HARRISVILLE, RI September 27, 2004 -- The $5.8 billion graphic design industry has approximately 16,000+ businesses (with an average of four employees each) and spends more than $400 million annually on capital goods. The industry has over 80,000 independent freelance practitioners. This is according to a new study entitled “The U.S. Graphic Design Business 2004-2009”, which will soon be published by Strategies for Management, Inc. Examining the demographics and trends of graphic design businesses and freelancers, the report outlines the number of creative businesses, employees and freelancers, types of services being offered (and how their service mix is changing), as well as the sizes of their billings and capital purchases. Reporting will be based on historical data spanning 1997 to 2003, SFM estimated data for 2004, and SFM forecasts from 2005 through 2009. It also reviews trends on an inflation-adjusted basis, which is critical to understanding the true nature of the business. “This type of study is important,” said Dr. Joseph Webb, president of SFM, “because the graphic design industry represents a large portion of the overall graphic arts marketplace and their skills and experience are the first step in the demand for print and other media. This significant industry is often overlooked or underserved by vendors, suppliers and print-service providers.” “The U.S. Graphic Design Business 2004-2009” is slated for release by late October, and SFM is now soliciting “early bird discount” subscribers for the study. Some of the report's topics on a historical and forecast basis include: -- number of design businesses and their employees -- number of design freelancers -- sizes of design businesses by number of employees and receipts -- how many graphic design businesses are started and closed annually -- where designers get revenues (service mix), and how this is changing -- key ratio data, such as receipts per business, receipts per employee, payroll per business, and more -- capital expenditures The report will also identify and have Internet-based access to graphic design business information sources, such as associations, publications, and many others. Vendors and dealers selling and working with graphic design businesses will find the report to be an invaluable tool. "The data and commentary in this study will assist executives greatly," said Vince Naselli, consultant to the project. "Executives will be able to rely on this report for strategic projects that require design-market sizing and segmentation, product development, opportunity assessment, channel and distribution strategy, promotion strategies, and all aspects of planning and forecasting," added Mr. Naselli. The project is currently underway and is planned for release on October 28, 2004. This report is priced at $2,875. There is a special pre-publication price of $1,975, a savings of more than 30% ($900). The deadline for the “early-bird” pricing is October 18, 2004. The report can be pre-ordered at http://store.yahoo.com/drjoe/graphicdesign.html Heading the project are Dr. Joseph Webb, President of Strategies for Management, and Mr. Vince Naselli of Naselli & Associates. Dr. Webb has studied the design business for more than 25 years as a consultant, executive, and the founder of the TrendWatch surveys. His doctoral work was completed at the NYU Center for Graphic Arts Management and Technology. Mr. Naselli has over 20 years of professional experience in the graphic arts marketing industry and is the former Director of TrendWatch Graphic Arts, and was previously a product management and research executive with Agfa. For more information, interested parties can e-mail Strategies for Management at [email protected], or can call Mr. Vince Naselli at 1-732-568-0316. About Dr. Joe Webb Industry commentator and forecaster Dr. Joe Webb is a 26+ year veteran of the graphic arts industry. He has served the industry as a consultant, executive, and the founder of the TrendWatch surveys. His academic background is a combination of business, computer technologies, and graphic arts. His doctoral work was completed at the NYU Center for Graphic Arts Management and Technology. Dr. Webb has worked with industry suppliers of all types, including offset and digital press manufacturers, computer software and hardware developers, national and multinational organizations, associations, and others. A frequent speaker at industry events, Dr. Webb's weekly column “Fridays with Dr. Joe” appears at www.WhatTheyThink.com where it has become a must-read feature for the entire printing industry. (Photos of Dr. Webb for editorial purposes can be downloaded at www.drjoewebb.com/press ) About Vince Naselli Vince Naselli has 20+ years of professional experience in the graphic arts marketing industry. Mr. Naselli is the former Director of TrendWatch Graphic Arts. He is a frequent contributor to WhatTheyThink.com and other leading industry publications. He has served as a past committee chairman of the Imaging & Prepress and Market Research subcommittees for the NPES market research program, one of the leading research trade associations in the graphic communications industries. He has also served as president and on the board of directors of GAMIS, the research trade association of the Printing Industries of America. Mr. Naselli speaks at numerous industry events about the trends in technology, business conditions, and the future of the imaging business. In previous professional roles, he served as Dealer Relations and Regional Sales Manager for Screen USA and was the Senior U.S. Marketing Manager for Agfa of market research and competitive analysis and concurrently was the Senior U.S. Marketing Manager for Apogee responsible for PDF Workflow software and systems. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and management from Kean University, New Jersey. His website is http://www.naselliandassociates.com and his direct e-mail is [email protected]