E-News : October 10, 2006 News of the Week Time to fill your digital prescription Learn how to use digital media to reach doctors, healthcare executives and providers this Wednesday, October 11,when ABM's "The Digital Prescription: Delivering a Healthier P&L," comes to Scholastic International in New York. With panels discussing how to expanding the brand through digital offerings, the ins and outs of partnering with digital providers, organizational change and a technology solutions showcase, "The Digital Prescription" will feature expert speakers from WebMD, VNU Business Media, the New England Journal of Medicine, Advanstar Communication and About.com, among others. Healthcare is still a relatively untapped online market - be among the first to explore this new revenue opportunity at "The Digital Prescription: Delivering a Healthier P&L," this Wednesday at Scholastic International in New York. Click here for complete agenda and registration details, or for more information, contact Jane O’Connor. "The Digital Prescription: Delivering a Healthier P&L" is sponsored by PERQ/HCI Research. Eileen Roper Ast named executive director for BPEF American Business Media (ABM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Eileen Roper Ast as executive director for the Business Press Educational Foundation (BPEF), a non-profit educational foundation supported by ABM. Ast will be responsible for encouraging and nurturing the next generation of publishers and editors, by focusing on promoting business media to students and faculty in U.S. colleges and universities. "I am thrilled to have Eileen onboard as our new executive director for the BPEF," commented Gordon T. Hughes II, president and CEO of American Business Media. "Her professional experience, knowledge of the business press, and contacts within several related industries will serve the Foundation well in moving it forward. Eileen will be conducting research in the coming months, particularly around the internship program, which is an important source for encouraging our future publishers and editors to start their careers in the business media industry." Ast brings an extensive background of New York-based senior communications and management positions in magazine and book publishing, as well as advertising to the BPEF, which included stints as director of communications at the NY Times Group and senior vice president at Bozell Worldwide. More recently, she has served as executive director and foundation president of a number of national not-for-profit educational associations, including the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, American Montessori Society, and NY Women in Communications. Ast graduated with a B.S. in English and Education from Spring Hill College, AL. The Business Press Educational Foundation (BPEF) Internship program gives college students the chance to work at business media companies, in either editorial or non-editorial roles. BPEF offers summer internships as well as year-round positions. To learn more about the BPEF and how your company can make a difference, visit www.bpefinternships.org, or contact Eileen Roper Ast directly at e.ast@bpefinternships.org.
Government Affairs Surviving Postal Pricing Postage. A little thing that for the publishing industry can get pretty expensive. We know - and now we can help. This week, American Business Media is releasing "Surviving the Next Postal Rate Case… and Beyond," a DVD to help media members navigate and take advantage of current postal regulations and incentives. Prepared by ABM Washington experts, including postal counsel David Straus, this postal video was shot this summer in Louisville, Kentucky, and features Steve Ennen, ABM vice president of digital media and information, discussing ways members can use postal regulations and incentives to save copious amounts of money in mailing and sorting. "Surviving the Next Postal Rate Case... and Beyond" will be distributed to all ABM media member accredited representatives this week. Additional association members who would like to request a copy of this invaluable postal guide should email info@abmmail.com.
eMedia Update Rich Data Council increases reach through business information Rich Data Council chair Bill Pollak, president & CEO of ALM, and the rest of the Council members have opted to change the name of the group to the Business Information Council. A key objective for the Council in the coming year is to move the rich data discussion away from the theoretical and strategic realm and toward a more practical and tactical approach; this name change seems to reflect this approach as well as their goal of working more closely with the Digital Media Council. The change to Business Information will "make what our council is doing simpler for our members to understand, broaden out our coverage of what’s happening in the information marketplace, and make it easier for traditional business information companies to become involved with us," explains Pollack. While rich data is generally viewed as an ABM term, those in the business media marketplace tend to be more familiar with business intelligence or business information. Viewed by some as a nebulous concept, a label of rich data might discourage participation of a larger, more relevant audience. As links between rich data and digital offerings like social networking, e-commerce etc. increase, business information has become more reflective of the intent of rich data. Essentially, the term business information is broader and sounds easier to implement and understand than rich data. Council members agree that business information may allow the group to broaden their focus to include syndicated research previously untapped speaker selection for future conferences. The newly christened Business Information Council will be debuting a Business Information Micro-site in the coming weeks. For more information, visit the council Web page, or contact Mark Flythe. Digital Media Council tackles the tasks at hand As new media continues to increase its prevalence, American Business Media's Digital Media Council (DMC) has formed 10 discipline specific taskforces to discuss the impact of digitization on the future of the publishing industry. Chaired by VNU Business Media eMedia & information marketing president Toni Nevitt, the DMC has broken into groups focused on Human Resources, Organizational Structure, Content Development, Publishing/Sales, Research, Audience Development, Technology Tools, Trend Spotting, Web site Analytics, and Content Licensing. Led by Eileen Long, director of brand marketing for VNU eMedia and Laura Anger, chief HR officer for Crain Communications, the Human Resources taskforce will focus on jobs as they