ISEM and ETM to merge - New pub planned

Internet Strategies for Education Markets: The Heller Report, Dec, 2002

The New Year is just around the corner, and it's time to do a little reflecting. It's been a tough economic time for many, and increasingly, we're hearing that companies need more guidance in finding an edge in the education market. So, to quote the old saw, we aim to please. We've been lucky at The Heller Reports. The acquisition of our company back in May by the folks at QED/Scholastic has given our editorial team the opportunity to develop some new products and services and to fine-tune some of our old classics.

"We hear one thing over and over again in our talks with industry friends," explains Dr. Nelson Heller, president and publisher of The Heller Reports. "People are looking for real, actionable information about funding, school buying initiatives, sales tactics, legislation and trends affecting the marketplace. And that's exactly where we're expanding our product offerings this year."

To accomplish this goal, we're integrating Internet Strategies for Education Markets into Educational Technology Markets, starting with the January 2003 issue. Those of you with long memories will remember that ISEM began eight years ago, back when the Internet was viewed as a developing industry that might one day stand alone. Today, we see that the 'net is simply one key facet of the educational technology market, and it makes sense to return to covering the ed tech industry in its entirety. Beginning with our next issue, Internet Strategies for Education Markets will be incorporated into the Educational Technology Markets newsletter, giving readers a richer, broader picture of the trends and developments we're seeing today.

Anne Wujcik, long-time managing editor of Educational Technology Markets, says she's really excited about the consolidation. "There have been too many times when it's come down to a coin toss to decide where a particular story belongs," she laughs. She says she well remembers when the Internet was just a 'gleam in vendors' eyes' -- but now, the time has come to go back to a global view of the big trends and issues driving the education market. "I think that taking this now artificial split out of the newsletters will really deepen our coverage," she notes. Wujcik says the integration of the newsletters will also allow her to continue making changes to the look of the publication, to make it easier for readers to find and use important statistics, the latest news on legislation, and trends in the marketplace. As always, she'd love to hear your suggestions for story ideas, as well as reactions to the changes being made. Get in touch at: anne@hellerreports.com.

Meanwhile, the New Year will see the unveiling of a powerful new Heller publication, The Heller Reports Education Insider. This innovative newsletter is geared to education market sales and marketing executives, and will launch in February 2003. The publication's mission is to offer ongoing, in-depth analysis and coverage of school buying initiatives, legislation, policy, funding opportunities, and research and statistics.

"Funding, funding, funding, that seems to be the mantra on the street," according to Andy Lacy, general manager of QED, and a key player in the development of the new product. Lacy says that he's particularly excited about getting relevant data out to the troops who need it -- the guys in the trenches who are facing an increasingly uphill battle getting their message across. Both Lacy and Heller say they see The Heller Reports Education Insider becoming the critical publication to check before--and then carry along--on a sales call.

"We look at it as our own 'just in time' solution," adds Heller, whose aim is that every issue give sales and marketing departments quotable research and data, relevant contact information, and national, regional and state information about where and how educational money is going to be spent. "It's really our goal to be of service. There are just too many important educational needs out there to let weak sales and marketing be a stumbling block for moving forward."

So, as we try and serve you better, we have a request. Let us know what you want to see in The Heller Reports Education Insider. Help us cover the stories that matter most to you by sending us your tips, ideas, comments and (yikes!) criticism. My New Year's resolution is to attempt to get it right, but hey, it's the education industry, and everybody needs to learn along the way.

Contact: Pam Shorr 781-598-3412, pam.shorr@hellerreports.com