June 2005

This month sees announcements about the reduction in frequency for two European publications, Elektroniktidningen in Sweden and Electronique International Hebdo in France. Both reflect a dilution of print media budgets as on-line promotion takes a larger slice of the cake and, of course, the migration of both manufacturing and media budgets into China. However, judging by the weight of print magazines that come into Publitek each month from Europe it’s still a large and relatively healthy market. So it should be. Independent readership studies show no decline in the average issue readership of the main electronics publications. In fact, around half of all engineers in Europe claim to read every issue of their leading publications. With advertising costs having fallen in real terms in most of these titles, they still represent good value for money. You can deliver a full-page advertising message to a design engineer for around 20 cents (US). What else can 20 cents buy you these days?

EDN magazine has named Patti Sellman as regional sales manager for Silicon Valley, effective July 11, 2005. The post was previously held by Barbara Couchois who has been promoted to director of online sales. Patti joins EDN with 14 years of sales experience. Most recently, she worked at CMP Media where she was strategic account manager for EE Times. Prior to EE Times, Patti held account management positions at technology-based companies in the Silicon Valley region, including Interim Technology, Teltech, and Pitney Bowes. Barbara will be responsible for sales efforts across EDN’s online products, including EDN.com, and will report directly to associate publisher of EDN worldwide John Schirmer. Both Barbara and John work out of Reed Business Information’s San Jose, CA, office. Barbara fills the vacancy created by the promotion of former director of online sales, Jennifer Kavanagh, who has been appointed director of online sales of RBI-US Boston Division, based in Waltham, Massachusetts.

CONTACTS
Editorial: John Dodge, editor-in-chief, john.dodge@reedbusiness.com
Advertising: John Schirmer, associate publisher EDN worldwide, jschirmer@reedbusiness.com

EDN has been re–designed and its content restructured. At the same time a new web site has been launched. “Although its mainstay technical features and Design Ideas will continue forming the core of the magazine, EDN has added regular departments that examine, dissect, and celebrate innovation,” says associate publisher, John Schirmer. “At the same time, both the print publication and EDN.com will assume a cleaner and sharper look that makes content easier to find and consume,” he added. The publication’s new tagline is “Voice of the Engineer” to express the goal of adding more insight, information, and comment directly from designers. The “Leading Edge” feature is renamed “Pulse”, a new “Prying Eyes” section scrutinizes a product or technology, “Tales from the Cube” (every other issue beginning June 23) provides a forum for engineers to describe their most trying design experiences, and “Reality Check” (every issue’s last inside page) will look briefly at a recent innovation, the expectations it engendered, and where it actually stands today.

EDN’s re-engineered web site, EDN.com, went live Monday, June 6, 2005 at 2:39 pm ET. The site’s re-launch is the first phase in a number of improvements EDN will roll out over the coming weeks as a result of research, focus groups, and usability testing. To speed the familiarization period for users, a tour of the new EDN.com appears in an article posted at http://www.edn.com/article/CA603903.html. On display are explanations with links to new features such as a streamlined homepage, new navigation menus on article pages that lead to related resources, as well as new functions aimed at building a stronger community amongst designers. Visitors will quickly realize EDN has kept the needs of the time-pressed engineer in mind by providing quick to access the vital resources they need to make complicated decisions, says the publisher.

CONTACTS
Editorial: John Dodge, editor-in-chief, john.dodge@reedbusiness.com
Advertising: John Schirmer,associate publisher EDN worldwide, jschirmer@reedbusiness.com

In September 2005 Elektronik Industrie in Germany will launch a special issue called Application Guide. This Guide is a collection of actual application note summaries from leading semiconductor and test equipment suppliers. Each summary has a link to the complete application note, which can be downloaded from the publisher’s server with no need for further navigation.

CONTACTS
Editorial: Hans Jaschinski, editor, h.jaschinski@huethig.de
Advertising: Richard Thompson, sales, richardmedia@yahoo.com

Electronique International Hebdo, France’s only weekly electronics newspaper is changing its name to Electronique International on 8th September and reducing frequency. It will now be published every 2 weeks. The format is also changing and the new publication will measure 300mm x 235mm. Advertising rates for 2005 are unaffected.