relate to shifting skill sets created by increased demands for digital presence. The Organizational Structure taskforce, chaired by Howard Roth, vice president of eMedia for Ascend Media, will focus on organizing companies to best embrace the offerings of new media using results of a recent Outsell Inc. research initiative. The Editorial/Content Development Taskforce, led by Michael Lavitt, senior content producer at the McGraw-Hill Companies, will tackle issues related to the creation of digital content with particular emphasis on examining strategy and execution. Guided by co-chairs Michael Azzara, vp/group director of Internet business at CMP Technology and Jennifer Collins, managing director of Law.com, the Publishing/Sales taskforce will revolve around challenges stemming from organizing and training sales staff to sell in an online environment. The Research taskforce, led by Bill Glasgall, vp/content management & development for Standard & Poor’s, will both compile existing industry research as well as identify areas where research needs to be conducted. The Circulation/Audience Development taskforce, co-chaired by Robert Adams, group vp technology, manufacturing-circulation at Crain Communications Inc. and Christine Oldenbrook, director of marketing & e-Media for Bobit Business Media, will discuss issues relating to search engine optimization, search engine management, database marketing and audience development. The Technology Tools & Platforms taskforce, led by Rick Treese, chief technology officer at Advanstar Communications, will focus on content management, audience development and the development of a directory of vendors used by ABM member companies. Led by John Blossom, president of Shore Communications Inc., the Trend Spotting taskforce will develop forward-thinking trend analysis of new technologies, organizational changes and market shifts that could potentially impact business media in significant ways. The Web site Analysis/Metrics taskforce, chaired by Dennis Carpenter, Internet business manager for Stamats Business Media, will find ways to educate people about standards and conduct a survey to better determine needs. And finally, the Licensing Content taskforce, led by Nancy Cohn, special accounts representative for GCN Publishing, will focus on revenue generation, best practices and digital rights issues. All taskforces will meet this fall and report back to DMC chair Toni Nevitt to determine the best way to release the resulting information to ABM members. Stay tuned to our weekly e-newsletter for taskforce updates. For more information on ABM's Digital Media Council, visit the DMC Web page, or contact Mark Flythe.
Top Management Face-to-face with CEOs at Top Management 2006 How do senior executives adapt their companies to the ever-changing media environment? American Business Media will explore this question during Top Management 2006: BRANDSCAPE - No Boundaries, Just Edges with a CEO Roundtable led by Peggy Walker, president of Vance Publishing Corporation. As president and CEO of Vance Publishing Corporation, Walker oversees more than 20 magazines, a host of newsletters, Web offerings and data and custom media products. She has held management, publishing, editorial, operations and circulation positions at leading companies such as Putman Media and Gorman Publishing. Prior to assuming the leadership role at Vance, Walker served as vice president and group publisher for The National Underwriter Company, a diversified media company serving the insurance and financial services industries. As host of the Top Management 2006 CEO Roundtable, Walker will lead Robert Krakoff, president/CEO of VNU Business Media, Inc.; Jeffrey Lapin, president of Farm Progress Companies; and Neal Vitale, president/CEO of 1105 Media, Inc., in a panel discussion focused on leadership in the changing media environment. But before the panel kicks-off, they'd like to hear from you - if you have questions you'd like to see addressed in this discussion, submit them to info@abmmail.com with the subject line "CEO Roundtable." Top Management 2006: BRANDSCAPE - No Boundaries, Just Edges. Be a part of industry transformation when ABM's Top Management Meeting hits Chicago's Westin River North this November 14-16, 2006. View a complete agenda and register now. American Business Media has secured a limited room block with the Chicago's Westin River North. Call (877) 866-9216 or visit www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/ABM06 by October 23, 2006 to secure the special group rate. Top Management 2006 is sponsored by AdMedia Partners, the Audit Bureau of Circulations, BPA Worldwide, Folio:, FosteReprints and the Jordan, Edmiston Group, Inc.
Charity Case Travel Guard International serves the global community Travel Guard International’s work through the Make a Mark Foundation has helped improve communities around the world. Established in 1993 by John and Patty Noel of the Noel Group, Travel Guard’s former parent company, the Make a Mark Foundation aids in the construction of clinics, schools and orphanages in developing countries. Currently, the Make a Mark Foundation is working with its partners to construct self-sustaining villages for children, orphans and elders affected by the AIDS crisis. Travel Guard employees are encouraged to raise/donate money and volunteer for this, as well as other charitable causes. For its generous efforts, Travel Guard International (nominated by Northstar’s Travel Weekly) was the second runner up and recipient of $750 donation at the 2006 William D. Littleford Awards. Dan McGinnity accepted on behalf of Travel Guard, and encouraged attendees to be more active in drawing attention to the AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa: "I would strongly urge the members of the media to shine light on this tragedy which has the potential to create mind boggling consequences." Established and named after the chairman emeritus of BPI Communications Inc., The William D. Littleford Awards for Corporate Community Service recognize companies, organizations or individuals that are involved in active community service programs aimed at alleviating critical social problems. Littleford established this award for a number of purposes: to raise the visibility of the business media editorial product; to encourage increased coverage and recognition of community service success stories; and to motivate other organizations to apply such solutions in their own communities. Keep the Littlefords in mind when laying out your fall issues. Just a small mention of a worthy charitable organization can garner much attention – you never know whose life you might change. To find out more about ABM’s Littleford Awards, click here.
