Panelists:

•  Bill Streeter, editor-in-chief, ABA Banking Journal 
•  Kathryn Kuehn, director of Credit Union Periodicals, CUNA
•  Mark Fogarty, editorial director, Mortgage Group, SourceMedia

     Despite many theories of print news’ decline, switching from print to primarily online channels will likely take five or more years according to three of the leading financial industry editorial professionals.  Online content will only create more channels of information distribution.  As new generations of decision makers emerge, publications will have to change their formats to provide readers with information they are seeking in the time frame they want it.
     According to one panelist, print content will never completely disappear because some readers still like to hold a printed magazine. Furthermore, advertisers still prefer to see their ads in a printed publication. Our three panelists agreed that online media will change the way advertising revenue is generated, since online content is typically free.
     Bill Streeter shared with William Mills Agency that online visitors are more likely to visit a publication’s Web site with specific information they are seeking, rather than waiting for the print magazine. 
     Kathryn Kuehn observed publications are attempting to provide their audiences with a constant outflow of information, which causes journalist to keep up with the massive demand for information. Mark Fogarty explained that journalists are now constantly on deadline and continuingly in need of content.

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