The United Print Media Group (UPMG), the association of major publication companies in the print media industry in the country, will hold its Print Media Congress (PrintCon2019) on October 9, 2019 at the historic landmark Manila Hotel. The theme of the congress is “Printegrity”, highlighting the importance of integrity, credibility and reliability in the delivery of news and information in this medium.
“Even in this age of digital, it is of prime importance that our news content has to be dependable regardless of what platform we have it at”, according to Barbie Atienza, President of UPMG. He added that almost all of their members have embraced the digital medium and yet maintain the discipline and the values of responsible journalism. The PrintCon will also stress the need to strategize towards exploring new business models, new ways of doing things in order to respond effectively to the changing demands of the times.
The one day conference starts with its Guest of Honor, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno who will speak on “Leadership through Transparency and Integrity”. Keynote speaker will be Pichai Cheunsuksawadi, former Editor in Chief of Bangkok Post and Chairman of the Asia Pacific Committee of the World Association of Newspapers. His talk will be on “Innovation in News Media: Transformation and new Business Models”. This will be followed by a panel that will discuss “Reimagining the Business of News” which will be composed of CEOs including Alexandria Prieto Romualdez of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Congressman Martin Romualdez of the Journal Group and Angel Guerrero of adobo Magazine. Moderator will be Roby Alampay, Editor in Chief of Businessworld.
In the afternoon, Jay Bautista, Managing Director of Kantar Media Phils. will present the results of a study commissioned by UPMG on news consumer behavior. This session will be entitled “The Print Evolution: Understanding the News and Information Audience”. Following this will be another panel discussion with Sales & Marketing Executives Lucien Dy Tioco of the Philippine Star, Richard Alarcon of Manila Bulletin and Joyce Panares of Manila Standard. Moderator will be James Calapati, Business Editor of Malaya Business Insight.
The last session will be composed of heads of various advertising industry associations. The topic “Building Collaborations and Partnerships for a Sustainable Future for Print” will feature Chito Maniago, president of Philippine Association of National Advertisers, Mr. Dennis Perez of the Internet & Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines, Mr. Alex Syfu of the Advertising Standards Council, Mr. Donald Lim of Media Suppliers Association of the Philippines and Teeny Gonzales of the Association of Accredited Advertising Association of the Philippines, moderated by Ricky Alegre, past president of UPMG.
During lunch, ten recipients of the Headliner Awards, given to agencies and advertisers which have been most supportive to the print media industry will be presented. Jay Sarmiento, UPMG Vice President and Conference Chair promises a highly informative conference that is expected to spur fresh insights and impetus to spark off the industry into the future.
