It was announced earlier today that effective immediately the Canadian Business Press (CBP) has joined MagNet as a full partner and will reduce Magazines University to a series of specific events. The move was made, said Jim Hall, vice chairman, CBP because it's simply the best decision for all involved. “If you stand back a yard and take a look at two organizations having events in the same week and attempting to attract the same audience,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense in a good economy, let alone a bad one.”

Barbara Zatyko, general manager, MagNet agreed, saying they are delighted to add the CBP to the roster. “They are going to bring their experience to the conference and make it bigger and better than it already is,” she said. “It is a logical step. Having everyone together is more cost-effective. We all agree that having a one-tent approach to professional development works in everyone’s best interest.”

Magazines University will move forward as short business-to-business related professional development sessions, said Karen Dalton, executive director, CBP. “The board is refocusing on presenting specific topic areas,” she said. “We will address circulation, editorial, staffing, online challenges.” Hall added that plans for future Magazines University events include a half-day digital media conference. “The idea is that we will do more, but smaller activities,” he said. “We are focusing on looking at the needs of the industry and building the program from there.”

CBP joins the other MagNet organizational partners which are the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors, Circulation Management Association of Canada, Magazines Canada and the Professional Writers Association of Canada. “We are quite excited to be recognized as a full partner at MagNet,” said Dalton. “Canadian business-to-business publishers will be adding to the roster to make sure that their interests are met. As a full partner we will be promoting and encouraging our members to attend this industry wide event.”

According to all CBP representatives Masthead spoke with, the partnership with Magazines Canada at MagNet will not lead to the joining of the two industry associations. “Absolutely not, that has nothing to do with it,” said John W. Kerr, board chair, CBP. Dalton added that the CBP board still supports them as an independent association with no plans to join with Magazines Canada.

Magazines University was purchased by CBP in Nov., 2008. Magazines Canada left Magazines University in 2006 and launched the first edition of MagNet in 2007. MagNet 2010 runs from June 1 to 4 at 89 Chestnut St., Toronto.