The advertising recession continues in many regions of the world, with only timid signs here and there of recovery. As the experts debate whether a cyclical upturn for newspapers is just around the corner, or whether the really good times are gone for the foreseeable future (and perhaps even for ever), publishers must simply get on with the job of living with less advertising income and exploiting all possible avenues for new revenue streams.

At the 2003 WAN Congress, the debate raged about whether the current challenges - financial, managerial and technical - required the creation of new newspaper business models to ensure success and prosperity in the coming years. At the same time, more focus than ever before was put on circulation issues, as the decline in newspaper sales appears to be accelerating in many mature markets, with potentially damaging effects on the bottom line.

Istanbul 2004 will take over where Dublin 2003 left off, with an outstanding line up of leading CEOs presenting the successful strategies they are employing to win and prosper in the new environment.

Special attention will be given to the new advertising concepts that newspapers need to embrace to win the maximum amount of business and to ‘best practice’ employed at the most efficient, effective, economic and enterprising newspapers companies. Circulation issues will again be in sharp focus, with a special session examining newspapers that are reversing the general trend towards readership decline.

As each year, the conference will also provide a unique panorama of trends and innovations in the press worldwide and an unmatched opportunity to meet and network with colleagues in the newspaper business from every culture, region and major market.

Two new features will complete the Istanbul programme: a special workshop on the unique challenges for newspapers in emerging markets; and a ‘masterclass’ on the WAN Shaping the Future of the Newspaper project and the solutions it can provide for publishers.

Who is the Congress for?

The Congress is a “total” newspaper event, bringing together publishers, chief executives, managing directors, editors - and the most ambitious managers from all levels of the industry. Suppliers of services to newspapers are welcome.