====INTRODUCTION==== It occurred to me recently that the “sub-editor” is becoming a rare breed in the electronics press. There are managing editors, editors at large, editors in chief, editors and associate editors but, with one notable exception, I have not seen any electronics press newspaper that lists the name of a sub-editor in quite a while. The “sub” job of course is to tidy up journalists’ grammar and make stories fit the available space. With the advent of the web, I guess available space is not such an issue, but it still is in print. If you ever get to meet a sub-editor – they generally inhabit the dark recesses of editorial offices – be nice to them. They can wield considerable influence. A couple of decades ago a large British public company, STC, had operations in telecom systems, components, and industrial controls. When, in a restructuring, they pulled out of the industrial controls business, the front-page headline of a leading UK electronics newspaper mysteriously did not say “STC out of controls” but instead ran the story under the banner “STC out of control” – not the most comforting message for shareholders! At least one STC marketing director was gone within a month and the publication in question lost one of its biggest advertisers that year. I have always suspected the hand of a sub-editor. After all, it’s not the kind of thing David Manners would ever do….. ====edn.com re-launched with design, news and business sections==== On April 2, Reed re-launched edn.com as a three-part site featuring news from Electronic News, business and management strategy coverage from Electronics Business and design coverage from EDN. The EDN section continues to feature both in-depth design and product information and is split into analogue design, IC design, processor-based design, power management, consumer electronics, communications/network design, components/new products and design ideas. The site content is overseen by newly-promoted editor-in-chief of edn.com, Matthew Miller. ** CONTACTS ** \\ Editorial: Matthew Miller, editor-in-chief, \\ Advertising: Alan Robinson, group publisher, ====EEPN e-newsletter on displays and indicators announced==== On April 18th launched an e-newsletter covers displays and indictors. The second issue ran on April 25th and it is now published bi-weekly. The newsletter contain write-ups of new products, industry news and links to whitepapers and articles. The first issue of a similar quarterly e-newsletter from Penton on dispensing systems is scheduled for May 2nd. ** CONTACTS ** \\ Editorial: Joe Desposito, editor-in-chief, \\ Advertising: Bill Baumann, publisher, ====CMP announces Embedded Systems Conference in India==== CMP’s Embedded Systems Conference India will be held at NIMHANS Convention Centre in Bangalore, India, from October 4-6th, 2007. “The show will spotlight India’s growing influence in global embedded systems for consumer electronics, automotive applications, industrial control and medical systems", says the publisher. According tp the India Semiconductor Association, design starts will grow from 280 in 2005 to 2,173 in 2015, by which time semiconductor sales to the country are forecast to reach $36.3 billion. ** CONTACTS ** \\ Editorial: Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief, EE Times, \\ Sales: Ross Ayotte, publisher, EE Times, ====Lidow lands Lifetime Achievement Award at EE Times ACE event==== Eric Lidow, chairman and founder of International Rectifier was presented with the lifetime achievement award at the EE Times ACE Awards earlier this month. This is the second such honour for Mr. Lidow in a few months – he won the same accolade at Electronics Weekly’s Elektra Awards, held in Munich during the Electronica show last November. A panel of experts from academia, the industry, and Wall Street judges the awards. Company winners included NVIDIA and the UK’s CSR, the world’s leading Bluetooth chip maker. ** CONTACTS ** \\ Editorial: Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief, EE Times, \\ Sales: Ross Ayotte, publisher, EE Times, ====Gold blogs at Semiconductor Applications==== Semiconductor Applications, Hearst’s online resource for design engineers, has added blogs to its site at http://www.semiapps.com. The site’s editor-in-chief, Marty Gold, has assembled a roster of “some of the brightest stars in companies such as TI, Intersil, Power Integrations and Fairchild” to share their thoughts with readers of the site. Some are online now and Marty is seeking feedback. ** CONTACTS ** \\ Editorial: Marty Gold, editor-in-chief, \\ Sales: Lisa Devine, \\ Web: http://www.semiapps.com ====Global-electronics.net portal adds Net-Letter==== A bi-weekly e-newsletter has been announced by news portal, Global-electronics.net. The