It's Out: The Lineup for Leading in Local: ILM 2014 (Dec. 3-5, SFO)
The initial lineup for Leading in Local: Interactive Local Media 2014 is now officially released. This year’s ILM — our flagship event — takes place Dec. 3-5 at the SFO Hyatt, close to San Francisco and just up the road from most of the Silicon Valley leaders and startups. We expect 45+ hand-picked speakers, and more than 500 senior level attendees for the show, which remains local’s premier networking (and dealmaking) event.
Of special interest: The Local Tech Expo on Day 1, where we’ll feature some of the great technology innovations rocking our local world: everything, potentially, from Google Glasses to Connected Cars. Another key session: The Venture Capitalists. Former local leaders Will Hsu (AT&T) and Michael Yang (Yahoo) give the rundown on local venture from their respective perches at Mucker Labs and Comcast Ventures. We’ll also be showcasing plenty of BIA/Kelsey research, including new survey results on online loyalty marketing that we have been conducting with The Cardlinx Association.
Beyond that, our deep analyst team has developed six key themes in building ILM 2104.
1. Rethink and Extend Local Search. As local search begins to mimic natural discovery, we increasingly look at intelligent personal network and natural language capabilities to enhance and enlarge the search platform.
Google goes deep at ILM, highlighting five key categories that represent its commitment to local. Microsoft is going deep, too. Bing’s Kelly Thomas Nojaim and Ken Weyel have similarly chosen ILM to showcase Microsoft’s Cortana intelligent personal network – it should be a fantastic demonstration. We’re equally excited about Weotta founder Grant Wernick, who will highlight the role of natural language search in local discovery. On a related note: YP CMO Allison Checchi will highlight how YP’s approaching local discovery for the next generation of usage.
2. Social’s Growing Reach and Impact on Local. It’s not just Facebook. Social media has now emerged as a search bypass in some cases, and is being integrated into all measures of local business marketing success.
Pinterest VP Joel Meek keynotes Day 2, highlighting the incredible impact of Pins on every conceiveable local activity. Another Day 2 Keynote: Deseret Media CEO Clark Gilbert and President Chris Lee discuss the impact of native advertising and social on media’s future. Those guys have practically created a living laboratory in Utah. Our marketing automation and social leadership session also takes a broader look at social, with Where2GetIt CEO Manish Patel, MomentFeed Chief Innovation Officer Rob Reed and EuroWeb CEO Christoph Preuss. Preuss provides a uniquely German perspective on social media.
3. The Explosive Growth of The Share Economy. It seems that every vertical is going through the process of Uberification — where consumers can “buy” from lists of pros, enhanced by their social reviews.
We have especially strong players in Home Improvement, with The Home Depot’s Anthony Roddio; Thumbtack CEO Marco Zappacosta; and ex ReachLocal head Zorik Gordon talking about his new venture, Serviz. Also Joining us: Urgent.ly CEO Chris Spanos, who will discuss the Uber model for auto repair.
4. Do it With Me? The biggest questions in local still come down to scale in reaching and serving SMBs, and the utility and value of the services. Is the ideal platform Do It for Me. Or DIY? Our strategist Stacey Sedbrook focus on Do it With Me as a hybrid effort.
Yodle CEO Court Cunningham — one of our highest rated speakers and keynotes. McClatchy/TruMeasure GM Charity Huff and Vendasta Technologies CEO Brendan King are similarly set to share their deep insights. Vendasta is set to showcase some deep market analysis at the show.
5. Mobile, Mobile (Video). The emergence of Mobile as a true advertising and media channel has had wide ranging implications for local. One area we’ll focus on: the use of mobile for local video. This area is busting loose.
Datasphere SVP Gary Cowan will detail the company’s advanced mobile video program, while StudioNow President David Corts and Media Distribution Solutions COO Brian Russell provide insights into scaling video with style.
6. Go Deep with Analytics and CRM. Local businesses need to see the ROI. And with the rising impact of social, they especially need better guidance in their campaign planning.
Salesforce VP Randy Wootton — a longtime BIA/Kelsey favorite from his Microsoft days –lays out how CRM plays in our space on Day 3. Also on Day 3: our Call Management and Analytics Superforum provides real insight into what can be done. Marchex’s Brooks McMahon, IfByPhone’s Irv Shapiro and CallRail’s Mark Sullivan are set.
Sound good? You may easily register here.
