MediaTel’s Question Time Proves A Big Hit

MediaTel Group hosted its seventh annual Media Question Time Event in central London yesterday, with delegates quizzing the assembled panel of experts on everything from ad avoidance to the problem of trust in TV.

Chaired by the BBC’s media correspondent, Torin Douglas, the panel for the free event included Richard Eyre, chairman of GCap Media plc and the IAB; Emily Bell, director of digital content at Guardian Media Group; Mark Howe, country director, UK Sales, at Google; and Mark Cranmer, CEO of Research International.

The panel faced several tough questions, with the impact of convergence on agency structures and working practices popping up alongside questions regarding the possible “death knell” of display advertising in the face of the internet, whilst the loss of TV viewers’ trust was also on the agenda.

Bell was adamant that some of those involved in the premium rate phone scandals which have rocked the TV industry should have been punished for what she called “endemic fraud”, adding that it was not enough for ITV chairman Michael Grade to make a promise of “zero tolerance” and yet not discipline those involved.

Online was perhaps the major theme of the evening, with Google’s Howe championing the platform’s accountability, while Eyre was keen to point out that online advertising needs to be worked at and is not an automatic advertising solution for media outlets.

In-depth analysis of last night’s debate will follow throughout the day on NewsLine.

MediaTel Group: 0207 439 7575 www.mediatelgroup.co.uk