Dr. Joe Webb Shares First Look at 2009 Economic Conditions, Analyzes Current Conditions

Sponsored by MindFireInc

September 30, 2008 -- Lexington, Kentucky USA -- WhatTheyThink.com today reported that nearly 300 industry professionals registered to attend a free printing industry economic webinar with forecaster and commentator Dr. Joe Webb. The event was sponsored by MindFireInc.

The archive of the event is available here.

“Dr. Webb presented both macro economic analysis as well as an analysis of the condition of the printing industry,” said Randy Davidson, President, WhatTheyThink. “The industry analysis was supported by a survey of 340 printing companies conducted in advance of the session.  This session provides valuable information as business owners examine their strategic plans in light of a very tumultuous and uncertain economic environment.”

"We are in a stagflation environment, largely caused by Fed actions over the past few years," said Dr. Webb.  "None of the tax plans being proposed by the Presidential candidates are going to deal with these issues.  It is very likely that higher taxes are on their way, if not at the Federal level, definitely at state and local levels, which will be combined with our continuing higher inflation.  Unemployment could finish the year at about 6.5% and will be reaching 6.8% in 2009 if not higher.  Employment in the creative community of graphic design, advertising agency, and publishing workers is also signaling a continued slowdown in printing shipments." 

Topics addressed included:

• An overall look at 2009's economy
• The print economy as the North American industry prepares for its largest event, Graph Expo
• The latest survey of print and content creation businesses, their business conditions and their outlook
• Technology trends to watch for in 2009 and 2010
• Dr. Joe's always interesting reading list of economic and technological information

“We appreciate MindFireInc’s ongoing commitment to sponsoring our economic outlook webinars, enabling us to bring them to our readers at no charge,” added Davidson. “This session is available in the archive, along with all of our other educational sessions, so that business owners and managers can revisit the content as they plan for 2009 and beyond.”

“I am very concerned about the 4^th Quarter,” added Dr. Webb.   “This is normally a good season for printing with catalogs and other holiday-related printing.  But the decline in employment in the creative community concerns me, and is usually a good leading indicator about what will transpire in printing. The data presented in this session will help you get your business ready to deal with these dynamics.”

Dr. Joe Webb is the director of WhatTheyThink.com's Economics and Research Center, where managers, researchers and analysts can find free and premium content about industry trends, including forecasts and more. Dr. Webb is a recognized marketing authority, forecaster and one of the best known speakers in our industry. He also contributes a weekly column at WhatTheyThink.com for Premium Access Members entitled “Mondays with Dr. Joe” as well as a regular writer on PrintCEOblog.com.

The previous quarter’s webinar can be accessed at: http://members.whattheythink.com/home/webinars/webinar080618.cfm 

Join Dr. Joe at Graph Expo

"The State of the Printing Industry: The Real Story"

This one hour event will offer printing and publishing executives direction and insights into what to expect as a new year unfolds with a new U.S. President in office. Dr. Webb will also provide a 2009 economic outlook, both in terms of the printing industry and the general economy. This forecast is based, in part, on WhatTheyThink surveys of printing businesses, reflecting their concerns and their investment strategies. A continental breakfast will be provided.

Register for this free event

About MindFireInc

Since 1999, MindFireInc has been the leader in helping marketers link the impact-power of direct mail and other media with the interactive capabilities of the Internet. MindFireInc's flagship product, LookWho'sClicking^®, is a web-based application suite that automates the creation, management, and tracking of Marketing Campaigns utilizing Personalized URLs and Landing Pages as well as Pay-per-click and mass media landing pages. The company delivers LookWho’sClicking™ through its expanding network of Solution Partners, which are typically print service providers and agencies. MindFireInc is a privately held company led by a seasoned management team with proven industry success. For more information, please visit www.MindFireInc.com.

About WhatTheyThink.com

WhatTheyThink.com is the printing and publishing industry's leading online media organization; offering a wide range of publications delivering unbiased, real-time market intelligence, industry news, economic and trend analysis, peer-to-peer communication, and special reports on emerging technology and critical events. Serving a membership base of more than 50,000, WhatTheyThink.com also hosts webinars and live events as well as providing content through a syndication program, which delivers content directly to related websites and through RSS.

About Dr. Joe Webb

Dr. Joe Webb is the director of WhatTheyThink.com's Economics and Research Center, where managers, researchers and analysts can find free and premium content about industry trends, including forecasts and more. Dr. Webb is a 30-year graphic arts veteran, a recognized marketing authority, forecaster and one of the best known speakers in our industry. He is known for his ability to interpret the latest market conditions in the graphic communications industries and translate what they mean for executives and their strategic decisions.  Since January 2003, his "Mondays with Dr. Joe" column has been a must-read feature on WhatTheyThink.com.

He is a Ph.D. graduate of the NYU Center for Graphic Communications Management and Technology (1987) and serves on the Center's Board of Advisors. He holds an MBA in Management Information Systems from Iona College (1981) and was a magna cum laude graduate in Managerial Sciences and Marketing from Manhattan College (1978), and was a member of the economics honor society. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in marketing, market research, quantitative analysis, business policy, and organizational behavior. He started in the industry with Agfa's Graphic Systems Division and was later a marketing executive with Chemco Photoproducts, entering consulting full time in 1987. Among his publications is the controversial "Renewing the Print Industry: A Contrarian's Constructive Perspective." 

See more WhatTheyThink.com Press Releases.

Become a Member

Join the thousands of printing executives who are already part of the WhatTheyThink Community.