BCS members ask for IT in print
Shift Media publishing research reveals media preferences
LONDON, 11 NOVEMBER 2004.
Even the UK’s leading IT professionals, members of the British Computer Society (BCS), prefer paper to electronic formats for some of their publishing. New research by education and learning consultancy Shift Media into BCS members’ media preferences has revealed that the Society’s print magazine, Computer Bulletin, is a crucial element in BCS member communications.
Shift Media found that members valued Computer Bulletin for industry insights and career advice and they preferred this content in a paper format. BCS e-bulletins were seen as most suitable for breaking news, advocacy and job-critical articles, while the BCS website providing a reference archive and forum for member communications.
To reinforce the benefits of membership Shift Media has recommended the BCS adopts an integrated approach to its member communications, with clear goals and identities for print and electronic elements. “IT professionals see the BCS as a source of impartial and authoritative information, particularly on career progression,” said Shift Media’s Claire Cameron. “By making each communication element play to its respective strengths, the BCS can occupy a valued niche in IT publishing.”
Elaine Boyes, Head of Publishing at BCS, said Shift Media’s understanding of the issues involved is helping the professional body strengthen its publishing proposition. “Shift Media got to the crux of our research aims,” she said. “They understood that what we do on the publishing side is very much part of people wanting to be BCS members.”
Shift Media conducted focus group research and interviews among BCS members and non-members from different age brackets. BCS commissioned the research to coincide with new, more inclusive membership criteria it introduced earlier this year.
ENDS
About the British Computer Society
The British Computer Society (BCS) is the leading professional body for
the IT industry. The BCS is responsible for setting standards in the IT
profession and is leading the change in public perceptions of the economic
and social benefits of professionally managed IT projects.
About Shift Media
Shift Media is a consultancy that specialises in education and learning.
It conducts market research and analysis, develops business strategy and
creates multimedia materials for publishing companies, corporate universities
and the public sector. Its recent clients include BT, BBC Worldwide, Thomson
Learning, City University and McGraw-Hill Education.
For more information, please contact Jane Powell at jane.powell@shift-media.co.uk or 020 7253 8959.