Second Annual Capitol Hill “Fly-In” Gives Voice to Critical Role of Ad-Supported Internet for Small Businesses in the U.S. Economy
WASHINGTON, D. C. (June 16, 2010) — For the second annual IAB Long Tail Alliance Washington Fly-In, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) assembled 46 small publishers to tell their elected representatives about the important role played by the advertising-supported Internet in empowering small business growth in America. The Long Tail web publishers representing 14 states spent yesterday on Capitol Hill meeting with 35 House Districts and 12 Senate Offices including members of the Senate Commerce Committee.
“The Long Tail Alliance is an army of entrepreneurs who have created businesses powered by interactive advertising, and their ranks are growing every day,” said Randall Rothenberg, President and CEO, IAB. “It is critical that legislators and regulators understand their challenges and their contributions to the new media revolution, as well as the value they bring to the U.S. economy.”
The IAB Long Tail Alliance Washington Fly-In launched in June 2009 with the release of “The Economic Value of the Advertising-Supported Internet Ecosystem,” the first comprehensive analysis of the economic impact of this ever-more important medium. Among its findings: 2.1%, or $300 billion, of the total U.S. GDP is contributed by the ad-supported Internet, which has created 3.1 million jobs, including 20,000 small businesses. At the same time, the IAB also released “I Am the Long Tail,” a seven-minute video that ties together vignettes from Long Tail publishers across the nation and puts a human face on the Long Tail. It is part of a larger, ongoing effort to collect and share the Long Tail story in online videos..
“Providing an opportunity for IAB Long Tail publishers to speak directly to Congresspeople is the best means to bring to life the very real threat posed by the proposed regulation of interactive advertising,” said Mike Zaneis, Vice President, Public Policy, IAB. “These business owners are the new face of ‘mom and pop’ shops. They represent a diversity of voices that simply could not exist without interactive advertising. This event provides them with a unique forum to be heard.”
This year’s Fly-In also included a full day of training sessions, strategic planning panels and roundtable discussions created specifically to address the business interests of small publishers. Long Tail members and ad network and advertising agency executives shared actionable insights on how the community of small publishers can improve their businesses. The two-day event also served as a unique networking opportunity for small publishers, who, for the most part, work from their homes and have limited opportunities to meet other small business owners like themselves.
The IAB Long Tail Alliance is a special member category for publishers who sell indirectly, through ad networks, or directly and have revenues under $1 million per year.
To download a copy of “The Economic Value of the Advertising-Supported Internet Ecosystem,” please here.
To view “I Am the Long Tail” and nearly 30 videos from Long Tail publishers, or to submit your own Long Tail video, please go to iamthelongtail.com.
About the IAB:
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) is comprised of more than 460 leading media and technology companies who are responsible for selling 86% of online advertising in the United States. On behalf of its members, the IAB is dedicated to the growth of the interactive advertising marketplace, of interactive’s share of total marketing spend, and of its members’ share of total marketing spend. The IAB educates marketers, agencies, media companies and the wider business community about the value of interactive advertising. Working with its member companies, the IAB evaluates and recommends standards and practices and fields critical research on interactive advertising. Founded in 1996, the IAB is headquartered in New York City with a Public Policy office in Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit www.iab.net.
IAB Media Contact:
Marla Aaron
Director, Marketing Communications