CONTACTS
Editorial: Jean-Pierre Della Mussia, editor-in-chief, eih@groupetests.fr
Advertising: Patrick Boissier, international sales director, p.boissier@groupetests.fr

The Low Power Radio Association’s (LPRA) Radio Solutions event, Radio Solutions 2005, will be held on 12th and 13th October at ETSI HQ Sophia Antipolis, France. It is dedicated to the Short Range Device (SRD) industry and has been held annually (with 1 exception) for 14 years. 2005 sees the launch by the European Commission (EC) of a Mandate for a “Strategy for the future of SRDs” which will examine the way forward in the USA and Far East as a background to developing a dynamic European SRD industry. SRDs represent the fastest growing sector of the radio communications industry, claim the organisers. Radio Solutions 2005 will have keynote presentations from the EC and the ECC (European Communications Committee) on the Strategy and availability of “free spectrum“ to promote industry growth. Industry sectors dependent on a successful SRD strategy will respond by presentations from manufacturers and users. Interaction by Delegates is welcomed in Q/A and lunchtime discussion groups. An exhibition of state of the art SRD products and services will accompany the conference.

CONTACTS
Information: info@lpra.org
Web: www.lpra.org/events

Elektronik Journal, which circulates in Germany, Austria and Switzerland celebrates its 40th birthday this year with a special edition that will be published on 21st October. Editorial will include stories from 40 years of the electronics industry and will highlight future trends and developments that will influence our lives, say the publishers. For advertisers, there is a ‘Vision & Image’ package: a double page spread with the left hand page for a CEO viewpoint and the right hand page for a corporate advertisement. The package price is 4040 Euros. Publication date is October 21st; booking and final deadline for editorial is September 21st, 2005.

CONTACTS
Editorial: Rüdiger Hahn, editor-in-chief, r.hahn@elektronikjournal.de
Advertising: Christoph Weiss, advertising manager, c.weiss@elektronikjournal.de

Now in its fourth year, the Wireless Broadband Forum (WBF 2005) - the official conference of the Broadband Wireless Association, will take place in Cambridge, UK from 14th to 17th November. The organisers claim that it is Europe’s largest and longest running WiMAX event, and that it last year attracted over 250 visitors from all over the world. WBF 2005 provides a forum for acquiring and exchanging in-depth business and technical knowledge of the wireless environment. With the endorsement of the WiMAX Forum, the IEE and the IEEE, as well as the BWA itself, it offers networking with the people who really matter in the industry, say the organisers. Particiapting companies this year include Intel, picoChip, Aperto Networks, Fujitsu, BT Wireless Broadband, Vodafone International Broadband Wireless, The Yankee Group, Wi-LAN, Tropos, Orthogon Systems, Cambridge Broadband, Tower Stream, Clearwire, CETECOM, ADTI, Wind, Aplus, Your Communications, Telabria, Bharti, Sequans, SR Telecom, Pipex, 3i, and ReThink.

CONTACTS
Information: Tony Hennie, thennie@meridianconferences.com
Web: www.wirelessbroadbandforum.co.uk

The management and other personnel from Elektroniktidningen have acquired the publication from publisher Ingenjörsförlaget AB. It will be re-launched in August, together with a web site, and will now be published monthly.

“The message from our readers and advertisers is clear – they wish to see more news on the web and more features in print. We will address these needs by re-launching our web site in August and simultaneously convert our printed publication to a monthly glossy technology magazine. I’m positive that these changes will be appreciated”, says editor-in-chief Adam Edström.

Elektroniktidningen was founded in 1992. The publication’s circulation of 15, 400 copies (audited) reaches 20, 000 readers, according to an independent 2005 survey by Orveseto.

CONTACTS
Editorial: Adam Edström, editor-in-chief, adam.edstrom@et.se
Advertising: Christer Björkin, christer.bjorkin@et.se

The programme and booking details for the EMCUK 2005 conference which is to be held on 11/12th October at The Racecourse, Newbury, Berkshire is now posted on the web site www.emcuk.info. 36 papers are to be presented covering EMC Design and the Environment, EMC for Telecommunications, Automotive and Railways, Defence and Avionics. Among the presenters are key names from British Aerospace, QinetiQ, NPL and TUV. As well as EMC topics, WEEE, RoHS and LVD are included in the programme. The event is supported by the IEE Professional Network, EMCIA, EMCTLA and over 50 exhibitors. Admission to the exhibition is free. Registration can be made from the web site when a free CD ROM containing information on EMC & Compliance matters will be sent to all registrants.

