Public Services

A Note to Site Visitors

SEMPO is an industry organization designed to promote search engine marketing in general, not an accreditation body for SEM firms. Membership in SEMPO is not a guarantee of a particular firm's capabilities, nor does it signify industry approval or disapproval of their practices.

For more information please contact us.

Help Shape the Future of Search Marketing

Are you interested in being more active with SEMPO and its initiatives that will help grow and evolve the SEM industry? SEMPO's membership groups are a great place to start.

SEMPO has two primary types of membership groups: committees and task forces. In addition, our Global Committee utilizes a structure of working groups set up for national and language-specific membership groups. In general, the working groups are sub-committees and the task forces are groups that were created to meet specific goals and initiatives.

Participation in SEMPO's groups is available to members only and we encourage our members to become involved. Being active in a SEMPO group gives the opportunity for the sharing of ideas, networking, utilizing skill sets and expertise, and helps benefit the SEMPO organization, its members, and the SEM industry.

All of SEMPO's groups are very active with exciting initiatives, and benefit from members who are committed and enthusiastic. We simply could not do it without them! Membership in all of SEMPO's groups requires the approval of the chair(s), which is based upon skill sets, the ability to meet the attendance and participation requirements, and the specific needs/purpose of that group.

If you would like to join one of the dynamic groups, or if you would like further information, please contact the chairs, via the links provided below, and indicate your interest.

Committees and Working Groups

Group Name Group Description

Development Committee

Chairpersons:
Dave Williams,
Jeff Pruitt
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This committee serves the needs of both SEMPO's sponsors and members. SEMPO's sponsors are leaders in the SEM industry and their commitment to SEMPO assists in the funding of organizational initiatives. The goal of this group is to ensure that SEMPO retains its current sponsors and to help drive new sponsorships.

Members of this committee will work to guarantee the development and implementation of promotional and educational programs, which will help the sponsors reach SEMPO's membership and other marketing professionals. This will happen through various forms of advertising, event sponsorship, webinars, research underwriting, etc.

Education Committee

Chairpersons:
Kathy Fealy,
Dana Todd
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This committee is responsible for editing and overseeing the resources published on the SEMPO website - http://www.sempo.org/learning_center/. This group assists in the coordination of SEMPO's educational webinar series by determining topics and securing presenters, and providing content review for each session. They are also involved in other outreach/educational programs, provide learning materials for events and other websites, and help to find new content for www.sempo.org that will support SEMPO's overall mission.

This committee is responsible for the creation of the SEMPO Institute and works closely with the SEMPO Institute Committee.

Emerging Technologies Committee

Chairpersons:
Rachel Pasqua
Noah Elkin
Contact the Chair

The Emerging Technologies committee creates a forum for SEMPO members to share information about search as it relates to new platforms like mobile, voice and interactive television. A source of research, case studies and best practices it provides SEMPO members with the resources needed to develop successful Paid and NSO strategies within emerging mediums. Open to participation from all members, the Emerging Technologies committee is dedicated to introducing benefits of SEMPO membership to companies outside the traditional search community and to raising awareness of the organization as forward thinking, technically progressive group.

Global Committee

Chairpersons:
Massimo Burgio,
Steve Haar
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In keeping with SEMPO's mission, the Global Committee's purpose is to help facilitate the growth of the Search Engine Marketing industry internationally. Through this group, the rapidly growing international industry of SEM has support, resources, and the expertise of the SEMPO members who are vested in seeing continued growth in the global market.

This group has several sub-committees, i.e.; working groups, and is working toward the creation of additional regional working groups around the globe. Please see the listing of working groups below for information about specific regional groups.

Asia Working Group
(a sub-committee of the Global Committee)

Chairperson:
Motoko Hunt
Contact the Chair

Since its launch in August 2004, SEMPO Asia has helped the SEM industry in Japan grow and gain more recognition. SEMPO's Research on the State of SEM in Japan was released in March 2005, and was the first of its kind in that country. The research findings, along with interviews and comments from the Asia Working Group, have been noted numerous times in the media and this group is viewed as a real force in the growing Asian market.

SEMPO Asia will continue to provide useful information to help foster the growth of the industry via its participation in relevant industry events and its website, http://www.SEMPO.jp/. This group has a sub-group for SEMPO Japan.

Canada Working Group
(a sub-committee of the Global Committee)

Chairpersons:
Alexandre Brabant
Ken Jurina
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The SEMPO Canada Working Group was founded in November 2006. The group's focus is on improving the growth, awareness, and understanding of search engine optimization and marketing, and how it uniquely pertains - and is of relevance - to Canadians worldwide across any sector, vertical, or industry.

