DIGITAL MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY THE 614 GROUP NAMES TWO SEASONED EXECUTIVES TO DRIVE EXPANSION EFFORTS IN EUROPE

LONDON, UK (January 21, 2013) - The 614 Group, a global digital management consultancy, today announced that it has named veteran interactive industry leaders Julia Smith and Eric Urdahl as Partners, collaboratively leading the New York-headquartered company’s European operations.

Based respectively in London and Berlin, Smith and Urdahl will help expand the firm’s network in the European marketplace, applying their skills and expertise to align The 614 Group’s mission and value proposition with the EU’s unique and dynamic industry characteristics and opportunities. 

The 614 Group provides a full suite of solutions ranging from consultation to highly-specialized subject matter expertise across a range of categories – which include: general business and financial advisory, digital advertising compliance best practices for regulatory and self-regulatory programs, and counsel related to navigating the complex ecosystem of digital marketing solutions providers.

The consultancy’s strategic and tactical experts focus on guiding organizations to better knowledge and understanding of the digital ecosystem through a model of consultancy, implementation services and training.

Smith is an Independent Digital Consultant specializing in brand safety, ad trading and digital strategy who launched her career at Dennis Publishing over 17 years ago. Smith has been at the epicenter of the changing digital media landscape, holding major commercial roles both agency and media side that have included Jemm Group, Associated Newspapers, The Mirror Group Newspapers, Harvest Digital, IAB and UPC Media. 
Smith was also Head of IASH, the largest council within the IAB representing digital networks and sales houses. In 2012, Julia was an elected representative on Digital Trading Standards Group as well, the Audit working group and IAB Display Trading Council.
 Julia is a regular media commentator and often invited to speak at major conferences on brand safety, RTB and ad trading issues.

Urdahl has an extensive track record developing international digital media businesses – both online and mobile - for companies such as madvertise, United Internet Media, Pricerunner and SONY Europe in the past 15 years. In various leadership roles, Urdahl has executed successful international expansion strategies and global partnerships. His professional experience and expertise includes international media sales, MarCom and PR, business development in premium and performance digital advertising sales, targeting technologies for online & mobile ad networks. Urdahl served on the Board of IAB Europe and as Chairman of the Brand Advertising Steering Committee, where he gained European recognition as the author of the paper, “Brand Advertising and Digital”.

“Our growing team has decades of experience building and operating digital media businesses, advising digital organizations and achieving significant returns for these companies,” said Rob Rasko, Managing Partner, The 614 Group. “Eric and Julia bring an unparalleled level of acumen, vision, contacts and strategic know-how to our consultancy – with a deep and holistic understanding of the digital landscape, as well as the current state of the European regulatory market. These two industry leaders now bring a powerhouse of expertise in the field of brand safety and transparency under one roof.  We are thrilled to have them as part of our growing global footprint and success story.”

“The digital media landscape across Europe is an exciting but also challenging ecosystem of opportunities and choices, said Julia Smith. “There exists a significant opportunity for a digitally-focused professional services organization that is equipped to offer a range of services to companies involved in digital content and advertising. The 614 Group is rapidly emerging as the partner of choice for brands seeking to play effectively and successfully in the global interactive marketplace.”

“I look forward to working with Julia and Rob to further develop the international strategy of The 614 Group,” said Eric Urdahl. “It is highly imperative for any global digital consultancy to take into account local market dynamics and structure and work to market an interactive brand through collaboration with the leading policy organizations with each market. The 614 Group is well-placed to do that, and to help European digital leaders navigate through the often complex labyrinth of partners, vendors, regulators and myriad of other stakeholders.”

About The 614 Group

The 614 Group is a global business services consultancy with subject-matter expertise in the digital media arena. Its strategic and tactical team focuses on guiding organizations to better knowledge and understanding of the digital ecosystem through a model of consultancy, implementation services, and training. Located in New York, London, and Berlin, the group is a practice-based offering across a range of categories such as general business and financial advisory, digital advertising compliance best practices for regulatory and self-regulatory regimes, and advisory related to navigating the complex ecosystem of digital marketing solutions providers. For more information, visit www.614group.com.

Media Contact

Nicholas Graham for The 614 Group

[email protected]

571-291-2967

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