The Publishers Association of New Zealand announces stellar line-up of international speakers for its 2014 conference

Elsevier chair and International Publisher’s Association President YS Chi is confirmed as one of the keynote speakers at the PANZ Conference scheduled for 31 March – 1 April at the Mercure Hotel in Auckland. ‘I’m thrilled that we will be joined by the brilliant and talented Mr Chi, who is an eloquent and well-informed speaker,’ says PANZ Vice President Melanie Laville-Moore. ‘The ways in which publishing is changing are top of his agenda, and he is at the forefront of copyright issues.’

Kirsty Melville, the President and Publisher of the Book Division of Andrews McMeel Publishing in the US, is also a keynote speaker. ‘Kirsty has taken Andrews McMeel from being niche, into an internationally recognized, award-winning publisher. There is much for local publishers to learn from her.’

Dan Caton, the President of Wittel/Morris Strategic Consulting, based in Telluride, Colorado, has been an educator for more than 40 years during which time he led the school education group of McGraw Hill. ‘PANZ is delighted to be welcoming someone of Dan's stature and experience into the conference programme,’ commented Melanie Laville-Moore. ‘An inspirational speaker, his experience of the education sector in North America is impressive.’

‘Brett Osmond is Random House Australia's Marketing & Publicity Director. Drawing upon his wide experience learned in his role as the head of Random’s ANZ digital strategy, Brett is passionate about the ways in which audiences can be nurtured and developed, and will be a wonderful asset to the programme.’

Stewart Gill, who is an independent publishing consultant in the education publishing sector in Australia, and Victoria Nash, Digital Strategy Manager at Macmillan Publishers Australia have also been confirmed.

The conference programme is one of reinvention Melanie says, with plenty of focus and debate on the big issues of the day: copyright, adjusting publishing strategies during changing times and finding new relevance as an industry, in the post digital world. ‘It won't all be about challenging our thinking, but will also provide a platform from which new skills and ideas, in a hands-on environment, can be learned. Sessions such as how to reach more schools with your content, how to build and manage a cohesive list, how to grow your audience will be amongst the ideas tackled. A separate half-day educational forum is planned for the second day of Conference.’

‘Publishing has gone through many changes over the last five years but publishing in New Zealand, despite some people’s predictions of doom and gloom, is as vibrant and inventive as ever. The PANZ Conference for 2014 reflects an industry that is adapting to the opportunities ahead.’

For further information please contact Karen McKenzie, kmacPR  

Mobile: 027 693 9044   Email: karen_m@xtra.co.nz