main site is run by the network of exhibitions organized by Munich International Trade Fairs and includes a company directory of some 6,500 businesses plus product and industry news. ** CONTACTS ** \\ Editorial: \\ Web: http://www.global-electronics.net ====Embedded Systems Engineering (ESE) announces two new websites==== Application Software Developer focuses on developing applications for a range of systems, including embedded systems. Launched by pan-European publication, Embedded Systems Engineering (ESE), and aimed at software and systems engineers, software testers and programmers, the site features new tools and examines the process of application development from end-to-end. Embedded2Enterprise is aimed at systems integrators, engineers and companies designing products for the enterprise and embedded market places. The site focuses on how boards, chips and modules are integrated to form complete systems that are then integrated into enterprise systems. Both sites are intended to support supplements running in the main ESE magazine. ** CONTACTS ** \\ Editorial: Alistair Winning, editor, \\ Advertising: http://www.esemagazine.com/pdfs/ESS_MediaPack2007.pdf\\ Web: http://www.applicationsoftwaredeveloper.com\\ Web: http://www.embedded2enterprise.com ====EPN to publish Power Supply Directory in June==== EPN will publish a Power Supply Directory in June giving its 65,000 readers information on companies working in all aspects of power electronics. Basic editorial entries (50 words plus a picture and logo) are free of charge. Larger company profiles and product descriptions can be purchased. Advertising closing date is May 11th, and the materials deadline is May 18th. The directory will be mailed on June 6th. ** CONTACTS ** \\ Editorial: Mike Green, managing editor, \\ Advertising: Nick Walker, sales director, ====Elektronik Industrie (Germany) to publish two Application Guides in 2007==== Elektronik Industrie will publish two issues of its Application Guide as a supplement to the main magazine in 2007. The guide, which the publisher claims has a circulation of 20,000, presents a summary of application notes with links to a web site, from where the full document can be downloaded. ** CONTACTS ** \\ Editorial: Siegfried Best, editor-in-chief, \\ Advertising: Richard Thompson, \\ Web: http://www.elektronik-industrie.de ====WEKA shines in Embedded World survey==== A survey carried out at the Embedded World show in Nuremberg in February this year, suggest that publisher WEKA’s electronics publications are the best read in the industry. Answering the question, “Which titles do you read on a regular basis?” respondents cited Markt & Technik (54.7%), Elektronik (46.3%) and Design & Elektronik (43%) as the top three titles – all of which are published by WEKA. Interestingly, E&E (previously known as Design & Verification), at 9.3%, appears to have higher readership than either Elektronik Journal (8.4%) or Elektronik Informationen (7%). The survey was conducted by Gelszus Messe-Marktforschung GmbH on behalf of NürnbergMesse and is quoted as being based on “visitors to Embedded World 2007 who read trade publication.” (Editor’s note: we were not provided with any further information on the sample frame, sample size or methodology, so cannot comment on the likely validity of the results.) ** CONTACTS ** \\ Editorial: Elektronik - Günther Klasche, editor-in-chief, ;\\ Markt & Technik - Peter Wintermayer, editor-in-chief, \\ Design & Elektronik - Caspar Grote, editor-in-chief, \\ Advertising: Matthäus Hose, \\ Web: http://www.elektroniknet.de ====EE Times-India launches digital newsletter==== EE Times-India has launched its first digital newsletter, aimed at India’s rapidly growing electronic design market. It covers the latest technology developments and technical issues affecting the subcontinent, and profiles successful engineers and entrepreneurs. Additional content includes electronics events, education and programs taking place in India and the Asia-Pacific region. The newsletter is a PDF featuring a bookmark pane, hyperlinked table of contents, search functionality, hyperlinks to related articles on eetindia.com and third party websites, as well as the ability to forward articles to colleagues. Unusually, each issue is limited to two advertisers and advertisers can position their sales message alongside relevant editorial. Focus topics include embedded systems design, network design, design automation, analogue and mixed signal devices, optoelectronics, RF design and power design. ** CONTACTS ** \\ Editorial: Vivek Nanda, associate editor, EE Times-India, \\ Advertising: Bennie Hui, associate publisher, ====Results of Asia survey on embedded systems trends published==== Global Sources has published it seventh EE Times-Asia Embedded Systems Development Trends: Asia survey. 