AOP Summit 2009: C4 chairman's keynote urges innovation

In a rousing opening keynote speech to the Association of Online Publishers 3C Summit, Johnson told delegates "invention matters because it changes lives for the better".

Johnson told publishers hit by the worst ad recession in modern times, they should not lose their "sense of adventure and sense of discovery" or the "innocent faith that tomorrow will be a better day".

"Recognise the possibility, or probability, of reaching your goals and positive things can happen," he added.  

Referencing Disney, Dupont, Microsoft and Hewlett Packard, which all launched or invested during recessions, Johnson said "downturns are a fertile time for innovation".

"Established players will probably be distracted by legacy issues," he said.  "While the world is hesitant a bold new operator can seize opportunities that might not normally be available."

The AOP Summit, held at the Business Design Centre in London, is focusing on content, convergence and creativity.

In his opening remarks, Tim Faircliff, co-chair of the AOP and general manager of consumer media at Thomson Reuters, put charging for content and mobile applications at the forefront of issues to be tackled throughout the day.

Speakers including David Gilbertson, chief executive of Emap, and Simon Francis, chief executive EMEA, Saatchi and Saatchi, will lead the debate on the issues facing the industry following a tumultuous time for media.

Brand Republic will be reporting from the event throughout the day while full details of the summit can be found at the AOP website.

Other coverage from today's summit

• Reuters News global multimedia editor Chris Cramer on social media.
• 'Mobile - the year of the app' panel session round-up.
• Online charging can work, AOP delegates told
  
• Online video panel session round-up.
• 'Maximising ad campaigns' panel session round-up.