Event Sponsored by WhatTheyThink’s Second Annual Print CEO Forum

Lexington, Kentucky USA -- WhatTheyThink.com today reported that nearly 350 industry professionals registered to attend a free printing industry economic webinar with forecaster and commentator Dr. Joe Webb. The event was held Wednesday, April 7th.

The webinar archive is available at the webinar archive page.

During this one-hour event, Dr. Webb reported that the latest survey of commercial printing business conditions was the best since September 2008, with more than 20% of the respondents indicating business was up +6% or more. The industry has been consolidating in establishments and employee levels faster than the decline in shipments. “There are signs the industry is stabilizing, but we won't know for sure for some time,” he said. “January and February shipments were down -6.4% compared to 2009, which, as we know, was a very difficult year. But the industry has been profitable, though at levels just above breakeven, for the last three quarters.”

Dr. Webb also discussed how commercial printing is somewhat inversely related to the overall economy. “Greater economic growth increases the investment available for the latest communications technologies, most of which reduce the need for print. Unless print businesses increase their activity and participate in these new markets, illustrated by products such as the Apple iPad, they will continue to find that selling print alone will be challenging.”

Dr. Webb also discussed:

• The latest WhatTheyThink economic recovery indicators which show the general economy strongly coming out of recession
• The good news and bad news of the economy, such as unemployment, whether or not the surge in growth will be sustainable, and the uncertainties for print businesses concerning health care legislation

Attendees were able to download a PDF copy of Dr. Webb’s new book, Disrupting the Future: Uncommon Wisdom for Navigating Print’s Challenging Marketplace, written with Richard Romano, as well as being provided with a link for purchasing the hardcopy book.  Copies of the book will also be available at On Demand in the Xerox and Océ booths. “This book will be critical reading for owners and managers of printing companies as they reinvent themselves once again to address a changing marketplace,” added Dr. Webb.

“This session will be available in the archive, along with all of our other educational sessions, so business owners and managers can revisit the content at any time,” said Randy Davidson, President of WhatTheyThink. “If you found this webinar valuable, you will also find attendance at the upcoming Print CEO Forum well worth your time. Register today to attend this important event which will be held October 2^nd and 3^rd in Chicago.  The Print CEO Forum site also provides information about WhatTheyThink’s first-ever Print CEO of the Year award, the only such award in our industry judged by peers.  Get your nominations in now.”

Dr. Joe Webb is the director of WhatTheyThink's Economics and Research Center, where managers, researchers and analysts can find free and premium content about industry trends, including forecasts and more. Dr. Webb is a recognized marketing authority, forecaster and one of the best known speakers in our industry. He also contributes a weekly column at WhatTheyThink.com for Premium Access Members entitled “Mondays with Dr. Joe” as well as a regular writer on PrintCEOblog.com. This is Dr. Joe’s eighth year of association with WhatTheyThink.

The webinar from the fourth quarter of 2009 is still accessible at: http://members.whattheythink.com/webinars/webinar.cfm?id=125

About WhatTheyThink

WhatTheyThink is the printing and publishing industry's leading media organization; offering a wide range of publications delivering unbiased, real-time market intelligence, industry news, economic and trend analysis, peer-to-peer communication, and special reports on emerging technology and critical events. WhatTheyThink also hosts webinars and live events as well as providing content through a syndication program, which delivers content directly to related websites.

Through the WhatTheyThink Speakers Bureau, expert speakers are available for private company planning sessions and sales meetings, customer and dealer events, and association membership programs. WhatTheyThink also supports the speakers programs by assisting in the promotion of the events through its web sites and e-mail programs, if desired.

About Dr. Joe Webb

Dr. Joe Webb is the director of WhatTheyThink.com's Economics and Research Center, where managers, researchers and analysts can find free and premium content about industry trends, including forecasts and more. Dr. Webb is a 30-year graphic arts veteran, a recognized marketing authority, forecaster and one of the best known speakers in our industry. He is known for his ability to interpret the latest market conditions in the graphic communications industries and translate what they mean for executives and their strategic decisions. Since January 2003, his "Mondays with Dr. Joe" column has been a must-read feature on WhatTheyThink.com.

He is a Ph.D. graduate of the NYU Center for Graphic Communications Management and Technology (1987) and serves on the Center's Board of Advisors. He holds an MBA in Management Information Systems from Iona College (1981) and was a magna cum laude graduate in Managerial Sciences and Marketing from Manhattan College (1978), and was a member of the economics honor society. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in marketing, market research, quantitative analysis, business policy, and organizational behavior. He started in the industry with Agfa's Graphic Systems Division and was later a marketing executive with Chemco Photoproducts, entering consulting full time in 1987. Among his publications is the controversial "Renewing the Print Industry: A Contrarian's Constructive Perspective."