David,

As part of the "new" in the new Penton, I have to say that I'm very excited about this business potential that the combined entity has. I actually think that we are both the market-focused publisher and, as you call it, the "old style" publisher.

In many markets, we have a print product, an online offering, an event, and a data product. In trucking, we have four magazines (Fleet Owner, Trailer Body Builder, Modern Bulk Transporter, and Refrigerated Transporter), countless blue books (Price Digests), fleet management software (TTS), a trader publication (American Trucker), and an event (the Truck Blue Book Conference). All of these have a Web presence that, when combined, total more than 1.5 million page views (source: Omniture). The combination of Penton and Prism gives us similar presence in many of the markets we serve. Add to that the custom publishing alternatives that we can offer clients, and we are truly one of the most immersed publishing companies in our 23 markets.
Prescott Shibles | Homepage | 02.07.07 - 9:12 am | #

Prescott:

I'd like to clarify that by 'old style,' I don't mean an implied insult. I'm glad to see the that portfolio companies are getting some respect again, for the reasons I outlined in the post.

And you make a great point--portfolio companies today are much more capable of serving markets deeply and in the manner their audiences wish to be served--that is, in a media-neutral way.

I like your phrase "immersed publishing" and will probably steal it with abandon.
David Shaw | 02.07.07 - 9:52 am | #