DAILY XPRESS TO DISAPPEAR AS THE NATION 'UNDERGOES MINOR CHANGES'

It's official. Daily Xpress, the free tabloid English language newspaper published by Nation Multimedia since 4 March 2008, will disappear next week in what are described as "minor changes" to The Nation.
A story on today's front page describes "economic reasons" behind the demise of what was Thailand's first free daily English language newspaper. The "minor changes" will see The Nation delivered in two sections and a combined pagination of 32 pages. It is currently two sections with 24 pages. The move will also shift the focus away from business, with a promise of "coverage and commentaries that will be adjusted to suit the evolving definition of news". The story adds: "It's our commitment to make our readers know better about "why" something happened, not merely "what" happened". The changes will also see the lifestyle and entertainment content that previously appeared in Daily Xpress included in a section called xp.
Daily Xpress benefited from a lavish launch and widespread distribution network in Bangkok during its early months. Recently it was rare to see the newspaper outside the confines of The Nation however within the last week I have twice seen street distribution taking place in new areas.
Renowned newspaper designer Mario Garcia was behind the original design. Late last month when news about the imminent demise of Daily Xpress first surfaced he told The Bangkok Bugle: "... design does not save or kill a newspaper. Many other factors do. In this economic environment I imagine money would be one."
I can only guess what "economic reasons" have played a part in this decision. From the outside Daily Xpress seems well advertised however I would surmise the income being generated from them is low and likely falling. Paper and print costs have declined this year so I cannot imagine they have played a part, but I'm sure that costs for distribution and content (wire service copy) are contributing factors.
The changes will happen from December 1.

H/t to Siam Politics.

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WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT

aBoat Magazine is yet another new Thai language magazine to make its debut on the shelves this month.
If the number of new launches is an indicator of the overall economy then things are recovering pretty quickly.
aBoat Magazine is published by Crews Media and Entertainment and sells for 120 baht. Actually this magazine can almost be classed as bilingual as some of the key stories are also published in English. I say almost because not all of the content gets the English treatment.
The magazine runs to 116 pages and has a very healthy level of advertising for a debut edition.

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CHARGE FOR GENERAL NEWS? NO CHANCE.

The Chief Executive of U.K. specialist magazine publisher Future has said ".. there is not a cat in hell's chance .." of charging for general news online.
It might be stating the obvious but I couldn't agree more.
Speaking to The Guardian Stevie Spring said: "If you can get it free and it's as good as a substitute, and it's as easy to get to, that challenge is monumental, particularly in the U.K. where you have got a fantastic BBC News." She added Future was experimenting to see who will pay what and how much, characterising the group's approach to digital as "do and learn", with a mixture of fully-paid, part-paid and free business models.
I think the decision process about whether to buy is the same whether online or in print. If you think it has value and is of interest then you will pay. If you can read the same, or similar, elsewhere for free then of course you will.
This is the big challenge that publishers are facing online. How to generate desirable content economically, and protect it from cut-and-paste merchants once it's out in the open.

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THE MOST POINTLESS MAGAZINE EVER?

New on the shelves this week is ForRent Magazine, a Thai language publication that contains very little besides advertising.
Could this be the most pointless magazine ever, but then again have the publishers hit on a brilliant concept - a mag with little content and loads of ads?
The magazine contains ads for real estate (renting and buying), home furnishings, fast food delivery, home security, garden furniture. .. the list is endless although things for the home seem to be a common factor. I honestly cannot think of any other magazine like this.
ForRent Magazine is good value at 35 baht for 80 pages, but I am not convinced there is enough content alongside the advertising it make it a worthwhile purchase.

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LIFE AFTER BUSINESSWEEK

Layoffs at BusinessWeek in New York were announced yesterday, and include some truly great journalists.
Regular readers of this blog will know my association with the Thai language edition of BusinessWeek magazine, so I'm sure you can imagine that over the course of the last 3½ years I've become very familiar with the likes of Steve Wildstrom, Jon Fine, Steve Hamm, Shirley Brady, Stephen Baker, Rob Hof, Amy Choi .. the list goes on. I've never met these people but I feel like I know them. All are leaving BusinessWeek when new owners Bloomberg take control on December 1. I wish them all the best of luck with their future careers.
Now seems like an appropriate time to say that I am moving on as well. I'm leaving the company that is responsible for the Thai edition of BusinessWeek at the end of this month. My move is unrelated to what's happening in the U.S and the timing is merely coincidence. My new challenge will be editing Property Report Thailand.

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CAN IPHONE APPS RESCUE PUBLISHERS?

