"A FIRST STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION" - STAVROS DRAKOULARAKOS,CEO, 24MEDIA DIGITAL GROUP

Google’s Digital News Initiative is a first, step in the right direction so as to create the adequate conditions for building an open and interactive relationship between Google and digital publishers. It is also an implicit acknowledgment of the ineffectiveness of its hitherto approach to walk alone or to change relevant policies halfway through. The only certainty is that in order to succeed, this initiative requires intensive collaboration. Google surely realizes the vital role of news production and content around which it displays its ads, while digital media should fully understand that a solution to their problems will not be achieved without new ideas and the help of technology.

GREEK INTERNET USERS CHOOSE SPORT24!

SPORT24, the official destination of Euroleague in Greece, was the first choice of Greek internet users,  for their athletic information during the Final Four! 

ΜEETING WITH THE HELLENIC INITIATIVE

Dimitris Maris, President of 24MEDIA had a meeting with the Executive Director of the Hellenic Initiative, Mark Arey. The Hellenic Initiative was founded in 2012 by members of the global Greek and philhellene communities who were compelled to respond to the worsening economic crisis and inspired to help shape Greece’s long-term recovery. 

In the meeting, Mr Arey focused on the current activities run by the Hellenic initiative in the pillars of  philanthropy, business development options in Greece, supporting entrepreneurship through  VentureGarden  an entrepreneurship education program designed to foster more – and more successful – entrepreneurs across all economic sectors.

Mr Maris focused on the ways and synergies that can be created for 24MEDIA and the Hellenic Initiative. Mr Maris emphasized the need for young Greeks to learn about the Hellenic Initiative and its programmes and said that   24MEDIA network as well as Huffington Post Greece will facilitate this process through promoting their activities in Greece, thus helping the organization reaching their target audience.

MEETING WITH HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS OF AMERICA

Dimitris Maris, President of 24MEDIA was accepted in a meeting today in New York by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America.

In the fruitful and vibrant discussion they focused among other issues to the actual ways and steps needed in order to bring the 1.5 – 2 million Greeks who live in the US closer to the homeland and the way Greek digital publishers can facilitate this process.

Dimitris Maris emphasized on the role of the Greek Orthodox Church as the true unifying element of the Greek diaspora.

Of course the current economical political and social challenges that Greece faces today were discussed, as well as the factors shaping the evolving new media landscape in Greece. His Eminence emphasized on the role of existing historic Greek community media in the US (such as national herald/εθνικός κήρυξ).

THE HUFFINGTON POST CELEBRATED ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY

The Huffington Post celebrated its 10th anniversary on Monday night at The Gramercy Terrace at The Gramercy Park Hotel in NYC.

 Arianna Huffington, President and Editor-in-Chief of Huffington Post Media Group, Tim Armstrong CEO and Chairman of AOL, and Ken Lerer, Co-Founder of The Huffington Post, hosted the event.  

Guests included Diane Sawyer, Charlie Rose, Deborah Roberts, Mika Brzezinski, Joe Scarborough, Martha Stewart, Jonah Peretti and Director Andrew Jarecki, and Ambassador Samantha Power.

 Editors from HuffPost’s international editions were also present for the festivities and notable historic HuffPost front pages were on display from the last 10 years. Among them, the "Honey I' m home" frontpage of HuffPost Greece.

HuffPost Greece was represented by its Editor in Chief, Nikos Agouros. Huffington Post`s media partner in Greece, 24MEDIA was represented by its Head of Marketing & International Brands, Anna Maria Beritsi.

Dimitris Maris, president of 24MEDIA and HuffPost Greece shareholder, who also attended the event, noted on the occasion: "We are very excited to be here and participate in this celebration.Although we are one of the youngest editions we feel real pride to be part of the history of HuffPost, a revolutionary and disruptive digital brand that irrevocably changed the media landscape".

RECORD AUDIENCE REACH FOR 24MEDIA

Over 10 million users visited the 24MEDIA network in March

ENED’s official measurement for March 2015 shows that the brand network of 24MEDIA, recorded 10,063,199 unique browsers and 189,917,164 page views, surpassing all previous records. 

