2007 Round Up - What Dax Hamman Thinks

What's been your highlight of 2007?

I joined the company in April and we formally founded this department in May. It has been a really busy six months and as a team we’ve been working really hard to communicate out to the rest of the business, and understand how display media ties in with all the other disciplines at Spannerworks.
It was brilliant at the last big company meeting in November, hearing from all the teams. I sat there and genuinely thought to myself there is not a single other company I would rather work for right now. I think we’re absolutely on the verge of nailing what the industry needs and we offer something quite unique.

What are you looking forward to in 2008?

In 2008 we’re going to be developing the overlaps. For instance, display and media isn’t just about eyeballs on adverts. Traditional approaches to media planning and buying are in some ways flawed. We can offer an innovative approach because of our unique view of the web via all the integrated services we offer at Spannerworks.

If you could change one thing about Google, what would it be?

Can I have two? There's been a lot of emphasis on the engines in pushing the display offering. It is quite standardised, and in a meeting I had with Google recently, by their own admission, they agreed they have a limited offering, despite the reach. They’re lacking in terms of targeting. If I was the head of Google I would be looking to push the DoubleClick deal through to address this.
The second thing I would do involves Photosynth which I think has real revolutionary promise. It’s an emergent platform based on dispersed social content and media, and I think it has the potential to change the way people search and browse. I would keep a close eye on it and expand Google Universal to be a true visual interface.

Are you a fan of Christmas?

Yes, I have three daughters who I am taking to Lapland this year to meet the real Santa in his home. We’re looking forward to inspecting his workshop and supervising reindeer mealtimes.