Hardly a week seems to goes by without a newly launched application targeting publishers who want to make their content available on the iPhone. Just this week Woodwing and Newspapers Direct have been marketing their services to magazine and newspaper publishers in Thailand and elsewhere.
It seems like only yesterday that publishers were getting similar proposals for digital editions of their print products. In Thailand at least, digital editions haven't taken off to any great extent, arguably because the relative slowness of the Internet means this form of publishing cannot be fully utilised. Monkey Magazine is just one example where original overseas content had to be adapted because, according to publisher Dom Chotivanich users: ".. found it a bit slow to load on our pathetic Thailand Internet."
So are iPhone applications likely to be a saviour for the print publishing industry? Are you more or less likely to purchase content on your iPhone than online or via a digital edition? Is how you get your content important to you, or will you pay for content you want no matter what how it's delivered?

Have your say. Join the debate and leave a comment.

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AD SALES: DOES THAILAND CARE?

The Federation of International Periodical Publishers (FIPP) held an advertising sales workshop in Singapore earlier this month.
FIPP’s first ever two-day workshop in Asia aimed to help media executives and managers be more productive in their jobs and more effective in their sales efforts.
More than 45 delegates attended the event from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. There were apparently no attendees from Thailand.

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NATION GROUP: CHANGES IMMINENT

Several informed sources have indicated that changes to both The Nation and Daily Xpress are imminent, and are likely to place at the start of next month.
Last month I wrote about the changes, which are thought to include a revamped two-section The Nation with more of a news focus as opposed to the current business-centric model. The changes will also see the disappearance of the free Daily Xpress tabloid.

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AIMING TO DO WHAT OTHER MAGS DO NOT

Bangkok's newest magazine held its launch party last Thursday afternoon Do Pocazine is a well-written and well designed English langauge pocket magazine - ad it's free!
The only criticism I can offer is the front cover of the debut edition seems to be missing a certain 'something'. If anything, the cover belies just how good the rest of the magazine actually is.
Editor Oranuj Ittipakorn is banking on a strong distribution network to make this magazine a success. If the empty spaces on the display stands at the BTS skytrain stations are anything to do by she's on to a winner. Airport distribution is also part of the plan.
For a first edition Do has a decent amount of advertising and a decent amout of well-crafted stories that are interesting to both residents and visitors alike.
If Do can bring in the bucks then I think it should be around for a long time.

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POST PUBLISHING: RECORDS 23MB LOSS

Post Publishing Public Company Limited recorded a 23.20 million baht loss for the three months ending September 2009. In the same period last year it reported a 11.06 million baht profit.
Executives cited the global economic crisis and local political uncertainty for the results which were released to the Stock Exchange of Thailand late yesterday afternoon. Despite seeing increased revenues from book publishing and event organisation, there were sharply decreased sales and services income (from 445.5 million baht to 376.61 million baht).
Cost of sales had also decreased due to lower print-runs of newspapers, reductions in the number of pages and other production costs, however these cuts were unable to compensate for what executives describe as "very weak sales".
I am speculating these "very weak sales" could well behind the non-appearance of the Audit Bureau of Circulation's latest statement for sales of copies of The Bangkok Post. Historically the statement has always appeared on or close to September 30th and March 30th each year. The most recent audited figures cover the last six months of 2008 although they will cease to be valid only after March 30th next year. A further or substantial decline in sales of the newspaper will likely do more damage than the benefits from being the only newspaper with an independent audited circulation in Thailand.

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AD SPEND JUMPS 7 PER CENT IN OCTOBER

Total advertising spending in Thailand saw a 7 per cent year-on-year increase according to research released today by Nielsen Thailand.
While spending on newspapers showed a modest 0.7 per cent increase - the first this year - spending on magazines dropped a massive 22.5 per cent. Indeed magazines are now ranked fourth in terms of market share behind television (up 11.53 per cent year-on-year), radio (down 7.2 per cent) and cinema (up 59.2 per cent).
The sector which saw the biggest growth was Internet. Spending has grown 81.2 per cent year-on-year, and in October it accounted for 29 million baht in advertising spend - still a fraction of the 4.9 billion baht that goes to television, the 1.28 billion baht devoted to newspapers and the 440 million which goes to magazines.
I would be wary of reading too much into these year-on-year figures because the comparison is being made with a time when Thailand was in the midst of political instability.
In the 10 months ending October 31, total advertising spend was down 1.46 per cent compared to the same time frame in 2008. In those comparisons newspapers are showing a 10.1 per cent decline whereas magazines are down 11.9 per cent. Biggest gainers are Internet (up 31.3 per cent), transit (up 30.4 per cent) and cinema (up 14.5 per cent).

