The rapid expansion of new media combined with the simultaneous converging of media channels has had an immense impact on the delivery of messages and audiences. With the addition of some 50,000 new blogs a day and satellite and cable systems carrying hundreds of channels, the idea of "mass media" seems as outdated as the afternoon newspaper. Consumers and businesses today interact with media in radically different ways than just a year ago.  Driven by new media and new technology, these trends are changing the role that marketers play in their organisations and the way they reach audiences.

Economist Conferences' Second Annual Media Convergence Forum: Marketing Strategies for the Digital Age, October 28th 2008 at The Pierre in New York City, will examine how marketing executives can produce greater return on investments using distribution strategies across digital platforms.

We are pleased to announce that Nicholas Utton, Chief Marketing Officer, E*Trade Financial has been added to the programme. Mr. Utton will speak on mastering the changing digital landscape and how to thrive in today's multi-platform environment.

Additional speakers include:

• Larry Promisel, Vice-president, E-Commerce, Barney's New York
• Gian Fulgoni, Chairman, comScore
• Julia Hood, Editorial Director, DMNews
• Jeffrey Hayzlett, Chief Business Development Officer and Corporate Vice-president, Eastman Kodak
• Mark Colombo, Senior Vice-president, Digital Access Marketing, Fedex Services
• Joe Celia, Global Chairman & CEO, G2
• Jeff Berman, President of Sales and Marketing, MySpace
• Paul Gerbino, Publisher, Industrial Newsroom, ThomasNet
• John Stratton, Executive Vice-president & Chief Marketing Officer, Verizon Communications

Topics to be covered include: