Eyeblaster opens Rich Media to growing African markets

Will Green, Managing Director of Eyeblaster South Africa (a partnership between apurimac media and Eyeblaster), said: “Online ad spend in South Africa alone is growing by over 24 per cent year-on-year. Furthermore online usage in 2007 increased in Q1 by 15 per cent compared with last year. Until now, the growth of online advertising has been limited to standard display banners. Over the last year, many brands are now beginning to see that with growing broadband subscriptions and user sophistication, customers and campaigns are not responding as well to simple animated gif banners.

“With falling broadband costs and increasing users, Rich media has not yet reached its full potential, however with major industry verticals such as automotive and financial now moving into this space the time is perfect for publishers, agencies and brands to embrace it. We expect rich media to make up at least 10 per cent of online spend within the next two years.

"Eyeblaster can help all parties use rich media in the best way and be here to support the development of the local market like we have in over a dozen markets across the globe.”

Eyeblaster's South African office will provide education, best practice and on-the-ground support for media and creative agencies, brands and publishers. Eyeblaster's Advertising Campaign Management suite offers full creative support for agencies and publishers along with complete campaign management of search, in-game, standard banner, pre-roll, rich media and video advertising for brands and media agencies. [via]