Outbrain launches certification programme in SEA

Leading premium content discovery platform, Outbrain launched its certification programme called Outbrain Academy in Southeast Asia, following its May 2016 debut in Australia.The new certification programme is designed to provide digital professionals with advanced skills and the best-practice methodologies required to turn brand stories into targeted digital consumer journeys and measurable brand results via the Outbrain platform.“Our goal is to provide professional training and recognition to individuals who have the skillsets required to deliver concrete outcomes and positive ROI for their brands. These industry trailblazers have moved beyond ‘traffic’ as the singular success metric for video and content,” Ayal Steiner, managing director of Outbrain in Asia Pacific, said.Outbrain said the programme is the industry’s first for video and content discovery that comes at a time when the industry is embracing increased investment in native content discovery, talent and skillset development priorities.“Native content discovery has become an integral part of the marketer’s digital toolkit, encouraging Outbrain to evolve quickly to stay ahead of the strategic needs that marketers have both globally and in Southeast Asia,” Steiner (pictured) added.Outbrain Academy will kickstart in Singapore on Tuesday, 12 July and the company said that it’s already fully subscribed with representation from major media and content agencies including Omnicom Media Group, Starcom, King Content, Brand New Media and DeVries Global Singapore.The one-day program will be conducted in person by Outbrain’s expert team and gradually rolled out to other markets within the region.Participants of the program will be led in the development of practical skills including campaign set-up and management, measurement and performance optimisation and video storytelling to drive business results. Outbrain will also share data from its unique consumer insights with the certified agencies.Outbrain Academy is expected to release additional course dates for eligible executives representing all aspects of using content in marketing, media and the agency landscape.