A number of Pace MS in Publishing students had the unique opportunity to volunteer and to attend the FOLIO: media NEXT conference that took place in New York the last week of October. In addition, Prof. Andrea Baron, Prof. Manuela Soares and Prof. Jane Denning were also able to attend.
Pace MS in Publishing student Maira Roman says, “Volunteering at Folio: MediaNext was a great opportunity to meet new people from Folio magazine and also to watch the presentations. It was good to see all the exhibitors and how they are engaged to think and build the future of magazine and book publishing.”
Tony Silber, the general manager of Folio:, Min, Expo, PR News and Audience Development, and Jenn Heinold, Vice President, Events, Access Intelligence, generously provided us with this wonderful opportunity and we all learned a great deal about some of the issues, challenges and opportunities currently facing the magazine publishing industry. It was an incredible opportunity for us to hear from key industry leaders about how they are transitioning their businesses in the digital age, to learn about new trends and strategies regarding content management and social media.
The speakers at the conference were an impressive and prestigious group of industry professionals, and included Chris Wilkes, Vice President, App Lab, Hearst Magazines, Chris Reynolds, Vice President, Marketing Analytics, Condé Nast, Chandra Magee, Senior Director, Digital Reader Outreach, The Economist, Kristine Shine, Chief Revenue Officer, PopSugar Media, and MS in Publishing Advisory Board member, and Bob Sacks, President, Precision Media Group.
Pace MS in Publishing student Ally Khristova says, “It was very rewarding to volunteer at Folio: MediaNext as I got to learn a lot about data, social media marketing, and digital newsstands. I also got to meet some great professionals in magazine publishing, including Caysey Welton, an associate editor of Folio magazine, who was very welcoming and helpful.”
In the Keynote address for the conference, Elisabeth DeMarse, chair, president and CEO of TheStreet, Inc., a financial news and services network, addressed TheStreet Inc.’s turnaround: a company that has $60 million earmarked for acquisitions.
She also discussed her company’s subscription model and offered candid comments about downsizing her editorial staff and the expansion of TheStreet’s contributor content model. To read more about her talk, click here.
“Volunteering for the Folio: MediaNext conference was an eye-opening experience,” says Pace MS in Publishing student Caitlyn Callegari, “and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to attend. While there, I was able to attend a Sales session and meet with the speakers, and I also had the opportunity to browse the exhibition and I think that this conference was a glimpse into the promising future of books and magazines.”
To get a sense of what the discussions were on Day One of the conference, click here to read the MediaNext: Day One Wrap-Up: Key strategic, quick-hit takeaways in mobile, revenue, social and more.
To read what the prolific and insightful Bob Sacks posted regarding the event, see his newsletter and website here.
If you are interested in connecting with other professionals in the magazine and emedia industry be sure to check out the FOLIO: MediaPRO group on LinkedIn: the group for professionals in the magazine and eMedia publishing industry. If you are involved in the creation, sales, marketing, editorial, production and delivery of critical information, resources, community and content via print, the Web, live events & other mediums, this is your group!
Thank you again to Folio: mediaNEXT for providing us with this wonderful opportunity. We all learned a great deal and are looking forward to next year’s conference!