IDG downsizes Computerworld, NetworkWorld
On the heels of International Data Group’s decision to discontinue the print edition of InfoWorld, Crain’s BtoB reports that the publishing company will be reducing the paper size of its two tabloid-sized newsweeklies to standard magazine trim.
According to Crain’s BtoB (which covers the business-to-business media industry),
“Given the financial pressure we’re under in mailing these things out, we thought it was time to save the money and take advantage of the new format,” said Matt Sweeney, CEO of Computerworld, in a statement.
Being on the outside, it’s hard to say if these three big decisions are related. But given that InfoWorld, NetworkWorld and Computerworld are managed independently at IDG, my guess is that this cost-cutting is a broad or top-down directive. Otherwise, this would be a heck of a coincidence.
As far as I know, this leaves IDG without any tabloid-sized publications (that is, around 10×13 inches) in the U.S. market. Standard magazines are trimmed to around 8×10 inches. No word yet how this affects the international editions of Computerworld and NetworkWorld.
While IDG moves away from the tabloid format, please be assured that BZ Media still believes in that trim size.
The 10×13 format that we use for SD Times is popular with readers and advertisers, and also provides our art/production staff with lots of room for creativity. We have no plans to downsize SD Times.
Uncle Pat doesn’t have to issue orders from On High, and in fact almost never does that. He doesn’t have to.
Instead, business-unit managers are under a lot of pressure from their boards (headed by Pat) and by their compensation schemes to reach their bottom-line goals. With print revenues declining, and cost-cutting ideas running low, they jump on the chance to change trim sizes when Pat and the Board make it known that such moves will not be opposed by the Board.
That’s all the managers need — they aren’t stupid — so they immediately jump on the bandwagen.
And of course the managers talk to one another and trade ideas.
As you can see, Pat doesn’t have to order anything. And in fact if a manager elects not to take advantage of this newly opened opportunity, s/he can, but as always the success of the unit in reaching its goals is entirely the responsibility of that business manager, whether or not they take suggestions from their boards…
–Mac McCarthy
Former IDG Business-Unit Head