Centennial Spotlight Peter Duchin Orchestra to perform at ABM100 Gala American Business Media is pleased to have the Peter Duchin Orchestra as the musical entertainment for its Centennial Gala, December 7, 2006 in New York City. Performing for over three decades, Peter Duchin leads one of the most versatile and popular bands of our time. Gala attendees will be delighted by his talent and persona, which have captivated clients around the world, including White House state dinners and inaugural balls, the openings of museums and arts centers, movie premieres, charity galas, debutante dances, New Year's Eve parties, college proms and weddings. Join American Business Media and the Peter Duchin Orchestra in celebrating a century of moving business forward at this December’s Centennial Gala. ABM members, industry VIPs, clients and colleagues will gather together for a special evening to commemorate the strength of business media and the publishing industry at the notable American Museum of Natural History. Click here to reserve your table today, or for more information, contact Debbie Humphreys. American Business Media has reserved accomadations throughout New York City for Gala attendees. Make your reservations now to take advantage of special room rates and blocks available at the On The Avenue Hotel, Hotel Beacon, Union League Club and Jumeirah Essex House before they fill up for the holidays. Click here for detailed hotel information. The Centennial Gala is sponsored by the Audit Bureau of Circulations, BPA, Communications Data Services, DeSilva & Phillips, FOLIO:, FosteReprints, the Jordan, Edmiston Group, Outsell and Prism Business Media.
History of B-to-B This Week in History As part of our Centennial Celebration, ABM will be showcasing member companies through "This Week in History," a date-specific outreach initiative spotlighting key moments of business media history. For more information, or to submit materials for inclusion in ABM's 100 year initiative, contact Gail Hoffer. October 10, 1907: The Federation of Trade Press Associations (the precursor to American Business Media) holds its first official convention as an organization. October 1923: Medical Economics publishes its first issue. Launched by H. Sheridan Baketel and Lansing Chapman, who recognized that physicians were ill-prepared to run a small business, the inaugural issue states the magazine's mission "to aid physicians in making medical practice pleasanter, easier and more remunerative." October 1960: Simmons Boardman debuts the International Railway Journal. The issue is subsequently introduced at the International Railway Congress in London, the Pan American Railway Congress in Rio Di Janeiro and the Asian Railway Congress in Tokyo.
Top Media Moves Google has agreed to acquire YouTube for $1.65 billion. The company has also unveiled a literacy Web site that combines books, video, mapping and blogging services, giving educators multimedia resources. VNU has announced plans to acquire the 39.5 percent stake in online audience measurement service NetRatings that it does not already own. VNU Group B.V. will be exploring strategic alternatives for its Business Media Europe (BME) group, including a possible sale of the business. Summit Publishing Company has launched Pharmaceutical Packaging Forum, a new conference produced by Healthcare Packaging and Packaging World that will take place in March, 2007. QuadData Solutions, a division of Quad/Graphics, has expanded its data-driven marketing services. Nielsen will begin counting college students in 2007. Yahoo has started testing mobile paid search in the United States and the United Kingdom after launching its mobile search service in Japan. Unstrung Insider,a paid research service of Light Reading Inc., released a new report on the latest round of mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships involving some of the world's biggest suppliers of wireless infrastructure equipment makers. Crain Communications has promoted Tony Merpi to publisher of AutoWeek and K.C. Crain to associate publisher. David Korse, president and CEO of IDG World Expo, has announced that he will be leaving the company, effective November 3. Platts has appointed Kathleen Tanzy to the position of director, strategic industry communications. SourceMedia's Bruce Morris, a senior executive, has left the company, and will be succeeded by Jeff Scott.
New Member Profile New international member M Media Group operates three publications: Forbes China, Information Week China and Harvard Business Review China.
Events Calendar On November 30th, American Business Media will debut an integrated sales training program for sales, publishing and business media development professionals. Led by Jeff Liebowitz, CEO of the Laredo Group, "Sales Training: Integrated Media Selling" will offer attendees the tools to improve revenue potential through cost-saving techniques including online advertising buying and selling, search engine marketing, and site optimization. Prepare your sales team for new media - find out more now.
Committee Watch The following is a list of upcoming ABM Committee and Council meetings. For more information, contact Mark Flythe. All meetings are at ABM offices in New York unless otherwise noted. Committee/Council Date/Time (EST) Custom Media Committee Friday, October 13, 2006 10:00 am Research Committee Thursday, October 19, 2006 2:00 pm Agri Council Thursday, October 26, 2006 10:00 am Media Promotion Committee Tuesday, October 31, 2006 10:00 am Strategic Finance Committee Monday, November 6, 2006 3:00 pm Circulation Committee Thursday, December 7, 2006 2:00 pm
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