newspapers  appointments 
Stockholm, the Swedish capital, is among the world’s toughest, most competitive market for newspapers: there at least 15 of them in a metropolitan area that is home to just 1.7 million people. The circulation and advertising war is engaged on all fronts: morning quality titles, popular evening editions and, of course, free dailies – the city is the home of the first Metro publication.

At the World Newspaper Congress, to be held in Seoul, Korea, from May 29 to June 1, participants will hear what Scandinavia’s biggest multi-media company - Bonnier - is doing to succeed in this challenging, hyper-competitive newspaper market.

Bengt Braun, Bonnier’s president & CEO, will examine what his company hasbeen doing to reverse the fortunes of its evening newspaper, Expressen, while fighting back in the free daily stakes, with a different concept of a city free daily - Stockholm City. At the same time, the company has turned its quality daily, Dagens Nyheter, into tabloid format.

Bonnier, a 200-year-old family-owned media group based in Stockholm,
operates in more than 20 countries with particular focus on northern Europe. It comprises approximately 200 companies and units.

Braun will make his presentation in a Congress session that examines newspaper innovations, including new launches, format changes and new approaches to product, pricing and distribution. He will be joined by Michael Grabner, deputy chairman of Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck in Germany, and Théo Bouchat, publications director of Edipresse in Switzerland.

The session will examine their successes and look forward to possible changes to come, with analysis and case studies from the World Association of Newspaper’s Shaping the Future of the Newspaper project, which identifies, analyses and publicises all important breakthroughs and opportunities that can benefit newspapers all over the world.

From Australia Fred Hilmer, well known Fairfax CEO, will address “Building Off the Print Franchise".