Sign in and Introduce Yourself B2B Media PROS

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kerry Smith on June 9, 2008 at 8:10pm

I've been in BtoB publishing for about 20 years, on both the edit and business side. I think it would be interesting to use this group to not just discuss our challenges, but how we as an industry are grappling with some of the trends that are changing the business publishing landscape. I hope members of this group will post questions, provide answers and offer suggestions and solutions that can help all of us navigate the changes that are impacting our businesses.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joseph Guerriero on June 10, 2008 at 4:09pm

My name is Joe Guerriero. I have close to 20 years experience in media sales and marketing management - b2b, b2c, national consumer and regional lifestyle. I am very interested in discussions and ideas regarding asset integration and true brand selling regardless of the market served. I believe that publishers need to construct one "rate card" in order to have true brand alignment but are inhibited by unbundling issues and fear the potential loss of business. Any thoughts or conversations regarding this idea would be quite interesting and constructive.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by OlegR on June 10, 2008 at 8:50pm

I've been working in B2C publishing before, but recently, started getting more and more involved in B2B.
While working at Nstein, a software company that is pioneering online publishing landscape and is solely focused on publishing vertical, I run across new ideas and numerous questions every day.

I would love to be able to use this group in order to hear outside opinion on our ideas, developments and future plans in developing new products for B2B space.
Being able to hear needs and pains of B2B community would be extremely helpful too.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dan Bolton on June 11, 2008 at 1:01pm

Exploring means to tap "the wisdom of crowds" (James Surowiecki-2004) is a worthy pursuit.

Successful b2b publishers assemble large numbers of independently-deciding individuals with a mix of news, market research and peer advice. Our venture seeks to facilitate conversations among group members like what we are doing on MediaPRO. Our niche is natural/organic food and our network consists of all who collaborate in bringing wholesome products to market.

I would like to learn more about collaborative business networking tools that reach beyond chat and the everyday exchange of email. Our goal is to establish an online community of 15,000 to 30,000 in-store buyers that can reliably predict/interpret consumer trends and decide on which new products will succeed in the marketplace. These discussions are guided by staff and a brain trust of outside experts. Done correctly Surowiecki argues these insights will be superior to those of individuals and even experts. Unlike a social network, trusted networks are business-focused, all registrants must use their name.

Two examples are www.retailwire.com and www.xeequa.com.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Paul Conley on June 11, 2008 at 4:45pm

Hi Dan,
Interesting that you should mention retailwire.com.
A client of mine pointed me toward it just a few days ago. I finally got around to taking a look. It's a very interesting concept.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by David Willson on June 11, 2008 at 5:32pm

I've been involved with all kinds of magazines from fan magazines to tabloid magazines to consumer and b2b — specializing in launching and redesigning publications. My longest gigs have always been in b2b pubs. I was the art director for The Corporate Real Estate Executive (now defunct) back in the 90s and most recently editor-in-chief of ValueRich magazine (now a Web site). I am an illustrator, writer and cartoonist.

I mainly want to keep up with the industry and make new contacts. Please visit my page to see some of my work, and become a friend so we can keep in touch.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Martha Spizziri on June 12, 2008 at 4:13pm

Fan magazines, huh? I see you've worked for Soap Opera magazine. I have a friend who's worked for lots of fan mags, including one called Soap Opera Hair. I'm not kidding.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by David Willson on June 25, 2008 at 12:48pm

Soap Opera Hair :oD ...sounds like an 80's thing. I knew absolutely nothing about soap operas. But before I was done, I was head-over-heals infatuated with Emma Samms. Actually, the craziest aspect of being there was that the magazine was launched by (with a couple of exceptions) a bunch of old, crusty tabloid journalists that had been reassigned to the project. I could do a cartoon strip about it.

I eventually put in a little time on just about every American Media title as a pool design editor;The Enquirer, The Star, The Sun, The Globe, The National Review, a couple of sleazy crime mags (Detective Files and Startling Detective) and my personal favorite... The Weekly World News.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Martha Spizziri on June 12, 2008 at 4:09pm

I'm currently web editor for the American Society of Business Publication Editors. I'm also VP of the Boston chapter. Before that, I've worked in various editorial positions at B2B publications -- including production editor, managing editor, and web editor -- all at Cahners/Reed.

I'm hoping to use this forum to get a wider view of B2B editors' concerns, beyond the Boston area and those active in ASBPE.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Douglas Shore on June 12, 2008 at 4:59pm

I have been in b-to-b publishing nearly 40 years (it scares me just to write that), when high technology was dial phones, manual typewriters and Linotype.

I have been everything from an assistant editor to owner/CEO of a company, and have survived many forms of ownership, including family, private equity, and public companies. I have been involved in launching magazines, conferences, trade shows and data businesses, and buying and selling magazines and companies. I have been doing some light consulting and advisory work since selling Shore-Varrone 10 years ago, as well as private investing in b-to-b media.

I would like to read and share ideas about how our business is changing (and in some ways not changing).

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jim Fischer on June 12, 2008 at 5:34pm

Hey, Doug Shore, I've been in business publishing for 40 years this month. Started as a part-time circulation clerk in June 1968. Lot's of water under the bridge. Now I have my own full service circulation management agency and you know what I did today? Clerical work on a clients subscriber file. That's after Gralla Publications (head of circulation for 20 years, Circulation Management (owner-publisher and editor), The New York Observer (VP of Operations), and Variety (Group Circulation Director). Guess I've come a long way, eh. I've done it all in circulation from b2b and consumer magazines to daily and weekly newspapers to newsletters to websites.

Let the games begin!

Jim

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amanda on June 13, 2008 at 3:50pm

Hello! After reading all of these intros, I feel like a newbie to publishing. Luckily for my workaholic spirit and energy I think I can double my time in the industry in exchange for living and breathing it 24 hours a day since I started working in publishing ;)

I'm the Managing Editor and Publisher at the Mequoda Daily. We are publishers for publishers really. We publish a blog, books, host webinars and two annual events, and on the backend we do workshops, consulting and software, all to help publishers make money online. The front-end is my niche. So not only are we publishers, but all of my efforts are on researching other publishers (like yourselves) and letting people know what is working and not working in the industry today.

I think FOLIO did a great job setting an example for publishers by starting this social network, so thanks FOLIO :)

OH! And I started two groups on here, so join them! :) Online Publishing Business Strategy and Social Media Marketing!

▶ Reply to This

• 1
• 2
• 3