“MPA Digital: Swipe” Conference Set for March 20

January 3, 2012

“MPA Digital: Swipe,” Magazine Media Conference
Examining Tablets, Apps and Mobile Devices, Set for March 20

New York, NY (January 3, 2012) – “MPA Digital: Swipe,” the premier conference for magazine media professionals spotlighting tablets, e-readers, apps and mobile devices, will be held March 20, 2012, at the Grand Hyatt New York, it was announced today by Nina Link, President and CEO, MPA – The Association of Magazine Media.  The 2012 conference chairperson is Terry McDonell, Editor of the Time Inc. Sports Group. 

“A year ago, the market was dominated mainly by dedicated e-readers,” said Ms. Link, “Since then, we’ve seen dramatic technological advances and exciting product introductions.  In the last two months alone, new tablets have hit the market that are already having a profound impact on magazines and all forms of media.  This conference is designed to help attendees capitalize on rapidly shifting consumer habits in buying and reading magazine-branded tablet content and to leverage the mobile platform with advertisers.”

Panels at “MPA Digital: Swipe” include:

• Fire and Reign.  Can the Kindle Fire end iPad’s reign as the world’s most popular tablet?
• How Social Magazines Can Help the Magazine Business. This panel will examine the success and popularity of social magazine-like apps such as Flipboard, Zite, NewsMix and Google Currents – and how they can help traditional magazine brands.
• What’s Your Type?  Find the Right App Strategy for Your Brand. Magazine editors and art directors are facing a vast array of choices picking the right app for their brand.  Should it be an original design or a digital replica of the magazine?  When should readers swipe, tap or scroll?  What are the cost implications for each choice?
• Top Things to Know About the Digital Newsstand.  This panel will examine the latest developments on the digital newsstand and offer details on all the players.
• You’ve Sold an Ad for Your Tablet Edition – Now What? Selling an ad for the tablet edition of your brand is just the first step in a process.  Who creates the ad?  What is the best placement?  What’s the value of interactivity? Answers and insights will be provided.

MPA Digital:  Swipe” will also examine the latest crop of tablets available to consumers, from ultra-cheap $100 devices to the most advanced and expensive tablets.  The conference will spotlight the best magazine media apps and feature practical advice from seasoned pros in the app trenches.

Additionally, “MPA Digital: Swipe” will feature ASME's third annual National Magazine Awards for Digital Media – the Digital Ellies – to be presented during a gala luncheon immediately following the conference. 

Visit www.magazine.org/digitalconference for more information. For the latest speaker and panel updates, follow @mpamagmedia on Twitter and be sure to use #mpadigital to join the conversation.