The IPIA will use its annual conference later this month to unveil its national print research and advocacy project ‘A New Narrative for Print’. IPIA general manager Brendan Perring will present the key findings and detail the project’s primary aim – to positively shift the perception of print among UK consumers and businesses across a range of critical factors.
The initiative has been made possible by a coalition of IPIA members – Imprint MIS, Ricoh, Konica Minolta, Epson, The Printing Charity and Citipost. The research was conducted in partnership with communications agency Madano, which mapped perceptions of the UK print industry across a range of key metrics using its data science technology and analysis tools. The study identified key influencers who significantly sway the perception of the print industry and its products, and has analysed the dominant narratives in the conversation around print.
Alasdair Browne, vice chair of the IPIA and chair of its research subcommittee, emphasised the importance of this research in shaping the future of the UK print industry: “This project is a crucial step in understanding the dynamics of our industry. By identifying the key influencers and the narratives they are driving, we can better position ourselves as an industry to respond to challenges and seize opportunities. The insights from this research will be instrumental in guiding our strategies and ensuring the continued relevance and growth of print.”
Taking place on 29 August at the MTC in Coventry, the annual conference will run with the theme ‘Ahead of the Curve’ with speakers drawn from print-service providers that have identified and capitalised on opportunities in growth print sectors. The line-up includes Nigel Clarke of Clarkeprint, Steve Wenlock of Flexpress, Ollie Renshaw of Leeds University Print Bureau, Graeme Smith and Angela Wagstaff of Allwag Promotions, and Mark Cross of Jicmail. A panel of trade press editors and journalists will also debate the most important trends shaping the print industry and take live questions from the audience.