CONTACTS
Information: Dave Flynn, dave@nutwooduk.wanadoo.co.uk

Publisher IML has announced that it is in the process of gaining a first BPA audit for its monthly technical title, Electronic Product Design, following an ‘expansive and exhaustive database-cleaning programme at the start of this year’. Sales manager, Neal Henry, says the company has chosen this route because the BPA audit ‘offers the highest independent accreditation of a publisher’s database.’ EPD was previously ABC audited.

CONTACTS
Editorial: Caroline Hayes, editor, caroline.hayes@imlgroup.co.uk
Advertising: Neal Henry, sales manager, neal.henry@imlgroup.co.uk

The second annual International Automotive Congress will open its doors on the 3rd October. Participants include Ford, Peugeot, Visteon, Audi, Infineon, Freescale, Valeo, Texas Instruments, Bosch, Renesas, STMicroelectronics, Delphi, BMW, Daimler-Chrysler, Altera, Mentor Graphics, Citroën, Philips Semiconductors, TRW Automotive, IBM, Strategy Analytics, Rohde & Schwarz, Jabil, Alpine, Fiat, Gartner Group, Thales, Epson, Autoliv, Renault, and Siemens VDO. The organizers, Reed Business, say that to accommodate greater demand the number of exhibition spaces has been doubled. As with last year’s event, all manner of topics will be covered in a series of roundtable discussions, workshops, and in-depth technical presentations. Subjects will range from improving safety and reducing energy consumption to infotainment and telematics. Last year, the inaugural event attracted speakers and visitors from Europe, the USA and Asia.

CONTACTS
Information: Herve Rivieres, hrivieres@reedbusiness.fr
Web: www.automotive-electronics-congress.com

Global Sources has released its China Industry Outlook: Computer Products report, which shows mainland Chinese makers of computers and computer peripherals are expected to generate sales revenue in excess of US$139 billion in 2005, up 40% on last year. The report is published jointly by Global Sources’ Electronic Engineering Times-China (EE Times-China) and Electronics Supply & Manufacturing-China (ESM-China). The report indicates that 77% of the nearly 24 billion integrated circuits used by this sector will be imported. It goes on to provide statistics on semiconductor and component demand, production, exports and imports, the report identifies supply shortfalls on which vendors can capitalize. Other topics covered by the report include the local IC design industry and the impact of WTO membership on the development of the computer systems and peripherals segment. China Industry Outlook: Computer Products is the third in a three-part series examining China’s electronics sector. Consumer Electronics was published in July last year and Communications was released in February 2005.

CONTACTS
Editorial: Vivek Nanda, executive editor, vnanda@globalsources.com
Sales (US): Craig Pitcher, cpitcher@globalsources.com
Sales (Europe): Patrick Flynn, pflynn@cmp.com

In September, Electronic Engineering Times-China and Electronics Supply & Manufacturing-China will publish the Portable Technology Special Supplement that the publisher says “will give a comprehensive overview of the technologies, hardware and software used in portable media players and other portable devices. It analyzes semiconductor options in the design of handheld electronics. It will also present technical discussions on the development of FPGA-based systems, the use of wireless technology in handheld electronics, and other foremost design topics.” According to In-Stat, the personal media player market alone is expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 179 percent through 2008. Consequently, demand for related technologies in China—where most of these devices are produced—has never been greater. In 2006, China will consume US$11 billion worth of digital cellular phone ICs, and over US$179 million worth of ICs for digital audio players. Portable Technology is the latest in a series of focused content offerings from EE Times-China and ESM-China. According to the publisher, each supplement reaches 76,702 design engineers and corporate, procurement and engineering managers China-wide. Previous supplements have focused on power technologies, automotive electronics and embedded systems. Booking deadline is July 25.

