Media Kit

Interact with consumers on a WHOLE NEW level

Viewpoints Network is a social media company whose mission is to help consumers make smarter decisions.

Our media kit is here to introduce you to advertising and partnership opportunities available on Viewpoints.com.

We are, however, a social media company that practices what we preach. So, instead of publishing a static, non-interactive media kit, we've created this blog to have conversations with you about our advertising programs. View the Pages listed to the right for traditional Media kit information – demographics, ad opportunities, site stats and specs – and then read below for ongoing news, updates, insights and fun facts from the Viewpoints ad team.

Welcome!

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Viewpoints Homepage

The new IAB Social Media Ad Unit Best Practices

Social Media Ad Standards -

Hiring an Online Advertising Operations Manager

Are you looking for a new opportunity in online advertising? Do you have a passion for online communities and live on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter? If so, here's a fantastic opportunity for you to join an exciting social media start up in Chicago. Take a look at the job description and if you are a fit, we'd love to hear from you!

About Us

Viewpoints Network is a media and technology company whose mission is to create online communities that tap into the power of personal experiences to help consumers make smarter decisions. The Viewpoints Technology Platform powers the company's flagship website, Viewpoints.com as well as partners such as MySears.com. In the two years since its launch, Viewpoints.com has grown into a leading destination site for consumer ratings and reviews and quickly established itself as a go-to resource for consumers actively looking for information before making a purchase decision.

We are looking for an Advertising Operations Manager to join our team to help us set up, manage and optimize online campaigns, while also providing overall Account Management support for our advertising clients as well as our publishing partners. This is an ideal position for someone with some experience in ad ops and who is looking to take a next step into a role where they can easily manage trafficking responsibilities while also growing and developing their Account Management skills. This is a full time position with salary commensurate with experience, bonus potential, and full benefits.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of relevant experience working in online ad operations for a publisher, network, or ad agency.
• Thorough understanding of online ad campaign metrics and analysis including; CPM, CPC, and CPA.
• Ability to compile and analyze performance data and metrics; strong knowledge of MS Excel including pivot tables.
• Familiarity with rich media tags, basic understanding of Java Script and basic HTML.​
• Significant familiarity working with any of the major ad serving solutions (DART, GAM, Atlas, 24/​7 etc.​ – although GAM is preferred). Also experience working with third party ad serving programs, including behavioral targeting and rich media vendors (Eyeblaster, Pointroll, etc) is required.
• Solid verbal and written communication skills, organization skills, and excellent time management skills
• Experience communicating with internal sales and technology teams as well as external clients and ad agencies.
• Strong multi-tasker; comfortable working in an environment where everyone pitches in and does whatever it takes to get the job done.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor online campaign delivery, develop and implement strategies to improve campaign performance, increase revenue and meet advertiser objectives.
• Monitor and look for ways to improve email campaign delivery and performance.
• Communicate with internal departments regarding advertising inventory, availability forecasting, campaign performance, and sell-thru reporting.
• Supply management team with monthly projections, delivery reports, and end of the month reporting.
• Help develop and communicate creative specs, policies and requirements for ad products and programs. 
• Support creative/technical and targeting related inquiries by customers and partners.
• Collaborate with product and sales teams to refine new programs and products, and provide expertise regarding ads placements, targeting and revenue optimization.
• Serve as the key liaison between internal sales and tech groups to make sure client programs are successfully executed – which includes managing the entire process from setting client expectations surrounding timing and deliverability, to working with community managers and technical team to recruit recipients, to scheduling emails, mailing out samples, coordinating with designers, and compiling end of campaign reports and analysis.

Interested?

Please send resume and compelling cover letter to: kim@viewpoints.com

See you at CIMA April 23rd!

CIMA is hosting a spring networking event on 4/23^rd at Rockit Bar and Grill and Viewpoints will be there. All I can say is: Spring. Chicago. And - it's about time!!

Event information is here - http://www.chicagoima.org/

It's a chance to meet Ashley (Johnson) Barthel - the newest member of our advertising team.

Will we see you there?  I hope so!

 

Welcome Ashley!

I'm happy to announce and welcome the newest member of our advertising team! Meet Ashley Barthel – who joins us from Yahoo, and also previously worked at Mindshare in a planner role for several years.   Her experience on both sides of the table allows her to understand our client's challenges and put together creative – and practical – solutions.

It's a given that Ashley brings a wealth of Internet Advertising experience with her, here are a few other fun facts about her that you should know:

1. She is a lifelong Chicagoan AND she has season tickets to the Cubs.
2. Feeding her sushi will get you on her good side. (see item #1)
3. Underneath her tough sales persona is a good heart – she's currently in training to walk in the 2-day Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
4. She's in the market for a new puppy so send her your suggestions a good breed. (I am already rooting for a pit bull rescue!)

Here's Ashley's contact info and you can check her out on her profile page on Viewpoints.

