Welcome to issue 6 of Dialogue, our newsletter for CNET Networks UK commercial partners.

It has been another big month for us here at CNET Networks UK. We have recently moved to our brand spanking new offices in Bankside that we have been developing over the past year. It’s exciting to be in such a great new space with fantastic new facilities and more than enough space to fill as we expand.

As usual we have lots to tell you about and I hope you find something useful and interesting as you read on.

Regards

Tom Bureau, UK Managing Director

As many of you were relaxing over the Easter weekend, CNET Networks UK was busy moving to our new offices in Southwark. Having more than quadrupled our workforce over the last five years, our offices had become somewhat cramped; it was time to move on. We've invested heavily in the new offices, developing the building from an old warehouse into a high-tech environment that caters to our current and future needs as a leading online publisher. One of the main features is our state-of-the-art multimedia studio. Ben Howard, our Head of Video, was involved in the design process from the beginning to ensure that we have everything we need to stay on the cutting edge of media. We're now fully equipped to produce in-house the innovative content (such as the recently launched Space Bubble) that CNET Networks is known for. We've developed an environment that reflects CNET Networks' culture and work ethic - open, casual, but focused. For example, we have created a large breakout area with a fully kitted-out kitchen where breakfast, lunch and snacks can be prepared; there's a pool table and gaming room to unwind in; the reception area has been designed so that our receptionists are integrated into the heart of the company; and quirky meeting rooms to facilitate quick, informal meetings. If you're in the area, please let us know and come by for a guided tour.

Top

We are now accepting entries for the CNET Networks UK Business Technology Awards. Recognising innovation, application and excellence in technology and business, the CNET Networks UK Business Technology Awards attract entries from the entire spectrum of UK technology and user companies - whether they are a small start-up, vertical player or technology giant. We honour the products, projects and players that are setting the standards and showcase their outstanding achievements to the business world. The CNET Networks UK Business Technology Awards are growing year on year - in terms of entries and audience - and this year we have launched new categories including Green IT Initiative of the Year and IT Services Technology Project of the Year. Click here for a full list of our categories for 2007, along with the entry criteria for each. To be a winner you need to submit a five star entry. Follow our hints and tips and enter online now. The final entry deadline is 31 May 2007. The CNET Networks UK Business Technology Awards culminate in a prestigious awards ceremony and networking dinner at the London Hilton on Park Lane on 24 September 2007. Click here to check out the video from last year's event. We hope you'll be a part of the success in 2007!

Top

ZDNet UK has recently introduced an innovative new way for companies to graphically convey a complex message to their target audience - The Vendor White Board. The ZDNet Editors in the US have long used videoed white boarding sessions to demonstrate new technologies and innovations to its users because it is easy to understand, succinct, and to the point. In Q1 of this year ZDNet UK took this one step further and pioneered the Vendor White Board. The Vendor White Board allows a company to talk about a topic of interest within the technology space, using the easy to understand white board format. This demonstrates that the company has expertise in this field, whilst highlighting their brand as a potential supplier. At three minutes in length, the format plays directly to the strengths of the Web where the average viewing times of video content is well below 10 minutes. There is still ample time to get across the core themes and ideas around the concept you are looking to explain. Our first Vendor White Board featured Michael Davies, Product Director at Viatel, who talked about Next-Generation Networks and why convergence could help drive down communications costs for businesses. This video was highlighted within the most relevant channel on ZDNet UK as well as on the homepage of the site. With over 11,000 views within the first month, this has proved extremely successful at aligning the Viatel brand and expertise with this new technology and also with this exciting new type of vendor content. You can view the video here. For more information on how you could take advantage of Vendor White Boards, please call Clive Page, Sales Manager ZDNet UK on 020 7021 1018 or email clive.page@cnet.com

Top

Gone are the days when internet advertising consisted of a few ignored boxes cluttering up the screen. With the new rich media ad formats being launched on CNET Networks UK, advertisers now have the opportunity not only to target an interested audience, but to actively engage them and get them excited about advertising. Building on the success of Site Skins, GameSpot UK made industry headlines a few weeks ago by being the first to introduce a Toggle Skin, in partnership with Sega for the highly anticipated PS3 launch. Gamers love nothing more than something new and exciting to play with, and now the Toggle Skin allows users to choose a skin to dress the guttering, interacting on a greater level with their favourite site. Speaking of new and exciting, the GameSpot UK Video Wall is turning heads on the homepage with its unique take on the video player, purpose built for advertising. As Web 2.0 takes off, video is coming into its own not only in website content, but also in all-singing, all-dancing advertising solutions. Video can be included in an Explains series - an option that gives the client a voice to present their product. Why merely explain your product when you can show it off? CNET Networks has always been about building brands for people and the things they are passionate about and, with this increased level of interactivity, our advertising platforms are capturing the imagination and attention of our users more than ever. For more information on how your company can capitalise on CNET Networks' attention-grabbing new formats, please contact Parbinder Dhariwal at parbinder.dhariwal@cnet.com

Top

Last week over 130 PR professionals attended a Chinwag Live event, sponsored by CNET Networks UK amongst others, to discuss how the PR industry needs to adapt in order to engage with and get the most out of social media as it heads for mainstream adoption. There were a couple of main take-outs for me: In PR, like in any other form of media interaction and marketing today, you have to start to be prepared to embrace disclosure and be transparent. This means getting your head around losing control, being bold, and taking some risks. In order to influence a conversation you need to participate in it – and you can only participate effectively if you understand the rules. So in order to fully integrate Web 2.0 tactics into your PR strategy you need to start dedicating the time and taking the effort to become immersed in social media yourself. Pretty smart advice to anyone tackling interactive marketing in any way, shape or form nowadays – a podcast of the event will be available to download on ZDNet UK and silicon.com shortly.

Top