How can two contrasting editorial policies both deliver what readers want? I have always assumed that design engineers everywhere in the world have the same basic information needs. If that’s so, it would follow that the same kinds of contributed editorial article would appeal to them all. So why is it that the top electronics press publishers in the US and the leading ones in Germany take such a different view of what makes a good contributed article? US editors seem determined to minimize any mention of a product in a contributed technical article. Some go so far as to refuse any article where the author’s job title has the word ‘marketing’ in it. What they want is a general educational piece for their readers, and writing that does not promote any particular product or technology over any other. Most of the leading German media take the opposite view. Certainly, they want technically competent and well-argued pieces of writing, but most are very happy for the article to describe a relevant product in detail, even to the extent of presenting the benefits that the author feels the product provides for its users. Publishers in both countries claim to understand the information needs of readers of their publications and to have implemented editorial policies that are tailored to meet these requirements. But with the policies being so very different, I can’t help but wonder which is right. Is it a case of US editors demonstrating a higher standard of editorial integrity or are they failing to deliver the very thing that engineers need most from an article – not just a technical discussion but guidance on where to find the right product to solve a particular design challenge. We haven’t had a SOAPBOX contributed comment piece in this newsletter for some time; perhaps someone from the editorial community would like to present their views?
A very happy Christmas and Successful New Year to everyone. Onto the news…..
On November 1, Electronic Product Design (EPD) hosted the first e-Legacy Awards. These Awards are designed to celebrate the value of electronics and electronics companies and how they build a better future. Caroline Hayes, editor, EPD, explains: ‘The e-Legacy Awards are a defiant response to reports about the ‘wasteful’ power-hungry’ electronics industry. In my role as editor, I see so many positive things that electronics companies do, that I wanted a vehicle to show this and to demonstrate how we can create a lasting legacy for future generations.’ The awards asked readers to vote on projects and initiatives that contribute to education, the environment, health and safety. Winners included Lambda, Aeroflex, Amplicon, Electronics Yorkshire, International Rectifier, and AMI Semiconductor. Plans are underway for The e-Legacy Awards 2008, to continue promoting corporate social responsibility among electronics companies.
Starting January 2008 the webpage www.elektronikinorden.com changes dramatically in both appearance and functionality. The page gets a much stronger local profile an also a higher level of interactivity. The Elektronik i Norden site has been maintained under the umbrella of CMP/EETimes Europe. “This co-operation has been advantageous in many ways, but flexibility and local profile has suffered, according to feedback from readers,” says publisher Gunnar Lillliesköld. The new site is designed and maintained in-house, with interactivity as a keyword. Elektronik I Norden will continue to be published as an electronic version of the complete printed paper on the web, but now with increased interactivity. Clickable articles with a facility for reader comments will be added to clickable ads. Blogs, chat groups and forums will make the site more personal and interactive. Readers will be able to explore a new “Wall of Fame” picture database and there will be a complementary e-newsletter.
Hearst Electronics Group has added Embedded-Developer to its portfolio of resources for electronic engineers. The website, Embedded-Developer.com, provides engineers with technical information and product data and the publishers claims that it is the industry’s only on-line resource that provides engineers the means to search, compare, evaluate and buy products in the entire embedded ecosystem. Embedded-Developer.com also lists the starter kits, evaluation boards, operating systems, IP stacks and other tools needed to help engineers successfully complete their design projects. More choices on how and where to buy will be added in 2008.
JAS Technical Media has been appointed the exclusive media representative in North America for Pasadena-based SupplyFrame Inc., an electronic component datasheet and design information search site. JAS Technical Media LLC is an advertising sales network and technical communications consulting company formed by industry veterans Steven Wirth and Joshua Israelsohn. This appointment follows the earlier announcement made by Reed Business Information regarding representation of EPN, EPN France, ECN Asia and China as well as WDD Asia and China. In addition to the Reed International Electronics titles, JAS also represents PowerPulse.net, which is part of the Darnell Group and NEP magazine which serves the Japanese Electronics Industry.
Publisher CMP has acquired Portelligent a provider of product teardowns to the electronics industry. Portelligent will report into CMP’s Electronics Group and will be integrated with CMP’s Semiconductor Insights division, creating a technology analyst business that spans systems and semiconductors. Together, the companies will offer a combined searchable database of over 40,000 components and integrated circuits, claims CMP. Portelligent delivers technology intelligence in wireless, personal, and consumer electronics through product teardowns and related analysis. Since its 2000 spin out from Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation (MCC), Portelligent has built a business that spans North America, Europe and Asia.
The latest version of Germany’s biggest independent readership study has again indicated that Mark & Technik and Elektronik, both published by WEKA, are the print titles with the highest readership amongst electronics engineers. It also suggests that the total population of electronics industry decision makers has gown by 3.5% to 269,400. The trade media played no part in surveying electronics industry decision-makers and evaluating the results. Data were collected by the IFAK institute for market and social research. Elektronik Praxis and Design & Elektronik were in 3rd and 4th place respectively. WEKA’s website, www.elektroniknet.de, led the online ranking.
