WHATTHEYTHINK.COM ACQUIRES DR. JOE WEBB’S RESEARCH FIRM;

GLOBAL FORECAST GROUP FOUNDATION OF NEW RESEARCH ARM

News Highlights

• Under the terms of the agreement, WhatTheyThink.com will acquire the assets of Global Forecast Group including the firm’s library of research data, industry distribution and contact databases, and the PrintForecast.com website, newsletter, and distribution list;

  • In conjunction with the acquisition, WhatTheyThink.com announces the formation of an Economics and Research Center which will be headed by Dr. Joe Webb;
     

  • Serving a membership base of more than 55,000, WhatTheyThink.com also hosts webinars and live events as well as delivering content through a syndication program which delivers content directly to related websites and through RSS. For more information go to http://www.whattheythink.com/.

LEXINGTON, KY, AND HARRISVILLE, RI -- March 5, 2007 -- WhatTheyThink.com today announced they have acquired the assets of Global Forecast Group (GFG), a research and economic analyst firm based in Harrisville, Rhode Island. The assets will include the firm’s library of research data, industry distribution and contact databases, and the PrintForecast.com website, newsletter, and distribution list.

WhatTheyThink.com also announced that GFG’s previous principal owner, Dr. Joe Webb, will serve as WhatTheyThink.com’s Director of Economics and Research and head up the company’s new Economic and Research Center (ERC). The ERC, which will contain a mix of free and premium content, will be marketed to graphic arts and publishing executives. It will offer an online library of primary research reports, executive summaries analyzing economic trends, and related industry columns, videos, podcasts, and webinars.

Randy Davidson Quote

“Dr. Joe is not only one of the industry’s foremost and respected analysts, he is also well known to our readers,” noted WhatTheyThink.com President/CEO Randy Davidson. “Dr. Webb's has been a consistent contributor to WhatTheyThink.com since 2003, with the publishing of the first “Fridays with Dr. Joe” column. He is known for his objective discussion of industry trends and direction, and we are pleased that his role is expanding at WhatTheyThink.com. His involvement in the ERC will enable us to offer a new range of services to our subscribers, advertisers, and the industry at large.”

Dr. Joe Webb Quote

“I look forward to working more closely with Randy and the rest of the WhatTheyThink.com team,” noted Dr. Webb. “Since 2002, I been increasingly impressed with the persistence, diligence, and hard work put forth in building the WhatTheyThink.com business and brand. With only a glimpse of their plans for the future, I am more impressed than ever before. I am pleased to be associated with Randy and his team for this mutual endeavor, and look forward to a long and mutually profitable relationship.”

WhatTheyThink.com Online Media Offerings

• WhatTheyThink.com: Free content such as daily news, reports, and stock data, and Premium Access resources including special reports, executive interviews, expert commentary, research, and analysis. Go to http://www.whattheythink.com/;

  • OnDemandJournal.com: Free daily news, articles, and special reports focused on digital printing and on-demand solutions. Go to http://www.ondemandjournal.com/;
     

  • PrintPlanet.com: 18 discussion forums where professionals in the industry share technical and product information, tips and techniques, and discuss business practices, industry trends, and other related topics. PrintPlanet.com will remain a free service. Go to http://www.printplanet.com/;
     

  • PrintCEOblog.com: An informal platform for communication about current events, new products and applications, and industry leaders. Go to http://www.printceoblog.com/.
     

  • Economic and Research Center: A library of reports, executive summaries and articles directed at the top management of graphic arts and publishing firms, as well as technology and consumable suppliers, and financial and corporate analysts. Go to http://members.whattheythink.com/home/erc.cfm.

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 about emerging technology and critical events. Serving a membership base of more than 55,000, WhatTheyThink.com also hosts webinars and live events as well as delivering content through a syndication program which delivers content directly to related websites and through RSS. For more information go to www.WhatTheyThink.com.

About Dr. Joe Webb

Dr. Joe Webb is a Ph.D. graduate of the New York University Center for Graphic Communications Management and Technology. His M.B.A. is in Management Information Systems, and his undergraduate degree is in Managerial Sciences and Marketing. He entered the graphic arts industry in 1978 in the marketing department of Agfa-Gevaert, and then moved to Chemco Photoproducts in 1981 as its first market research analyst, leaving the company in 1987 as its Director of Marketing. In 1987, he assumed the consulting practice of Harrie F. Lewis, leaving in 1994 to form TrendWatch, which was sold to international publisher Reed Elsevier in 2000. In 2003, his first column appeared in WhatTheyThink.com, and he emerged as one of the industry's foremost commentators and forecasters, and most requested speakers.

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