10TH Anniversary Conference Sets Strategy to Address A New Decade of Digital Challenges MARBLEHEAD, MA – March 26, 2002 -- DDAP Association, a key industry group charged with promoting the "Universal Exchange of Digital Advertising through Open Process Integration and Accredited Standards," celebrated a “A New Decade, A New Digital Vision” at their 10th Anniversary conference, held February 27th through March 2nd, 2002, in New York City. With energies focused on the development of a new digital vision for networked publishing, the conference explored the rapidly changing world of print production and the continuing need for open process integration and accredited standards as the industry embraces alternatives to traditional print output. Over 170 representatives from leading ad agencies, publishers, prepress providers, printers, and software developers came together to expand their digital vision and absorb new digital concepts, test drive new tools, and adopt new strategies. Attendees were quickly brought up-to-speed with an opening day of tutorials that offered both a DDAP and SWOP track. This was followed by two days of critical issues presentations, live workflows, hands on experiences, team assignments, and DDAP Town Halls. The conference concluded with the fourth annual DDAP “Digital Ad Think Tank” which focused on setting new goals and directions for DDAP’s second decade. The conference keynote speakers, Nina Link, President/CEO, Magazine Publishers of America; Grant Miller, Vice President of Technology, R.R. Donnelley & Sons; and Michael Rogers, the Washington Post’s VP of New Media challenged the audience to explore and discuss where the industry is headed and how DDAP as an organization can continue to play a leadership role in the process. DDAP Chair, Alan Darling remarked, “DDAP provides key support to its members as they navigate through the technical ‘alphabet soup’ of networked publishing by providing venues where members and vendors can come together to develop a vision and direction that incorporates open process integration and accredited formats. But, more than ever, we need to reach both within, and outside, of our industry to collaborate with other organizations and associations to refine this vision and work towards standards that facilitate the sharing of information in both the networked publishing and computer-integrated manufacturing arenas.” Other highlights of the DDAP Conference program included the unveiling of “Digital Delivers,” a new interactive learning tool encompassing all the digital ad delivery critical issues. DDAP also hosted the debut of “Ad Deliverance,” an innovative video directed and produced by Michael Weinglass, Vice President, Manufacturing for Easyriders, Inc. "Making 'Ad Deliverance' was a lot of fun," reports Weinglass, "I wanted to convey a message to DDAP members and ultimately, the industry at large that you can break out of the mold when communicating your digital ad strategy. I was lucky enough to find a cast and location to fulfill that vision. I hope people enjoy 'Ad Deliverance' and that is has impact as collectively, we continue to push for 100% digital ad adoption." Plans are underway to incorporate the “Ad Deliverance” video on the “Digital Delivers” cd rom. Special thanks go to the DDAP conference sponsors: Adobe, Apago, CGS Publishing Technologies International, Chromagraphix, Creo, Dalim Software, Enfocus Software, Fuji Photo Film USA, Kodak Polychrome Graphics, MagSend, OneVision, PrintMedia, RealTime Image, Rorke Data, SRDS, and Total Integration. Attendees were able to test-drive their products and tools in the Hands On! mini sessions and also try out the DDAP digital ad tools and techniques for building bullet proof files for data exchange with the DDAP Universal PPD, DDAP Job Option Settings, DDAP PDF/X Verifier 2.0, and DDAP Digital Ad Database. The Joseph A. Pedone Award recipients were announced at the DDAP 10th Anniversary Party at the Boathouse at Central Park on February 28th. Honored this year were: Martin Breslow, CEO, The Martin Breslow Group; Dwight Kelly, founder and President of Apago; Jennifer Liebenow, digital workflow specialist; Nubar Nakashian, Executive Vice President, Quality House of Graphics; and Michael Skurski, Chief Technical Officer, Total Integration, Inc. Each of these individuals has played a leadership role in championing the universal adoption of standard accredited digital ad workflows. “By all reports, the 10th Anniversary conference was a success,” reports DDAP Executive Director Barbara Hanapole. “Attendees, sponsors, and presenters alike felt invigorated by the thoughtful and thought-provoking discussions about the future of our industry and the challenges presented by new technology. Stay tuned for continuing dialog at the ‘DDAP Digital Mardi Gras,’ DDAP’s 2003 conference, scheduled for March 12-15, 2003, at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans.” About DDAP The DDAP Association is an international group of graphic arts professionals dedicated to bringing all of the pieces – and – players of the digital delivery process together. Through their mission of "Universal Exchange of Digital Advertising through open process integration and accredited standards,” the group advocates the adoption of digital advertising workflows and supports DDAP members in their transition to digital ad delivery by developing software tools and providing educational seminars, on-site consultation and support. DDAP’s goal is to continually analyze and improve digital processes, in terms of both business and technical best practices, as technology evolves. To learn more about the DDAP Association’s current initiatives, visit the DDAP website at http://www.ddap.org. Register for the DDAP Digital Ad Database. Join the DDAP Digital Ad Forum at: http://www.PrintPlanet.com.