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Behavioral Targeting Standards Consortium Highlights from General Membership Meeting with Network Advertising Initiative

New York–October 29, 2008 – On October 15 at 1:00 PM (EST), Behavioral Targeting Standards Consortium (BTSC) held their latest general membership meeting with guest speaker Justin B. Weiss, Associate Counsel for the Network Advertising Initiative (NAI). The BTSC is an association of experts committed to identifying, defining and educating the marketplace on behavioral targeting standards. Mr. Weiss provided listeners with an overview of recent NAI activity relating to behavioral targeting. Earlier this year, the NAI released a major overhaul of its principles, including a proposal to update code of conduct to account for new business.

Since 2000, the NAI behavioral advertising principles have served as a model of self-regulatory regime for online behavioral advertising. Mr. Weiss addressed consumer concerns over the use of online consumer web surfing history and targeted advertising, and how companies can simultaneously build consumer awareness and establish responsible business and data management practices and standards, including data management concerns resulting from mergers and acquisitions of advertising companies, i.e. Google and DoubleClick.

During the Q&A portion of the meeting, BTSC members posed questions for Mr. Weiss addressing their concerns towards behavioral targeting standards affecting both consumers and the advertising industry itself. Questions focused on, among others, behavioral targeting issues including ISP-based behavioral advertising (ISP-BT) through consumer data screenings, ISP-BT opt-in standards, global opt-out standards, FTC and self-regulation and state versus federal regulation. Based on the questions asked, it appeared that the issue concerning most BTSC members is that of evolving advertising technologies and how they affect online consumer privacy. Mr. Weiss assured BTSC members that the NAI is addressing these mounting concerns through both industry self-regulation and protections for online consumers.

About the NAI:
The NAI (Network Advertising Initiative) is a cooperative of online marketing companies committed to building consumer awareness and establishing responsible business and data management practices and standards. As increasingly sophisticated online advertising technologies evolve, consumer concerns about their impact on online privacy mount. The NAI meets these concerns with both effective industry self-regulation and sensible protections for online consumers. To learn more, visit www.networkadvertising.org.

About the Behavioral Targeting Standards Consortium:
The Behavioral Targeting Standards Consortium is a new professional consortium established to drive industry standards for behavioral targeting. Sponsored by Revenue Science, the association of over 315 member companies aims to enhance the understanding of behavioral targeting by developing and advocating behavioral targeting guidelines. The BTSC provides the tools and education necessary for publishers and advertisers to maximize the benefits of behavioral targeting. For more information, please visit btstandards.org.

Media Contact:
Morgan McDowell
blast! PR on behalf of Revenue Science
morgan@blastpr.com
919-833-9975 x.12

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