DMS ’10 Headliners Cotterill, Lerman Offer Contrasting Perspectives

The line up of speakers for Directional Media Strategies 2010 has been shaping up nicely. We have a full slate of “headliners” who will either give full presentations or sit in the proverbial hot seat for a 20-minute interview by one of BIA/Kelsey’s analysts. Bruce Cotterill, CEO of Yellow Pages Group New Zealand, and Howard Lerman, CEO of Yext, will give solo featured presentations.

These are two very different speakers, each with a unique set of insights to offer.

Cotterill will talk about how his private equity-backed traditional directory publishing company is making the shift to a true multiproduct business. He also can relate the challenges of restoring equity value to his company in the aftermath of the global meltdown in directory valuations. Through his career, Cotterill has built a reputation as a successful turnaround specialist with a clear bottom-line focus.

Lerman, by contrast, brings the perspective of a hard-charging young entrepreneur. Yext is his fourth start-up, focusing on new ways to deliver leads to small-business advertisers. The Duke grad cofounded Yext in 2006.