SEMPO Leading Search Marketing Track at ad:tech Chicago

Partnering with ad:tech to provide venue for industry experts to discuss the latest trends and best practices in search advertising and search marketing

Chicago, IL, August 27, 2009 – SEMPO (Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization), www.sempo.org, announced today that it is leading a search marketing track at ad:tech Chicago on Wednesday, September 2. ad:tech Chicago is being held at Navy Pier, Festival Hall, Lobby 2, 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, where the conference and the exhibition hall will run September 1-2.

“SEMPO is thrilled to present the search marketing track at ad:tech,” said Sara Holoubek, SEMPO president. “We have gathered several prominent search experts from our member and sponsor ranks to share their research, best practices, thought leadership and advice regarding search engine marketing."

Sessions in the SEMPO track at ad:tech on September 2:
11am-12pm: “The State of Search: Trends and Developments in Search Marketing”
Sara Holoubek, acting as moderator, will lead a discussion to explore the issues surrounding technology, budgets and integration, as well as look at evolving best practices and trends for search marketing.

Panelists include Chris Copeland, CEO, The Americas, GroupM Search; Patrick Harris, National Sales Search Manager, Microsoft; Greg McGivney, VP of Strategy and Business Development (Car.com) and GM (Cars.com Santa Monica), Classified Ventures; and Kevin Willer, Head of Development, Central Region, Google.

12:15-1:15pm: “Search - Not Just about the Desktop Anymore: Tactics and Techniques for Emerging Platforms”
Moderator Rachel Pasqua, Director, Mobile Strategy, iCrossing, will lead a discussion about the proliferation of Web-enabled platforms and devices, from smart phones to interactive TV to digital signage, all of which include images, video, voice and social media, and how they are making local search more effective than ever before.

Panelists include Jeff Ferguson, Director of Online Marketing, Local.com and Bob Tripathi, Search Marketing Strategist, Discover Financial Services.

2:30-3:45pm: “SEO Workshop with Bruce Clay”
Search engine optimization expert Bruce Clay, President, Bruce Clay, Inc., will lead this interactive workshop to look at best practices and optimization trends across current and emerging search media and technology platforms.

4-5pm: Search Questions and Answers
ad:tech and SEMPO are bringing together SEO and paid search experts to answer attendees’ questions. This session, moderated by Bruce Clay, is entirely presentation-free and dedicated to what’s on the minds of the audience.

Panelists include Laurie Barkman, VP of Online Marketing, The Art Institutes; Rob Garner, Strategy Director, iCrossing; Justin Merickel, VP of Marketing and New Product Development, Efficient Frontier; Matt Miller, Director, Vertical Solutions, Performics; and Steven Yarger, Senior Manager, Online Marketing, Orbitz Worldwide LLC.

About the Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO)
SEMPO is a global non-profit organization serving the search engine marketing industry and marketing professionals engaged in it. Its purpose is to provide a foundation for industry growth through building stronger relationships, fostering awareness, providing education, promoting the industry, generating research and creating a better understanding of search and its role in marketing. Representing thousands in 39 countries, SEMPO has more than820 members. It represents the common interests of companies and consultants worldwide and provides them with a voice in the marketplace. SEMPO's education and outreach initiatives are funded in part by Yahoo!, Google, Superpages.com, SMX, Search Engine Strategies and MediaPost. For more information or to join the organization, please visit http://www.SEMPO.org.

Contact SEMPO:
Greg Jarboe
978 549 9537
pr@sempo.org