CONTACTS
Editorial: Yorbe Zhang, editor-in-chief, EE Times-China, yzhang@globalsources.com
Sales (US): Craig Pitcher, cpitcher@globalsources.com
Sales (Europe): Patrick Flynn, pflynn@cmp.com

The IEEE, supported by the IEE, is holding its International Engineering Management Conference at the Fairmont Hotel, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada between 11th and 13th September 2005. This year’s theme is “A Strategic View of Engineering Management” and the conference aims to bring together engineering and management professionals and academics from all over the world to create a forum for the exchange of ideas, experience, theories, and knowledge. The conference is attended by engineers, managers, business and management consultants, academics and researchers.

CONTACTS
Information: Dr. Anthony Bainbridge, programme chair, afbainbridge@members.swis.net

Elektronik has been conducting advertising awareness surveys in the from of copy tests for several year. Now, a new service for advertisers and agencies will capture visual flows and viewing patterns that reveal exactly where readers are focused on and at what point their attention fades. The so-called, eye-tracking studies can answer important questions for people in planning, marketing, advertising and creative departments, says the publisher. Results of the surveys will indicate awareness of the advertisements and the various communications elements within them, plus the amount of time readers spend looking at each element of the advertisements. The next study takes place in issue 15 and the service is free of charge for all advertisers booking a half page or larger format advertisement. Materials deadline for the surveyed issue is July 19th, 2005. Clients and agencies will receive a comprehensive presentation including an analysis of results plus eye-tracking films and a CD with a record of eye movements to show how those taking the test viewed the respective advertisements.

CONTACTS
Editorial: Guenther Klasche, editor-in-chief, gklasche@elektroniknet.de
Advertising: Sonja Diehl, international account sales, sdiehl@elektroniknet.de

In a recent survey of Microwaves & RF magazine readers a significant number of respondents asked the editors for more tutorial features in the publication. As a result, a new ‘Microwave Design Basics’ feature has been introduced. It will be researched and written by the staff of Microwaves & RF as reference tutorial pieces on such topics as microwave test, CAE software, RFICs, and materials. A special pull-out section of Microwaves & RF, Microwave Design Basics can be easily retained by design engineers and referred to again at a future time. These single-sponsor editorial inserts will be available beginning August 2005.

CONTACTS
Editorial: Nancy Friedrich, editor, nfriedrich@penton.com
Advertising: Mike McCaffery, sales manager, mmccaffery@penton.com

Recently announced Power Systems Design China, sister publication of Power Systems Design Europe, has announced the appointment of Liu Hong as editor. He is based in Beijing.

CONTACTS
Editorial: Liu Hong, editor, liu.hong@powersystemsdesignchina.com
Advertising: Jim Graham, publishing director, jim@powersystemsdesign.com

Users of The Electronics and Automation Newsletter, mailed by VNU Business Publications Italia to a target of 16.000 qualified professionals twice a month, can now benefit from an innovative, free electronic reader service which allows them to receive more information about the products and services described in the newsletters by getting directly into contact with manufacturers and suppliers. Registered readers simply click on the reader service logo at the bottom of each news item. Through the service VNU is able to deliver information requests in real-time to the source of the information, which will process the request sending back the available info to the reader. The service will be shorlty extended also to the contents of the website www.ilb2b.it, says VNU. VNU Business Publications Italia claims to be the first publishing house in Europe to provide such a service for on-line publications.

CONTACTS Editorial: Gianluca Ricci, editorial coordinator of www.ilb2b.it, gianluca.ricci@bp.vnu.com Advertising: Giuseppe De Gasperis, sales manager, giuseppe.degasperis@bp.vnu.com

Just for fun, our fellow sales professionals should take the time to watch a few good old classic salesmen movies such as Tin Men, Glengary GlenRoss, Arthur Miller’s The Death of a Salesmen and The Big Kahuna. You can find them at your local movie store. If you want to go a step further, although a little harder to find, pick up a copy of The Pope of Greenwich Village and watch it to the bitter end. It might re-energize you and make you pause at the same time. It’s a chance to look at our profession and reflect on what sales is all about and add a bit of humor at the same time. It may even help you to redefine what you should be doing. One of my favorite lines in one of the movies is… “ Don’t tell the customer what they need find out what they want and sell it to them!”

Julia Stocks is Associate Publisher of Power Systems Design China and Power Systems Design Europe. You can reach her at julia.stocks@powersystemsdesign.com.