In the last week I’ve been sent information about Elektronik’s ARM special and discussed the custom publishing projects that IML has recently completed. Although the magazine industry is still surrounded by clouds of doom and gloom, this highly unscientific sample makes me wonder whether how important custom publishing will be to the European electronics media. (I know that the Elektronik ARM special isn’t technically custom publishing, but I think it is a good example of the growth of vendor-specific publications).

With the availability of tools that mean anyone can self-publish a magazine, perhaps the media companies offer something that is really valuable – [relatively] independent journalists. When coupled with the publishers database that let them reach huge number of potential readers, this gives publishers a real opportunity to generate significant business from custom publishing.

Although custom publishing can be an excellent marketing vehicle, with ARM possibly offering the best example of a company that depends upon a vibrant ecosystem for its success, I do wonder whether it’s all good news.

Marketers have no problems making sweeping statements, such as “print is dead”, despite new launches providing clear contrary evidence. Personally I think that the marketing industry is increasingly looking for the “magic silver bullet” that will achieve great ROI and clear measurement, whilst requiring minimum effort. Perhaps some of the enthusiasm for custom publishing is a result of people searching for the “one big thing” that will really make a difference?

It will be interesting to see whether custom publishing does grow in our industry. I definitely do believe that there is a place for it – the ARM special is clearly a great move for vendor, partners and publishers. However, I hope marketing managers don’t lose sight of the importance of frequency and simple hard work that will generate the most sustained returns in the long term.

Tags: Elektronik, EPD, Germany, Misc Marketing, UK

EPD is inviting entries for the e-Legacy Awards 2010. The e-Lagecy awards are one of the most sought after prizes in the European electronics industry due to their focus on hot topics such as medical, the environment, security and sustainability.

Entry information is available on the EPD site, but make sure you don’t forget the 30th May deadline because unlike other awards, EPD doesn’t extend the deadline to get more entries!

Tags: Awards, EPD, UK

After a brief affair with the BPA, the next EPD audit will be from the ABC. This isn’t surprising: with some major titles no longer auditing circulation, I think that EPD should be applauded for continuing to get 3rd party validation of the circulation.

As I mentioned in the previous post, with the incorporation of EM&T within EPD, the circulation of EPD will grow a little to 24K, and insiders confidently tell me that the audit will show 100% to be requested within a year. Although I can see benefits to the more stringent approach taken by the BPA, advertisers will definitely reap greater benefits from publications that are investing in larger, newer circulations rather than spending more time jumping through the hoops to get a BPA audit.

Tags: Digital Magazines and Print Publications, EPD, UK

EM&T, the production and test print title from IML is to merge with EPD. The EM&T content will be a section within EPD in print, although I understand that IML is considering allowing digital subscribers to request just one or other of the two titles. It’s sad to see EM&T disappear from the UK publication roster, although the good news is that the move will see EPD’s circulation increase to 24K (13.5K print and 10.5K digital).

I’m reassured that this change will not impact EMT WorldWide, which has grown into a website and email newsletter with global reach.

Tags: Digital Magazines and Print Publications, EM and T, EPD, UK

EPD has launched a white papers section on the EPDonthenet.net website. The new section allows engineers to run a keyword search for white papers, something that I’m sure will be an interesting service. Although Google remains the first port of call for many engineers looking for technical information, the need for specific, detailed information often means they end up searching several manufacturers’ sites. If the service takes off it could provide a valuable resource for engineers as well as an efficient way to promote products. As hosting is free, I see no reasons why companies would not choose to include their white papers on the EPD website.

Tags: CIE, EPD, google, Online, UK

EPD has opened the voting for the 2009 e-Legacy awards. You can vote online at http://www.epdonthenet.net/awards_vote.aspx.

These awards are unique in the industry, and the use of a public vote to decide the winner is a great approach. Of course I’d strongly recommend that you vote for Jennic and Esterel, two Napier clients that have been recognised for their contribution to environmental design and security.

Tags: Awards, Clients, EPD, ESE, Online, UK

The e-Legacy Awards 2009, organised by IML, are now open for nominations. Although other awards in our industry are increasing their focus on environmental awards, these are the only ones that focus completely on how companies improve the human, natural and built environment. The categories are:

• Medical Advances Award
• Investment in Education Award
• Investment in Training Award
• Investment in the Environment Award
• Environmental Design Award
• Contribution to Sustainability Award
• Contribution to Security Award

The deadline for entries is 30th July, and all that is required is a short overview of your product or innovation.
I have to admit that when these awards were first launched, I was concerned that IML may have problems attracting sufficient high-quality entries, but have been proved completely wrong. As companies are increasingly keen to highlight their environmental achievements, these awards continue to go from strength to strength.

Tags: Awards, EPD, UK

Electronic Product Design has appointed Dr. Kriteshwar Kaur Kohli to the role of technical editor, hopefully giving some respite to the overworked Tim Fryer, who has been covering at the publication since Caroline Hayes departed. It’s good to see IML investing in its editorial team and putting paid to rumours that the company was trying to cut costs by reducing the number of editors they employ. In fact the whisper we hear is that IML wanted to make this appointment some time ago, and it was other factors that delayed Dr. Kohli starting.

Tags: Editors, EPD, UK

Congralutations to Tim Fryer, who has taken on the role of managing editor for both EPD and Electronics Manufacture and Test. Tim has edited EM&T for many years and brings enormous experience with him. IML is currently looking for a Technical Editor to support Tim on EPD.

Tags: Editors, EM and T, EPD, UK

Caroline Hayes, the well known and popular editor of EPD, has been appointed as the new editor of EPN, moving to her new role on 29th September. Caroline will replace Mike Green, who did a wonderful job developing EPN, proving that [not all] product books are dead. Mick Elliott will be acting editor until Caroline joins the publication.

There are reletively few editors currently writing in the UK electronics market who could have taken on such a role, so this appointment must be regarded as a very positive achievement for Reed (publishers of EPN). The loss of Caroline must also be a disappointment for EPD, particuarly given the work done to enhance the magazine’s circulation and audit. I will be very interested to see who IML selects as the next editor of EPD. I’d personally like to see an experienced editor with technical expertise move into the electronics sector from another market, rather than a continuation of an editor merry-go-round. Growing the pool of editorial talent in our industry must be good, and CIE has proved that it can be done successfully with the appointment of Neil Tyler. Keep checking Napier News to make sure you are one of the first to know when the appointment is made.

Tags: CIE, Editors, EPD, EPN, UK

IML has appointed Paul Wolfe as assistant editor of Electronic Product Design (EPD) and Electronics Manufacture & Test (EM&T), hoping to expand the online content for the successful EM&T site and the EPD site that will launch on the 6th February, as well as offering more resource to increase the number of staff-written articles. From our point of view, we’re glad to see publishers continuing to invest in their titles and their all-important editorial teams.

Tags: Editors, EM and T, EPD, UK

EPD will launch a website and enewsletter on 6th Feb. Incredibly the title has remained strong in the UK market with virtually no online presence, but we are sure that the introduction of the site and email newsletter will both help build the EPD brand with readers and also offer valuable promotional opportunities. We’ve seen some layouts of the site, and like the way it is put together. www.epdonthenet.net doesn’t attempt to compete with the news-driven sites (a sensible move), but rather tries to offer in-depth content divided up into product groups as well as nine market sectors reflecting the UK electronics industry – automotive, broadcast, communications, computing, consumer, industrial, medical, military, security.

Tags: EPD, Online, UK