T360 Leeds leads the way

And we are off… the run up to Telemedia360 on 11 May has begun. We have a lead sponsor – Core Telecom – in place and the conference schedule is shaping up nicely to reflect how the print, broadcast, online, advertising and FMCG sectors are all once again looking at how to use the good old telephone to drive interaction and engagement.

And while much attention has been placed on how to develop apps and in-app interaction with TV brands, and while many FMCGs have chased the allure of social networking, the fact remains that the good old premium rate telephone market still provides a sure-fire way to engage consumers while creating revenues directly.

Don’t get me wrong, the apps stuff and all the social glue is also key and will become ever more prevalent over the next couple of years, but they still have yet to find revenue generating business models that stand the test of time. PRS doesn’t have to worry about that and, judiciously used, can generate all manner of valuable consumer data to boot.

At a time when regulator PPP is poised to publish its next Code of Practice – which will make up one of the key workshops at Telemedia360 on 11 May –featuring a landmark shift in how it apportions blame (sorry, I mean ‘responsibility’) as well as seeking to make it plain that it is in this to make things better, not to screw cash out of PRS companies and aggregators, T360 hits Leeds (Core’s home town) at a time when PRS is likely to see something of a resurgence.

And we hope to be playing an active role in making that resurgence happen. By getting leading media companies, broadcasters, brands, ad agencies, operators and telemedia companies together under one roof for a day and a night of full-on networking, chin-wagging and knowledge transfer, we hope to kick off the renaissance of PRS as an interaction and engagement media.

The event will of course look at how ‘old favourites’ such as chat and dating, psychic and horoscope can work for media and brands through PRS. We will also be looking at how, thanks to the new device landscape we find us in – and a world where comsumers value advocacy, interaction, but are reluctant to pay for anything – we can develop services and business models that have worked so well in PRS to drive revenue and engagement through these new channels and new devices.

We are also looking to run a series of special workshops at the event, drilling down into specific areas. Details to follow in the coming weeks. For now though, keep an eye on www.telemedia360.com for the latest news and developments of this key media interaction event and book your place.