27% of the 700 respondents cited embedded systems in the communications sector as their primary application area, followed by consumer electronics (23%) and industrial controls (22%). The results also suggested that design sophistication is increasing, with 53% of engineers using 32-bit processors or higher. The survey drew respondents from across Asia. ** CONTACTS ** \\ Editorial: Majeed Kamran, editor-in-chief, EE Times-Asia, \\ Advertising: Bennie Hui, associate publisher, \\ Web: http://www.eetasia.com/ART_8800458865_499495_1c3172cc200703_no.HTM ====Global SMT & Packaging launches UK/Ireland site and show daily at NEPCON==== Trafalgar Publications has announced the launch of a website and newsletter for the United Kingdom and Ireland. Global SMT & Packaging – UK/Ireland will be edited by Jade Po Kellard. Publisher Trevor Galbraith said “We are delighted to offer a dedicated news product for the UK and Irish community. The UK and Irish market is still very dynamic and continues to produce many new innovative technologies and products.” The publisher is also producing a show daily publication for the NECON exhibition, held at the NEC, Birmingham, UK from May 15-17th. The newsletter will report on news and new product introductions. ** CONTACTS ** \\ Editorial: Jade Po Kellard, \\ Advertising: Andy Kellard, \\ Web: http://www.globalsmt.net/regions/uk ====Ringier buys Sensors China from Questex==== The bi monthly Chinese language magazine Sensors China and its web site SensorsChina.net has been bought from Questex Asia by Ringier Trade Publishing. In addition to acquiring the title’s name, databases and online content, Ringier has entered into an editorial content syndication arrangement which will enable the publisher to access content from all back issues of Sensors Magazine and current content from Sensorsmag.com – the online version of the US publication. In addition to the print version, an interactive e-version of Sensors China will be available. Ringier says it will also launch a bi-weekly, Chinese-language SensorsChina newsletter. Sensors China’s circulation will increase to 18,500 qualified readers from its level of 15,000 in 2006, says the publisher. The re-launch happens in May 2007. ** CONTACTS ** \\ Editorial and advertising: Mike Hay, \\ Web: http://www.sensorschina.net ====Aktuel Elektronik (Denmark) expands sales team and goes “virtually visual”==== In order to support both domestic and international clients better, Aktuel Elektronik has expanded its sales force with Johnny Elmeskov (44). Johhny has previously been with Techmedia covering the HVAC-market. He was originally educated within international banking and investments and will handle international clients for Aktuel Elektronik - amongst others. Ulla Molter will focus on the Danish market but will maintain links with some established international clients. Aktuel Elektronik is also introducing a new use of visual media. On http://www.techmedia.dk it's now possible to use a "swifflet-facility" to read the latest version of Aktuel Elektronik. Furthermore, it's possible to add video-briefs to the pictures in the paper so that companies that want to show more detailed, visual information about their products, processes or services can do so. From a high-resolution video-clip the publisher will extract the pictures necessary for the paper and add the point-and-click video facility on its web site. ** CONTACTS ** \\ Editorial: Rolf Sylvester-Hvid, editor, \\ Advertising:\\ International - Johnny Elmeskov, ;\\ Domestic – Ulla Molter, ====Dylan McGrath leaves CMP - DAC coverage affected==== EDA editor, Dylan McGrath, has left CMP for a job at Autodesk so Richard Goering is now managing all EDA and software-related content. This will limit the number of announcements that CMP will be able to pick up at the forthcoming DAC show. For the DAC preview issue of EE Times, the latest advised date for submissions is May 14. ** CONTACTS ** \\ Editorial: Richard Goering, software editor, EE Times, \\ Advertising: Patrick Flynn, ====IET event round up==== Intelligent Sensor Management and Watson Watt Lecture, London, May 10th.\\ 15th Microwave Measurements Training Course, London, May 14-18th.\\ IET and FSA International Semiconductor Forum, Paris, May 14-15th.