Audience records were also recorded for 5 of the principal sites of the group (SPORT24, CONTRA, ΤΗΕ HUFFINGTON POST GREECE, ONEMAN, LADYLIKE)*, namely:

SPORT24 was visited by 3.466.398 unique browsers and 61.879.638 page views.

CONTRA broke its previous record by rqeachingt more than 2 million unique browsers (2.0198 million), while its page views were 36,886,612.

HUFFINGTON POST GREECE completed the month with 2,105,279 unique browsers and 12,243,986 page views. 

ONEMAN was visited by 1,226,112 unique browsers and 4,955,941 page views in March. 

Ladylike’s reach also hit a new record with 906.787 unique browsers and 3.357.494  page views.

Finally, NEWS247 continued its growth trajectory with 3,767,906 unique browsers and served 40,863,379 page views.

Manos Mihalos, Content Director of 24MEDIA stated: “24MEDIA’ s audience data as well as digital’s irrepressible growth, demonstrates the strength of the Greek Internet, which mirrors that of advanced international markets. This includes both content and services to users, as well as the innovative solutions offered to the advertising market. 24MEDIA is continuously investing in skilled human resources and state of the art technology.”

*Source: AT Internet / ENED, March 2015

DIMITRIS MARIS, KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT THE BCA MA IN MARKETING

Dimitris Maris, Founder and Chairman of 24MEDIA was the keynote speaker at the BCA`s graduates of its MA in Marketing [Digital Marketing] program.

The original title of the speech was “Challenges and prospects in the digital era”, however Mr Maris focused on the differences and the lessons learnt by those between his generation (Generation X) and that of the Graduates (Generation Y). Moreover he emphasized the role of personality vs technology, as well as the ability to adjust to the results of one's decisions.

The very vibrant discussion that followed  revolved around the difficulties in Greece and its position in a globalised era; the future of digital media globally, as well as the way to cope with the flood of changes and the way we live. 

24MEDIA PARTICIPATED IN THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

24MEDIA supported the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21/3), through a special feature, which was promoted by the entire brand network. 

Oneman.gr, the first lifestyle men’s’ brand in Greece, was the main communication vehicle of this action, hosting a variety of articles against racism, as well as its own video production.

All the content produced by the 24MEDIA network, can be found at the following link: 
http://www.oneman.gr/keimena/special-days/antiracism-day/.

This action included 26 articles and interviews in total, which were promoted throughout the day by the whole network.
 
A number of relevant content articles and interviews of well known athletes such as Christian Karembeu, Idriss Carlos Kameni and Marco Zoro, who faced racism in football courts, were additionally hosted featured on Contra.gr and Sport24.gr, as well.
 
24MEDIA promotes equal rights and stands against racism and discrimination in every aspect of everyday life.

NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR ENED, GREECE'S ONLINE PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION

Mr. Dimitris Maris, Founder & Chairman of 24MΕDIA, is elected President of the Board of Directors of ENED. New Board Members include Mr. Stamatis Zacharos of Capital.gr and Mr. Simos Zervas of Star Channel.

The Annual General Meeting of ENED and Board Elections were held on March 19th at the Offices of Pegasus. The new Board consists of:  Mr. Dimitris Maris (Chairman - 24MEDIA), Mr. Thomas Siozopoulos (Vice President - Pegasus Interactive), Mr. Stamatis Zacharos (General Secretary - Capital.gr), Mr. Dimitris Iliopoulos (Treasurer - Athinorama / Desmi Publishing) and Mr. Simos Zervas (Member - Star Channel).

During the General Meeting, the Annual Financial Report of 2014 and the budget for 2015 were approved, while a new Disciplinary Board was also elected,  consisting of Mrs. Smaro Kouri (Prime Media), Mrs. Evi Varotsi (MEGA), Mrs. Ada Kyrkilis (DOL), Mr. Simos Zervas (STAR) and Mr. Konstantinos Kamaras (24MEDIA). 

Furthermore, extensive discussions took place with the main topics being the challenges that the premium content publishers face as well as the overall state and trend of the digital market. Moreover, additional priorities were set, such as  the further development and upgrade of the Traffic Measurement and Certification system, the further expansion of membership, the initiatives needed in order to highlight and enhance the comparative advantages of the Greek premium content sites as advertising vehicles and the introduction of specific terms for any third parties reproducing content.