Since its creation, SEMPO Canada members have made educational presentations at the University of Alberta, represented SEMPO Canada at the Canadian Information Processing Society annual conference as well as Bar Camp in Vancouver, been interviewed on CBC Radio, and presented at the Government of Canada Business Link Centre to multiple Canadian cities via video conference.

Central Eastern Europe (CEE) Working Group
(a sub-committee of the Global Committee)

Chairperson:
Pavel Dolezal
Contact the Chair

SEMPO CEE was created to increase awareness of SEMPO and help promote search industry in the Central and Eastern European markets. The commitment is to attract members who are not specialized in search marketing and to raise the position of search marketing in media mix.

Europe Working Group
(a sub-committee of the Global Committee)

Chairperson:
Massimo Burgio
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This working group is actively involved in promoting the growth of the Search Engine Marketing industry throughout Europe. Research is a key component of this group's efforts and the first State of Search Marketing in Europe Survey will be underway in early 2007. Presence and meetings at European events and local versions of the SEMPO website are also key initiatives that will help this group realize its goals.

India Working Group
(a sub-committee of the Global Committee)

Chairperson:
Vivek Bhargava
Contact the Chair

SEMPO India launched in March 2007, and was established to provide localized Search Engine Marketing information and services to the world's fourth largest Internet population. The group meets monthly and is working on initiatives such as creating the SEMPO India website, participating SEMPO's global blog, participating in local SEM events, and organizing networking events such as "SEMPO Search Wednesday." All local and non-local SEMPO members are welcome to join and actively participate in SEMPO India activities.

Italy Working Group
(a sub-committee of the Global Committee)

Chairperson:
Sante J. Achille
Contact the Chair

This group focuses on Italian Search Marketing. Its goal is to interact with the growing number of small and medium enterprises that are a greater part of the Italian economy, as well as the large companies and industry players who make its backbone.

Latino Working Group
(a sub-committee of the Global Committee)

Chairperson:
William Alvarez
Marcelo Sant'lago
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SEMPO Latino was created primarily to promote the growth of the search industry across the Latin market worldwide. Launched in August 2006, this group is very active and focused on educating the SEM industry about the worldwide differences within the Latino markets: culture, language, and consumer search behavior. Several educational Latino projects are underway: Spanish SEM webinars, Spanish and Portuguese content and resources on the SEMPO website, a Latino search marketing blog, cross-committee projects to explore the Latino potential of each search vertical, and more.

Scandinavia Working Group
(a sub-committee of the Global Committee)

Chairperson:
Sara Andersson
Contact the Chair

SEMPO Scandinavia WG consists of key search experts in the Scandinavian region with representation from Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland. The group is committed to increase the awareness around SEMPO and search marketing in the overall media perspective and attract new members to the SEMPO group.

Spain Working Group
(a sub-committee of the Global Committee)

Chairperson:
Guillermo Vilarroig Almirall
Contact the Chair

SEMPO Spain was been created in November of 2006 and its goal is to promote the search industry in the growing Spanish market. They hope to help grow the industry through various actions in the Spanish market - with the main focus being on education, diffusion, and awareness - to create a better understanding of search and its role in marketing. They also want to provide information and insights about the Spanish market for SEO enterprises from all over the world.

UK Working Group
(a sub-committee of the Global Committee)

Chairperson:
Richard Gregory
Contact the Chair

This committee aims to increase advertiser awareness about the importance and complexity of search engine marketing as well as to promote best practices among search marketers, specifically within the UK marketplace. This group assists with online and offline events, liaises with the leading search engines on joint educational projects, and takes part in debates on the big issues facing search engine marketing in the UK.

In-House Committee

Chairpersons:
Duane Forrester,
Rob Crigler
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From pitching the idea for In-House search marketing support to hiring the right people, the In-House Committee is tasked with providing a full range of options and ideas. Whether your needs are as simple as learning what skills to look for when hiring for a Pay Per Click position, or as complex as building an entire department from the ground up, the goal of this group is to be a resource for clear and detailed information. This committee works to ensure that the needs of both in-house SEO and PPC marketers are understood and addressed.

The In-House Committee has a discussion board on which in-house-only SEMPO members can trade information and ideas. It also plans to continue hosting networking events dedicated to in-house marketers where they can share best practices, and is working with SEMPO's Education Committee on new programs that will benefit their target audience.

This group is open only to practicing, non-agency, in-house SEMs with a PPC or SEO focus.

North America Committee

Chairpersons:
Jessica Bowman
William Leake

Contact the Chairs

The North America Committee is focused on how to be deliver value to search marketers and SEMPO members at a local level. We are currently evaluating local growth options such as launching SEMPO Local Working Groups, partnerships with other interactive organizations, and strategic relationships with established search marketing organizations.

