Publishers Press

HANOVER PARK, IL—The Graphic Systems Div. of Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. recently played host to the third annual Customer Alliance Summit in Miami Beach, FL. The summit was designed as an opportunity for Fujifilm executives and representatives of each area of the graphic arts world to convene to discuss issues and concerns of today, as well as possibilities and plans for tomorrow. The three-day event included representatives from high-powered advertising agencies, people from major corporations like American Express, Hasbro, Kraft and Sony, as well as representatives from renowned publishing houses such as Condé Nast, Hearst and McGraw-Hill. In addition, Fujifilm also invited customers Michael

BY MARK SMITH There may not be a one-for-one correlation between the business outlook for publishers and the fortunes of publication printers, but the link is obvious. Also, the tough business environment has marketing gurus and industry executives evangelizing the need for printers of all types to "really get to know their customers" in order to succeed. On the whole, it has been a mixed year for the magazine publishing segment. According to Publishers Information Bureau (PIB) data through September, advertising revenues in 2002 have been running 1.5 percent above 2001 totals. Unfortunately, especially for publication printers, the year-to-date ad pages total was

By Erik Cagle Say what you want about 2002, but very shortly you'll be able to say these two magic words: it's over. By nature, printers are optimists. So are trade magazine journalists. Thus, coming off a dreadful 2001, horribly punctuated by a reeling economy and the September 11 attacks, most industry people were forecasting a much-improved 2002. No one was ready to pop the champagne cork, but a marked improvement was in the offering, with a strong economic rebound catapulting revenues heading into 2003. Better days, like Godot, never arrived. To say 2003 cannot be any worse than 2002 is tantamount to whistling

We've all been waiting pensively, hoping to spot some signals that commercial printing is in recovery. I know; much uncertainty about the future remains. Economists still keep moving their recovery forecasts back in response to a lingering U.S. economy that just can't seem to sustain itself. And, although the demented snipers have been caught, the impending war with Iraq, fear over more terrorism in our homeland and a turbulent Wall Street rocked by executive misdeeds continue to remind us that the world—and especially the American lifestyle and sense of security that we all once took for granted—may be changed forever. As such, expectations were understandably

BY ERIK CAGLE The way Michael Simon sees it, retirement is not a light at the end of the tunnel. The executive vice president and co-owner of Publishers Press is already there, so to speak. He's 42 years of age, enjoying the best that retirement has to offer without being retired. "I was blessed with the opportunity to do something I love," says Simon, who is one of the youngest executives elected into the Printing Impressions/RIT Printing Industry Hall of Fame as part of the 2002 class. "When you truly enjoy what you do, work is less a challenge and more like a

CHICAGO—As summer fades and leaves on the trees begin to change colors, it can mean only one thing on the calendars of commercial printers: it's time to pack those bags and head off to the Windy City. The annual pilgrimage to McCormick Place South returns after a year's hiatus (of sorts) as the Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2002 exhibition comes to town October 6 to 9. More than 400 exhibitors filling 360,000 net square feet of exhibit space could draw up to 40,000 people. While the economy continues to be sluggish, Graph Expo is still an attractive option for those who don't have an

Philadelphia--Four exceptional production executives will be inducted into the Printing Impressions/Rochester Institute of Technology Printing Industry Hall of Fame at the 15th Annual Gold Ink Awards Reception and Banquet, to be held October 7, 2002, in the McCormick Place Grand Ballroom during Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2002 in Chicago. For seating availability, contact Michael Cooper at 888-627-2630 or mcooper@napco.com. DONALD BELCHER is chairman of Banta Corp. Prior to joining the Menasha, WI-based printer in 1995, Belcher spent 24 years with Avery Dennison. When the opportunity to take the helm at Banta presented itself, it fulfilled Belcher's dream of leading a publicly held company.

Chicago Press has named Paul Monsen COO. He will continue to serve as the company's vice president of sales, as well. Monsen joined the 75-year-old Chicago-based firm in 1999 and became an officer in 2000. Anthony Parker has been appointed COO of Smyth Companies, Bedford, VA. Parker began his career with Piedmont Label in 1990. He joined Smyth in 1998 after Smyth acquired Piedmont Label. Naperville, IL-based Solar Communications has added two high-level development roles. John Barrett and John Waterhouse have both accepted positions as vice president, business development. Nies/Artcraft Printing, of Saint Louis, has added Rick Blanner to its sales team. Also,

BY MARK MICHELSON What a difference a year makes. Exhibitors came to PRINT 01 in Chicago last September feeling guardedly optimistic—despite the lingering effects of a soft economy and, consequently, a reduction in most printers' capital expenditure budgets. And, of course, no one could foresee the September 11 terrorist attacks that would hamper buying activity at the show and create heightened concern over the state of the U.S. economy. Now, fast-forward to next month's Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2002 exhibition in Chicago, scheduled for October 6 to 9 at McCormick Place South. With more than 400 exhibitors filling over 360,000 net square

Lewis Henderson has been named general manager of K/P Corp.'s Kent, WA-based mailing and fulfillment facility. Henderson brings 15 years of experience in fulfillment, marketing and management to his new position. He started at K/P in 1988 and most recently served as vice president of fulfillment services at its San Leandro, CA, facility. Rod Bristol has been awarded the Ascender Award for the Northwest region by the Alliance of Consultants & Educators for the Printing Industry. Winners of the Ascender Award exhibit superior business practices and go above and beyond to share their knowledge and experience with industry peers. Bristol is the owner of Sudden