New UPMG officers push for print’s connectivity

THE PHILIPPINES, JANUARY 30, 2012: The United Print Media Group will demonstrate print’s enduring power in the face of digital media’s relentless onslaught in its 10th year under the new leadership of BusinessMirror’s Ricky Alegre.

Alegre assumed the UPMG presidency from Pepito Olarte of the Philippine Daily Inquirer at a ceremony to induct new officers on January 24 held at the Manila Hotel.

The new president said his first order of business would be to anchor activities around the theme ‘Print Connects’ to demonstrate the medium’s ability to do so even in the digital age. The task represents a “full circle” for Alegre who started as a cub reporter before climbing up the editorial rungs and moving to handle BusinessMirror’s corporate affairs.

Accordingly, Alegre said key UPMG activities for the year would include the third Tinta Awards that recognized creativity in print ads and the second Print Media Congress.

 

UPMG’s theme was expounded on during the event by new PRO Angel Guerrero of adobo magazine in her opening remarks. Guerrero discussed how digital had created new opportunities for print, a medium that has benefited from the trust it has built with readers over decades.

“Digital has in fact opened the door for publishers to tap upscale readers. But they have become more discerning, differentiating between robust, original content and information churned out or, worse, regurgitated for the sake of filling an empty space,” said Guerrero.

 

The induction ceremony was due to be headlined by Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay as keynote speaker. But as Binay was called away, he sent former senator and congressman Kit Tatad to deliver his speech on print media’s role for good governance. A journalist in his previous life, Tatad was the best choice to fill in the keynote role, said Alegre. “He understands print media more than anyone else in this room,” said Alegre.

Tatad’s keynote affirmed print’s role in nation-building through its power to connect Filipinos abroad. A known defender of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), Binay thanked UPMG’s member publications for raising awareness on the plight of OFWs, giving special mention to the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s OFW Section in the Sunday edition. Despite the praise, Binay expressed his wish to see more positive news on OFW achievements.

 

For the ceremonial induction, Advertising Board of the Philippines (AdBoard) chairman Andre Kahn swore in the new set of UPMG officers for 2012-2014: vice president Barbie Atienza (Manila Bulletin head of external affairs; secretary Jay Sarmiento (The Philippine Star); treasurer Vivienne Motomal (The Journal Group); PRO, Angel Guerrero (adobo magazine); auditor Ron Tamayo (Abante), and directors, Noel Godinez (Asian Journal), Danny Ocampo (BusinessWorld), and Doris Bermudez (Hinge Inquirer Publications).

Five new members were also inducted into the 200-member strong organization: Clavel Magazine, Hoy! Metro, Pref Media Group, Mediawise Communications, and Media Central.