Canon Communications, the leading publisher, trade show producer, and digital media company for the world’s $3 trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry, today announced that it has expanded the digital media group within its publications division. Simultaneously, Canon is strengthening the role of publishers. These moves are designed to enable the continued rapid growth of Canon’s publication division, revenues for which have grown 43% from 2005 through 2007.
Charles G. McCurdy, Chairman and CEO of Canon Communications, said, “We’re calling this Canon Publications 2.0. We have great publications in very attractive markets, and these moves will enable our managers to address the content and marketing needs of our markets as they continue to evolve. Canon’s array of digital media offerings can be better executed through the expansion of the e-media group, and giving publishers brand-management responsibilities will allow us to respond more rapidly to market needs.”
Ron Wall, Senior Vice-President for Canon’s Publications division, said, “We’ve made a strategic decision to expand our e-media group within publications. Our e-media group will have a seat at the table alongside sales & marketing, operations, and content & data, and will support our publishers and editors in executing on our rapidly growing digital product offerings. As part of that process, we are recruiting a vice president for e-media, reporting to me, as well as five additional new positions in that group.”
“At the same time,” he added, “we have strengthened the role of the publisher. Previously, publishers at Canon were focused on sales and marketing; now they will have full P&L responsibility and control over the strategic positioning of their print and digital brands and products. Their direct reports will now include editorial, and they will work closely with production, e-media, circulation, and events to provide readers and advertisers with the best product possible.”
As a result of these developments, two company executives have expanded responsibilities:
- Kevin O’Grady, current Vice President of Sales & Marketing, has been named Vice President of Publications, with all seven publishers reporting to him.
- John Bethune, current Vice President of Editorial, has been named Vice President of Content and Data. He will retain corporate-level editorial oversight and manage a new data products group to help meet customer and market needs in all Canon markets.
In connection with these moves, the company is promoting eight employees and filling five new positions.
About Canon Communications
Canon Communications LLC, a portfolio company of Apprise Media LLC, is the leading publisher, trade show producer, and digital media company for the world’s $3 trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry, including medical device, packaging, design engineering, process technology, automated assembly, electronics, quality control, and plastics processing.