Founder of digital agency Outside Line is voted in to oversee activities for 12 months.

Wednesday, 10 September 2008

The newly launched IAB Social Media Council have elected Lloyd Salmons, founder of digital communications agency Outside Line as its chair for the next 12 months. Lloyd will act as the key spokesperson of the council and chair the monthly meetings as well as shaping their agenda for the next year. The council is attended by a range of specialist and traditional agencies within the IAB membership, as well media owners and advertisers who are experts in the field.

The council aims to further simplify the concept of social media and how it can work in marketing terms. Currently its remit includes guidelines for effective social media campaigns, measurement and case studies as well as working on various workshops and seminars. A social media handbook is also being produced to further educate the industry on the merits of the discipline, which will be released in the autumn.

In the last ten years Salmons has been responsible for setting up EMI’s International New Media Marketing department where he managed digital campaigns across all territories worldwide for music artists ranging from The Beatles to Robbie Williams. Since then Salmons and his business partner Ant Cauchi founded the Outside Line which champions itself as one of the first ‘real’ digital marketing agencies.

Lloyd Salmons, co-founder and director of Outside Line, commented: “I am thrilled to be chairman of the Social Media Council and involved in this excellent industry initiative by IAB. As the unmistaken impact of social media and its role within communications evolves, the council will discuss and demystify best practices of maintaining an open dialogue and strengthening relationship with consumers online, whether a company has already embraced digital or new into the foray. I look forward to exploring future trends with the team, as well as new technologies and how to innovate to stay memorable in the marketplace.”

Guy Phillipson, chief executive of the IAB, said: ‘Social Media has always been high on the IAB’s agenda, both in terms of paid-for advertising and the ways in which seeding content and developing an online PR programme can build exceptionally strong relationships with consumers. It’s our job to show you how this is done, and Lloyd has a wealth of expertise in the area. We’re very happy to have him on board to chair our newest Council and oversee the great work they have planned over the next 12 months.’