FAQs on the new organisation
WAN and IFRA have merged into a new organisation, the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). The merger becomes effective on 1 July. We have created this FAQ (frequently asked questions) page to give you the opportunity to submit your questions.
Just e-mail your questions to editor@wan-ifra.org and we will post the answers to them as soon as possible.
Why are WAN and IFRA merging?
The reasons are simple: the industry wants it, and a merged organisation will be stronger than each organisation alone.
WAN and IFRA have built up several similar and corresponding products and services in recent years. Therefore it is the right time to join forces to combine our strengths and expertise; for example, WAN's network of CEOs, chief editors and other senior executives and its conference, research, press freedom and public policy work combined with IFRA's network of CEOs, suppliers, and its research, training, consulting as well as its technology activities. This will allow us to develop coherent portfolios of products and services to improve member support. We also want to reduce the complexity for our members and tackle the current economic difficulties and the structural shift in the industry together. The merger represents the chance to build one strong worldwide organisation for our great industry.
How does the merger affect my membership? What do I now get that I didn't get before?
Members of the respective organisations will continue to enjoy their current benefits and will shortly be informed of the details of the future membership structure. A letter detailing benefits will be sent to members very soon.
Who do I contact about membership issues?
Any immediate questions about membership can be directed to Ms. Heide Orlich(heide.orlich@wan-ifra.org).
What will be the top priorities of the merged organisation? IFRA has been traditionally linked to technological developments, standardisation, research, colour quality, etc., and WAN has been largely known for its press freedom issues.
The new association combines the two. The mission statement sets out the priorities. It says -
As the world-wide service and representative organization of newspapers and the entire news publishing industry, WAN-IFRA is dedicated to support this industry as well as its technology and service providers:
> To defend and promote press freedom and the economic independence which is an essential condition for that freedom.
> To improve editorial quality and promote ethical journalism.
> To provide expertise and research in publishing strategy, editorial, advertising, marketing, technology, production and distribution issues to the industry.
> To provide a world-wide center for industry research and implementation and a platform for the exchange of ideas, information and experience between all parties of the news publishing industry.
> To foster international co-operation to encourage the culture of reading newspapers through the establishment and development of Young Reader and Newspapers in Education programmes.
> To provide opportunities for senior news executives to exchange ideas and information about editing newspapers.
> To represent the newspaper and news publishing industry in all international discussions on media issues.
Who is President and CEO?
Gavin O’Reilly, the President of WAN and Group CEO of Dublin-based Independent News and Media, will serve as President of the new organisation through 2010. Horst Pirker, President of IFRA and CEO of Styria Medien AG in Austria, will serve as First Vice President, and become President in 2011.
Christoph Riess (53) joined WAN-IFRA as Chief Executive Officer on 1st February. Riess, who worked for Mitsubishi Paper before joining WAN-IFRA, previously worked for Bertelsmann AG, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen and PaperlinX.
Commenting on the appointment, WAN-IFRA President Gavin O¹Reilly said: "We are delighted to welcome Christoph as the new leader of WAN-IFRA. He brings both enormous industry experience and a modern, proactive perspective on the
needs of the global news publishing industry. His appointment comes at a pivotal and exciting time for WAN-IFRA, following the merger of these two fine institutions in July 2009."
Riess will be assisted by Timothy Balding, former Chief Executive of the World Association of Newspapers (prior to the merger), who will now become the new Director General of WAN-IFRA Global Affairs, based in Paris, continuing to lead relations with member associations, governments and international organisations, together with overseeing press freedom and media development, and public affairs.
The future position of Reiner Mittelbach, the CEO of the former IFRA, will be announced at a later stage.
Where will WAN-IFRA be located?
The new organisation will maintain the two current headquarters in Paris, France, and Darmstadt, Germany, near Frankfurt.
Are there any immediate event changes?
No.