Arizona Working Group
(a sub-committee of the Local Task Force)

Chairperson:
Jason Ferrara
Contact the Chair

SEMPO Arizona is a local working group for SEMPO members in Phoenix and the surrounding areas. The group will conduct monthly face-to-face meetings and will represent SEMPO at local networking and marketing events. The Arizona working group will be sub-divided into teams focused on particular aspects of the search landscape, such as paid, natural, social media, and engine toolsets. The group will reach out to local agencies, in-house search teams, university marketing departments, and independent search marketers to provide a venue for networking and the exchange of information, as well as promote awareness and education about SEM in the local market.

Chicago Working Group
(a sub-committee of the Local Task Force)

Chairpersons:
Bob Tripathi, Jamie Karczewski, David Carrillo
Contact the Chair

SEMPO Chicago is a local working group for SEMPO members in Chicago and the surrounding areas. The Chicago working group intends to become a platform for free flowing ideas and new search initiatives among members representing agencies, publishers, free agents, and In-House search marketers.

The group will conduct monthly face-to-face meetings and will represent SEMPO at local networking and marketing events. The Chicago Working Group will be sub-divided into teams focused on particular aspects of the search landscape, such as paid, natural, social media, and engine toolsets. The group will reach out to local agencies, in-house search teams, university marketing departments, and independent search marketers to provide a venue for networking and the exchange of information, as well as promote awareness and education about SEM and other emerging technologies in the local market.

Colorado Working Group
(a sub-committee of the Local Task Force)

Chairperson:
LaSheita Sayer
Contact the Chair

SEMPO Colorado is a local working group for SEMPO members in Denver Metro and its surrounding areas. The group conducts monthly face-to-face meetings and represents SEMPO at local networking and marketing events. The Colorado Working Group is sub-divided into teams focused on particular aspects of the search landscape, such as paid, natural, and new emerging technologies. The group reaches out to local agencies, in-house search teams, and independent search marketers to provide a venue for networking and the exchange of information, as well as promote awareness and education about SEM in the local market.

New York Working Group
(a sub-committee of the Local Task Force)

Chairperson:
Sara Holoubek
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The SEMPO New York Working Group aims to cultivate community and realize the overall SEMPO mission at the local level. We are open to members and non-members alike and encourage anyone whose business is touched by search engines to join. Meetings, held every four to six weeks, aim to provide original content, expose new faces, address pressing topics, and celebrate the New York search marketing industry. Previous gatherings have attracted client side marketers, SEMs, large agencies, the search engines, technology providers, press, and analysts.

Marketing Committee

Chairpersons:
Sara Holoubek
Ken Jurina
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The focus of this committee is to help increase membership for SEMPO as well as to promote SEMPO worldwide. This group is tasked with assisting in the coordination of SEMPO's webinar series, online and offline advertising, managing search activity, trade show promotions, etc. This group works in tandem with SEMPO's marketing firm on SEMPO's branding, media promotions for events and SEMPO initiatives, etc.

Membership Task Force

Chairperson:
Dave Williams
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The Membership Task Force is focused on delivering value to the SEMPO membership. Activities of the group include surveying membership, membership outreach programs, retention efforts, and growth opportunities.

Metrics and Standards Task Force

Chairperson:
Dave Fall
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The mission of this task force is to develop a set of standards and guidelines specific to search marketing. By creating a common vernacular, measurement, and protocols, the industry will be more efficient in its ability to audit and measure the effectiveness of search marketing. This group works diligently to collaborate with other online governing bodies to grow global awareness of these standards. Additionally, this group is tasked with ensuring industry adoption and education.

Research Committee

Chairpersons:
Jay Berkowitz
Monica Ho
Gordon Hotchkiss
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This committee is tasked with conducting primary research on the impact and importance of SEM as a marketing tool, as well as with engaging in research regarding search marketing issues.

SEMPO's annual study tracks marketer opinions regarding search marketing, market sizing and budget planning issues, and market evolution. The committee plans to continue conducting primary research, including collaboration on international research projects, and will release that research to the press, industry analysts, and the investment community. They will also compile secondary research that relates to Search Engine Marketing. In the area of secondary research, a new initiative is to provide independent review, aggregation, and dissemination of related research undertaken both by our members and related parties.

SEMPO Institute Committee

Chairperson:
Fionn Downhill
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This SEMPO Institute Committee is responsible for supporting the SEMPO Institute in achieving its overall mission and goals. The mission of the SEMPO Training Institute(tm) is three fold: 1) to teach standardized, peer reviewed SEM strategies, techniques, and best practices, 2) to provide courses that establish a benchmark of expertise for SEM professionals worldwide, and 3) to increase the quality and availability of SEM professionals and employees for hiring needs.