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SE-ED: REVENUE UP, PROFIT DOWN

Thai language publisher and retailer Se-Education Public Company Limited, commonly known as Se-Ed, has recorded a 5.37 per cent decline in net profit for the nine months ending September 30, 2009 - despite a 4.25 per cent increase in revenue over the same period last year.
The company, which has opened 13 new outlets so far this year, said in a statement to the Stock Exchange of Thailand that it has been affected by the global economic slowdown and other internal factors, including swine flu which had caused "wide anxiousness" and led to a decrease in spending and footfall in shopping centers.
In addition to being a leading retailer of Thai language magazines and newspapers, Se-Ed is also involved in publishing, distribution and wholesale.

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TWO MORE MAGAZINES MAKE THEIR DEBUTS

Two more Thai language magazines debuted on the bookshelves this week.
Hi5Angels, published by Me Management Co. Ltd, is a 98-page glossy title centered around the poplar social networking website. It's very much a magazine for young people but, worryingly, it seems to have just four pages of paid-for advertising in its debut issue. It sells for "50 bath".
igift magazine is a marketing and merchandising magazine published by DGP Thailand. The first issue sells for 88 baht and runs to 92 pages - 16 of which are advertising. The ISSN number - a requirement for retail magazines, appears to have been an afterthought for this publisher as it has been stuck on to the front cover as opposed to being part of the artwork.
These new launches, combined with the countless others during the course of the year so far, indicate the fact that print media is a long way from "fading away", as suggested by one media expert earlier this week.

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THAILAND'S HISTORY IN HEADLINES

A new book has been published that depicts major events in Thailand since 1946 through newspaper headlines.
Chronicle of Thailand, published by Editions Didier Millet and Post Publishing, features 1,800 images, illustrations and cartoons in addition to 2,300 headline stories.
Dr. Wissanu Krea-Ngam, Chairman of the Editorial Advisory Board and former Deputy Prime Minister, says: "The book offers, in a visually exciting format, a view of events as they unfolded including the coronation of His Majesty, the Vietnam War, the October 1973 uprising, economic booms, great sporting moments, unforgettable tragedies, as well as quirky aspects of daily life just happening to make headlines."
The 444-page volume will be available in bookshops throughout Thailand and via Amazon from 18th November. The cover price is 1,450 baht.

Thanks to Absolutely Bangkok for the information.

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PRINT TO "FADE AWAY" SAYS EXPERT

Magazines and newspapers in Thailand are expected to "fade away", according to Khun Kanokkarn Prachongsaengsri, deputy director for research and information analysis department, IPG Mediabrands.
Khun Kanokkarn was quoted in The Nation yesterday as saying that "a higher number of readers of newspapers in Thailand were accessing e-news, and even more if there were heated political developments, and the trend is quite the same for e-magazines."
I strongly disagree with Khun Kanokkarn's assertions.
It's a fact that advertising spending on print media has declined this year, however the number of new publications appearing has, if anything, increased this year. There are no official figures but I'm seeing an average of at least 10 new magazines each month at the moment.
Another fact is that advertisers and media buyers are not supporting the online ventures of the traditional publishers to any great degree. Ad spend online accounts for a fraction - less than one per cent - of all advertising. Until that changes there will be no seismic shift away from print.
Internet penetration also remains low and, for many, expensive. The only way to get news to much of the Kingdom is by television, radio and print.
It's true that print publishers are facing challenges and are increasingly making use of online tools to spread reach their readers and their brands, however to say the industry is 'fading away' is simply not true.

Have your say. Do you agree with Khun Kanokkarn that print will disappear? Why are new print launches in Thailand increasing? How can publishers ensure their online activities generate revenue? Leave a comment and join the debate.

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TWO FREE MAGS TARGET BACKPACKERS

Backpackers are firmly in the sights of two free English magazines I discovered for the first time last weekend. Both magazines appear to have debuted earlier this year and are seemingly in direct competition.
Backpacker South East Asia is bi-monthly and the current November-December edition runs to 50 pages. It boasts a lot of advertising, to such an extent that it feels as though the text, in some places, is too cramped. The content would, I imagine, be useful for anyone planning a trip to Thailand, not just backpackers.
Khaosaner is a smaller, monthly magazine. The November edition runs to 30 pages but, like Backpacker it's also heavily advertised. The thing that lets this magazine down is its use of English. It's obviously not had the benefit of a native English proofreader.
Both magazines, understandably given their target readers, are available around Khao San Road and other areas frequented by backpackers and budget travellers in Bangkok. Both would also do well to consider overseas distribution for those planning trips to this part of the world. Although an added expense it would likely result in wider exposure and, in turn, additional advertising revenue.

