Post-Newsweek Announces New Name, Focus

Kyle Balluck, Washtech.com Staff Writer


SEPT.18 ? Publisher and trade show organizer Post-Newsweek Business Information said Sept. 18 it is changing its name and launching new initiatives aimed at expanding its presence in the government and business technology markets.


President Chuck Lyons said the company believes its new name, Post Newsweek Tech Media Group, more accurately describes its mission in serving the information needs of the $100 billion business-to-government (B2G) technology sector and the "exploding" business-to-business (B2B) technology market in the nation's capital.


Lyons said Post Newsweek Tech Media Group's ability to gather relevant information and offer reliable reporting for the technology communities builds on the tradition of journalistic excellence within The Washington Post Co. Lyons said the company calls the result "Smart Content."


Lyons also announced a new marketing campaign for the company, "Smart Content. Smart Solutions." Lyons said that in the final analysis, the company's business is judged not only by how well it informs buyers, sellers and managers of technology, but also how successful those clients are in turning knowledge into solutions.


Post Newsweek publications include Government Computer News, which is written for government technology managers and leaders; Washington Technology, targeted at government systems integrators; and Washington Techway, which serves the business technology community of the nation's capital.


In conferences and trade shows, Post Newsweek Tech Media Group produces more than 50 events including FOSE (www.fose.com), described as the largest, longest-standing and most comprehensive government technology trade show; and the Technology Excellence in Government seminar series.


Among its strategic initiatives, Cliff Chiet, publisher of Washington Techway, announced that Post Newsweek and Techway are partnering with the American Electronics Association to produce the inaugural Atlantic Coast Investor's Conference. That event will be held in Washington in the spring of 2001. Chiet said Post Newsweek believes Washington ought to be an international destination place for major technology conferences.


The company has also created distinct government Web sites, www.wtonline.com. Post Newsweek said a major expansion is planned for its Internet operation--an effort that has proven to be a fast-growth, profitable line of business.


The new company said it intends to capitalize on its unique relationship with The Washington Post newspaper and Washingtonpost. Newsweek Interactive, publishers of Washingtonpost.com, to turn Washtech.com into the premier site for local, national and international business technology news. The partnership also includes the international technology site and e-letter service Newsbytes.com.


Lyons also said the company's sales and marketing organization has been realigned, with one sales and marketing organization for the company's government publications, Lyons said


Scott Lewis has been named group publisher and senior vice president for Government Computer News and Washington Technology. Maxine Minar has been named general manager of government publications and vice president of operations for the entire company.


Lyons also announced the formation of a Strategic Alliances Group, and has named recent Government Computer News publisher Frank Quigley to the role of executive vice president of strategic business development.

Lyons said Quigley's staff will include directors of business development who will work in the field with sales teams to identify new business opportunities. Lyons said Quigley is also responsible for strategy, corporate marketing and corporate research.