drupa initiative tailored to print buyers

With the drupacube, drupa 2008 will for the first time provide a special event aimed at the print buyer target group. As will be the case in the 19 halls, here too the spotlight will be on printed products – with one key difference. At the event inside the pavilion, the focus will be squarely on marketing-driven applications for printed products.  The technology that makes this possible will play a subsidiary role. This shift in perspective offers the advantage that heads of marketing and publishing directors, production managers, account executives and creative directors will be able to take in print’s potential in the marketing mix in a compact format.

‘With this tool, we intend to attract print buyers to drupa 2008 in greater numbers. Undoubtedly, many of the exhibitors also have products that cater to this target group. But at a technology fair of drupa’s kind, this type of information is often in danger of being drowned out,’ said Manuel Matar, drupa project director. ‘The drupacube acts as a portal for print buyers by serving up concise infotainment on all things print communications and guiding them to exhibitors’ stands.’

The diversity of the print buyer target group will be matched by the multifaceted offerings in the drupacube. Symposia and workshops will tackle the most varied topics, with each day dedicated to a specific area. As an example, one day will be given over to newspapers and/or magazines, others to direct marketing, catalogues and corporate communications. Also in the pipeline are cross-sectoral symposia, addressing for instance, brand protection, green printing and the relationship between the arts and print. 

‘We plan to engage people in the topics they have to deal with every day,’ explained Matar. To ensure this, the relevant associations have been called on to assist with the planning and design and the following associations have already committed to the project: the German Direct Marketing Association – (DDV), Forum Corporate Publishing (FCP) and the Media Production Association (f:mp). Newspaper, magazine and free sheet publishers have also given their support to the concept. In addition, talks are underway with numerous drupa exhibitors on how their print-buyer-relevant information can be combined with the offerings in the drupacube.

One of the chief attractions of the drupacube will be its location off the actual fairgrounds but in their immediate vicinity – that is, in front of the Congress Centre South, on the banks of the Rhine.  The site of the drupacube sets it apart, making it clear that it serves as a separate access point to the trade fair for a specific target group.

The latest updates on the drupacube and its program can be found at www.drupacube.com