February 22nd 2007, – “The opportunities to bring more impact and value to the printed newspaper are extensive,” Goss International CEO Bob Brown told the 39th Metro Users Group Conference, encouraging production executives attending to be “agents of innovation” within their organizations. Brown’s remarks were part of his keynote speech on February 19 at the Goss double-width press user meeting in Orlando, Florida. He outlined steps innovative publishers are taking to improve efficiency, impact, timeliness and targeting and discussed Goss International’s commitment to supporting those publishers in transforming print media. Over 450 people attended the five-day conference, which provides a wide range of training, education and information sharing opportunities. A copy of the keynote speech is posted on the Goss International web site at www.gossinternational.com. Brown cast doubt on the perception that printed newspapers are in an inevitable decline, citing print ad revenues, operating profits, a growth in the number of titles, and an increase in private equity investment interest. “Print production has not reached a plateau. We are at a threshold of new opportunity,” he said, adding that investment in technology and ideas is required to add value, reduce costs and capture new revenue. “You won’t succeed in transforming printed newspapers by reshuffling existing assets,” Brown added. “The answer may be a new press, but it may also be as simple as a new idea, an audit, an enhancement or a training program that unlocks new potential.” According to Brown, people are more interested in news and information than ever before and are going to sources that provide what they want when they want it. “Rather than sacrificing the core printed product, why not pursue a strategy of strengthening it, transforming it and giving print the ability to deliver more of what electronic media are delivering, while still maintaining the proven advantages and effectiveness of print,” he explained. Brown told the Metro Users Group audience that market and technology leadership positions, financial strength and a comprehensive approach have put Goss International in a unique position to support newspapers. The company’s sales volume and profitability continued to grow in 2006. “Goss International was chosen for some of the most significant and ambitious newspaper projects launched in 2006 on the press, packaging and aftermarket sides, and this was no accident,” Brown concluded. “We earned these orders because we are distinguishing ourselves through innovation and through our ability to execute in support of innovation.” U.S. projects, outlined in the speech, included orders for six Magnapak packaging systems for microzoning of inserts at the Chicago Tribune, Colorliner and FPS double-width press orders for The New York Times and Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star and the first Magnum 8 press installation in the country at Seacoast Media Group in New Hampshire. Brown also called attention to Goss Lifetime Support services, saying the company has 300 employees in the U.S. dedicated to parts, service, enhancement and training programs. Brown said the innovation and ingenuity to transform print media are available and that innovative publishers are seizing new opportunities. “They are changing content, format and distribution models; improving quality and efficiency; and targeting content and advertising to specific readers and microzones. Some are changing their basic business models – adding commercial work, shifting from paid to free distribution, or from in-house to outsourced production,” he concluded. “There is no single formula that characterizes the new titles that are succeeding or the existing titles that are thriving, but the one constant is that these publishers are not standing still. They are investing to improve the value and impact of their printed product.”