Panel of Experts Explain Why Social Media is Important

Lexington, Kentucky USA – WhatTheyThink, a leading media, market intelligence and research company for the printing and publishing industries, today provided additional details about its exclusive printer-only event, Print CEO Forum, which will be conducted at the prestigious University Club in Chicago on September 11^th and 12^th, 2009. 

More information about the event, including a complete agenda, can be found by visiting http://PrintCEOForum.com

“Social media such as blogs and wikis, and services like as Flickr, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, are a significant disruptive force that spills over into the printing industry,” said Adam Dewitz, Director of Technology at WhatTheyThink.  “While marketers and advertisers are investing significant time, effort and dollars in learning how best to leverage social media in their branding and marketing efforts, many owners and managers of printing businesses seem to be shying away from this new form of social and business interaction.  During the Print CEO Forum, we will bring together a panel of experts to share their thoughts about how social media is changing the world of marketing and advertising and why printers should get involved.”

During the panel discussion, attendees will see examples of social media in action and learn from the expert panelist how these media are being leveraged today as well as what to expect in the future.  Panelists will make specific recommendations for how and why printing businesses should address these new media, providing actionable recommendations that can be implemented immediately.

“The impact of social media is not just in marketing and advertising,” added Dewitz. “Consumers are using social media services to aggregate content for creation of professional print applications covering everything from books and magazines to novelty business cards like moo cards. This can translate into profitable print volume if you have the right infrastructure and connections in place.”

The Print CEO Forum will also include highlights of Print 09, North America’s largest printing trade show being held at Chicago’s McCormick Place through September 16^th.  “By adding Print 09 highlights to the program,” added Randy Davidson, President of WhatTheyThink, “we will be assisting owners and managers of printing businesses in making their show visit more productive, especially in light of what they will have learned during the Forum.”

Attendance is limited to 150 senior printing executives.  More information about the event, including a complete agenda, can be found by visiting http://PrintCEOForum.com or by emailing [email protected].

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 that are timely and relevant o today's busy industry executives along with consulting and speaker services that leverage a talented pool of writers and industry analysts.

WhatTheyThink consists of flagship site WhatTheyThink.com, discussion forum site PrintPlanet.com, and industry blog PrintCEO.com.