Our view of the SEM Industry

The Search Engine Marketing industry is the fastest growing sector in advertising today. Spending grew to $14.7 billion in 2009, up 18% from 2007 and projected to grow to $26.1 billion in 2013, according to a report from the Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization.

Fully 80% of advertisers currently utilize Search Engine Optimization and 76% use Pay Per Click. These numbers are not lost on senior executives, who are looking to move these efforts in-house (70% in 2009) in order to control quality and cost.

These trends are a double edged sword for the SEM agencies. While double digit growth is great, there will certainly be disruptive forces like consolidation, contraction and continued in-sourcing. All while the industry, technology and consumer behavior are continuing to evolve at a tremendous pace.

At Epic Search Partners, we see the leading agencies moving from project based engagements to a full service, consultative approach. This change requires a complete set of technology tools as well as a staff that can engage clients on a new level, that of a business partner driving fully developed business, operational and financial value. This evolution, coupled with companies looking to bring talent in-house, is creating a talent gap at key positions. The volume of growth along with these newly desired skill sets are driving the need for new approaches to staffing.

We utilize the Accelerated Recruitment™ approach, which means we deliver the right talent which arrives faster, fits better and stays longer. We identify Impact Players from within and outside the industry to fill these key roles in both permanent and contracted arrangements: executive management, senior management, sales and sales management, marketing, account management, search engine optimization (SEO), paid search marketing (PPC), social media marketing (SMM), and client services.

To find out more, contact us at jennifer@EpicSearchPartners.com or directly at 973-635-3745