E-News : July 21, 2009
News of the Week
ABM Executive Committee Meets Today to Discuss New ABM Strategic Plan
In her first meeting as American Business Media’s new chair, Peggy Walker, president/COO of Vance Publishing, will lead the executive committee today as they continue discussions on ABM’s latest strategic plan.
The Association’s current strategic plan runs through June 2010; however, as a result of today’s rapidly-changing media environment, ABM is accelerating its strategic planning process. The goal is to have a new plan in place by the fourth quarter of this year.
The Strategic Planning Committee, under the leadership of Bill Pollak, CEO of Incisive Media North America, is working with ABM staff and the executive committee to develop the plan, and will present it to the board of directors for review at their August meeting.
Click here for an overview of the new 2009-2010 plan.
SAVE THE DATE!
The ABM Executive Forum 2009 (formerly the Top Management Meeting) is coming to New York City’s NYAS this November 3 & 4.
With a dual focus on real solutions for today and real answers for tomorrow, this all-new program will teach you how to exceed the expectations of your customers – both marketers and end-users (readers, viewers, attendees).
Don’t miss this critical opportunity to focus on the challenges of the current environment while preparing your business for the economic turn-around.
Stay tuned to www.ABMevents.com for more information and the unveiling of the conference agenda later this week. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jane O'Connor at j.oconnor@abmmail.com or 212-784-6367.
'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.
“Sharing ideas and learning from others is the essence of the value we receive from our membership in ABM. Our full management team is involved in a wide array of ABM committees and regularly attends workshops, conferences and committee meetings to hear how others are tackling the challenges of running a 21st century media organization. Many of our best new product ideas have come from our ABM colleagues either through these meetings or the networking opportunities which result from them.”
- Bill Pollak, CEO, Incisive Media North America
Click here to follow ABM on Twitter!
Click here to become a fan of ABM on Facebook!
Job of the Week
Top Media Moves
The Interactive Advertising Bureau has released its Mobile Buyer’s Guide, a primer for marketers and agencies on buying mobile advertising.
As its fiscal year came to a close on June 30, BPA Worldwide continued to see a steady increase in the number of Web sites participating in its Interactive Web traffic tool, with more than 380 sites now reporting traffic, including 150 “live” sites.
Connotate announced the use of their SaaS environment as an integral part of the capstone IST 440W course offered at Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST).
Hanley Wood has named Peter Goldstone president, according to an internal memo issued by CEO Frank Anton.
Committee Watch
Agri Media Council: August 3, Fort Worth, TX
ABM Reinvents the Neal Awards
New categories and online entry process reflect b-to-b industry's transformation
Reflecting the industry’s transformation and the multi-platform suite of products utilized by the ABM membership, the Association’s Editorial Committee recently created a new sub-committee, headed by Bill McDowell, VP/editorial director of Marketing & Technology Group, to reevaluate the Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Awards.
The sub-committee looked at 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 to reflect this multi-platform environment.
Below are the new categories:
- Best Body of Work by a Single Author
- Best Commentary
- Best Editorial Tool or Application
- Best Editorial Use of Mobile
- Best Editorial Use of Social Media
- Best Educational Content
- Best E-Newsletter with Content Linked to Web Sites
- Best Integrated Online Feature Package
- Best Newsletter – Full Content
- Best Profile
- Best Recurring Webcast/Webinar/Podcast
- Best Technical Article
- Best Webcast/Webinar/Podcast of a Single Event
The following categories are returning:
- Best Blog
- Best News Coverage
- Best Single Article
- Best Single Issue of a Magazine (Print or Digital)
- Best Single Issue of a Tabloid/Newspaper (Print or Digital)
- Best Subject-Related Series of Articles
- Best Use of Video
- Best Web Site
Additionally, in order to embrace the digital nature of our members and the industry overall, ABM will be taking the entire entry process online through a partnership with mBLAST. The 2010 Neal Awards Call for Entries will be available in early October at www.AmericanBusinessMedia.com.
ABM Confirms Power of Business Media During Challenging Economic Times
ABM recognizes that many marketers are concerned about investing in advertising during this current period of economic uncertainty. And while nobody knows for sure in which direction the economy is heading, one important fact is undeniable: Advertising in b-to-b media can significantly benefit businesses, especially during periods of economic uncertainty.
