3 July 2009

Long-term future for 'SIGNS' secured

Wahroonga, New South Wales
David Gibbons

The long term future for the Warburton campus of Adventist Media Network (AMN), also known as ‘Signs Publishing Co', has been made secure.

At its 1st of July meetings, the governing AMN Committee voted to publish additional books, and purchase a new, state-of-the-art printing press and finishing equipment - all based in Warburton, Victoria.

The renewed focus on publishing, with Nathan Brown being appointed full time ‘Signs Book Editor', will see an increase in the number of books being published, printed and distributed to existing, as well as new markets.

RESTRUCTURE

AMN is the Seventh-day Adventist Church's communication entity in the South Pacific. In July 2006, Adventist Media, the Communication Department (both in Wahroonga, NSW), and the Signs Publishing Company (Warburton, Victoria) amalgamated into a single entity.
Since that time, all communication, media ministries, creative services, digital media (including web), and audio & video production have functioned in Wahroonga. And accounting, finance, sales of DVDs and CDs, and the distribution of evangelistic resources, were relocated in Warburton.

But the losses caused by the ageing press and equipment, in addition to tough financial times, meant there could be no further delay to the ongoing restructure work begun 3 years previously.

So the AMN Committee, together with senior management, commissioned an external consultant, full time, for 10 weeks during March, April and June. His task was to research industry benchmarks, establish key performance indicators, and ensure a consultative process with all staff was applied during the review.

The AMN Committee adopted most recommendations on 1st of July, including the purchase of the multi-million dollar printing equipment, to be based in Warburton.

JOB LOSSES

At the same time, five positions at the Warburton campus, have been made redundant. Appropriate redundancy packages have been provided, along with all entitlements, and the offer of counselling and career support.

If no change had been made, the Warburton campus would have continued to make significant financial losses.  But with the renewed investment in publishing and printing, it is anticipated Warburton will operate at leading industry bench marks.

CHANGES TO EDITORIAL

By the commencement of 2010, the 'Signs' and 'RECORD' magazines will be published in Wahroonga, and printed in, and distributed from, Warburton.

The 'RECORD' brand will be expanded to include broadcast and web, as well as print, delivering news and editorial to inform, educate and nurture Adventists across the South Pacific.

The print form of 'RECORD' will be published in colour, and further study will be given to distributing 'RECORD' to more church members, including those living in urban areas in developing countries in the South Pacific.

The number of print editions of ‘RECORD' will be reviewed to work more strategically with local conference newsletters as well as ‘ADVENTIST WORLD', the web and broadcast editions.

The publishing of EDGE Magazine will also be reviewed, with the intention of seeking funding from alternative sources, and/or finding alternative methods for publishing articles and news for young people in Australia and New Zealand.

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