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B2B Veterans Launch eMedia Strategy and Operations Management Firm for Publishing & Niche Brands

Go Forward Media Will Couple Executive Level Strategy with Cost-Effective Operational Support, Technology and Vendor Solutions

November 10th, 2008 - As web-based and multi-platform revenue streams for magazine publishers move from being important for growth to a survival necessity, a team of veteran B2B executives is launching a firm that will provide full scope eMedia strategic and operational organization.

"There is tremendous potential for publishers of all sizes to take major leaps forward in developing web-based and integrated media products," Go Forward Media (GFM) Founder and President Dave J. Iannone said. "GFM will offer these companies solid strategic leadership combined with cost-effective technologies and operational services to push their eMedia products further, faster. We'll help these companies dream it, build it -- and operate it."

Iannone is leaving his full time role as Managing Director of Interactive Business Strategy at FOLIO: magazine parent Red 7 Media to start the new company. GFM (www.goforwardmedia.com) will continue to drive Red 7's eMedia group and growth, including the launch of a major event industry portal in 2009.

Interactive sales expert Paul Andrews will serve as GFM's Vice President of eMedia Sales Development, leading client product and revenue development, inventory optimization and sales training. Chris Hebert joins the company as Vice President of Content and Operations, focusing on project management and content development. He will also manage the company's public safety clients and product portfolio.

The publishing industry is ripe for the services GFM provides. A recent FOLIO: magazine survey suggests that nearly 70% of magazine companies are generating less than 10% of their revenues from the Web, offering a glimpse at the potential upside these companies have- with the right plan.

Several other publishers have signed on with the company. Agreements will be announced in the coming weeks.

In addition to partner, joint-venture and client-based relationships, GFM is working with leading publishing technology vendors to offer dedicated and shared platforms, services and features for clients for significant cost savings. This will include agreements with leading Webcasting provider on24.

"We'll be providing a 360-degree 'Interactive Division in a Box'," Iannone said. "From conception to strategy -- implementation to growth, we'll be lock step with our partners and clients to fully leverage and grow brands online far beyond current expectations and capabilities."

The company is also working with leading social and professional networking platform Ning (www.ning.com), leading the charge to push publishing companies to turn their brand's readers into dynamic communities.

At Red 7 - recently ranked by Inc. Magazine's as the nation's fastest growing periodical company - Iannone led the launch of new career centers, professional networks, publication event sites, and web-based awards programs. This included the rapid growth of FOLIOMag.com as the dominant online news and information destination for the magazine industry. The company's eMedia revenue has doubled in the last year and continues to skyrocket.

Prior to joining Red 7, Iannone was Vice President of Interactive at Cygnus Business Media, where he led content, operational, marketing and business development across more than a dozen vertical markets. Major web launches included products in the security, aviation, supply chain and public safety markets. He joined Cygnus in 1998 after founding Firehouse.com, one of the most successful Web portals in B2B publishing.

He was one of MIN Magazine's 21 Most Intriguing People in Magazine Media in 2005. His sites have previously been recognized by the American Business Media Jesse H. Neal, American Society of Business Press Editors Azbee and FOLIO: Ozzie awards. A volunteer Firefighter/EMT for more than 20 years, Iannone is also on several boards and advisory groups in the media and public safety sectors.

Andrews was formerly Vice President of Interactive Sales at Cygnus and first was hired by Iannone in 2000 to lead online sales at Firehouse.com, driving multi-million dollar growth. He was recognized by MIN Magazine as the B2B Sales Team Leader of the Year in 2006 and serves on the board of the Fire Equipment & Manufacturer's Services Association (FEMSA).

He was most recently VP of Sales for San Francisco-based Praetorian Group where he oversaw sales for a group of public safety web portals. Prior to that, he served as Chief Sales Officer for Homes and Land magazine.

Hebert is the co-Founder of Firehouse.com and most recently was Associate Publisher in the Public Safety group at Cygnus Business Media. He Is also a firefighter in Washington, D.C.

The company will also operate FirefighterNation.com, a community that targets firefighters and is one of the largest niche social networks online. It will also seek partners to launch Web ventures in new markets.

Web design entrepreneur Sung Hee Kim joins GFM as Creative Director, coordinating a team of talented designers, developers and contractors. CMS development sage Randall Funke has been tapped as Programming Manager.

Go Forward Media is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland.