E-News : October 6, 2009
News of the Week
Top Media Moves
The first three quarters of 2009 saw 466 M&A transactions worth $16.4 billion announced across the media, information, marketing services and technology sectors, as tracked by The Jordan, Edmiston Group, Inc. (JEGI).
ALM’s Real Estate Media Group, publisher of Real Estate Forum and GlobeSt.com and producer of the RealShare Conference Series, announced the launch of Distressed Assets Investor, a new interactive digital publication for commercial real estate, financial and investment professionals.
New FIPP President and CEO Chris Llewellyn has joined the association from Bauer Media, where he was international managing director.
BPA Worldwide has released its ranking of member publications by digital subscribers with Oracle Magazine again leading the way with 176,600 electronic edition copies for the six-month period ended June 30, 2009.
The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) released “The Spend Decision: Analyzing How Exhibits Fit into the Overall Marketing Budget,” a new research study based on a survey conducted among marketing executives at mid- to large-sized organizations that use business-to-business exhibitions as a part of their marketing mix.
'What ABM Means to Me'
American Business Media is working harder than ever to enhance the value proposition of your membership, and we’re constantly encouraged by positive feedback from our members.
Here in E-news each week will be a member testimonial which reflects how individual members view the ABM value proposition.
“ABM’s professional development programs are a unique source of insight to publishers and b-to-b marketers. They are a vital resource for business professionals to deal with risks and opportunities in turbulent times. No organization offers more relevant help to its members.”
- Hugh Roome, President, Scholastic International
Click here to follow ABM on Twitter!
Click here to become a fan of ABM on Facebook!
Job of the Week
In addition to the “Job of the Week” highlighted in each issue of E-news, ABM has recently expanded its online job board to better reach out to the membership and media community with quality career opportunities. Powered by mediabistro.com, the site is updated constantly with openings across the country and enables you to search by industry and location. So what are you waiting for … Click here to begin your search!
Committee Watch
Audience Development Committee: October 6, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST, ABM Headquarters
Custom Media Council: October 22, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST, ABM Headquarters
56th Annual Jesse H. Neal Awards Call for Entries Now Open!
Attention editors! The 56th Annual Jesse H. Neal Awards Call for Entries is now available online! Click here to enter your editorial best, and you could be honored with one of the b-to-b industry’s most esteemed and sought-after editorial honors. Submissions must be postmarked by Friday, December 4.
This year, in order to reflect the transformation of the b-to-b industry, a recently-created subcommittee of ABM’s Editorial Committee explored the various outlets currently being utilized by b-to-b editors to reach their audiences, and built the list of categories for the 2010 competition accordingly. As a result, over 50% of the categories are all-new this year, so we encourage you to read the entry form carefully as you prepare your submissions.
If you don’t see the category you entered last year, click here to find out where to submit your entries for categories that are no longer part of the competition.
The Neal Awards, including the prestigious Grand Neal, will be presented at the March 2010 ceremony in New York City.
Click here to download a PDF of the Call for Entries. If you have any questions about the entry process, contact Petrina Hicks at (212) 661-6360 ext. 3322 or at p.hicks@abmmail.com, or consult our Frequently Asked Questions.
ABM's New Digital Annual Report to Hit Inboxes This Week
Imagine an Annual Report that lives beyond the printed page. Imagine not only reading about ABM Chair Peggy Walker's vision for the Association’s upcoming fiscal year, but watching her deliver it to the membership. Imagine instantaneous access to the wide variety of ABM research and resources.
This year, for the first time ever, ABM is delivering its Annual Report straight to your inbox, thanks to our friends at Zeta Interactive. Not only can you read about ABM's 2008-2009 fiscal year, but you'll be able to dive deep into the Association's various activities.
Be on the lookout this week for the Annual Report’s electronic delivery. We hope you'll enjoy the new robust, interactive format, and we welcome your feedback.
ABM Unveils New, More Comprehensive BIN Reporting
B-to-b digital spending now included
Total b-to-b spending in the first half of 2009 (tradeshows, print, digital) was $10.5 billion, reflecting a decline of 18.9% from the first half of 2008.
B-to-b digital revenue in the first half of 2009 was $2.1 billion, a 3.0% decline from 2008; magazine revenue in the same period was $3.8 billion, a 26.5% decline compared to 2008; and trade show revenue was $4.6 billion, an 18.6% decline.
Trade shows accounted for the greatest share of revenue in the first half of 2009 (43.5%). Print share declined by 3.4%, from 39.9% in 2008 to 36.5% in 2009. Though b-to-b digital revenues declined in the first half of 2009, digital accounted for a 20.0% share of revenue, a 3.3% increase from 2008. See table below.
SHARE OF B-TO-B REVENUE:
| 2008 | 2009 | |
| Trade Shows | 43.4% | 43.5% |
| 39.9% | 36.5% | |
| Digital | 16.7% | 20.0% |
About Inquiry Management Systems (IMS):
With offices in Toronto, New York and London, IMS has served magazine publishing professionals since 1979. Over 1,400 magazine titles utilize its array of products that help sell additional pages of advertising, increase lead results for advertisers, and produce creative Web solutions.
About CEIR:
For 30 years, CEIR has been highlighting the importance of exhibitions in today's business environment. Its goal is to promote the image, value and growth of exhibitions. This is accomplished through producing primary research studies that prove the effectiveness and efficiency of exhibitions as a marketing medium.
Digital revenue sources include: ABM members, PricewaterhouseCoopers/IAB, eMarketer, and Outsell Inc.
Stamats Business Media President Takes Attendees
Beyond the Advertising Budget at ABM's Executive Forum
Register now for powerful content, abundant networking opportunities and more!
This November 3 & 4, ABM’s all-new 2009 Executive Forum is coming to 7 World Trade Center in New York City with a powerful agenda, an impressive line-up of industry thought leaders to provide attendees with real answers for today as well as real solutions for tomorrow, and two days of valuable networking opportunities.
This year’s Executive Forum dives into important industry issues for marketers, including the session “Beyond the Advertising Budget – Accessing the Marketing Budget,” featuring Tim Fixmer, president of Stamats Business Media. Today, it’s no longer enough to rely solely on advertising; companies must now become consultants and work closely with customers to develop customized marketing programs. During this session, you’ll learn how to turn your business into a marketing services operation and offer solutions bigger and better than ad pages.
Other sessions include:
Today’s Marketer: Advertiser? Competitor? Partner?
Learn how Siemens developed an integrated campaign strategy in today’s difficult economic climate and how they plan to come out of the current recession, with focus on Siemens’ media partnerships, including print, online, thought-leadership events and social media.
- Speaker: Thomas Haas, CMO, Siemens
Meeting the Challenges of the New Competitors – Leveraging Your Brand, Your Content and Your Bottom Line
In this three-part series of sessions, a brand crusader from a top b-to-b agency, a panel of editors and a leader in online content will discuss the challenges and opportunities they are facing in today’s new media environment.
- Speakers include Steven Brill, Co-Founder, Journalism Online, and Rick Segal, Chief Executive, North America/Global Practice Leader, B-to-B, Gyro:HSR
Where’s the Money? The Future of Advertising and the Impact on Paid Content
Explore the insights and trends resulting from Outsell’s annual surveys of over 1,200 marketers and advertisers, 6,000 end-users, and librarians who fund paid content.
- Speaker: Anthea Stratigos, Co-Founder/CEO, Outsell Inc.
For attendees outside the New York City area, we have provided a list of hotels near 7 World Trade Center at a variety of different price points, and we encourage you to consult the list as you plan your trip. Please call the hotel directly to make your reservation.
Interested in sponsoring this event? Contact Jane O’Connor at (212) 784-6367 or at j.oconnor@abmmail.com for available opportunities.
ABM's 2009 Executive Forum is sponsored by the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, Booz & Company, BPA Worldwide, CDS Global, Readex Research, and Worldcolor.
Two New (Free!) Resources Now Available for ABM Members
As its new strategic plan – which, among other things, emphasizes the importance of industry research – nears completion, ABM is continuing to create synergies with other organizations that will benefit the business media/information community. As a result, two new must-have resources are now available at no cost to ABM members:
Stein Rogan + Partners, in partnership with Forbes and Ziff Davis Enterprise, has released its first-ever 2009 Brand/Demand Study (B/D09), the first national study of the approaches being utilized by the marketing community in achieving brand-centric and demand-centric goals. Titled “Balancing Brand and Demand: Measures and Methodologies for an Economy in Transition,” the study was conducted in May among both b-to-b and consumer marketers as well as advertising/marketing agencies. The full study results are available here.
Additionally, an important addition to the CEIR research library was recently released. Entitled “Effective Methods for Visitor Promotion (Part II: Exhibitors),” the report analyzes the most and least effective tools for attracting visitors and reveals the average spending on pre- and post-exhibition promotion by exhibiting companies. This new addition joins the variety of free CEIR research already available for ABM members … Simply contact Kate Patton at k.patton@abmmail.com with your request(s), and the research will be sent to you directly.
2009 CEBA Award Winners to be Unveiled in October 12th Adweek, Brandweek
Last month, ABM announced the official finalist selections for the 2009 Creative Excellence in Business Advertising (CEBA) Awards. Winners will be announced in a special CEBA Awards insert next Monday in the October 12th issues of Adweek and Brandweek, so be sure to pick up a copy!
Visit www.CEBA-Awards.com to view the Virtual Finalist Gallery and to find out more about the grand history of the CEBAs and the 2009 judges.
ABM’s CEBA Awards are the b-to-b industry’s most coveted creative honor, showcasing the power and quality of b-to-b communications and enhancing the relationships between business advertisers, agencies and publishers. Today more than ever, the awards recognize the innovative marketers who understand the power of b-to-b and have boldly chosen to advertise during these times of economic uncertainty, as well as the agencies that have brought their messages to life with outstanding creativity. This year's CEBA entries reflect the products and services that will remain top-of-mind when purchase decisions are made.
USPS Saved from Insolvency
Legislation provides short-term financial relief for Postal Service
As some members are aware, ABM has been heavily engaged in legislative efforts to obtain relief for the Postal Service from the $5.4 billion payment it was required to make on September 30 into a fund to cover future retiree health care costs.
On September 30, the Senate, by a 62-38 vote, joined the House in passing a "continuing resolution" that not only kept the government funded after midnight that night (when its fiscal year ended), but also completed the legislative work that reduces this year's Postal Service payment into its retiree health care trust fund from $5.4 billion to a mere $1.4 billion. The Postal Service had already announced that, without this relief, it would simply be unable to make the payment.
While there is no immediate impact from this legislation (which still must be signed by President Obama, but that will not be a problem), it is believed that it will significantly reduce the likelihood (or the size) of an "exigent" postal rate increase in the next 12 months.
In addition, although this legislation is a step in the right direction, ABM members must understand that it is merely a “band-aid” for the Postal Service’s woes. ABM's attention, as well as that of the new postal coalition of which the Association is a founding member, will now turn toward what is going to be the very difficult task of educating Congress and the administration on the severe problems still facing the Postal Service. The most difficult part will be attempting to articulate solutions that tackle the labor cost problem in a way that has some chance of succeeding.
ABM Hits the Road for Los Angeles Next Month
Second annual LA Regional Program is free for members!
On November 18, ABM will hit the road for Los Angeles, bringing its second annual L.A. Regional Program to members on the West Coast. In addition to providing an opportunity for like-minded b-to-b media professionals to network with one another, ABM's half-day regional program will address the most pressing industry issues today … all at no cost to members!
The November 18th program will feature a presentation by Jack Semler, President & CEO, and Dick Rogers, EVP & Research Director, at Readex Research, who are in the process of conducting a developmental research project aimed at providing media brands with total audience measures across all channels of the brand: reach, frequency, behaviors and influences.
Click here to view the full agenda and speaker line-up, or to register.
The ABM Video Network Goes 'Outside the Cube' This Wednesday Morning
It’s a new month and a new “Outside the Cube” for ABM’s Wally Koval, who returns tomorrow morning with a new edition of his video series exploring issues from the vantage point of the next generation of business media managers and leaders – the Millennials. Tune in to www.AmericanBusinessMedia.com tomorrow as Wally explores another hot industry topic from his cubicle.
Be sure to check out ABM’s enhanced homepage player, powered by Magnify.net. Now you can rate and comment on ABM’s videos as well as send to a friend, link to, embed, and much more.
Sign up a colleague for E-news