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NATION GROUP: 16.74MB OPERATING PROFIT

Nation Multimedia Group Public Company Limited has recorded a pre tax profit of 16.74 million baht for the three months ending September 30, 2009. After allowances for obsolete stock and income tax the company reported a small 3.34 million baht loss. This compares to a 57.36 million baht loss for the same period in 2008.
In details released to the Stock Exchange of Thailand today the company reported a decline in print advertising of 21 per cent from the same period last year, however there increases in advertising revenue from its television operation (up 45 per cent) and new media (up 149 per cent).
Revenues from newspaper circulation were down 14 per cent whereas circulation revenues from comic books, magazines and pocket books dropped 44 per cent. There was a 38 per cent decline in revenues from printing and logistics.
however cost of sales and operating expenses were also down, largely driven by a 56 per cent drop in sales promotions expenses and a 27 per cent decline in paper and production costs.

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TWO NEW LICENSED MAGS FOR THAILAND

Two local language editions of global magazines made their debuts in Thailand last weekend.
Martha Stewart Living is published by Post Publishing and sells for 100 baht. The debut November edition runs to 168 pages, a mere 16 of which would appear to be paid-for advertising. The magazine is bright and airy, and looks to be taking most of its content from the U.S. parent edition. I'm assuming the level of local content will increase over time.
When this deal was announced in mid-August I questioned whether Martha Stewart has any kind of brand image in Thailand? Nothing I've learned since then has changed my view that she's not significantly well known here to make this magazine compulsory reading. I've shown this magazine to a few people in the last couple of days and their reaction has always been "Who is Martha Stewart?'
Also making its debut this week is the Thai edition of the popular football magazine Four Four Two. This is also the 12th edition of this magazine brand to appear around the world.
Published by Plus One, the debut November edition sells for 100 baht and contains 126 pages - just 13 of which would appear to be revenue-generating.
This magazine appears to include a much greater percentage of local content. There's an interview with British Ambassador and West Brom fan Quinton Quayle, as well as a decent level of coverage from the Thai Premier League and cup final.
One criticism, which can be leveled at a lot of magazines, is the increasing amount of "lifestyle" content appearing. It's included because, in many cases, advertisers demand it but it detracts from the overall concept, in my view.

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NO PROBLEMS FOR THE ECONOMIST

Copies of this week's edition of The Economist (November 6-14th) have been distributed to subscribers and bookshops as normal, despite my earlier predication that it might face problems.
The story in question. "Financial scandals in Thailand: Getting Their Man", makes mention of the rumours that sparked a seven per cent fall in the Stock Exchange of Thailand last month. It also goes one step further when describing those rumours concerning His Majesty the King, and that was my reason for thinking this edition would face problems.
I was wrong, and copies are on sale as normal his week for 230 baht.

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A PREDICTION ABOUT THE ECONOMIST

I'm almost certain this week's edition of The Economist will yet again face distribution problems in Thailand.
Given the events of this week that have seen three people arrested for allegedly disseminating "false" news reports that led to a fall in the Stock Exchange of Thailand, combined with the magazine's track record that has seen distribution of the print edition in Thailand disrupted six times in 2009 to date, you don't need to be a genius to see how a story in this week's edition is likely to cause the problems.
In the past the publishers have sometimes taken the decision to halt distribution of the magazine without the need for the two distribution companies responsible for subscriber and news trade copies inside Thailand having to make a decision. It wouldn't be a surprise to see that happen on this occasion too.

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WHAT ON EARTH IS A "PRE-FIRST ISSUE" ?

Twelve is the latest magazine to join the throngs of Thai language titles on the shelves. The quarterly magazine, which sells for 90 baht and is published by Forever Yours Co. Ltd. is focused on lifestyle, fashion and entertainment issues.
But what makes this magazine unique is the fact that the current October-December edition is dubbed the "pre-first issue"? What on earth is that about? Why not just call it the first edition because it's freely available on the newsstands throughout Bangkok?
Sadly that's the only thing that is unique about this magazine. The content certainly isn't, and there's not much to differentiate this magazine from scores of others in this sector. That's probably reflected in the fact there are just 10 ad pages within the 152-page inaugural edition.
I hate to be critical because I know how much work goes in to producing any magazine, but you really have to give your readers a reason to buy, and in this case I can't see anything that will make this magazine a "must have".

