• Be inspired by pioneering specialist media owners
• Learn tips and tricks from publishers, event organisers and media gurus and get your questions answered
• Build relationships with directors of other media businesses through interactive round table discussions

24 May 2012:  ThinkTank Birmingham

Book now for the conference

The 2012 Specialist Media Conference, held at Think Tank Birmingham on 24 May, will be the place to learn about innovation in niche consumer and b2b media markets, across print, live events and digital media, and make new business contacts with pioneering media businesses.

The theme of the day is "Think Niche, Act Global" and innovative publishers from across the UK will share their experiences of taking their specialist content to new audiences using creativity and new technology.  

Conference Programme

Morning session:  9.30-12.30

Specialist Media Insights

• Carolyn Morgan, MD Specialist Media Show will present highlights of new Specialist Media Insights research on how publishers are adopting digital media, what challenges and opportunities they see, and how their revenue mix is shifting

Consumer Media Panel

• Rebekah Billingsley, Publishing Director, Immediate Media, with the latest insights from their recent tablet launches in niche markets
• Richard Walker, Director of Consumer Revenue, Future Publishing, on what they have learnt about building databases and developing ecommerce in niche markets
• Sam Spurdens, Director, LOOP Digital Media, on his journey through building an app from scratch and expanding internationally, and what he has learnt about video production and attracting global ad budgets
• Tony Harris, CEO of Boat International, on how he has built a global events business and licensed print edtitions worldwide, plus the importance of building key relationships
• Panel Q&A chaired by Tim Brooks, former MD of Guardian, director at Emap, IPC

B2B Media Panel

• Marcus Wilkinson, Publishing Director IDG, on creating marketing solutions for advertisers across web, print, social media for a portfolio of free b2b titles
• Ben Heald, CEO of Sift Media: on his experiences of pay gateways and commercialising b2b communities
• Peter Houston, Content Director at Advanstar: on the challenges for editorial teams creating content across digital media, events, social media and elearning
• Alex Martinez, MD of award winning b2b publisher Sigaria, on developing premium membership propositions
• Jeska Harrington Gould, MD of Research, panellist
• Panel Q&A chaired by Joe Hames, Business Media Group, PPA

Networking lunch and opportunity to visit exhibition and workshops

Afternoon session:  2.00-5.00

Specialist Media Insights: Benchmarks for your own business with an in-depth look at this new research polling 170+ publishers on their current and planned activity across mobile, web, events, ecommerce, social media.  Interactive session run by Carolyn Morgan (Conference Theatre)

Round table discussions:  informal small group sessions with speakers and experts (VIP Delegate area)

• Tablet publishing for specialist magazines: Mike Goldsmith, Editorial Director, Future
• Creating multichannel content: Peter Houston, Content Director, Advanstar
• Creative ad marketing solutions: Marcus Wilkinson, Publishing Director IDG
• Switching to site licences: Jeska Harrington Gould, MD Research
• Managing Ad teams in multi-channel world:  Jordan Adams, MD Love Media Sales
• Social Media in B2B: case studies in promoting events: Ricky Warren
• Email marketing secrets: latest ideas and innovations from Adestra
• Data journalism and infographics: new editorial skills, Caroline Beavon, Birmingham City University
• Adding value by curating content: Patrick Smith, The Media Briefing
• Driving traffic to your content: social media tips for publishers:  Paul Bradshaw, Online Journalism blog
• Balancing free and paid content:  Ben Heald of Sift
• Developing International Content:  Eric Ingrand, EnVeritas group
• Multi-Platform Certificates:  showcase your brand:  Andy Flint, ABC

Partnering with Apple, Google and Amazon (Conference Theatre)

How publishers can work with the new gatekeepers.  Practical tips and case studies.  
Panel discussion chaired by Tim Brooks

• Madhav Chinappa, Head of Partnerships, Google News & Magazines
• Mike Goldsmith: Ed Director, Mobile, Future
• Ben Greenish: MD Spectator
• Richard West, Marketing Director MagPlus (Bonnier) and former Apple Exec

Media Pioneer Awards presentation sponsored by Audience Media

5pm Networking drinks sponsored by Circdata

Delegates will be able to question speakers and experts in panel sessions and small group round table discussions.

 “As an independent publisher and event organiser, I find the Specialist Media Show offers unrivalled learning and networking opportunities. I especially appreciate the opportunity to get under the skin of important business issues through the roundtable discussions” Oliver Romain, MD Accession.

MDs, Publishers and Directors from these companies have already booked:  Future, Immediate Media, IPC, NatMags, Citywire, Practical Publishing, Optimus Education, Accession, NatMags, David Hall Publishing, Rocco Media, Peach Factory, Western Business Publishing, Wanderlust, Boat International, Research, Telegraph, DODS, RCN Publishing, Akabo Media, Metal Pages, Wild Bunch Media, GreenStar Media, Loop, Sift, Advanstar, IDG, Spectator....

Presentation of Media Pioneer Awards will take place at the end of the conference, followed by networking drinks reception, sponsored by Circdata.

Book now for the conference for early bird savings.

Welcome to our 2012 conference sponsors Swiss Post , EnVeritas Group and ABC

2011 Conference programme

What’s working for other publishers?
How to win in print, digital and events?

2011 Conference delegates heard from pioneering specialist publishers and media owners and questioned them in panel sessions and round tables.

Senior publishers and directors attended from :

IPC * Bauer * Dennis * Econsultancy * Telegraph * Bourne Publishing * Kelsey * My Hobbystore * Accession * Crains * BIP Solutions * Local Living * Veterinary Business Development * PPA * Rocco Media * FIPP * Advanstar * Think * Athene publishing * Stylist * Singletrack mag * Intent Media * The Media Briefing * Treasury Management International * Fish and Fly * Sift * Magicalia * Spectator * Time Out * B2B marketing * Subhub * VIVO media * Total Pet Publishing * VRL Financial * Research Research * Rocco Media * Stable Media * Gofar Enterprises * Fall Line * Metal Pages * Media Mergers * Crimson Business * MMC Publications * Miles Publishing * Merlinis * Songlines

for a day of inspiration, best practice and networking.

Read the 2011 conference highlights

Browse the 2011 conference gallery

Join the Specialist Media Network for free downloads of conference presentations and to be the first to hear about the 2012 Conference Programme and special early bird ticket offers.

Book now for the 2012 Conference

Conference delegates can also visit the free exhibition, workshops and advice centre which are open 9am-5pm

Contact us if you are interested in speaking at future conferences.

What delegates said:

Both Mike and I found the day well spent, returning both inspired and having made some good contacts. The inspiration alone was worth the time away from the office through what is enough of a demanding time for everyone in publishing.  Alison Queenborough, Publishing Director BPG

A must for anyone working in specialist media who wants to understand the options and opportunities available for a passionate audience. Chris Templeman, Ad Director, IPC Media

The show artfully managed a strong mix of exhibition, presentations, roundtables and workshops covering everything from postage to profiting from digital media. If you missed it, keep an eye out for next year’s event. I promise, it will be well worth the journey. Congratulations to organiser Carolyn Morgan and the team for a superb event. Peter Houston, Editorial Director Advanstar

There was plenty of thought-provoking content to make the day worthwhile.  It's on my radar for next year. Philip Gibbs, Publishing Director, Ocean Media