Chris Dessi - Vice President zanox, Inc

Ad Networks are not only alive; we're thriving and evolving along with the ever changing interactive space. For successful performance based marketers there are certainly additional sensitivities that networks must consider which may have been ignored in the past. The adoption of performance based marketing by larger brands has cast a spotlight on the industry as a whole, and this is good. No longer can networks remain "blind" to advertisers. No longer can we demand payment on pixels firing. We're at a tipping point where those networks that survive will continue to cater to global advertisers that seek much needed hand holding, and networks must acquiesce and service these brands. Those that ignore the needs and wants of larger advertisers will suffer. Agencies will only add networks to a media plan if they're confident that their partner can service an account with the level of integrity and service they promise their client. The "net-net” is that the model works. Especially with our declining economic climate, "pay for performance" is highly appealing.

This morning I read a great article about cookies in the wall street journal. L. gordon Corvitz makes some really interestng points in the article, and I feel it's worth commenting on.

The main intent of the article speaks about how there is a purpose for cookies in online, and since consumers aren't really 100 percent clear about how these cookies are being used, there is a fear about them, and the information we communicate online.

This is facinating to me. As the VP of Sales at a performance based ad network, cookies are an essential part of our business. They are necessary for our advertisers, and certainly necessary for our affiliates in the network. The longer a cookie term - the better the chance that an affiliate will gain a commission from the advertiser.

The article by Crovitz also mentions how some of the greatest minds working in the interactive space are addressing this issue today. They've proposed "cookie crumbs" or even smaller bits of information that me be communicated online while browsing. The issue here seems to be the amount of work involved in making cookie crumbs being a reality.

For now we'll have to focus on educating people about why cookies are necessary. If, as the consumer you've disabled your cookies because your concerned about privacy, you may not reap the benefits of advertising at it's best (no Geo targeted ads etc).

I can understand the concern about privacy, but I also think that people may not understand just how much information is availble about them outside of the internet, and that if they enable cookies, they will certainly have an enhanced browsing experience.

I've just gone ahead and registered to attend this years Ad:tech Miami, and I'm excited. I've been lucky enough to attend Ad:tech's in NY, San Fran and Chicago, but never in Miami. This should be a great event considering how the latino market has been exploding.

I'll be sure to offer a full rundown on the event.

Happy Earth Day!

After poking around online to see what people had to say about Earth Day, I found some really interesting ways in which we can participate beyond the simple recycling etc.

Plant a Billion Trees - On dollar - One Tree - One Planet.

On April 3rd they announced a plant a billions trees campaign.

http://www.plantabillion.org/

2008 has been filled with changes for the Dessi family. On January 7th I started my new job as VP of Advertiser Sales at zanox, Inc. In May my wife Laura and I moved into our dream town (Chappaqua) after buying a lovely Townhome. On April 14th the biggest and best change happened for our family. Talia Dessi came into the world at 5:02pm. She was 6 lbs, 8 oz, and 19 and 1/2 inches long. She's now home with us, and we're loving being new parents to this little Angel.

Here is my favorite photo of the little "muffin" as my father in law calls her.