• by Karl Greenberg , Staff Writer, September 18, 2008

The panel on video advertising online focused on where spend is getting cut. Mediator Ross Sandler of RBC Capital Markets set the tone. "In my world, it's the worst environment since the Great Depresssion."

Is online advertising feeling it?  Jordan Bitterman, SVP Media and Content says there's a lot of pressure on spend, but "We haven't seen a lot of cuts versus where we have been in years past or quarters past; a lot of clients moving more and more chips into internet space. There's a lot of renewed focus on what works."

Steve Mitgang, CEO of video site Veoh says because of the experimental nature of the market, brands dont want to be left on sidelines. "We have 40-plus premium brands hyper-experimenting on video, But then again it's small and still experimental."

Bitterman adds that client perspective on their own inventory of video assets says a lot.  "Right now it's tougher to find clients who want to commit to more sophisticated online content. But this is a marathon not a sprint, it will take a little time.  I expect within the next 18-24 months it will take off."