Looking ahead to 2003 - Post Script - Editorial

Post, Dec, 2002 by Marc Loftus

With the relaunch of the Past Web site back in May, we've been able to maintain an even closer connection with our readers. In addition to offering exclusive stories not found in the magazine and daily news from around the industry, we've also been able to get valuable feedback through online surveys.

Our most recent online survey coincides with the December issue's "Outlook" theme, asking professionals what their predictions are for the struggling post industry in the year ahead.

While most facilities will openly admit to facing tough times over the past 18 or so months, the results of the survey were surprisingly optimistic. Sixty-six percent of Post's online respondents believe that the economy and the post industry will get better in 2003. Only 18 percent believe things could get worse, with the remaining 16 percent believing things will stay the same.

So with the country on the fringes of war and the stock market on a roller-coaster ride, why are so many so optimistic?

"This industry is full of 'can-do' people," says Steve Schupak, VP of strategic marketing and business development for Henninger Media Services, based in Arlington, VA. The Henninger facilities might be included in the group of optimists, as the organization has seen its own partial turnaround over the past six months. The facility voluntarily filed for Chapter II back in July, and after some consolidation (it closed its lower Manhattan location), is seeing promise in the areas of DVD and high definition.

Bob Smith, owner of Earworks, a Virginia Beach-based audio post house, is cautiously optimistic for 2003. "It was definitely a down year," says Smith of 2002. "Our clients are predominantly advertising agencies, and they are down 19 percent. Our business wasn't down that much, but it was still a down year. Our [region] is not a good agency market at all. I'd say 95 percent of our business is from outside this market."

As a result of the slow year, Smith says the studio will not be making the equipment purchases it normally would. Earworks has six Digidesign Pro Tools systems and has been awaiting the release of the OS X version. But for now, Smith says, "We are kind holding on to what we've got."

While the equipment upgrades may be on hold this year, Earworks' sales staff recently grew by three in an effort to increase business and bring in work from around the country.

Seems like a fair trade off.