SEMPO Threatened by SMA-NA
Just when you thought SEMPO had inhaled its last breath and quietly slipped away, we hear that they're not only still around, by very much scared of the newly created SMA-NA.

According to an alleged conversation with Barbara Coll, they do not want to work with anyone that is a member of SMA-NA.

Although the majority of the conversation was confidential, it was made very clear that SEMPO considers the SMA-NA to be a direct threat and a competitor for membership and sponsor dollars. Interesting that the SMA-UK and EU were not considered the same way. To me, that really confirmed the regional blinkers SEMPO wears. The concern about the money rather than the industry was also very interesting. Although it was mentioned that the industry would be better off with only one group (I agree BTW ;) ) this was mentioned in direct relation to funding.

She also repeatedly demanded the names of the others on the SMA-NA working group. Since they had not been confirmed yet, I didn't answer, but the message was clear: SMA members were not welcome in SEMPO. Pity. Personally, I think that all support of the SEO/SEM industry is a good thing, and I'd rather someone support SEMPO than not support anything. I guess they don't see it that way.

Nice move! Just when SEMPO was trying to convince the industry that their motives were not purely to promote the select few, they go ahead and demonstrate that they have no intention of doing what is best for the industry. Can you imagine the DMA refusing you to participate in a meeting because you were also a member of the AMA? Crazy.

Hat-tip Aaron.

UPDATE: ClickZ has more on this topic, including these quotes:

"I got a bird's-eye view of the issues, politics and personalities. I realized that SEMPO is fundamentally broken. It's outlived its usefulness," Ian McAnerin, a Canada-based search marketer who is leading the creation of the SMA-NA working group.

"We're not the first, and we won't be the last organization for search engine marketing," said Dana Todd, SEMPO vice president. "We have a very specific mission, and other groups have different interpretations of what their needs are. If anyone has the wherewithal and the fortitude, I think it's great."

"The vision of SEMPO is to be involved in the industry, not in the members necessarily. The research we put out in December showed that we're thinking long-term," added SEMPO chairperson Barbara Coll. "I don't think the regional SMA groups are going to focus on the industry, they seem to be about making sure the members are getting benefits."


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