Digital Convergence Revolution drives increase in headcount

HP has once again expanded its Graphic Solutions Business (GSB) team with the announcement of four new appointments – HP Indigo Print on Demand (POD) and Industrial Market Specialist Max Kaye, HP Ink and Media Specialist Eel Keit (EK) Chiew, Channel Marketing Manager Rachael Hunter and HP Designjet Channel Manager Angelo Krstevski. Also appointed to new roles are Ben Ho as HP Indigo Channel Manager and Zoran Novakovic as Commercial and Industrial Signage Channel Manager.

Shane Lucas, Director HP Graphic Arts South Pacific said the new appointments represented an almost doubling of the team and are “to accommodate the stellar growth of HP in the graphics market and the digital convergence revolution”.

We have seen tremendous expansion across the business. The global financial crisis hasn’t affected us like so many other suppliers. HP has doubled the previous structure for GSB while others have cut back. And HP will continue to invest in order to deliver the best services for our customers”.

HP remains unique in the breadth of our offering. We are the graphic arts market leader. Our clients want new technology, greener solutions and new offerings to help them grow their businesses. They are not interested in vendors who are simply rehashing existing offerings and representing short or mid-term financial risk, they want someone they can grow with well into the future.” He continued.

HP has more products, more resources, more support and is the largest and most financially secure print vendor in the market backed by the largest IT vendor in the world. These credentials give our customers peace of mind to know they are dealing with a respected global brand that can deliver across the board. The size and scope of the business means that HP can invest in research and development and bring products to market fast”.

In conclusion Lucas said, “We continue to listen to our customers and their needs. Our GSB team is highly experienced, dedicated and innovative and I look forward to the contributions of our newest members”.

PODi Aust NZ is delighted to announce that this year PODi Aust NZ goes on tour with the Melbourne MasterClass, Sydney AppForum and Auckland AppForum. Popular US speaker, Kate Dunn (Digital Innovations Group) returns to keynote the three events, educating locals on relevant marketing, digital print and solution selling.

• Melbourne MasterClass Monday Sept 20
• Sydney AppForum Tuesday Sept 21
• Auckland AppForum Friday Sept 24

PODi Aust NZ Melbourne MasterClass, Monday Sept 20, Melbourne
USA print marketing guru Kate Dunn will have you roll your sleeves for this practical workshop on how to sell value add solutions to C level Executives. This session is for you and your key sales and management staff to better understand how to ensure print is a key part of your clients communications mix and how you can add value to their marketing efforts. Kate will help you help your clients become heroes in their place of work, and increase the value of your services. Registration from just $150. Read more and register now

PODi Aust NZ Sydney AppForum, Tuesday Sept 21, Darling Harbour
Kate will also spearhead this year's PODi AppForum Sydney, tackling the confronting topic of "Fear and Opportunities" that relevant digital print marketing presents, and workshopping solution selling. Speakers joining Kate include local favourites Michael Durie (Australia Post), Hannah Law (Switched On Media) & Grant Stewart (Vectis), who will tackle the latest in direct mail, augmented reality, sampling, transpromo and social media.
Registration from just $150. Read more and register now.

PODi Aust NZ Auckland AppForum, Friday Sept 24, Novotel Ellerslie, Auckland
The inaugural Auckland PODi AppForum will be a one day conference on relevant digital print, solution selling and print marketing for NZ printing providers and direct marketing professionals. Kate Dunn will keynote the conference and be joined by local speakers Kevin Trye (PrintNZ), Ben Goodale (JustOne) and Simon Rowles (NZ Carlson Group), who will tackle loyalty, direct mail, relevant marketing, and translating theory to practicality. Registration from just $275NZD. Read more and register now.

These events proudly supported by:

Following an extensive trip around Australia – Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and finally Perth, over a 2 week period; Optimus were delighted in the response to the launch of Optimus dash at the road shows.

‘We wanted to ensure that those companies not able to attend Ipex were able to see Optimus dash – the MIS for digital and creative media companies. Equally Australia is such an important market for Optimus we are determined that any new functionality we release is launched in Australia in conjunction with the UK launch’ says Optimus Group MD, Nicola Bisset.
Of course it is always a treat to be in Australia which we feel so at home in and a chance to buy those Ugg boots could not be missed!

Optimus dash was received by each audience with the same enthusiasm as shown by Ipex visitors and the message resonated that the functionality within Optimus dash is not only unique but can cater for any product produced by the companies within the audience.

Optimus looks forward to welcoming new Australian customers in the coming months.

GASAA has become the first association to make a "formal and financial commitment" to APIA's 'Paper – part of every day' campaign.

The Australasian Paper Industry Association is using the campaign to promote the effectiveness of printed communications and dispel myths about print and paper.

GASAA has committed a portion of the revenues from the upcoming PrintWorks 2010 Expo in Sydney in September to the scheme.

Others trade bodies are expected to follow shortly. APIA used an event in March to call on trade bodies to get behind the campaign.

APIA president Bernard Cassell said it was "tremendous" to see GASAA committing to paper and the campaign.

"The campaign dispels the growing mistruths that print is outdated and unsustainable, and that online is environmentally neutral," he added.

GASAA president David Leach said:

"When we looked at how we could financially assist, our executive felt directing funds from the industry event PrintWorks 2010 was an important way to 'give back' to the industry in a very tangible way.
GASAA, with its diverse membership representation will assist on the Campaign Steering Committee to provide input from the creative and print service provider perspective," said Leach.

PrintWorks 2010 is co-locating with Visual Impact Image Expo (VIIE), Marketing at Retail Expo (Point of Purchase Advertising International) and Retail Expo.

Some 7,000 to 8,000 visitors are expected to attend the shows, held on 20-22 September at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour.