February Printing Shipments Down -$221 million; Dr. Joe Webb Discusses Need for Printing Industry Change and Renewal

Printing industry shipments decline in shipments by -$221 million compared to February 2003. The industry is not growing, despite growth in the overall economy. Alternatives such as new media, the Internet, event marketing and promotions have negatively affected industry volume.

Harrisville, RI (PRWEB) April 5, 2004--Dr. Joe Webb, leading printing industry commentator and forecaster commented on the February 2004 shipments data recently released by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The decline in shipments of -$221 million compared to February of last year is disheartening. For the first two months, shipments are down by -3% compared to 2003. It is clear that the industry is not participating in the economic upturn, its volume being negatively affected by the Internet, new media, and a shift to event marketing and promotion alternatives."

Dr. Webb released a report, Renewing the Print Industry: A Contrarian's Constructive Perspective," where he outlines the urgent need to restructure the industry, and explains alternative strategies to do so. The recent industry shipment data underscores the need for a re-examination of the reasons why people use print, and why the industry needs to address these issues."

The tradition of the printing industry is entrepreneurship, and todays business situation calls all of us in the industry to rise to the challenge with innovation and a spirit of driving and creating change. Printers and others must first think of themselves as businesspeople, and not printers, to understand the dynamics of change that are currently affecting the industry. This is no time to be a victim. Its time for innovative, and aggressive, entrepreneurial leadership."

The report includes his discussion of the significant trends that have shaped the commercial printing industry and brought it to a key decision point about its future of our business.

Other topics include...

-- the evolving business environment factors that shape the demand for print, why the industry can't stimulate print demand (and why it shouldn't try)

-- the right role for print marketing

-- issues in sales management

-- how sales management policies undermine strategic change

-- print as a commodity business (so what?)

-- how competitors shouldn't really matter in this environment

...and other crucial matters.

The report is available at Dr. Webb's e-store. The 89 page report is available as PDF download for $250, or in hardcopy for $275. Go to the e-store at http://store.yahoo.com/drjoe/reprin.html

There is a special offer for an executive planning and resource guide covering more than 30 print markets, called Dr. Joes Almanac." To buy the almanac and the PDF version of Renewing the Print Industry" report at the special combination price: http://store.yahoo.com/drjoe/drjoalreprin.html To To buy the "Almanac" only: http://store.yahoo.com/drjoe/drjoesalmanac.html

About Dr. Webb

Industry commentator and forecaster Dr. Joe Webb is a 26+ year veteran of the graphic arts industry. He has served the industry as a consultant, executive, and the founder of the TrendWatch surveys. His academic background is a combination of business, computer technologies, and graphic arts. His doctoral work was completed at the NYU Center for Graphic Arts Management and Technology. Dr. Webb has worked with industry suppliers of all types, including capital equipment such as presses, software developers, computer and peripheral manufacturers and developers, national and multinational organizations, associations, and others. A frequent speaker at industry events, Dr. Webb's weekly column Fridays with Dr. Joe" appears at www.WhatTheyThink.com where it has become a must-read feature for the entire printing industry.

(Photos of Dr. Webb for editorial purposes can be downloaded at www.drjoewebb.com/press )