The bad news is that many of us could be out of work within days. CMP’s announcement (item 3 below) that all you need to do is spend 5 minutes filling out an online form to be presented with an optimized marketing communications plan covering print, online and events - and one that exactly matches your objectives and your budget - is devastating. There is no longer a need for marketing communications or PR executives of any kind, either in-house or within agencies. No need for independent research. No need for negotiation skills, and no need to waste time checking out what other publishers or event organizers may have to offer. I checked the release carefully - it is dated April 3rd, not April 1st! The good news is that the CMP proposition is, of course, nothing more than a way of getting you to look at the whole package of services they have on offer, and quite a clever way. But I think maybe our jobs are safe after all, at least for a while.
Onto the news....
The editors of Power Electronics Technology (PETech) magazine have announced the launch of a microsite devoted to digital power design. PETech’s Spotlight on Digital Power features an extensive collection of design articles, product briefs, technology and industry news, and analysis on all aspects of digital power control and digital power management. In addition to materials gleaned from pages of Power Electronics Technology and from the PETech Times newsletter, this site delivers exclusive commentary from industry experts on the digital power issues of the day, says editor David Morrison.
CONTACTS
Editorial: David Morrison, editor, dmorrison@prismb2b.com
Advertising: Judy Miller, associate publisher, JMiller2@prismb2b.com
Web: http://powerelectronics.com/digital_power
Executive editor, John Novellino, retired from his long-standing role as executive editor at Penton’s Electronic Design magazine on April 21st. There has been no announcement from the publisher regarding a possible replacement.
CONTACTS
Editorial: Mark David, editor-in-chief, mdavid@penton.com
Advertising: Bill Baumann, bbaumann@penton.com
CMP Media’s Electronics Group has launched an EE Marketing Solutions portal that it claims will help small-to-mid sized companies reach engineers, engineering managers and executives in the electronics industry. When visiting the portal (www.IsYourAudienceListening.com) visitors are prompted to answer a series of marketing goal-related questions. This takes about five minutes, says the publisher. Companies are then guided towards solutions most suited to their needs based on budgets, timelines, primary audience targets within the electronics world, and overall marketing goals from lead generation to industry relationship building tactics and strategies, claims CMP. The portal to suggests an optimal mix of print, online and events to mix and match those choices best suited to company needs, budgets and other internal resources, it is claimed.
CONTACTS
Advertising: Paul Miller, senior vice president and group publisher, pmiller@cmp.com
Web: http://www.IsYourAudienceListening.com
Electronic Engineering Times-China has launched China’s first dedicated website for designers of digital TVs at digitaltv.eetchina.com. The site provides breaking news, new product rollouts, design methodologies and application notes. It also hosts interactive online forums that enable engineers to exchange views with their peers. More than 400 editorial articles are already available at the site, and new reports are added daily, claims the publisher. China announced in March that it has developed its own digital TV standard based on the European standard, and a draft home-grown digital terrestrial TV standard has been submitted for approval to the National Radio, Film and Television Standardisation Commission. By 2010, it is expected to become the world’s largest producer of digital TV receivers, says publisher Global Sources. Analog Devices is said to be an early sponsor at digitaltv.eetchina.com.
CONTACTS
Editorial: Yorbe Zhang, yzhang@globalsources.com
Advertising Asia: Bennie Hui, bennie@globalsources.com
Advertising US: Craig Pitcher, cpitcher@globalsources.com
Advertising Europe: Patrick Flynn, pflynn@cmp.com
Web: http://digitaltv.eetchina.com
Nikkei Business Publications has launched Nikkei Electronics Asia – India Edition with a target circulation of over 18,000 readers. NEA- India has been launched as an electronic magazine and will be distributed free (controlled) to qualified readers in a user-friendly electronic format powered by Digital Flip Technology from E-Book Systems, says the publisher. NEA-India will carry local editorial sections compiled by staff writers, and through Nikkei’s network of writers and columnists based in India. Nikkei Business Publications claims that the semiconductor design industry in India was estimated to be worth US$624 million in 2005, and is expected to increase to US $1.72 billion by 2010 with an average growth rate of 23% a year between 2005 and 2010.
CONTACTS
Editorial: Keith Chan, keith@nikkeibp.com.hk
Advertising: Matt Edgar, edgar@nikkeibp.co.uk
Markt & Technik, Germany’s only weekly publication for the electronics industry, is publishing a special issue on June 30th to celebrate its 30th year in business. Since the newspaper’s launch, the semiconductor market has grown about one hundredfold and the publication now claims a weekly readership of 117,000 (including pass-on readers). Advertising closing date for the anniversary issue is June 16th.
