- Big news yesterday: NewBay Media announced Tuesday it has acquired TWICE magazine, including the CES Show Daily. And the importance for the digital signage market is is big. It’s been axiomatic in the industry in the past few years, that the consumer market is the leading market, in terms of technology evolution. In other words, the old paradigm of technology innovation coming first to “pro” AV markets and then filtering down to consumer electronic markets, is history. Now the big players–the Sony’s, Apple’s, Samsung’s, LG’s, NEC’s, etc of the world look to the larger consumer electronics market to launch new technology, and then worry about the pro market. Witness the introduction of new flat panel display technology into the consumer market first (ultrathin panels, 1080P, it all came to consumer first, before commercial AV). Interactive mobile devices? Consumer market first (cell phone market), and then we’ll see how it plays out in interactive commercial digital signage. I could go on. But it’s clear, today’s sophisticated consumer is now educated about technology, demanding cutting edge product, and is often getting new technology first for their personal/home use, and then trying to source something similar for their corporate, education, retail, or B-B activities.
- This new math is what drove our company, NewBay Media, to acquire TWICE–and the CES Show Daily. Anyone who follows digital signage does not need a lot of explanation as to why the CES Show, and the CE market it represents, is key to the evolution of digital signage. If I just took one part of the CE market, mobile phones, that alone is enough crossover to last decades of market evolution. But there’s also display technology, increasing user-generated content, and more.
- So NewBay Media (that’s us), publishers of Digital Signage magazine, and Digital Signage Weekly eNews, as well as Systems Contractor News, AV Technology, the InfoComm Show Daily, among other titles, is now the publisher of TWICE magazine, and the world’s largest Show Daily (CES Show Daily)… it’s going to be a great ride.
- Yesterday’s press release from TWICE:
- NewBay Media announced it has acquired TWICE, Multichannel News and Broadcasting & Cable from Reed Business Information-U.S., effective today.
- Each title will continue to be published as part of NewBay's line of print, online, and in-person products and services.
- The addition of these three powerful brands extends NewBay Media's significant reach in the broadcast television and consumer electronics markets, the company said in a statement.
- TWICE is the leading business trade periodical for retailers of consumer electronics, serving the market with a Web site and a bi-weekly print publication, as well as daily and weekly _e-newsletters.
- "From the quality of their publications, the knowledge and background of their executives, and obvious synergy, Steve Smith, myself and the rest of the TWICE staff believe this will be a perfect match," said Marcia Grand, publisher of TWICE.
- Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News serve the television industry with respected, industry-leading Web sites, weekly print publications, daily e-newsletters and events. Broadcasting & Cable covers the broadcast, cable and syndication markets, while Multichannel News focuses on programming, marketing, finance, and more for the cable and telecommunications industries.
- "We're truly excited to have the opportunity to work with this talented team and to have these market-leading brands join the NewBay family," stated Steve Palm, CEO, NewBay Media. "This acquisition further demonstrates NewBay's commitment to our goal of delivering value to our advertisers, readers and partners in these critical markets.
- "With this acquisition," continued Palm, "NewBay adds significant depth and breadth to its existing portfolio of broadcast properties, including TV Technology and Television Broadcast, and consumer electronic properties, including Residential Systems."
- "We are pleased that our valuable brands have found a great new home with NewBay Media," says Reed Business Information-US CEO John Poulin. "We're certain that these titles will thrive under Steve Palm's capable and experienced management team. We wish them much success ahead."
- Reed Business Information-U.S. and its parent company, Reed Elsevier, were represented by The Jordan, Edmiston Group, a New York City-based investment bank that specializes in media, information marketing services and related technologies.
- NewBay Media's market leading brands are centered on five vertical markets - pro audio, broadcast and video, musical instruments, A/V-consumer electronics, and K-12 education. NewBay publishes and produces more than 40 publications and show dailies, 50 Web sites, 30 daily and weekly e-newsletters, three Expos and more than 50 custom publishing efforts, annually. NewBay reaches more than 3 million readers in print and 1 million online and in person - around the world in more than 100 countries. Additional information on NewBay can be found by visiting www.nbmedia.com
