World Newspaper Congress

Newspapers: A Multi-Media, Growth Business

The 2008 summit meetings of the world's press take place in a country which in many ways has a unique place in the history of newspapers - and even today continues to set landmarks for their continued development and growth.

Sweden gained press freedom as early as 1766, a right soon enshrined in its constitution. It claims the oldest daily publication in the world - from 1645. Much closer to our times, it is the home of the first and biggest free daily group, Metro. Swedish titles also have one of the highest sales penetrations in the world and, a rare phenomenon, men and women read the press in almost equal numbers.

Today, the Swedish press has embraced innovation and the Internet age with enthusiasm: newspapers shifted from broadsheet to compact format long ago; the multi-media activities of press groups are among the most advanced in the world, whether in terms of Internet editions, convergence, the exploitation of mobile devices, or of web TV. From time to time billed as the high-tech capital of the world, Sweden has yet one more top spot in media league tables: Internet takes a higher share of the advertising market - 12 % - than anywhere else.

What better place to hold the 2008 World Newspaper Congress as we look at 'Newspapers: A Multi-Media, Growth Business'? Print publications remain the core activity of press companies, generating most of their profits and proving remarkably resilient against the onslaught of other information channels. At the same time, the Internet is allowing newspapers to significantly extend their audiences and reach and to dominate their markets as never before. How best to exploit the multi-media opportunities now open to newspapers will be at the heart of the presentations and debates in Göteborg.

As each year, the conference will provide a unique panorama of trends and innovations in newspapers world-wide and an unmatched opportunity to meet and network with colleagues in the press business from every culture, region and major market.

Who is the Congress for?

The Congress is a 'total' newspaper event bringing together over 1,500 publishers, chief executives, managing directors - and the most ambitious managers from all levels of the industry, from at least 110 countries. Suppliers of services to newspapers are very welcome, whether as exhibitors or participants.

More on the World Association of Newspapers at
www.wan-press.org or
e-mail to tbalding@wan.asso.fr

Program and more information