Following his election, the new President of ENED Mr. Dimitris Maris stated: “Digital Media hold a key role in Greece. What we want to achieve, as the association of Digital Publishers, is to implement a plan based on three pillars: the further expansion of our institutional role, the creation of guidelines for the market, and the advantage that comes with integrating new technologies and creating common tools.”

24MEDIA EXCLUSIVE SPONSOR OF THE COSMAS XENAKI'S EXHIBITION AT THE BENAKI MUSEUM

The art exhibition of Cosmas Xenakis was launched at the Benaki Museum on March 19th. 

24MEDIA is the exclusive sponsor of the exhibition, while Huffington Post Greece is the main communication sponsor. 

Cosmas Xenakis, one of the pioneers of post-war art in Greece, was an artist of multiple talents and interests, making his mark in painting, sculpture, architecture and urban planning. This exhibition is the first major attempt at a comprehensive presentation of his work, to showcase his complex personality, the diversity of his work, and his critical contribution in the regeneration of Greek visual art. 

The exhibition is divided in 4 themes and includes paintings and sculptures, photographs of public art pieces, audiovisual clips, stills and artefacts from the Polytechna, as well as material relating to his life and his era and pieces from his private collections.

The exhibition’s visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the artwork of one of Greece’s most innovative artists until May 10th. 

The curator of the exhibition is George Hadjimichalis while assistant curator is Dimitris Xenakis, son of the artist.

ONEMAN.GR CELEBRATED ITS THIRD BIRTHDAY!

The first lifestyle men’s’ brand in Greece – Oneman.gr – celebrated on March 18th its third birthday with a unique event!
 
24MEDIA - Digital Media Group along with the ONEMAN editorial team welcomed their friends, associates and 40 lucky readers at Pixi Club. 

Many executives and representatives of the PR and Advertising industry attended the event, once more showing their trust to the Oneman.gr brand for its significant impact (1.112.222 monthly unique browsers* και 4.603.026 monthly pageviews*).
 

“Ace Burgers” was the event’s Food Sponsor while UBER was the transportation sponsor, providing a unique code for the safe return of the guests. The event was organized by the Live Experiences team, on behalf of 24MEDIA.

More information also available at http://portfolio.oneman.gr/3-years-oneman-party
 

*AT Internet February 2015

24MEDIA AT THE WORLDPOST'S "THE FUTURE OF WORK CONFERENCE"

 

24MEDIA participated at the WorldPost`s “The Future of Work conference” in London held by Huffington Post and Berggruen Institute. The conference brought together politicians, business leaders and intellectuals to debate the role of technology in tomorrow's workplace.
Participants included Arianna Huffington, Google's Eric Schmidt, LinkedIn's Reid Hoffman, Her Majesty Queen Rannia Al Abdullah, economists Laura Tyson, Nouriel Roubini and Mohamed El-Erian, Steve Jobs' biographer Walter Isaacson, Japanese robot creator Tomotaka Takahashi among others.

24MEDIA was represented by its President & Founder Dimitris Maris. HuffPost Greece was also present with a team comprised of its General Manager Annita Stephanou, Editorial Director Sofia Papaionnou, Editor in Chief Nikos Agouros and Sales Director Tassos Argyros.

From undeniable macroscopic shifts in the economy to the microscopic impact of how technological advancements are changing the shape and perhaps even the existence of traditional workplaces, the conference critically explored the future of work. The speakers' vision of the future cut across the many ways technology will affect work and the workplace, while also examining how people, companies and society will be impacted by the change.Several speakers insisted on the need for deep reforms to professional training to meet the challenge of huge numbers of jobs vanishing. Others called upon companies to make innovation imperative and a factor for survival.

Following the conference Dimitris Maris stated: “The WorldPost Future Series take a multi-disciplinary approach to exploring the transformations and understanding the social, economic and political landscapes that will emerge in those turbulent times such as the ones we live today. It was a mind –boggling conference that brought into the surface aspects that especially in Greece have not been thoroughly examined. We want to bring this discussion here in order to be ready for the challenges of the decades to come”.