SEMPO Launches 2010 State-of-the-Market Survey

Survey to Gauge Search Marketing Budgets and Trends; Agency and In-house Search Engine Marketing Professionals Encouraged to Participate

Wakefield, MA, February 8, 2010 – Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO) announced today that its sixth annual industry-wide survey to assess the economy's effect on year-to-year online marketing spending and investigate new trends is open for participation.

The results of SEMPO’s State-of-the-Market Survey provide insight into budgetary changes and industry trends with advertisers and agencies. In addition to the organic search optimization and paid search areas, this year’s survey addresses social media as a component of search engine marketing (SEM).

The survey is open to all SEM managers and professionals working in an agency or in-house corporate position. Participants do not need to be SEMPO members. Log on to The State-of-the-Market Survey to participate. As an incentive for participating in the survey, a free copy of the final report – a $249 value – will be sent to all survey respondents.

"One of SEMPO’s major contributions to the search marketing arena is the publication of the results of our State-of-the-Market Survey. Now that we are in our sixth year with the survey, we have a proven track record for compiling empirical research that seriously impacts those working in the search marketing industry,” said Marc Engelsman, member of SEMPO’s research committee and Vice President of Client Programs and Services for Digital Brand Expressions. “We’re very appreciative of marketers taking the time – just about 10 minutes – to participate in the survey because the more people who participate, the bigger the impact the survey will have.”

SEMPO’s survey research partner for this year’s survey is Econsultancy, an award-winning online publisher of reports covering best practice, user experience benchmarking, market data, supplier selection, template files, trends and innovation. They publish a wide range of reports aimed at internet professionals who want practical advice on all aspects of e-business.

Rebecca Lieb, U.S. Vice President at Econsultancy, said, "We are thrilled to be working with SEMPO on this piece of research, which has established itself globally as a must-read both for search marketing advertisers and digital agencies. We’ve worked closely with SEMPO to make sure the survey reflects changes in the industry, so that it is as relevant and up-to-date as possible."

The State-of-the-Market Survey is open for participation through Monday, February 22, 2010. Preliminary results will be available in early March with a full report expected in late March.

Source: Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO)