Long-time IHRIM Publisher Launches New Publishing Firm

Tom Faulkner, former CEO and owner of Rector-Duncan and Associates, has left the firm and started Futura Publishing LLC. Faulkner became a partner in Rector-Duncan in 1970 and wore many hats during his 36 years there. He sold the firm in 2004, but continued to provide his publishing and marketing services to Rector-Duncan until leaving recently to head up Futura.

ìFor the last 20 years, I have focused on magazine and book publishing for trade and professional associations and it has been rewarding work. When Rector-Duncanís management decided to change its business model and decrease publishing activities, it gave me the opportunity to start Futura, an operation focusing100 percent of its resources on publishing for associations,î Faulkner explained.

ìIn the mid-1980s, Rector-Duncan began publishing a couple of small regional magazines, but it wasnít until 1989, when IHRIM (then HRSP) gave us the opportunity to handle their publishing, that we really began to focus on publishing as a business model. IHRIM provides so much high quality educational content for its members; I am fortunate to be able to continue to play a role in producing and distributing some of that content,î he added.

Like many businesses, publishing is going through some dynamic shifts. Describing the current state of the industry, Faulkner said, ìPublishers, large and small, are trying to find the right blend of print and digital. Although increasing postal rates are driving Web delivery, many publishers are experimenting with print and digital. There is an audience for both ñ and sometimes itís the same audience. How to provide digital and print options profitably is the challenge.î

He continued by saying, ìThe publishing lobby has battled the USPS for years to no avail so I suspect the proposed postage increases for 2007 will go into effect. Publishers will have to continue to look for print production efficiencies and leverage print and online content. Content will always be king, but how you deliver it will be the difference between profit and loss.î

Futura Publishing LLC is located in Austin, Texas and Faulkner can be reached at tomf@futurapublishing.com. Information about IHRIM membership, products and services can be found at www.ihrim.org.