/ 07.19.2010 12:00AM
ePort Passes $1 Billion Milestone, TVB Seeks Operational Partner for Platform
NEW YORK: This
just in from the Television Bureau of Advertising: “You may have seen recent
press reports that TVB is considering several scenarios concerning the future
of TVB ePort. We wish to clarify what is and what is not happening.
“TVB ePort has just passed the $1 billion milestone in sales order volume, with
electronic orders being sent by 185 agencies and advertisers to more than 1,089
TV stations and national rep firms. June was a record month for orders and
make-goods.
“New agencies are being added to the ePort roster every week. Buy-side users
are urging the development of more functionality. Political agencies as Media
AdVentures are using ePort to help manage the demands of the 2010 election
season, for example.
“We are working to increase ePort’s value for all players. Consistent with
TVB’s position that e-business is in the best interest of the industry, we are
maintaining our role as e-business advocate and facilitator.
“We are exploring ways to increase ePort’s value by considering options to outsource
the platform’s operations while maintaining its management. Doing so would
increase the tech know-how and resources to expand ePort functionality, and
could reduce the cost to broadcasters as well as increase ePort’s value in the
stewardship process to sellers and buyers.
“The TVB board of directors has approved and is committed to the direction we
are taking with TVB ePort and to keeping e-business at the top of TVB’s
priority list.Their mandate to us is to decide how best to support TVB ePort
now and in the future.”