Ashley Johnson Barthel

Viewpoints.com

O: 312.447.6103

F: 866.278.2117

E: ashley@viewpoints.com

Please reach out and say hello to Ashley.

Thanks!
Kim

 

WSJ talks about the New Info Shoppers; we've got them

Came across this fantastic article in the Wall Street Journal today – all about what they are dubbing "New Info Shoppers".

These are people who don't buy anything until they go online and read everything they can about it. I think many retailers and manufacturers have become accustomed to individuals doing research before buying big ticket items like cars, appliances and travel. However, what was really fascinating was their description of how in the current economic climate people are shopping smarter and are now looking for information and reviews on even small everyday purchases – like shampoo.

Our experience at Viewpoints absolutely confirms this to be true. While we do have an enormous amount of reviews on 'big purchase' items, people also have tons of questions and interest in finding more about the products they use every day. Check out some examples:

The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, costing less than $10, has over 600 reviews on our site - http://www.viewpoints.com/Mr-Clean-Magic-Eraser-Extra-Power-reviews

Similarly, consumers can read over a 100 reviews from people who seem to LOVE Miracle Grow Plant Food - it's recommended 99% of the time! Enthusiasts have even uploaded tons of photos to show and share how well their plants have grown after feeding them Miracle Grow.

Finally, check out this individual review written about the Acai Berry Cleanse (a diet product). It's been voted to be helpful over 260 times! Even more interestingly, look at the hundreds of comments and questions posed by other consumers. The author of the review – known as MommaHunt in the Viewpoints community – takes the time to respond to the comments. It's another example of consumers seeking credible product information before they decide whether or not to purchase something. Do you think "MommaHunt" has influenced purchase behavior on the Acai Berry Cleanse? ABSOLUTELY!!

Closing thoughts from the WSJ article -

The point is that advertising isn't just moving to the Web, it's got to grapple with an entirely new kind of shopper and way of shopping. Marketers now have to balance traditional media, online media, and content that is generated by experts, bloggers and consumers themselves. An astonishing 70% of Americans now say they consult product reviews or consumer ratings before they make their buying decisions. Sixty-two percent say they spend at least 30 minutes online every week to help them decide what and whether to buy. Among Americans under 45, that number shoots up to 73%. Seventy-three percent -- that's more than four times the percentage in that age group who go to church every week. For some, smart shopping is more than a hobby. It's a religion.

If you are a marketer trying to find the best way to interact in this new landscape – we'd love to talk. We can help.

We’re Hiring!

Are you our next star Account Executive? I hope so because we are ready for you NOW!

If you have online ad sales experience and are looking to make a fresh start in 2009, here's a fantastic opportunity for you to join an exciting social media start up in Chicago. Take a look at the job description and if you are a match (note the highlighted qualification, alas this is a requirement), I'd love to hear from you. Reach me at: kim@viewpoints.com

Job summary

We are looking for an Advertising Sales professional to join our team to help connect marketers with our audience through branding and sponsorship programs as well as innovative Social Advertising Packages that help create social buzz around our clients' brands.

Job responsibilities

• The Account Executive is responsible for building relationships with advertisers and advertising agencies.
• Your sales territory will be national, and largely unrestricted.
• You will prospect, present, negotiate and close sales. 
• Post sale, you will maintain relationships with your clients and handle anything that comes up along the way.
• In this role, you will sell premium CPM banner and sponsorship campaigns online and in email.
• Additionally, you will creatively design, present, and sell customized "Social Influencer" packages that leverage the vibrant Viewpoints audience to get consumers to interact with clients' brands.  Custom packages may include sampling, polling, surveys, review syndication and more.

 

Job qualifications

You have an interest and passion for social media and believe that the way companies interact with their customers is fundamentally changing.  You regularly use social media websites and applications such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, del.ic.ous, digg, etc.  You enjoy the environment and excitement of a start-up, the security of a well-funded organization with an experienced management team, and want to be part of a company with a mission and values you can believe in.  Specifically:

• You have two-five years experience selling online media.
• You have an existing network of contacts that you can leverage to hit the ground running.
• You enjoy working with a team, but are largely self-directed, self-motivated, and self-sufficient.
• You are very comfortable working in an environment where everyone pitches in and does whatever it takes to get the job done. 

 

Salary and benefits

This is a full time position; base + commission will be paid commensurate with experience. In addition, we offer a benefits package including Health and Dental insurance, 401k, vacation plan, and eligibility to participate in the company bonus plan.

Death of Web 2.0 may be overstated

Although headlines like "Death of Web 2.0" get people like me to click through to read articles, the more moderate tone of the closing paragraph in Peter's Schwartz' article in the Huffington Post gave me the most food for thought -

The lesson is clear. Social information and communication requires targeted aim, meaningful purpose, and self-correcting standards of quality. Universal social networks such as Facebook, almost by definition, cannot maintain this focus. For this reason, they cannot survive in their current form.

