With the Sydney leg of the WoodWing World Tour well and truly behind us, I though I would take this opportunity to recap some of the highlights for those that were there and those that missed out.
The Bureau of Meteorology kept their promise of sunshine and clear skies, which helped to lure over 120 guests to Dockside at Cockle Bay for a day long program of informative keynotes and educational case studies.
In the morning Mr. Remco Koster, MD of WoodWing APAC, delivered a welcome to the Australian and New Zealand publishing community that was as warm as the breeze coming up from Darling Harbour.
He was followed by Mr. Hans Janssen, the esteemed CEO of WoodWing Software, who introduced the concept of the iPad as a ‘lean-back’ device meaning that people were using it more during their leisure time (picture yourself sipping on a gin and tonic whilst reclining in a hammock) than at work. This concept was backed up by some pretty convincing statistics, which you can read about on Hans blog.
Next up was Mr. Erik Schut, Hans’ co-founder and President of WoodWing Software. Erik was recently a finalist in the LOEY Awards, which recognises exceptional entrepreneurs within the Dutch Online Industry. Erik presented the technology behind WoodWing’s workflow and the ease with which their software can publish to various output channels, including print, web and tablet devices. Erik also discussed a common problem faced by all firms wanting to deliver their content to the iPad: the Second Issue Syndrome.
Some people familiar with launching new print titles might also be familiar with the so-called ‘Second Issue Problem’. You have been working very hard for months on a new title, new concepts, design, great stories etc. The big day arrives and you have completed the first issue, hurrah! And then comes the second issue… for which you only have one week or one month at most…
Erik explained that from the very beginning WoodWing had focused on producing a solution that was easily repeatable again and again and again.
WoodWing also premiered their flashy new corporate promo video during the morning session. Click here to view on YouTube.
After a short coffee break the delegates were treated to a keynote from Mr Alan Oakley, News Limited’s Group Executive Editor for their Digital publications. Alan has enjoyed an illustrious career in journalism and had edited a number of newspapers in Australia including the Herald Sun in Victoria, the Sunday Telegraph in NSW and the Sydney Morning Herald. Alan’s presentation titled ‘Tablets: Changing the Game’ concentrated on the Four C’s – Customer, Content, Capability and Chaos. Tablet purchases are increasing worldwide but the smart publisher ensures they provide engaging content backed up with great design.
Adobe Evangelist and industry gentleman, Mr. Michael Stoddart, confirmed Alan’s claims in his keynote – ‘Maintain Your Brand By Design’. The web allows for a flood of information to be delivered to the consumer but a good iPad designer knows how to use typography and that white space can be just as powerful in delivering your message. Michael introduced his audience to the concept of a DEVIGNER, a combination of left and right brain thinkers to ensure that your tablet magazine is as beautiful as it is functional.
‘digital publishing is not the web. design, rather than technology, will be the brand differentiator‘
The final presentation before lunch was hosted by WoodWing’s own product evangelist and digital publishing doyen, Mr. Victor Cardoso. Victor treated his audience with a sneak peek at WoodWing’s roadmap for development of their tablet software and the value add of using industry standard design tools, such as Adobe InDesign and InCopy, to create your digital magazine.
After lunch Mr. John Fong, the owner of SeriousTec who implemented the workflow that created the South China Morning Post, Kompass and The Star Malaysia iPad apps, discussed tablet publishing for newspapers with our very own Andrew Lomas. Mr. Tony Sarno the editor of APC Magazine, Australia’s first iPad magazine, talked about the trials and tribulations of pioneering new ground whilst WoodWing’s Dennis van Nooij, the man responsible for both Content Station and WoodWing’s Digital Magazine Tools, presented his view on the evolution of the product.
But it wasn’t all about the iPad.
Mr. Chris Yates, Technology Expert and CIO of Tennis Australia presented an intimate track on the challenges of local area marketing and building an effective web-to-print solution.
The effervescent Ms. Sam Le Quesne, IT Business Manager of UBMMedica, provided excellent advice on how to manage organisational culture during times of workflow change.
Mr. Matthew Gunn, Yaffa Publishing’s dynamic Production Director, presented his case study on how the largest family owned publisher in Australia was able to win back an impressive Return on Investment within twelve months of implementing WoodWing.
Industry innovator and Business Lead Manager for the Group Apps Team at Pacific Magazines, Mr. Fraser Crozier, delivered a brilliant essay on the Importance of Workflow to delegates from as far afield as Perth and New Zealand.
The agenda concluded with a cocktail reception on the balcony of the Dockside venue where delegates were able to talk to vendors and their peers as the sun set behind Darling Harbour. All in all it was an excellent day of informative discussion and entertaining keynotes, presented by industry experts.
If you would like a copy of any of the presentations please contact Mr. Matthew Green at Creative Folks.
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