CONTACTS
Editorial: Peter Wintermayr, editor-in-chief, pwintermayr@markt-technik.de
Advertising: Martina Schmid, mschmid@markt-technik.de
Elektronik i Norden (Sweden) is one of the partners in a new conference dubbed the Embedded Conference Scandinavia. It will take place in October 2, the day before the Scandinavian Technical Fair (”Tekniska mässan”). The conference is organized by IM-Embedded Technology, the Scandinavian Technical Fair and Elektronik i Norden, and will cover most aspects of embedded technology. There will be separate tracks for hardware, software and for management of embedded systems and the conference will cover both technical changes and commercial challenges in the industry. The speakers come from industry and research organizations. In parallel with the presentations there will be a table-top exhibition at which the organizers are aiming to attract most of the Nordic and international embedded companies. Two awards are associated with the event, the Great Embedded Award (”Stora Embeddedpriset”) and the Embedded Student Award. Parts of the exhibition at the conference will also be included in the Embedded Park at the Scandinavian Technical Fair, October 3-6. Elektronik i Norden will produce a special issue for the event.
CONTACTS
Editorial: Gunnar Lilliesköld, editor-in-chief/publisher, gunnar@elinor.se
Advertising: Tommy Jägermo, advertising director, tommy@elinor.se
Steve Rogerson has taken over from Nick Flaherty as editor of MTE and AE magazines from 1st May. Commenting on the appointment, MTP’s publisher, David Williams, said: “Nick has done a great job editing both magazines and has played a key role in the continued editorial development of the titles. I am delighted to have Steve on board, who brings with him many years of experience in electronics journalism and magazine editing.
CONTACTS
Editorial: Steve Rogerson, steve@mtemag.com and steve@automotive-electronics.co.uk
Advertising: David Williams, publisher, mte@microtechnology.co.uk
The inaugural Military & Aerospace Electronics technical conference and exhibition will take place at the Ascot Racecourse conference centre on the 26th September. MAE06 is aimed at engineers, technical management, and research and development specialists involved in the design, integration, test and analysis of electronic components and systems for the European military, defence and aerospace industries. Papers sought are those which are specific case studies or application-based presentations which offer real educational value as well as practical solutions - highly technical, but not academic. The final conference programme will be decided upon by an independent judging panel of experts who will select papers based on their merit. Abstract submissions deadline is 31st May.
CONTACTS
Abstracts: conference_manager@mae-show.com
Web: Advanced Automotive Electronics, http://www.aae-show.com
Web: Military & Aerospace Electronics, http://www.mae-show.com
Innovation guru and TV personality Adam Hart-Davis has given his backing to the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s annual challenge to companies to prove that they are at the forefront of innovation. Speaking at the launch of this year’s IET Innovation in Engineering Awards, Hart-Davis said: “The UK has a great tradition of innovation and I look forward to seeing how today’s companies are meeting the challenge of creating and implementing effective ideas.” Individuals and organisations are invited to submit for awards in the sectors of electronics, emerging technologies, IT, manufacturing, power/energy, product design, project team, control, instrumentation and robotics, security, sustainability, telecommunications and transport. In addition 2006 will see four new categories: asset management, built environment, software design and start-up. The event has attracted prominent sponsors including ABB, Anglia Components, BT, Mentor Graphics, Cambridge Consultants, RS Components, The Mathworks, Siemens, France Telecom, National Instruments, Areva T&D, National Grid, Hyder Consulting and Halcrow Yolles. Awards will be presented at a gala ceremony at the IET’s London headquarters in Savoy Place on 11 October. Closing date for entries is 30 June 2006, and forms are available from http://www.theiet.org/innovationawards.
CONTACTS
Advertising: Louise Hall, lhall@theiet.org
Editorial: Rhiannon Law, rlaw@theiet.org
Web: http://www.theiet.org
Tech Event Guide Limited has announced a new searchable online database which aims to become the definitive free listing of technology events throughout Europe. The Tech Event Guide can be found at http://www.techeventguide.com, and includes information on key industry shows and conferences as well as company-specific seminars and training days provided by manufacturers and distributors. Registration to the site is free and allows engineers to browse a continually-updated list of events by date, name or location, or make a selective search by location and key product area. Registration forms and event literature can be downloaded directly from the Tech Event Guide website or via a link to the event’s own website.
Companies can also add details of their own seminars and training days to the site by completing the free registration and uploading their event information.
CONTACTS

Advertising: Alastair Swift
, sales@techeventguide.com
Web: http://www.techeventguide.com