IAB Australia Appoints CEO; More Hires to Come

In Australia, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has appointed Paul Fisher as its first CEO. He takes up the new post at the beginning of July.

Once Fisher has worked his notice as National Sales Director of News Digital Media, he will replace Patty Keegan, who has been running the organisation on a part-time basis. Before taking up his existing role, Fisher was News Limited's Head of Integration. He has also held sales positions at DMG Radio and Ninemsn.

At IAB, his initial focus will include audience measurement, increasing staff numbers and making more international research available to the local industry. Up to three additional IAB staff will be recruited, including a Research Manager.

Fisher will also oversee plans to become more closely aligned with the British and US IABs by bringing together research they have already conducted on online video, audience measurement metrics, and digital marketing. He will also initiate talks with industry bodies to develop a strategy for the industry group.

One of his main challenges will be to tackle the lack of a standard Internet audience measurement system. IAB hopes to have a new system in place within two years.

Founded in 1996, the IAB evaluates and recommends standards and practices, fields interactive effectiveness research, and provides education about the value of interactive advertising.

Web site: www.iab.net .

In February, the Board of Directors of the IAB's US division formally adopted privacy guidelines designed to give users control over the use of their personal data by online advertisers.