The Boards of Directors of IPA and IDEAlliance have announced intent for IPA to merge with IDEAlliance, combining their memberships and resources into one robust organization serving the needs of the advertising, media, print, and publishing industries. The synergies and strengths of the combined organization will support member innovation and their effective adoption of cross-media workflows, emerging technologies and best business practices.

Following final approval from a majority of the IPA membership in early March 2010, the new organization will provide for the coordinated development of standardized technical and business specifications and guidelines, new certification programs, broad new educational offerings, and enhanced online peer support networks. The combined organization will serve professionals from every facet of the media supply chain, including brand owners, agencies, publishers, printers, materials suppliers, technology suppliers and premedia service providers.
 
Guy Gleysteen, Senior Vice President of Production of Time Inc. and IDEAlliance Chairman, said, “The graphic communication industry is looking to its industry associations to partner and create synergies based upon their distinctive competencies and shared objectives. By integrating IPA and IDEAlliance, we achieve a big win for the industry and will be able to provide a significant increase in our program offerings to our combined membership.”

Chip Harding, President/COO of Harper House and IPA Chairman, said, “Current trends of change are ever accelerating. With like missions and unique competencies, this union will help lead our industry into the future. Harper House has been an active member of IPA for decades and the leadership philosophy of IPA offers us priceless insight into our ever-changing industry. Gaining the benefits of IDEAlliance will strengthen the knowledge base accessible to Harper House and all IPA members, helping us stay ahead of the curve.”
 
Steve Bonoff, IPA President added, “IPA has a strong history of working closely with IDEAlliance. In 2004 the organizations formed an alliance and launched the joint industry venture, PrintTools.org, a web portal of tools and publications for the prepress and print community. In 2008, IPA and IDEAlliance announced the coordination of their digital press programs. And in 2009, IDEAlliance co-located its G7 Summit with the IPA Technical Conference. Industry applause of these joint efforts led the two organizations to examine coming together for the benefit the industry.”

If approved by the full IPA membership, IDEAlliance and IPA programs, events and services will be evaluated, reorganized and staffed to provide the most value to the combined memberships. New program offerings will also be launched based on expertise now applied from across the two organizations’ knowledgeable staffs and memberships.