Set Your Strategy for Effective Cross-Media Publishing

Alexandria, VA – December 8, 2009- IDEAlliance today announces the launch of its new education program designed to equip the new generation of eMedia professionals. Program curriculum and registration information can be found at http://www.emediapros.org.

As publishers, advertisers and brand owners strive to keep pace with the shifting publishing and media markets, the question of cross-media content delivery has moved from the theoretical to the urgently practical. Companies who rely on print-centric workflows have spent (some would say wasted) millions of dollars on content migration plans for Web, interactive and mobile publishing channels. At the same time, non-print channel companies wrestle with content management, DAM and digital rights issues. Many excellent tools and technologies have emerged — often utilizing XML-based standards and innovative workflows. However, the path to success is often blocked by limited understanding — often in the very people tasked with creating viable eMedia strategies!

To help industry professionals make the transition more effective cross-media workflows and content delivery, IDEAlliance has been conducting an ongoing publishers “think tank” over the past 2 years. Away from consultants and vendors, key strategists representing IDEAlliance publisher members have been tackling challenges and setting a course for the future of publishing. Based on this industry input, IDEAlliance has designed a unique technical training program to provide survival skills for the next generation of publishers.

According to David Steinhardt, President and CEO of IDEAlliance, “To equip a new generation of eMedia Professionals, IDEAlliance is launching an online certification program. This program is aimed at group or team leaders, senior-level production staff, content managers and media IT staff of corporations, publishers and media companies. Once these individuals have completed the course, they will be better able to design, specify and work with the systems and technologies essential to content publishing across print and electronic media channels. Projects will have shorter learning curves and fewer “rookie mistakes.” Above all, eMedia Certified Professionals will have a better grasp of emerging requirements within their companies, and will be better able to facilitate positive, profitable change.”

Beginning in February 2010, IDEAlliance will present a new, high-level training program: eMedia Professional Certification. The online program will be taught by recognized experts in cross-media strategy, XML tools, content management, publishing standards, DAM and many related fields. Instructors include David Zwang, Bill Rosenblatt, Bill Trippe, Linda Burman, John Parsons, Dale Waldt and Victoria McCargar.

The program’s Webinar format includes virtual classroom instruction, vendor panels, case studies and team projects based on actual cross-media publishing challenges. Among the 23 course modules, topics include:

·         The Publishing Asset Lifecycle: Making Wise eMedia Business Decisions

·         IT For Publishers

·         Content Standards And Specifications

·         XML Under The Hood: What Everyone Needs To Know

·         Metadata and the Challenges of Digital Content Management

According to John Parsons, industry analyst and former Editorial Director of The Seybold Report, "Publishers too often respond reactively to disruptive technologies, fighting a rearguard action when they should be exploiting new opportunities. The eMedia Pro certification program is a positive step towards understanding -- and profiting from -- emerging digital standards and technologies. It teaches how to ask the right questions, and how to find answers that really benefit publishers and their stakeholders."

About our Sponsors

The IDEAlliance eMedia Professional Program is sponsored by:

·         Adobe Systems:Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information—anytime, anywhere and through any medium. See www.adobe.com.

·         censhare:censhare is a leading solution provider for the comprehensive information and process management of modern corporations and media companies. censhare pioneered genuine single source publishing and is regarded as an innovation leader in the area of comprehensive communication solutions. censhare’s vision is to “Change the way you work.” See www.censhare.co.uk.

·         Microsoft Corporation:Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. See www.microsoft.com.

·         Quark:Nearly 20 years ago, Quark led the revolution in desktop publishing. Today, Quark is revolutionizing publishing again by helping customers automate their publishing process to deliver accurate, relevant, and attractive communications anywhere. See www.quark.com.

About IDEAlliance

IDEAlliance (International Digital Enterprise Alliance) is a not-for-profit membership organization. IDEAlliance advances core technology to develop standards and best practices to enhance efficiency and speed information across the end-to-end digital media supply chain - creation, production, management, and delivery of knowledge-based multimedia content - digitally and in print.  IDEAlliance members represent a unique convergence of the leading brand owners, agencies, publishers, printers, materials suppliers and solution providers. IDEAlliance provides a user-driven, cross-industry, and open environment in which its members can strategize, innovate, standardize, and implement solutions to real business challenges in eMedia-based publishing. Learn more about IDEAlliance at www.idealliance.org.

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Email: info@idealliance.org • URL:www.idealliance.org • www.emediapros.org