To spread this powerful message, ABM has produced the following:
- "The Importance and Value of B2B Advertising During Times of Economic Uncertainty,” a presentation summarizing the wealth of data that has been accumulated over time. An updated version of the presentation is now available with data from a recent BtoB survey and additional insights from the Harvard Business Review, Coopers & Lybrand, and more.
- A powerful new ad which features significant findings from several recent studies, including ones by Yankelovich/Harris and Forrester. Click here or contact Kate Patton to download the FREE ad for use in your publication or on your Web site. (It’s available in various electronic banner ad formats, including Leaderboard and Skyscraper, and you can customize the ad with your logo to make it better resonate with your audiences.)
- An Ag Media version of the above ad. Members including AgriMarketing magazine and Meister Media are already taking advantage of this valuable ad to promote the power of Ag media to their audiences. Click here or contact Kate Patton to download the FREE ad for use in your publication or on your Web site.
Reinvent Your Approach to B-to-B Career Development on August 13
As one of American Business Media’s latest initiatives to deliver valuable information and services to its membership, the Association’s Publishers and New York Regional Committees have developed a morning of case studies and conversation on August 13 in New York City to help b-to-b media professionals reinvent their career paths.
Whether in a job transition or just looking to accelerate one’s career, attendees will benefit from real-life, practical tools and tips from experts who include:
- Jon Chalon, Media Executive (and former VP, Entertainment Technology Division, Penton Media)
- Bill Conneely, Director, Job Market, Strategy & Business Development, mediabistro.com
- Larry Dunn, Publisher, Broadcasting & Cable/Multichannel News
- Harry Somerdyk, Senior Director, Global Media Practice, Spencer Stuart
This is a FREE program for all (current and former) ABM members; it’s $25 for non-ABM members. Space is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to pre-register here.
Postal Coalition Continues to Fight for H.R. 22
The as-yet-unnamed coalition of companies and associations interested in postal matters, which was formed both to educate Congress to the serious problems facing the Postal Service and mailers and to serve as a counterweight to the highly-organized and well-funded lobbying efforts of the postal labor unions, met again last week. ABM is a founding and executive committee level member of the coalition.
While the formation of the coalition is good news, the news from the coalition meeting is not. The latest word from the Hill is that even though H.R. 22 (which would provide some relief from retiree health care costs) will likely pass the House, the attitude in the Senate is much more indifferent to passing the bill. They understand that $2 billion of temporary relief in the face of a deficit totaling $6 billion and growing will not solve the underlying problem. Unfortunately, there seems to be little stomach among legislators for resolving that problem, which most believe is based upon too many facilities, too many employees, and pay levels that are too high for a shrinking Postal Service.
For the short term, it appears that the postal unions are urging a combination of an exigency rate increase above the price cap, passage of H.R. 22 and hope for a return of the lost mail volume as the economy improves. They argue that workers already have made their "contribution," because they have lost about 100,000 jobs and will see employee contributions to health care increase by 1% per year for the next 13 years. Although there remains the possibility of an exigent increase, most experts discount greatly any notion that mail volumes will return. A more likely scenario is that the Postal Service simply will be unable to make the more than $5 billion payment to the retiree health care trust fund due this September and therefore will not make it. The law contains no sanctions applicable in this situation, and that failure could be the spark that's needed to initiate a serious approach to the Postal Service's serious problems.
Business-to-Business Magazines Continue to Show Decline
Economy continues to negatively impact business
Magazine revenues for May 2009 declined 26.1% versus one year ago, while ad pages declined 31.6%. Consequently, after the first five months of 2009, revenues were down a total of 26.3% and ad pages by 30.3%. When looked at on an overall basis, the decline is substantial; however, it is important to note that even in this tough economy, two of the 21 categories (Agricultural figures not included) experienced revenue growth in May 2009 compared to 2008.
In an attempt to offer magazine data in a timelier manner, reports will be issued approximately six to eight weeks following month-end, sans Agricultural market figures. An updated version, including Agricultural numbers, will be released approximately two weeks afterward. Agricultural numbers account for approximately 3-4% of the total; therefore, there is minimal impact on the grand total. The final April 2009 report with Agri numbers is now available here, in addition to May 2009 numbers.
In January 2005, American Business Media augmented its reporting model for magazine advertising sales in industry markets, as relayed through BIN, by examining 21 markets comprised of all business-to-business books tracked by IMS/The Auditor, and PERQ/HCI for healthcare figures. The data, by category, is available here.
