Balihoo adds media veteran Jack Haire to Board

Media planning software firm Balihoo has added media veteran Jack Haire to its Board of Directors. Haire joins the Balihoo board after an extensive career in the media that included serving as the publisher of Time Magazine, and later as the President of the Fortune/Money group. Balihoo’s VP of marketing Shane Vaughn provided TechBoise with this Q & A with Mr. Haire:

As a veteran of the media and advertising business, have you ever seen the industry is such chaos? What does the future hold for the media/advertising industry?

Jack: “In spite of the challenging economic times we’re in, I like to think of the media business as one of the sectors showing the greatest innovation and development. The media pie continues to grow, even though the ad spend mix is shifting. At the moment new technologies are the rage providing new levels of customization and accountability. Share, and in some instances , absolute dollars have shifted away from broadcast tv, magazines, newspapers, radio to the web, cable tv, and outdoor, which has shown an exciting ability to reinvent itself using technology to better target and deliver value. When you think about all the new interactive brands, both new and associated with traditional media, it’s pretty exciting. And disruptive.”

Any thoughts on the movement of ad spend from traditional vehicles to online?

Jack: “As noted above there has been a shift from traditional venues to online. In some ways, I think of this as a swing of the pendulum to a new more accountable medium, and the need for marketers to test and refine their approach. But as the pendulum finds middle ground, the one constant will be that great brands, will draft off this competitive threat, and get stronger or be marginalized. I am often reminded of how efficient and effective traditional media is at getting the word out to a large audience of readers/viewers. And they do this in very clean uncluttered, effective environments that are time tested at generating efficient results. The web is only one piece of the pie.”

What are your take on online ad networks?

Jack: “I’m not a huge fan. And it is interesting to note that really strong web brands like espn.com, and Martha Stewart are eschewing them, because they realize that they are the crown jewel brands that advertisers want and will pay for. In essence they are the lead brands that “legitimize” the network .As an advertiser, I’d want to make sure I know where, and in what environments my ads will appear in. As a publisher I’d worry about being commoditized by being a part of these networks. That said with new behavioral and contextual targeting available, these networks do give you a way to reach your targets efficiently. So if I’m looking for an efficient way to reach hand raisers, I’d have them in the mix. One of the huge benefits of these networks, is that they are an efficient way to buy multiple sites. Balihoo can help marketers be far more efficient, and still allow them to buy brands they know and trust”

Why did you decide to join Balihoo?

Jack: “I joined the board for a number of reasons. I believe in the Balihoo’s mission and products. We provide a very valuable tool for the marketer and the media owner. I really like the management team, and working with other members of the board. Particularly Michael Browner, who I have known and respected for 20 years.”

From all of us at TechBoise and in the Boise community at large, welcome Jack! We’re glad you’re on board.

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