While I'm not convinced that the demise of Facebook is coming anytime soon, I absolutely agree with Schwartz' comment on the value provided by social networks organized around a purpose.   This is one of our mantra's here at Viewpoints...we collect reviews and social comments/interactions on products and services and organize them systematically to provide tangible benefits to other users.  

Social networks produce a WEALTH of information, but I often wonder at how useful that info is.  While I have frequently updated my FB status expressing my delight (or disgust) as various parts of my home renovation project were completed - honestly, how informative was that to anyone else updating their kitchen?  In contrast, my review on Viewpoints about using Blanco's square sinks in my kitchen has the potential to provide a ton more value to someone considering a similar endeavor because there is a clear purpose on Viewpoints - helping people make smarter purchase decisions.

So while I completely agree with parts of Peter Schwartz's opinion, I still don't think facebook has to worry.  In MY informal survey of friends of mostly 30 something friends, we'd all pay $50 or more to keep our facebook accounts.

Social Ad units – harness the power of credible comments about your brand!

So, I am very excited to share these samples of our social ad units with you. This is a new initiative that we are excited to launch as we think it leverages two of Viewpoints greatest assets – the first being our ability to get your message in front of high purchase intent, in-market consumers. The second is the power of the amazing things that our community is already saying about your brand.

If you think about broad reach advertising as well as word of mouth (WOM) marketing, they each have different pros and cons.

On one hand – people see advertising all over the place and in the process, they become aware of new products and services. If the ad campaigns are at all successful, the consumers will learn a little bit more about the unique proposition of that brand. However, marketers are always grappling with the low level of trust that some people have in mass advertising.

On the other hand – a person might get a recommendation from a co-worker about a new product or brand that sounds interesting. While that person's opinion is very credible and persuasive, in the passing conversation, specific product details or where to find more information might get left out.

Our social ad units provide the best of both scenarios.

We serve them up as a road-blocked unit – one unit is your regular branding and response-oriented banner while the other unit is one that we design. It highlights your product/brand's star rating, provides a few sound bites from positive reviews, and provides a link back to let consumers read all reviews on the product or brand that you are advertising.

There is a ton of research on the benefits of consumer reviews and their impact on improving conversion rates on retail websites and in store.  We think there is huge value in leveraging this credibility even sooner, in your advertising campaigns.

Example of Community comments running side by side 300x250 ad unit:

 

PS - I wish I had the mad skills of our designers – my feeble attempts at mocks ups are nothing compared to their work. Thanks Vytas!!

Benefits of Consumer reviews

Some interesting research gleaned from the wide, wide web –

Product ratings and reviews may have the best claim to boosting revenue. 82% of consumers surveyed last year by consulting firm Deloitte & Touche LLP said consumer-written product reviews directly influenced their buying decisions, and 69% passed reviews on to others. Pet supplies retailer Petco Animal Supplies Inc. reports that consumers who view web pages with top-rated products convert at a 60% higher rate than other visitors, and that buyers return products with only one to five reviews 135% more often than those with 50 to 100 reviews.
Raising the Stakes – Internet Retailer, May 2008

Fifty-five percent of consumers "would be more likely to buy from a site that has reviews," and "63 percent find ratings and reviews helpful when making a purchase," according to a survey of more than 100 shoppers…published earlier this year. A similar survey of 1,200 shoppers sponsored found that "65 percent of consumers actively seek out and read customer reviews prior to making a purchase decision always or most of the time." Dubbed "social researchers," they were "76 percent more likely to shop on a retailer's Web site vs. their competitor's site if it offers social navigation."
"A Rave Review for Social Navigation", April 2008 – E-commerce Times

More than three-quarters of review users in nearly every category reported that the review had a significant influence on their purchase, with hotels ranking the highest (87 percent). Ninety-seven percent of those surveyed who said they made a purchase based on an online review said they found the review to have been accurate. Review users also noted that reviews generated by fellow consumers had a greater influence than those generated by professionals.
"Online Consumer-Generated Reviews Have Significant Impact on Offline Purchase Behavior" - Comscore

Getting online shoppers to convert tobuyers, whether online or offline, requires trust-building tactics such as easy site navigation, good search tools and complete product information. Shoppers today are also often looking for consumer-generated product reviews. According to Avenue A | Razorfish's "Digital Consumer Behavior Study," 55% of the 475 US Internet users surveyed in July 2007 reported checking other people's opinions online.
"Cashing In on Consumer Product Reviews", eMarketer Dec 2007

Social Media Research Request

If you have 5-10 minutes for a good cause (Viewpoints, that is!), we'd love for you to take this survey on corporate use of Social Media. What are you and your company thinking about in this area? Are you still defining your strategy, starting to explore online community building or are you already benefiting from a vibrant community? If you share your thoughts with us, we'll be sure to share the results back with you so you can see how you compare to peers in the industry.

Thanks for your help!