'Joined-up thinking' as Cross Media 2013 gathers momentum

Cross Media 2013, scheduled to take place on 23rd and 24th October 2013 at the Business Design Centre, Islington, is gathering momentum as a number of key print, marketing and publishing suppliers sign up. The latest exhibitors include Adestra, Circdata, Data IQ, Headley Brothers, Imprint, Kodak, Konica Minolta, Layar, LimeTree, Outbrain, Paperhat Consorcio, Papermule, Pensord, Premier Paper, Semaphore Partnership, Shuttleworth, Sitecore, St Ives Group, Translate Media, Waggener Edstrom, Woodwing, Workflowz and Xeikon.

Building on the success of its inaugural 2012 event, where 59% of visitors were marketers, brand owners or agencies, 28% print and marketing service providers, and 13% publishers or other content creators, Cross Media 2013 will focus on the theme of ‘Joined-up thinking â€" the power of multi-channel marketing’.

Scott Logie, Strategic Marketing Director for St Ives Group, comments: "As the world of marketing develops from single channels into a truly cross media discipline, it is essential to have trade shows that give suppliers, agencies and clients the chance to interact. We are excited to be part of Cross-Media 2013, not just for the chance to show off our own Group companies, but for the opportunity to meet and learn from a range of different organisations that can help our business develop in line with our clients’ needs."

Digital marketing service provider LimeTree will join the list of first time exhibitors at Cross Media 2013. Malcolm Graham, CEO, says: “As platforms for marketing communications continually multiply and evolve, Cross Media offers the ideal opportunity for us to showcase our expertise and offering. It promises to be the ideal event for us to meet with big brands and agencies in 2013.”

Kate Russell, Business Development & Partnerships Manager at Layar, adds: Publishers can no longer avoid the need for a digital strategy that includes linking their print with their digital assets. Cross Media's audience of publishers, printers and marketers reaches straight into the heartland of Layar's clients and partners. We are looking forward to informing them on how they can easily integrate augmented reality into their campaigns and generate new revenue streams with interactive print.

Cross Media will also feature over 50 seminars in five dedicated theatres during the two-day event. The Cross Media, Digital & Direct Marketing, Content Marketing, Mobile Marketing and Print & Innovation theatres will provide the latest opportunities, solutions, case studies and seminars to address how the marketing, print and publishing industries can maximise the effectiveness of their multi-channel communications to deliver a higher return on marketing investment.

Sarah Gavin, VP Marketing of Outbrain Europe, comments: "As content marketing continues to be elevated as a must have element of the marketing armoury for many brands, we feel it is important to support events where the creation of truly integrated cross media campaigns are celebrated. Cross Media has acknowledged the growing importance of content marketing with a dedicated theatre and we are looking forward to the undoubtedly lively and interesting debate that will take place there."

The industry’s major print and marketing associations are also throwing their weight behind the Cross Media 2013, including the BPIF, the Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing (IDM), Direct Marketing Association (DMA), Content Marketing Association (CMA), Internet Advertising Bureau UK (IAB), Xplore International and the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA).

Kristin Brewe, Director of Marketing & Communications, Internet Advertising Bureau UK (IAB), comments: “The IAB is very pleased to support great industry events like Cross Media, which showcases how businesses can leverage digital to meet consumer needs and stay competitive. In today's connected world, it's no longer a question of whether a business gets digital but more about how they adapt. Cross Media is a forum that can help with that.”

“We are thrilled with the level of support we’re receiving from some of the industry’s key marketing service providers, associations and suppliers, whether it’s digital, mobile or print. After the success of the launch event last year, the number of new and returning exhibitors is testament to this,” comments Nick Craig Waller, Cross Media 2013 Event Director. “Cross Media offers the perfect platform for marketers, brands, agencies, designers and print service providers to engage with suppliers to keep up to date with the latest solutions that will help maximise the ROMI on cross media marketing campaigns, and we look forward to delivering an event that will do just that.”

To pre-register for Cross Media 2013, please visit www.crossmedialive.com/register.