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E-News : October 1, 2007
News of the Week International Associations Visit ABM Last Thursday, ABM played host to two different publishing/media organizations from different parts of the globe: the Phoenix Publishing & Media Group (PPMG) from China and the Finnish Periodical Publishers’ Association (FPPA) from Finland. Both groups made half-day visits to gain greater insight into the business media industry in relation to the current transformation of the U.S. business model and how that will affect the media industry on a global scale. The morning kicked off with a breakfast presentation to members of the PPMG, headquartered in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. One of the largest publishing conglomerates in China with annual sales of U.S. $1 billion, there are nine publishing houses and 81 bookstores represented by the PPMG. Their members’ business lines include book, magazine/newspaper publishing, and distribution and digital media. The PPMG visit was one of a number of U.S. visits conducted in conjunction with the Pace University Publishing Training Program, and several members made inquiries about possible ABM membership. Both groups were eager to explore digital issues. With the rapid ongoing changes related to the digital space affecting the business media industry, ABM is playing a growing role to international publishing organizations seeking more information about the growing impact of digital media upon their own business models. For more information on the PPMG, contact Xiao Chuan Lian at xlian@pace.edu. For more information about the FPPA, contact Mr. Juha Blomster, CEO of Talentum Media Oy, at juha.blomster@talentum.fi. President’s Dinner Topic Du Jour? Mobile Media & Online Video Last Thursday evening at the Union League Club in New York, it was a feast of sorts for a small group of CEOs from American Business Media member companies. We’re not talking about the menu; this select group of C-level media executives met to chew on two of today’s hot-button issues; mobile media and online video. Throughout the course of each year, ABM conducts a series of dinners that serve as forums for CEOs to engage in informal roundtable discussions with ABM president and CEO Gordon T. Hughes, II. Typically, five annual dinners take place here in New York City, two in Los Angeles and, for the first time, two will take place in Chicago. The subject matter for these conversations focuses on cutting-edge/hot topic issues that are often surrounded by a degree of complexity, as they tend to revolve around issues most business media companies have yet to truly outline a definitive list of best practices for. Last week, the topic for the dinner held at the Union League Club revolved around the emergence of mobile media and online video streaming, particularly relevant given the advent of the iPhone and mobile advertising as part of a business model. Two experts, Terri Walter, VP of advanced marketing solutions at Avenue A-Razor Fish, and John Hadl, founder and CEO of Brand in Hand joined in to share their knowledge. The participants were the first to get a look at a new white paper written by Steve Ennen, ABM’s VP of digital business strategies, entitled “Going Mobile: How Advances in Mobile Technology are Changing Global Information Exchange.” “We are just delighted to act as a catalyst to raise these issues for our member company CEOs to discuss hot topics of the day,” said Hughes. “In this case, we also reached outside the box to involve Terri Walter and John Hadl.” “These dinners give us an opportunity to reach out to new CEOs to gauge how they‘re handling the hot-button issues in an informal setting that encourages the kind of direct feedback that help us to outline best practices for all of our member companies and the business media industry as a whole,” Hughes added. Feedback from the dinner will certainly help to hone the content for the upcoming Top Management Meeting in Chicago. Ennen’s new white paper is currently available on the ‘Research & Marketing’ section of the ABM Web site. Chicago Members Gather to Network and Learn On Wednesday, September 26th, American Business Media swept into Chicago for its first Midwestern edition of Cocktails & Connections! The event brought together marketers, publishers and agency executives at Sushi Samba. As the sun set on our panoramic view of Chicago, three featured speakers kicked off an evening of networking with a discussion of the state of b-to-b advertising and their take on where the industry is headed. Jeff Greisch, president of the Chicago division of Reed Business Information, introduced our three guest speakers, including Gary Slack, chairman and CEO of Slack Barshinger, who kicked off the commentary for the evening. Slack was followed by Bob Goranson, partner of account strategy and planning for Mobium, and Sue Harrison, executive VP of Davis Harrison Dion. All three speakers covered topics such as the call to standardize online advertising, measurement and reporting, and the value of print in today’s digital-centric media environment, which was followed by a lively Q & A session with the audience. Bright and early Thursday morning, many of our guests at Sushi Samba reappeared at the Renaissance Hotel to join speakers ranging from Paul Gerbino, publisher of ThomasNet, to Lisa Bodell, CEO of Futurethink, to a keynote on how to influence b-to-b buying decisions from Gord Hotchkiss, president and CEO of Enquiro. Summit attendees were the first to hear Enquiro’s exclusive, breaking research on media consumption and ad retention based on user behavior. If you missed either of these events and would like information about our speakers or topics, please contact Michele Langer. Cocktails & Connections was exclusively sponsored by Reed Business Information. The Publishers’ Summit was sponsored by Convera, FosteReprints, NXTbook Media, Readex Research and The Reed Partner Network. New Member Profile: Schofield Media American Business Media is proud to welcome Schofield Media as one of 16 new members approved by the Association's board of directors during its August meeting. Schofield Media is a leading, international business-to-business media company delivering value-rich content throughout North America and Europe. Its award-winning publications are focused on key business sectors reaching corporate-level executives and medical practitioners worldwide. Schofield delivers its content through a variety of mediums including print, online media and in-person events, and is dedicated to delivering the highest quality products and services to an extremely targeted readership with the purpose of further enhancing the business and medical communities we serve.
