UK adspend posts a record 5.2% growth in first half of 2016; DOOH up 28.9%

London, 25th October 2016: The UK’s authoritative advertising statistics, released today by the Advertising Association/Warc, show that UK advertising expenditure posted 5.2% growth in H1 2016 despite economic uncertainty before the EU referendum. The growth rate was 0.4 percentage points ahead of forecast, with adspend reaching a record £9,999m in total for the first six months of the year.

Growth in internet adspend was particularly strong, increasing 16.9% to reach £4,777m in H1. Within this category, mobile spend grew 52.6% to £1,723m – and for the first time mobile now accounts for over half of all online display adspend in the UK.

Digital formats continue to thrive across all media, with online video adspend increasing by 66.4%, to £252m, while native advertising spend also grew 29.9% to £451m in H1. Digital out of home increased 28.9% in H1 to reach £176m, taking out of home’s total spend to £511m.

In light of the data, full year growth forecasts for 2016 have been revised up 1.0pp to 5.2%. However the forecast for 2017 has been downgraded by half a point to 3.3%, as the impacts of the EU referendum result begin to unfold.

Tim Lefroy, Chief Executive at the Advertising Association said:

“Investment in UK advertising remains strong this year, and the trend towards digital and mobile continues – but the medium term is more complex. The Government should avoid any regulatory uncertainty that might affect advertising’s stimulus to the economy.”

DOOH world beware: another patent owner wants to claim your money

I received this “press release” by email from David Sitbon, who is CEO and owner of a company named u-see2, according to this web site: http://u-see2.com/new/.

It struck me as odd, in many respects. I frankly have no idea what to make of it and I did not feel like digging deeper, since it’s not my field of expertise.

I post the doc as it was sent to me, without any edits:

“”Most of the US Dooh In-store vendors are using my patents. They will be asked to pay royalties for it, soon”.

This was said by Mr. David Sitbon,  a businessman who owns  a Dooh company called U-see2. 

The main patents is called “Advertising method and system with use of multi-screened computer monitor units” . The patent seems to claim that royalties are entitled for playing ads on almost any retail screen based on the service desks, facing customers.

Mr. Sitbon told us that the patent is valid to any counter screen (POS or other), playing Ads or promotions on screens located between the person who gives the service, to the person who gets the service (QSR, POS promo screens, Bank counters, etc) .  

“After few years of waiting and learning the US Dooh market”,  says Mr. David Sitbon, the owner of U-see2 , “we are currently choosing our local US partners, and getting ready to claim our rights, starting early 2017”.

A quick search over Google indicates that Mr. Sitbon has at least 10 additional Dooh patents.

The Most of his relevant  Dooh patent is called System & Method for Digital Multi- Lateral proofreading  during meeting.   . Either way, the 2 leading patents (which are mentioned above) are due to expire only on 2028, thus it seems he’s expected to play a significant role in the Global Dooh market in the coming years.” 
END OF COPY.

When I asked Mr. Sitbon’s representative, Avihai Michaeli, if they were aware of what the industry’s stance towards patent trolls was, he sent me the following (posted as is):

Digital Signage Federation and DSF Europe start collaborating

Warrenton, VA – The Digital Signage Federation® (DSF), the independent not-for-profit trade organization serving the digital signage industry and DSF Europe, an independent affiliate of the Digital Signage Federation, have started collaborating.

As originally stated, DSF Europe maintains its own budget and annual agenda, participates in worldwide event and initiative planning, and has a seat on the DSF Board of Directors.

The continued expectation is that by providing a higher geographic profile and broader accessibility, the relationship will help attract DSF membership and participation in both North America and Europe where many multi-national companies already do business. At the same time it provides a greater opportunity to provide education, professional development and programming support for those organizations seeking to invest in or become more active in the digital signage sector.

Initially, collaboration efforts will include:
• Extension of DSF benefits to DSF Europe Members, including; discounts, certification, DSE benefits, member only access
• Access to the Business Climate Index model for the North American market
• Monthly Hangout series will feature more panelists from DSF Europe to provide an additional perspective
• More exchange of case studies between the DSF and our European partners