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CARABAO ROCKER VENTURES INTO MAGS

Coffee Break Magazine by Thierry is another new Thai language magazine to make its debut this week. Thierry is Thierry Mekwattana, a guitarist and vocalist with Carabao - the most popular Thai rock group of all time according to Wikipedia.
Celebrity-backed magazines are not unusual in other parts of the world however they're still a rarity in Thailand. The name alone is often enough to sell copies of the magazine and advertising. That's shown here by the fact there are a healthy 22 ad pages within the 86-page debut November edition.
The magazine sells for 60 baht, interestingly has two editors-in-chief (Thierry being one) and is produced by Creative Revolution Business Entertainment Co. Ltd.

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MY NEW FAVOURITE TELEVISION CHANNEL

The Panda Channel is a newly launched offering from True Visions in Thailand (on channel 18 for those interested). I hate to say it but I'm addicted after just one night of viewing.
Like most of Thailand I've become a fan of panda cub Lin Ping. She was born on May 27th in the northern city of Chiang Mai and is the first panda to be born in Thailand.
I've got Lin Ping postcards, a key chain, several stuffed toys, a couple of magazines and a book, and now I can keep an eye on her and her mother Lin Hui 24 hours a day, even from the Internet here.
I grabbed this cute picture at 11.30pm last night while Lin Ping was having a late night snack.

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TRANSLATIONS IN THE MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

The Royal Thai Police arrested two people on Sunday for allegedly violating the Kingdom's Computer Crimes Act by supposedly re-posting media reports surrounding the decline in the Stock Exchange of Thailand more than two weeks ago. For more analysis and reports you might want to check Bangkok Pundit, The Nation and the Wall Street Journal.
Much has already been written, however one point that has been totally missed is what these two people are supposed to have done - publish word-for-word translations of foreign news reports - is a breach of copyright. (See ADD below).
In the case of the Bloomberg news report I have to declare an interest because that company recently announced a deal to purchase the BusinessWeek brand. I'm working for the company which has the rights to the BusinessWeek brand in Thailand, so when the deal is finally concluded and BusinessWeek and Bloomberg are one entity any word-for-word Thai language translations would have a direct commercial impact on my company.
I understand this might seem harsh in the big picture of what's happening now, but I can tell you for a fact that some of the world's leading English language publishers are taking much more of an interest in the Thai language media because incidents such as what is suggested to have happened here are happening constantly.
Ultimately I think it will just take one publisher's legal enforcement of their copyright in Thailand to bring this matter to much greater prominence.

ADD: Bangkok Pundit has pointed out that these examples were not word-for-word translations. One was about half and the other was four lines, he says. There is no clear definition in Thai law of how much of an original story can be translated (without additional comment) before it becomes a copyright infringement. Several lawyers I have spoken to suggest it would likely be in the 80-90 per cent region.
Colleagues have shown me examples, both in regards to this news and on other occasions, where word-for-word translations have been published on Thai language websites and by the Thai language media. And as The Nation says today with regards to the current incident : "The post combined Bloomberg news in English and the translation in Thai, paragraph by paragraph."
It happens a lot.

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MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO HIS MAJESTY

On October 23rd His Majesty the King made a brief public appearance at Siriraj Hospital, his first since being admitted to the Bangkok hospital on September 19.
Just seven days later the Siam Sports organisation has published a colourful 54-page magazine full of pictures of that appearance, along with the updates from the Royal Household regarding the health of His Majesty, the world's longest-serving monarch, and front page cuttings of coverage of the event from Thailand-based newspapers.
Thailand's publishers are often quick to produce magazines to mark significant or historical events. This special edition is on sale for 80 baht.

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NEWS WEEKLIES FOCUS ON HIS MAJESTY

Thailand's three major news weekly magazines all lead this week with pictures of His Majesty the King during his recent public appearance on October 23rd at Siriraj Hospital.
Pictured from left are the recently launched ASTV Manager, Matichon and Nation Weekend. ASTV Manager in particular does a good job as its cover separates to form a large poster with more images of His Majesty.

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FROM YOUR POCKET TO THE PUBLISHER

Yesterday I purchased a copy of the latest November edition of one magazine.
Many publishers have no option other than to use a distribution company to handle the process of getting magazines to the bookshops, but it might surprise you to know that my 150 baht - less the commission payable to the shop and distributor - will not hit the publishers' bank account until the end of February!
Most distribution companies operate a '90-day credit' period following the magazine going off sale, which in the case of monthly magazines is at the end of each month. Note it's the distribution company that stipulates the credit period to the publisher.
One reason for what seems like an extremely long wait to get paid is that it takes some bookshops a long time to return unsold copies to the distributor, and hence complete the accounting process.
You need deep pockets to be a magazine publisher in Thailand.

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