While you're waiting for our Jan. 6 State of the Industry panel, get your prognostication fix from this summary of ASBPE New York's recent event, Taking the Pulse of B2B Media in 2009. One prediction from that panel discussion: Tony Silber of Red 7 Media (which publishes Folio:) said debt will make it difficult for large publishers with roots in print to invest in the web. He predicted bankruptcies among such companies will begin in the next month or so.

And here are some 2009 predictions from various media-industry compiled by Folio: magazine.

This interview with NewspaperDeathWatch's Paul Gillin from Michelle Rafter's WordCount blog is also pretty interesting. Gillin mentions that many community newspapers owned by large companies are being shut down -- but are being replaced by web sites started by individuals.

Also see the latest WordCount weekly digital media biz recap for info on the current status of the print-v.-web struggle in the magazine world (believe it or not, print is winning this round), how to be a good marketer, and how Twitter can grow a freelance business. You can also see a video of "The Morbid Major Magazine Song," a musical recitation of publications that have recently gone bust.

1/6/09 update: Watch for Paul Conley's predictions for B2B media in the January/February edition of the ASBPE newsletter.

2/19/09: Members can download a PDF of the January/February 2009 newsletter (276KB). (Nonmembers: View the newsletter archives.)

Labels: State of the Industry, The Business of Publishing, Web

ASBPE has introduced a new honor to its Azbee Awards program: the Journalism That Matters Award.

This award was inspired by the reporting featured in the ASBPE book Journalism That Matters: How Business to Business Editors Change the Industries They Cover (Marion Street Press, 2006), which showcases changes in government policy or industry practices that resulted from articles written by B2B, association, and trade journalists. The award will recognize similar work in our field.

If you or a colleague produced journalism that matters in 2008, consider entering. All forms of media — print, online, video, and audio — are eligible. The entry deadline is March 2, 2009.* The winner will be recognized at the 2009 National Azbee Awards of Excellence banquet in Washington, D.C., on July 16.

Download an entry form for the Journalism That Matters award (456K PDF).

Learn more about the Journalism That Matters Award.

* Note: This is later than the deadline for regular print Azbee Awards entries, which are due Jan. 30.

Labels: ASBPE National, ASBPE Publications, Azbee Awards, Reporting

Panelists for our Jan. 6 meeting at the Wellesley Public Library will include:

• Dr. Steven Vidakovic, associate research fellow in technology and knowledge integration at Pfizer (Managing Automation reader)
• Isabelle Kane, media director, PJA Advertising & Marketing, which has been BtoB magazine's top small agency of the year for three years running.
  
• Mark. A. Davidson, VP of global marketing, at Wonderware, an Invensys unit
• Tim Reason, editorial director, CFO.com
• Gary Beach, publisher emeritus, CIO magazine

They'll discuss their outlook on what the coming months hold for B2B publications at a FREE event at the Wellesley Public Library on Jan. 6, 2009. Chapter officer David Brousell, editor-in-chief for Managing Automation, will moderate the panel. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009

Time: Social hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m.; program begins at 7:00 p.m.

Location:

Wellesley Free Public Library – Wakelin Conference Room
530 Washington Street
Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482
phone 781-235-1610

Transportation:
The Wellesley Library is a few minutes from the Turnpike/I-95 interchange and easily accessible from the Wellesley Square stop on the MBTA Framingham-Worcester commuter rail line. The stop is approximately two blocks to the west of the library.
Driving directions.

Parking information:
There is a parking lot in back of the library. There is also an underground parking garage exclusively for library users. If you park in the garage, you may access the library by elevator or a staircase that brings you into a lobby area.

Questions? Want to attend? This event is open to both members and nonmembers. However, please RSVP if you plan to attend the social hour from 6:00-7:00 by emailing Alan Earls at alan.earls@comcast.net. You may reach him by phone at (508) 528-6930.

Labels: ASBPE Educational Programs, State of the Industry, The Business of Publishing

Are you ready for 2009?

The year ahead presents unprecedented challenges – and opportunities – for B2B publishing.

Join the ASBPE Boston Chapter for our annual State of the Industry panel discussion with representatives from B2B sales and editorial as well as a media buyer and a reader.

Because budgets are tight, we decided to change the format of this annual event so that you can attend for free. Instead of preceding the panel discussion with a formal banquet, we'll start off with a social hour. Complimentary refreshments and sandwiches will be served.

David Brousell, editor-in-chief for Managing Automation magazine, will moderate the panel.

Speakers will be announced shortly, so check back at this site.

Update, Dec. 16, 2008: Panelists for our Jan. 6 meeting at the Wellesley Public Library will include:

• Dr. Steven Vidakovic, associate research fellow in technology and knowledge integration at Pfizer (Managing Automation reader)
• Isabelle Kane, media director, PJA Advertising & Marketing, which has been BtoB magazine's top small agency of the year for three years running.
  
• Mark. A. Davidson, VP of global marketing, at Wonderware, an Invensys unit
• Tim Reason, editorial director, CFO.com
• Gary Beach, publisher emeritus, CIO magazine
  

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009

Time: Social hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m.; program begins at 7:00 p.m.

Location:

Wellesley Free Public Library – Wakelin Conference Room
530 Washington Street
Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482
phone 781-235-1610

Transportation:
The Wellesley Library is a few minutes from the Turnpike/I-95 interchange and easily accessible from the Wellesley Square stop on the MBTA Framingham-Worcester commuter rail line. The stop is approximately two blocks to the west of the library.
Driving directions.

Parking information:
There is a parking lot in back of the library. There is also an underground parking garage exclusively for library users. If you park in the garage, you may access the library by elevator or a staircase that brings you into a lobby area.

Questions? Want to attend? This event is open to both members and nonmembers. However, please RSVP if you plan to attend the social hour from 6:00-7:00 by emailing Alan Earls at alan.earls@comcast.net. You may reach him by phone at (508) 528-6930.

Postscript: For some ideas on what B2B publications can do now to weather the recession, don't miss Tonie Auer's recent blog post on the ASBPE National Blog.

For help on a personal level, take a look at this slide show from BusinessWeek.com, 20 Tips for Career Survival: Preventive and Preemptive.

Labels: ASBPE Educational Programs, State of the Industry, The Business of Publishing

From ASBPE Boston Board member Matt Kelly, via Facebook:

Yep, it's that time of year: the Media Chowder Annual Christmas Party. We will meet, imbibe, discuss the crappy state of the industry and poke fun at the Herald as usual. All are welcome; Santa attire is strongly encouraged.

When: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m.
Where: Sidney's Grille, Cambridge, as usual.

Anyone bringing gifts for needy children will win a free drink, and then can stroll to the Salvation Army office across the street and drop it off for said needy children.

All are welcome! Shooting for a new turnout record of at least 20 folks this time, so please bring friends, writers, PR folk, and other hangers-on.

Details:

Sidney's Grille at the Meridien Hotel
20 Sidney St
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 494-0011

• cash bar
• on street and garage parking available

See area map.
Get driving directions from Google Maps.

Directions via public transportation: short walk from Central Square T stop on Red line. (Exit T stop and walk down Mass Ave. about 10 minutes towards Boston. Sidney Street is on the right side of Mass Ave., just past the fire station, behind the Asgard bar)

Labels: ASBPE Educational Programs, Social Networking

Tell us who B2B editors and journalists should be following on Twitter. To vote, simply log onto Twitter and send a direct message or an @reply to ASBPE. Remember to include the person's Twitter handle. The top 10 will be posted on the ASBPE National Blog.

Labels: Social Networking, Web