selling advertising space in Asia-Pacific through its Internet portal, as well as its regional offices in key Asian countries. The Internet portal will contain the most comprehensive depository of advertising space information of all key countries in Asia-Pacific, including rate cards, contact numbers, mechanical specifications, etcetera. Media buyers and sellers will be able to transact advertising space online, thereby crossing geographical boundaries and streamlining processes. Additionally, the latest in-depth research - across markets and across media - will be available to users of the site. XS-Media will provide opportunities for greater interaction within the industry - with news, chat rooms, events listings, streaming video and so on. According to Zenith Media, the advertising industry in Asia-Pacific was worth USdollars 60 billion in 2000, and is expected to grow six per cent per year. By 2003, the Asia-Pacific region will generate about USdollars 70 billion worth of advertising dollars. "Last month, I had a senior advertising director who came up to me and asked me why didn't I approach him to join XS-Media," said Mr McNeill. "It was then that I knew that the industry regards XS-Media as a first rate team of media professionals. "It is only going to get better from here on."

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