WEB  Welcome to a special Digital People profile in support of XMediaLab's upcoming XML Film X-tended event on Wednesday & Thursday July 28 & 29 in Melbourne. This event explores what digital can bring to film with a focus on 'transmedia' which is the use of digital platforms to extend narrative and build interactive content around a linear property - think of the innovation we have recently seen in films such as Avatar, Pirates of the Carribean and Transformers. We have profiled several speakers appearing at this event where they forecast key trends in this fascinating digital segment and highlight their experiences. I heard great things about the recent XMediaLab Event in Sydney and followed the twitter hashtags with great interest. Melbourne is also sure to please. You can see information and grab your tickets at the end of this profile..... Read on

WEB  Welcome to the next Digital People profile. In conjunction with the current Shanghai Expo - where technology is one focus and AIMIA as well as several private Australian technology businesses are participating - I thought it would be interesting to get an update from Beijing based Aussie entrepreneur - Dr Mathew McDougall, CEO of SinoTech Group. Matt shares his story of starting a digital based business in China and his forward plans. He includes his highly interesting insights, trends and forecasts to more performance based marketing in this vibrant and exciting market. He also gives valuable points and offers some pitfalls to be aware of for any Australian businesses thinking of entering China. A worthwhile read..... Read on

PEOPLE  Welcome to another edition of Digital People. Given recent events in our political history it seems appropriate to be highlighting a successful woman in our industry, so I'm pleased to present Rebekah Horne, Managing Director and Senior Vice President of MySpace International. Rebekah shares her journey in the digital industry to date - who knew the Commodore 64 would change her life in such an amazing way! She offers some insights into MySpace and their forward plans including some hints on the launch of a pre-Christmas product. She reminds us just how far we've come in such a short amount of time, gives her forecasts on upcoming trends and innovation and offers some highly worthwhile advice on issues the digital industry can address right now to better position ourselves in the broader media market. She also gives some tips to women who are looking at the digital industry as a long term career prospect. A very worthwhile read, not to be missed ...... Read on

WEB  Welcome to another edition of Digital People where we regularly profile professionals in our industry. This time is Tom Skotidas, Head of Marketing from First Rate - a search marketing agency. According to the 2009 IAB/PWC Digital Expenditure Report, search and directories revenue accounted for 50.5 % of total digital spend or $1.5 billion and achieved YOY growth of 22.9% on the more than 1000 participating sites. This not only represents the largest but the highest growing online expenditure segment (against online display and classifieds). Tom gives us his insights and experiences when dealing with marketing managers in the SEO/SEM segment as a 'proven marketing channel'. He shares his views on innovations in SEO/SEM technology and forecasts other growth areas such as the integration of paid search into online TVC and the impact of Android and iPhone apps. For the entrepreneurs among us he outlines a business idea which he sees as having huge potential. Thanks Tom..... Read on

WEB  Welcome to Digital People where this time, I'm pleased to profile Jeff Brookes, Managing Director at Sulake Australia, owners of well known online game targeted to teenagers globally - Habbo Hotel. Jeff gives us an overview of his varied ad agency, digital and entrepreneurial experiences before arriving at the Habbo Hotel in 2004 - where he's been 'checked in' ever since. He offers insights, an audience overview and forward plans into this popular and interactive online community for teenagers and some fascinating learnings for all marketers when targeting Generation Z - or those born after 1992. Interestingly, he outlines online payment systems as an area where we will see strong innovation and gives his view on some further areas where the digital industry could be working more effectively in the overall market. A really good profile and highly recommended reading - thank you Jeff..... Read on