July 12, 2024
IES Transfers LD+A Magazine to Third-Party Publisher
Burdened by $1 million in publishing losses, IES moves LD+A to Sage Publications
The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) has announced a strategic partnership between LD+A Magazine and Sage Publications. This collaboration aims to enhance the magazine's reach and continue its legacy of providing high-quality content to professionals in the lighting industry.
This change to one of the lighting industry's most prominent publications follows other recent notable developments in lighting media, involving lightED Magazine, LightSPEC Magazine, EdisonReport, and LEDs Magazine.
Long-standing Relationship
LD+A, the official publication of the IES, has had a longstanding relationship with Sage Publications. Since at least 2016, Sage has played a role in the advertising sales efforts for LD+A. This history of collaboration may have helped set the stage for the current transition.
Image credit: Illuminating Engineering Society
The IES has confirmed that key LD+A personnel will retain their positions under the new management. Craig Causer, LD+A Editor-in-Chief, along with Michele Zimmerman, Samuel Fontanez and Leslie Prestia are now full-time employees of Sage Publications, as confirmed by Colleen Harper, IES Executive Director.
IES Publishing: Gross Profits
According to the most recent IES Annual Report, publishing is the largest revenue stream for the IES, generating $1.78 million and accounting for 33% of the society’s total revenue. Despite this, it also represents the largest expense, consuming 38% of resources and totaling $2.77 million, leading to a net loss of $1 million in the publishing category. Publications under the IES umbrella include "LD+A," "LEUKOS," and "Standards & Education."
The transition of LD+A to Sage Publications is expected to significantly reduce direct employee overhead and the costs associated with publishing and distributing the magazine monthly to thousands of subscribers. While this shift alleviates some financial burdens, it will also lead to a restructured financial arrangement with Sage, seemingly transferring both advertising revenue and a major portion of the operational costs to the publisher.
Sage's Global Expertise & Future Vision for LD+A
Sage Publications, a global academic publisher with over 1,500 employees and principal offices in Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore, and Washington, D.C., publishes more than 900 journals and over 800 books annually. This extensive experience positions Sage to enhance LD+A's content and reach within the lighting community.
Bob Howard, Executive Vice President of Research at Sage, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: "We are thrilled to welcome LD+A to our esteemed portfolio. LD+A’s dedication to thought leadership in the lighting and design space perfectly aligns with our mission of building bridges to knowledge. We look forward to fostering new opportunities for content and collaboration while continuing to elevate the standard of excellence in publishing."
LD+A has been a trusted source of information, innovation, and inspiration in the lighting industry for decades. With Sage’s guidance, the magazine aims to continue delivering high quality content.
"This strategic move aligns with our mission to continually elevate the field of lighting and provide valuable resources to our members and the broader lighting community," said Colleen Harper. "We are confident that Sage's commitment to publishing excellence and global reach will propel LD+A to new heights, ensuring its continued undeniable impact on the industry."
This new partnership aims to be seamless for LD+A’s subscribers, advertisers, and contributors. The magazine will remain a free member benefit and valuable resource for industry professionals, offering insights into emerging trends, technological advancements, and best practices in lighting design and application.