\\ Seminar on RF Challenges for Multi-Standard Handsets, London, November 8th. ** CONTACTS ** \\ Web: http://www.theiet.org/events ====SOAPBOXES==== I received a couple of responses to last month’s piece on the value of online advertising/editorial. Here are the comments from a couple of sources. Craig Dyball, publisher of electropages.com: Let us help you present a balanced report on this. We could supply you with audited stats reports. Some campaigns enjoy a 6% click-through rate and Digikey has signed a 24month contract because of this evidence. I believe both mediums have their place. Product news in print is dead. This belongs online as engineers want to find stuff, via newsletter of web browsing. They want to find it, enquire or visit a website quickly, get or ask for further info, then leave. Print is losing a fortune by not being opionated enough, they're even daft enough to publish a weblink directory - how very niaive. We deserve some research credit here as we talk to our users and these are their views not just ours. It's all to do as they say and there's a lot of work ahead to be done for both print and online.\\ Interesting facts about your CTR research showing just 0.5%. To balance this I'd be interested to know the print version of this. What is the print version of a click through, is it a phone call, or maybe a bingo card? How is this measured? I think the main reason clients want to see their stuff in print is quite simply that they can justify their positions to their superiors - " here's what we've done sir ! " It's a generation thing and times are changing slowly (for Europe). I think there maybe unfair pressure on the online business models to deliver clickthroughs when history has only ever known a " page impression " version of this with print.\\ There is an argument to say that having your banner on a website, that quite obviously is attracting the very same people that a print version will attract, is worth some form of profile, even if it's simply spreading your risk. Donal McDonald, publisher of electroniccomponentsworld.com: I have to say, I was very interested to read your diatribe about websites, online magazines etc., and seeing as you asked for replies, I really felt obliged to send you one:\\ 1. Market Research: With respect to industry specific business magazines this is notoriously inaccurate for a variety of reasons - people wanting to look well-informed or confusing the myriad of similar titles would be just two of the major causes of inaccuracy. \\ 2. Readership: It is impossible to accurately verify the readership of any print magazine. Publishers claim between 2 and 4 readers per copy for every copy that leaves their premises. These figures would be supported by the PPA. I would argue however that if email newsletters which actually arrive on the readers computer only have a 37% average open rate (source - Constant Contact), then print magazines have to have a similar or possibly even lower open rate. Where does this leave the 2.5 readers per copy statement?\\ 3. Advertising: It is exceptionally difficult to properly track the results from print advertising. Online advertising however is completely transparent. Any site that has the traffic it claims (or even close to those numbers) should give their client access to data on banner adverts at the very least. Our own site gives a password & username that allows the advertiser to log in, and view the number of hits and the number of click-throughs on their banner.\\ 4. Cost-effectiveness: Apart from knowing actually how many people visit a particular website or read specific newsletters - an impossibility with print media - it is also a fact that advertising on a website is a much more cost-effective medium than print advertising. In order to advertise on our own site, the cost starts as low as 500euro per month - rising to 1500euro if you wish to utilise the newsletter also.\\ 5. Driving Traffic: Many years ago, when the web was an up-and-coming place, I would read an advert in a magazine - see a URL and run over to my computer to see what happened when I typed it in. Now however I generally couldn't be bothered. When I'm sitting down reading a magazine, it's because I'm not looking at my computer screen. The effort of going from the paper/magazine to a computer and keying in the URL is too great. Instead I tend to "forget it". If an advertising campaign is required to drive traffic to a website, the best place to do this is from the web. \\ 6. News: Online magazines have the opportunity to give the News as it happens. We update our site every day, ensuring a stream of fresh information for our readers. This is backed up by a short weekly newsletter. With print magazines, depending on the timing of the event and the frequency of the publication, it may take 1 week to 2 months before the "News" is published. \\ Print magazines will always have their place in the world. There are places neither I nor anyone else wants to sit reading a laptop - but a magazine does help pass the time there. However for people researching product information, or for people trying to keep up-to-date with their market sector the web is now the first port of call.