Europe's magazine publishers welcome new president for their representation

EMMA President, Auke Visser

Members of the European Magazine Media Association, EMMA, welcome Auke Visser as the new EMMA President, effective as from today. He succeeds David J. Hanger, who is retiring following his nine-year tenure as President of the European association, which represents more than 15.000 magazine publishers publishing over 50.000 titles in both print and digital.

Auke Visser brings to EMMA many years of experience of working in Europe’s publishing sector. He was the marketing manager of various magazines for the Dutch media company VNU and CEO of the VNU publishing company De Geïllustreerde Pers and the ad sales company Admedia. The magazine division of VNU was sold in 2001 to Sanoma WSOY. Following his role as publishing director of all Dutch magazines of Sanoma Magazines NL, Auke was appointed as CEO of Sanoma Men’s Magazines. He spent 17 years as the President of the Dutch Magazine Publishing Association (NUV). Auke was also actively involved in EMMA as Vice-Chairman of its Corporate Advisory Group between 2008 and 2013.

Upon handing over his role today, David said: “To work for Europe’s magazine sector with the European membership network and all three EU institutions has always been a very exciting, often challenging and in every respect enriching task. During these years I have been privileged to meet and to work with many quite exceptional people. EMMA has an important role to play in helping the sector overcome regulatory challenges and promote its sustainability, which is so crucial for promoting knowledge, open debate and democracy. I have no doubt that EMMA will continue to be an excellent advocate for Europe’s magazine media in the years ahead.”

David Hanger enjoyed a long and influential career at The Economist, culminating in the roles of Publisher and Board Director. Later he took on the role of Publisher and CEO of Prospect Magazine where he is still a consultant. He is leaving his role as President at a strong point in EMMA’s existence.

After David’s nomination as President of EMMA (then known as “FAEP”) in November 2005, he has overseen a number of accomplishments, including accepting the award for “Trade Association of the Year” in 2008 by EPAD. Under David’s leadership the organisation contributed in a focussed and constructive way to a regulatory environment aiming to facilitate a free, independent, diverse and vibrant press across Europe. He guided the organisation through a re-launch process in 2011, when it was renamed the European Magazine Media Association, EMMA. Furthermore David introduced the innovative think tank initiative Future Media Lab., a platform for media experts, stakeholders and politicians to anticipate Europe’s future media landscape and draw conclusions for the legislative work relevant to Europe’s media.

Auke is very much looking forward to this new task: “I am honoured to take over the role as President of the European Magazine Media Association, EMMA. I would like to thank my predecessor David Hanger who managed to transform the European representation into an innovative and well respected organisation across the EU. I am looking forward to supporting the excellent EMMA team and the EU wide network of magazine publishers to get their voice heard vis-à-vis the EU Institutions. I am interested in a constructive dialogue about the future of magazine publishing and would like to invite publishers, relevant stakeholders and politicians to join this conversation.”

EMMA represents publishers of consumer magazines, special interest titles, business-to-business publications and scientific journals continuously investing in innovative formats, new business models and quality content. They are driving innovation across all platforms – print, online and mobile. EMMA’s objective is to maintain a free, independent, diverse and vibrant press in Europe. Therefore EMMA is working towards an appropriate regulatory framework and fair competition.

This includes strong copyright rules, extending the reduced VAT rates from print to digital, shaping data protection rules so that they do not hamper a free press, support advertising self-regulation rather than introducing advertising bans and restrictions and ensuring a non-discriminatory and fair access of publishers to all digital platforms.

The EMMA President Auke Visser will host the EMMA Media Night on 18 November 2014 in Brussels, when Europe’s magazine sector invites key stakeholders to celebrate Europe’s magazine media.

Additional information about the European Magazine Media Association can be found online: www.magazinemedia.eu.

Contact:

Karin Fleming
Communications and Administration Officer
EMMA

karin.fleming@magazinemedia.eu
+32 2 536 06 07