Articles Archive

Press Release, PRAGUE, 10 June 2010 – SPIR has Changed: Grand Relaunch June’s general meeting of the Internet Advertising Association (SPIR) brought about a major change to the internal regulations, which should reflect current development of the internet advertising and content market. The changes concern conditions of membership and the structure, as well as greater openness and responsiveness of SPIR. Last but not least, the general meeting set the regulations for the level individual members will have in deciding about the future of SPIR.

In 2009, the internet collected a total of CZK 6.4bn from Czech advertisers. For 2010, operators of internet media are estimating year-on-year growth of over 17%. In terms of display advertisements, advertisers last year invested over CZK 4bn in internet and in catalogue advertising CZK 786m in list (gross) prices. In PPC systems (pay-per-click, performance advertising), advertisers spent almost CZK 1.6bn in real (net net) prices. The internet share as media type therefore reached almost 10% for overall investment in advertising for 2009 in the Czech Republic, and is in third place immediately behind television and print media. This arises from research implemented by the independent research agency Factum Invenio (FI) for the Internet Advertising Association (SPIR).

In 2008, the Internet collected a total of 5 billion crowns from Czech advertisers and internet media operators estimate a year-on-year growth of almost 26% for this year. Within the area of banner advertising, advertisers last year invested 3.3 billion crowns in the internet, in search advertising 1 billion crowns, and in directory advertising 0.75 billion crowns in the list prices (gross). The internet’s share as a media type thus reached almost 9% of the total investments in advertising for 2008 in the Czech Republic, and is in third place right behind television and print media. This is information learnt from research implemented by the independent research agency Factum Invenio for the Internet Advertising Association (SPIR).

At the last meeting of the Executive Board of the Internet Advertising Association, its new Chairman, Ján Simkanič from the company Internet Info, and Vice-Chairman, Tomáš Řehák from OMD Czech, were elected. The election followed last June’s General Assembly of the Association, at which the participants elected a new composition of the SPIR Executive Board for the next term.

In 2007, 93 % of Czech companies used Internet advertising, mostly in the form of product campaign. The most frequently used format was banners or key words, and also text advertisements. Among the most important factors influencing further investments into Internet advertising are measurability of campaigns, their precise targeting and the reachability of specific target groups of customers. These are the key conclusions of the Internet Advertising Drivers marketing research, executed exclusively for the Internet Advertising Association by the Mediaresearch research agency.

Seven new members were welcomed into the ranks of the Internet Advertising Association (Sdružení pro internetovou reklamu - SPIR) at the last meeting of the executive board. Joining the Media Section are Aukro.cz, operator of one of the largest auction portals in the country, www.aukro.cz, and Retail Info, which operates www.akcniceny.cz and www.monitor.cz. Other new Media Section members include Burda Communications, which operates a server for computer gaming fans, www.hrej.cz . This server is designed primarily for readers of the printed titles Level and Next Level, also published by Burda Communications. Another new Media Section member is LIN, which oversees the internet activities of Radio Impuls (www.impuls.cz), the most-listened-to radio station in the country. One interesting new member of SPIR is Microsoft. Jiří Grund, Microsoft’s marketing director, explains why it was interested in becoming a member: “We recognize the importance and potential of the online market in the Czech Republic, and we’re pleased that we have the opportunity to become a member of such an association. Thanks to this group, we’ll have more opportunities to share in its development and contribute to improving the Czech internet situation.”