The BIN categories are:
Architecture, Design, Lighting
Automotive
Aviation, Aerospace & Military
Banking, Financial, Insurance
Building, Engineering, Construction
Business, Advertising & Marketing
Computing, Software, Telecom
Electronic Engineering
Government (Local, State, Federal)
Healthcare**
MFG, Processing
Miscellaneous*
Movies, Radio, TV & Video
Pharmaceuticals
Professional Services
Resources, Environment, Utilities
Restaurants, Foodservice, Lodging Gaming
Retail, Services
Science, Research & Development
Transportation, Logistics
Travel, Conventions & Meetings
*Miscellaneous includes Arts, Coin Operated & Vending Machine, Security and Classified pages across all categories.
**Supplied by PERQ/HCI
'Case Studies in Publishing - Enterprise Search' Available Now for Free Download
Want to learn firsthand how enterprise search solutions are being used to drive traditional and emerging business models in the publishing industry, and how leading companies are capitalizing on this trend?
The industry analysts at Outsell are bringing you a free report, entitled "Case Studies in Publishing – Enterprise Search,” exploring how companies like Dow Jones, McGraw-Hill/Platts, and Reed Business have developed and implemented search-based applications to strengthen their market position, launch new revenue-generating services, tighten relationships with users, and cut costs.
The report is available at no cost here.
2009 Pearl Awards Call for Entries Now Open
The Custom Publishing Council (CPC) is now accepting entries for the 2009 Pearl Awards, honoring the growing success of custom media programs across all platforms – focusing specifically on editorial, design and strategy.
In 2004, to herald the commitment to excellence and the growing success of custom
publishing, the CPC launched the Pearl Awards, the continent’s first award program devoted exclusively to custom publishing. Custom publishers – small and large; B2B and B2C; representing clients in a wide range of industries; and producing magazines, newsletters, and Web publications – have responded enthusiastically. This year, ABM has partnered with the CPC, co-sponsoring the b-to-b categories to increase recognition of the industry’s best custom publishing.
Pearl Awards entries are due Monday, September 14. Click here for more information or to enter.
ABM Achievement Awards Breakfast Just ONE WEEK AWAY!
Next Wednesday, July 29, join American Business Media and your fellow colleagues for breakfast as we honor the talented individuals in circulation, HR and sales promotion who are receiving ABM Achievement Awards this year … all at no cost for ABM members!
Kevin Arsham, Partner & Communications Planning Director, MediaCom, will be on hand to host the breakfast and present the awards.
Nick Cavnar, Executive Director, e-media, Hanley Wood, will be honored with the Circulation Career Award, while Roger Dusing, VP, Human Resources, Ascend Media, will take home the HR Innovator of the Year Award. Both awards highlight the exceptional careers of individuals in circulation and HR, which are made even more outstanding in light of today’s turbulent economic times.
In addition, the winners of the Sales Promotion Awards (formerly the Media Kit Awards) will also be revealed. These awards reflect a new focus on the entire suite of promotional and collateral materials that support sales efforts, and new categories have been added to include e-mail promotion, flyers and brochures.
The finalists are:
-
The Electronic Marketing Kit – Advertising Specialty Institute
-
2008 Media Kit – Society for Human Resource Management
-
Metals Group – Trend Publishing Inc.
-
The Gourmet Retailer – AC Nielsen
-
Egg Industry – WATT Publishing
-
Pensions and Investments Defined Contribution Conference – Crain Communications Inc.
-
International Vision Expo East 2009 – Reed Exhibitions
-
IEEE Media Positioning Brochure – IEEE Media
So join us to network and recognize the outstanding achievements of your colleagues … Click here to register now for this FREE breakfast event.
Did You Know?
Business decision-makers use industry-specific Web sites as much as popular Web portals (like Google) and more than general business/professional sites: 55% report using industry-specific magazine Web sites while 45% say they use general business magazine sites to do their jobs.
This is just one of many significant findings from a recently-conducted Forrester consulting study, commissioned by American Business Media. It’s one of the most comprehensive in the business media space, and thousands of industry professionals are already finding it an invaluable tool for analyzing the trends and impact of b-to-b media on both end users/decision-makers and marketers. The study simultaneously examined more than 800 marketers who operate in the business media space and 800 end-users to provide an incredibly accurate and insightful assessment of the current state and value of b-to-b media.
Check out the six different versions of the study available on ABM's Research & Marketing page to best fit your specific needs. Act now and access this important industry research, or contact Wally Koval for more information.
Sign up a colleague for E-news