Web: http://www.la-elfa.org/la-elfa-english/evaluation_service_evaluation_tool.htm
AGS Media Group, publishers of Power Systems Design Europe and China magazines announce the creation of an annual “GreenPower Leadership Awards” program. “The GreenPower Leadership Awards” recognize the editorial contribution of individuals, companies and organizations that significantly advance the development of Energy Efficiency and/or renewable energy sources. Winning articles are chosen from those published by Power Systems Design Europe bearing the “GreenPower” logo. Voting is tabulated automatically as subscribers to Power System Design Europe read PSDE’s eNewsletter. The “GreenPower Leadership Awards” winners will be announced at PSDE’s podium discussion May 2008 at the PCIM Europe Conference and Exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany and will also be published in the May 2008 issue of Power Systems Design Europe.
A new electronics show, National Electronics Week, will run in Earls Court 2, London from 17 to 19 June 2008. Global trade association, IPC, has confirmed that it will be working with the organizers to host a series of seminars alongside the event.
Paul Miller, President of the CMP Electronics Group has been named to the min’s Digital Hot List, one of eleven industry executives recognized for his outstanding online initiatives. The min’s awards luncheon, held at The Tavern on the Green in New York City, honoured publishers, editors, presidents, media directors and agency executives who have made an indelible mark in the media business. Miller has built a comprehensive digital portfolio at CMP. He championed acquisitions including How Machines Work (http://www.howmachineswork.com and Semiconductor Insights http://www.semiconductor.com/).
Miller also conceived and created Innovation Generation (http://www.igenstudio.com/), an interactive program for children to explore technology. In addition, under Miller’s leadership, CMP’s software development team made CMP the first integrated media company to be certified as a full-service Second Life developer and launched a series of successful virtual events in Second Life (http://www.life20.net/).
Web: http://www.cmp.com
Global Sources’ International IC-Taiwan Conference & Exhibition (IIC-Taiwan) is planning to co-locate its event with SEMI Taiwan’s SEMICON Taiwan in 2008 to provide electronics engineers and vendors with a new specialized platform covering the entire electronics development spectrum. IIC-Taiwan is the expanded and re-launched EDA & Test-Taiwan Conference and Exhibition (EDA&T-Taiwan) and Embedded Systems Conference-Taiwan (ESC-Taiwan). With a 15-year track record, IIC-Taiwan is the longest-serving trade show for electronic design automation and embedded solutions in Taiwan. In 2008, IIC-Taiwan will feature electronic design automation, embedded solutions, as well as systems design. SEMICON Taiwan has been in Taiwan for 12 years and is the region’s largest event on semiconductor production and processing technologies. The event covers manufacture equipment, materials, components and manufacturing services. IIC-Taiwan and SEMICON will run side-by-side from Sept. 9-11, 2008 at the Taipei World Trade Center.
Publisher Global Sources claims that all five of EE Times-Asia’s network sites scored record traffic in October. “Total page views on the network exceeded 5 million for the first time ever, an increase of 47 percent year-on-year”, it said.
Mark Saunderson, President of Global Sources Electronics Business Unit, added: “EE Times is the destination of choice in the region. Over 353,000 engineers registered on the network in the past year. These are experienced engineers working in design and development, test and production, and they recognize the value in what we offer.” In October Global Sources launched new Analog Site in China, and a new site focused on Home Entertainment design appears in this month.
Sylvie Jalin has joined the Reed Electronics Group (REG) in Paris as circulation and database manager for EPN, EDN Europe and EPN France. Sylvie comes to us from Groupe Tests, the publisher of the well respected and long established French electronics B2B publications Electronique and Electronique Internationale, so she is no stranger to the electronics B2B publishing environment here in Europe. She is bilingual English/French.
MMG Publishing’s Electronics Sourcing and Electronics Assembly magazines are both increasing frequency for 2008. Electronics Sourcing will publish 12 monthly editions, plus an additional Special Electronica Show issue that will be distributed at the Munich-based show in November 2008. Electronics Assembly will increase its annual frequency to eight editions. It will be published bi-monthly in January/February, July/August, September/October and November/December, with individual monthly editions in March, April, May and June 2008. Electronics Assembly and Electronics Sourcing’s publisher, Mark Leary, said “Both publications have really hit a cord with readers and advertisers alike. Jon Barrett and his editorial team are doing a superb job in proving readers with exactly the editorial feed they want from both publications. Matched with this is our extensive on-going circulation investment into both publications. Being able to present this circulation investment to advertisers is also very beneficial.”
Web: http://www.electronics-sourcing.co.uk Web: http://www.eamag.co.uk
Extension Media, publisher of Chip Design magazine has announced the release of Chip Design Trends BiAnnual Report. Based on over 44,000 project feasibility studies, coupled with trends analysis, insight and forecasts from the Chip Design Trends editorial and analysis experts, the Chip Design Trends BiAnnual Report provides EDA and semiconductor technical and business investment communities with collective design trends from the very early stages of chip design exploration and planning.
An experienced UK senior sales and marketing manager with over 20 years’ experience in passive and electromechanical components is looking for a new challenge. Please contact bob.jones@publitek.com for more information.
CMP is looking to add to its freelance editorial team in Europe. Experience in electronics journalism is essential. Please contact rwallace@cmp.com for more information.