ABM Resources ABM 2007 Media Revenue and Cost Report American Business Media and Bay Sherman & Craig, LLP / Media Consulting Group conducted a media cost survey representing 358 titles from 38 companies and presented in ten categories determined by publication frequency. According to the results, overall expenses decreased from 81.4% to 77% in 2006. To purchase the full comprehensive report, which contains the information you need to better analyze your operations and plan future budgets, visit ABM’s online store or contact John Holden for more information.
Marketing & Media Buying CEBA Time is Finally Here … Have You Reserved Your Seat? Come rub shoulders with the best of the best this Wednesday evening, when Jazz at Lincoln Center hosts the 12th Annual Creative Excellence in Business Advertising (CEBA) Awards, celebrating the industry’s top creative talents. By registering early, Jeanette Sims of M2MEDIA360 won dinner for four at Porter House New York in the Time Warner Center. In addition, an entry submitted by her company was chosen as an award finalist. Not only was Jeanette excited to win a table for four at one of New York’s most prestigious restaurants, but M2MEDIA360 was also thrilled to see one of its advertisers recognized. “We see [the ceremony] as an opportunity to celebrate outstanding creative efforts in the business press,” Jeanette said. “And it gives us the chance to showcase Beverage Dynamics, our publication for beverage alcohol retailers that has been recognized by FOLIO: for ‘best serving its readers.’” The CEBAs draw more advertisers and agencies than any other media awards ceremony, so don’t miss this opportunity to network with a room full of representatives from the industry’s superstars, including Sony, HSR, Ogilvy, BBDO, McCann Erickson, Carmichael Lynch, Gotham and many more. Also in attendance will be 2006 Hall of Famer David Bell and this year’s outstanding inductees – Nina DiSesa of McCann Erickson New York, Lee Lynch of Carmichael Lynch and award-winning agency Doremus, which will be represented by president and CEO Carl Anderson. Click here to reserve your seat now, or contact Christi DeLisio for more information. This year, ABM will present its Publisher’s Award, honoring member publishers whose submitted entries became finalists and winners, during its popular Cocktails & Connections on October 23rd at Mantra 986 in midtown Manhattan. Click here to register. The ABM Video Network Asks: What Do the CEBAs Mean to You? The CEBA Awards aren’t just about honoring outstanding achievement in business advertising. Each year, the ceremony aims to enhance the relationships among advertisers, agencies and publishers, and bring buyers and sellers together in a social setting. So this Wednesday, October 3, 2007, before we take off for Jazz at Lincoln Center, we’re sitting down for a special edition of the ABM Video Network with Bob Felsenthal, vice president and publisher of Crain Communications' BtoB and Media Business, and Mark DiMassimo, CEO and creative director of DiMassimo Goldstein, to find out why they believe it’s so important to participate in the CEBAs each year. Be sure to tune in to www.AmericanBusinessMedia.com this Wednesday, October 3, at 9:00 AM EST and listen in to their timely conversation about creating lasting business connections and a dialogue of shared issues at the CEBAs. And remember, all ABM Video Network broadcasts are available for viewing any time in our Video Vault … it’s the beauty of on-demand. ABM’s Members-Only 2007 Forrester Research Webinar Just One Week Away Of all the media choices available, did you know that business decision-makers rank industry-specific Web sites number one for helping them grow their businesses? This is just one of the important new facts you’ll discover during American Business Media’s FREE members-only Webinar presentation of the exciting new Forrester Research study, next Tuesday, October 9, 2007. Take advantage of exclusive access to the debut of this study, one of the most comprehensive ever conducted on business media. More than 1,600 participants are involved: 800 plus representing companies who market in the business-to-business space, and 800 plus representing end-users of business media, including readers, viewers and attendees. Learn just how much marketers are under-utilizing business media when ABM members receive an exclusive first look at the results on October 9, 2007 at 2:00 PM EST. Click here and enter password ABMSTUDY to register, or contact Richard Bertin for more information. Is it Sowing Season Yet? While autumn is prime time for harvesting crops in the U.S., preliminary data from Readex Research indicates that readership of advertising and editorial items in Ag publications does not rely on the seasons to prosper. Farmers and ranchers are not just reading ag publications during the autumn harvest; they connect with Ag media 365 days a year. Based on studies conducted by Ag publications from 1999-2006, there was only a three percent difference in viewership and readership of advertisements from season to season. For editorial items, the change in seasons made no difference in how many farmers and ranchers viewed Ag publications; however, the variation in readership was slightly lower, especially in the spring. As a result, Readex recommends that publishers strengthen their editorial content during the spring months. Ultimately, the studies reveal that companies have no reason to fear advertising during busy times of the year. In fact, advertising is encouraged throughout all the seasons to build awareness of your brand and ensure that your message is not lost in the haystack. American Business Media and the Agri Council know that Ag media works 24/7, and in response, have created a four-color brochure presenting the seasonality data. To view the brochure and pass it along to your colleagues, click here.
