As we plan our series of SIPA events for the second half of the year I'd be really interested to hear how trading is going across our member companies. Have any areas of your business been particularly badly hit by recession? Which parts are growing strongly? Are there any new initiatives that you feel are working well & that other SIPA member companies could learn from?
If you've got something to share - it can be anonymously if you wish - please leave a message in the comments section below.
Alternatively you can contact me directly at rory (dot) brown {at} incisivemedia [dot] com
Rory Brown, Incisive Media
Chairman, SIPA UK
It's almost impossible to pick up a paper now without reading about corporate profits taking a nose-dive. And whilst this was initially contained to financial services, the retail sector is feeling the woe, as are others. So, I suspect the real pain and effects of the downturn are yet to be felt by publishers. Once budgets start being cut for 2009, and layoffs begin, then the easy targets of conference attendance and subscriptions will be trimmed back. But it's not all doom and gloom, there are plenty of companies and sectors and geographical regions doing great so being selective helps.
I did meet one US publisher serving the mortgage finance sector who's subscriber base had been cut by 35% through the downturn and they were tasked with maintaining a 70% renewal rate!
Tim Weller, CEO of Incisive Media had some wise words for UK SIPA conference attendees, which I'm sure Rory can share, for managing during a downturn.
Robin Crumby, Melcrum.
Posted by: Robin Crumby | August 01, 2008 at 01:37 AM