The Q&A is your chance to tell us what you think about working in digital media. Everybody can take part � just go to www.surveyshack.com to fill in the questionnaire.

Jes�s Maroto, Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper Interaction (www.eurorscg.co.uk), jesus.maroto (A) eurorscg.co.uk

August 2003

1. What does your business do?
   We are an interactive advertising agency who specialise in developing and managing pan-European communications. We deliver locally relevant branded customer experiences and relationships through an innovative synergy of creativity and technology.
   
   
2. What's currently hot for your business?
   Localisation usability accessibility content management and, of course, return on investment seem to be in the minds of everyone lately.
   
   
3. What's not?
   Click-through rates.
   
   
4. How long have you worked in digital media?
   6 years.
   
   
5. What's been the high point?
   During the dotcom era I worked on amazing projects. There was a lot of money to burn but there were also a lot of good ideas that never saw the light. I think they were too avant-garde for that time. I am confident they will make it in the future.
   
   
6. Any regrets?
   I have worked really hard - I guess I should have enjoyed my youth a bit more!
   
   
7. Best digital marketing / advertising campaign you've seen recently?
   San Miguel the Spanish beer manufacturer developed a really nice website and webvertising campaign recently. It is called San Miguel city and can be viewed at www.sanmiguel.es.
   
   
8. What websites help you most in your job?
   www.webofculture.com  is quite neat and provides really juicy cross-cultural topics. - www.localisation.ie  belongs to the EU localisation research centre and contains a wealth of information and links on localisation issues. - www.glreach.com/globstats/ provides very useful global Internet statistics.
   
   
9. What websites distract you most when you should be working?
   Online newspapers - they are addictive.
   
   
10. Have you got a personal site or blog?
    www.geocities.com/spanishlocalizer
    
    
11. Most useful application or software that you use?
    My email application.
    
    
12. Best advice you've been given about working in this industry?
    Meet as many people as you can and be nice to them - they might end being your boss. I would also recommend anyone to make some time to keep up-to-date with technological developments. What you know today might be worthless tomorrow.
    
    
13. What, if anything, should the Government be doing to help digital media companies?
    They should make it easier and cheaper for people to have broadband access. I also think there should be some programmes to teach the population how to make the best possible use of the internet. I think there is an increasing digital divide between those with access and those that lack it. However, the government is still on time to bring everybody on board.
    
    
14. Most annoying jargon used in digital media?
    Anything related with a new rich media format.
    
    
15. Any bad things about your line of work?
    It is really specialised. I know very few people and companies that actually do something similar to what I do.
    
    
16. What's playing on your ipod?
    I don't have an ipod yet but the CD I bought is called Brazilelectro. It is a fantastic lounge music compilation with some added bossanova.
    
    
17. What's the next big thing in digital media?
    I think 3G offers a lot of possibilities in developed countries. This could mean a lot of opportunities to digital marketers if the platform is opened. However I think the most interesting possibilities will be in the developing countries. The Eastern European countries joining the EU next year, Latin America and especially China will boom. Companies that know how to use digital media to target consumers' needs in those markets, which invest now, will pick up serious benefits in the next 5 to 10 years. Finally, in the next 20 years digital marketers specialising in silver surfers will have a lot of business in Europe.
    
    
18. If you didn't work in this industry, what would you do?
    I would be a simultaneous interpreter.
    
    
19. Anything else you'd like to say?
    If after getting this far you fancy meeting up for a drink, drop me an email. I am always open to meet new people and who knows - we can end up being friends. :-)