ABM Guest Columnist Updates from the I, A Bee Randall Rothenberg, CEO of the Interactive Advertising Bureau, recently debuted his new “clog” (“It’s a column! It’s a blog!”) called I, A Bee – Buzz and Pollination from the Interactive Advertising Bureau. The New York Times and Advertising Age columnist plans "to keep it infused with profiles, prognostications, proclamations, and provocations about interactive marketing and media." Rothenberg’s new forum is sure to become an important communication and feedback platform for both his members and the entire business information community. Click here to access this week’s featured guest column.
News on Print
B-to-B Trade Shows Continue to Experience Growth When combined with 1st quarter growth, trade shows have experienced an 8.1% increase for the 1st half of 2007 versus a year ago, as reported by the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR). For more information on trade show revenues, please visit http://www.ceir.org. According to the Business Information Network (BIN) numbers for June 2007, business media magazine revenue for the 1st half of 2007 dipped 1.4% versus a year ago. While overall magazine revenue declined, certain categories experienced strong growth, led by Architecture, Design, Lighting up 11.1%; Resources, Environment, Utilities up 10.3%; and Science, Research & Development up 9.5%. “Today’s business to business media environment is clearly reflective of a model that encompasses the entire brandscape, one that includes a growing array of content delivery systems,” said Gordon T. Hughes II, president and CEO of American Business Media. “With just over 8% growth in trade shows for the 1st half of 2007, on top of digital gains, which we estimate at approximately 20%, the business media space is clearly migrating beyond the printed page.”
ABM On the Road ABM’s VP of Digital Business Strategies Talks Digital at Northwestern and InfoCommerce American Business Media’s Steve Ennen, vice president of digital business strategies, headed west to Northwestern University in Chicago last month to discuss the impact of new digital technologies on the business information industry. The two-and-a-half day conference, sponsored by the Media Management Center of the Kellogg and Medill schools at Northwestern, brought together publishers and technology providers from newspapers, books and associations around the world. The event, titled “Our Digital Future,” focused on the digital changes facing media companies today, and what can be done in the future to address these changes. Among the hot topics addressed were how people consume information and how revenue models are changing across multiple platforms. Northwestern also unveiled research on how younger users consume information, how mobile technology affects delivery, and trends in newspaper technologies. “Events like these are very important to many industries because the information shift driven by digital technology affects every single industry platform,” said Ennen. “Understanding the current threats is critical to any company moving forward.” Back on the East Coast, Ennen continued the digital discussion at ABM member InfoCommerce’s “Models of Excellence” awards dinner in Pennsylvania. Sponsored by ABM, the dinner addressed advances in the online data industry and was part of a two-day event attended by over 150 data professionals exclusive to the online space. “American Business Media wants to herald the courageousness of innovators in the digital space,” remarked Ennen. “Congratulations to InfoCommerce for bringing a much-needed curriculum to the industry.”
Top Media Moves The YGS Group has acquired Reprint Management Services. Hanley Wood Business Media debuted two new video products – BuildTV and JLC Site Solutions. Google is launching an in-house agency to handle all of its own advertising needs and has lured Andy Berndt away from his post as co-president of Ogilvy & Mather, New York, to lead it. Penton Media's Government Product News announced a major print redesign, offering readers a streamlined, updated tabloid design with added editorial content, including products, case histories and event information. Reed Business Information’s Reed First Source announced enhanced search and navigation capabilities designed to meet the needs of the “green” or “sustainable” architecture communities. The McGraw-Hill Companies was named to the top 10 on this year's list of 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers by Working Mother magazine. The company also announced that its GreenSource magazine won FOLIO: magazine's Ozzie Awards for "Best Design, New Magazine," and "Best Overall Design" in the business-to-business category. The New York City chapter of the Business Marketing Association honored Larry Bloomenkranz, VP of global advertising and sponsorship at United Parcel Service of America, as its 2007 Communicator of the Year. Edgell Communications named Rob Keenan to the newly created position of VP of online media. MeritDirect announced it has recruited veteran Pat Bishop as its VP of list management.
Event Calendar Top Management Meeting 2007 Join media leaders, digital experts, face-to-face revolutionaries and cutting edge industry outsiders to discuss leveraging the brand across a range of new platforms. Top Management 2007 – Transformation: How to Make it Happen Now will feature sessions designed to help keep you afloat during a daunting wave of change. Programs will include: “The Future is Coming At Us and It’s Digital Streaming Video,” “Keeping Magazines Hot,” “Expanding Your Event Offerings Digitally,” and “Business Information: What is It, How to Build It and Monetize It.”
Member Event of the Week BZ Media's Software Test & Performance Conference
Job of the Week Database Intern, American Business Media
Blog of the Week Madison Avenue Goes to Brooklyn
Committee Watch The following is a list of upcoming ABM Committee and Council meetings. All meetings are at ABM's New York offices unless otherwise noted. Committee/Council Date/Time (EST, unless otherwise noted)
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