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."
