Cooperation based on new business models in the print media sector thanks to innovations in technology / Heidelberg also becomes partner to the HORIZONT Award The world’s largest printing press manufacturer, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, and the communications magazine HORIZONT from Deutscher Fachverlag, Frankfurt am Main, will in future join forces under the terms of a strategic partnership. Both partners are looking to use this partnership to highlight the importance for the future of technological innovation in the print media sector. Heidelberg will also be a partner for the media and communications industry’s biggest event, the HORIZONT Award. The cooperation agreement is currently scheduled to span four years. “Right now, developments in printing technology and in upstream print media production processes are offering exciting opportunities for creating supplementary and new business models”, says Markus Gotta, Head of Publishing at HORIZONT, explaining the present situation. The aim of the partnership is to draw up specific practical examples based on the various options available and to then present these to the industry in a practical way. Heidelberg will contribute its technological expertise, while HORIZONT will serve as medium and communicator. There are plans to showcase the results at industry-related trade shows such as CeBIT, DIMA and DRUPA 2004 in Düsseldorf. “The signed-and-sealed media cooperation agreement between HORIZONT and Heidelberg offers our companies an additional presentation forum. Because of the variety of activities we have planned, we will be able to inform our key target groups - marketing decision makers - about topics such as ‘Sales opportunities through 1:1 marketing” or ‘Successful CRM through variable data printing’”, says Holger Reichardt, Marketing Director at Heidelberg, outlining the benefits of the cooperation agreement. “We want to highlight the appeal of digital printing and boost demand for print media”. The partners believe that the changed market situation will primarily lead to print media marketing activities focusing even more strongly on the individual customer and on addressing target groups with greater emphasis on quality. This partnership enables Heidelberg and HORIZONT to meet these new challenges early on, so as to highlight new sales opportunities to the media, agencies and advertising companies. The strategic partnership will also involve Heidelberg’s future presence at the HORIZONT Award. The event, which honors men and women of the year, is one of the industry’s key dates and will be held on January 23, 2003 in the Frankurter Schauspiel. Both companies are looking to use this opportunity to make top decision-makers from the media, agencies and industry aware of innovations before they are actually showcased.