dmg Cuts Jobs, Shows; Promotes Execs
By Staff -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 6/24/2008 5:00:00 PM
White Plains, NY — Tradeshow producer dmg world media reorganized its business-to-retail division into three teams, downsizing staff at the company’s GLM White Plains office. Dmg acquired GLM, formerly George Little Management and manager of many gift shows, in 2007.As part of the reorganization, Alan Steel, previously executive vice president and partner of GLM, was named executive vice president of business-to-retail.
Steel told Gifts & Decorative Accessories, "the B2R restructuring — which creates three teams, headed by senior vice presidents Phil Robinson and Dorothy Belshaw in White Plains, and Lori Kisner in Atlanta — will maximize efficiencies and maintain profitability in a challenging economic climate."
Steel explained that "Two key factors prompted this change. Firstly, market conditions, which are beyond our control, have led to a softening of some of our B2R industries. As a result, we are cancelling some underperforming shows and outsourcing some existing responsibilities," he added.
"Secondly, dmg world media's recently completed integration of GLM, led us to review our current structure," he continued.." This reorganization makes us more sales driven, and while it unfortunately has resulted in some staff reductions in the short term, it better positions us for long-term growth."
According to Tradeshow Executive, a trade publication, 31 employess were let go in the White Plains office. Steel also told that publication that the reorganization would have a direct impact on the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) and several other shows. As part of the restructuring, GLM named a new management team for the NYIGF.
According to Tradeshow Week - sister publication to Gifts & Dec - dmg canceled the Global Home Textiles and Global Home Décor shows, which had been co-located in Las Vegas, and terminated its management contract for the Affordable Meetings shows.
Jack Withiam, another top GLM executive, was named senior vice president and general counsel of dmg world media, while George “Jeff” Little II will remain as a strategic adviser to Steel. The company also promoted Duncan Payne to the newly created position of executive vice-president, business development. Payne, who works out of Toronto, most recently served as regional vice president for dmg’s home interest North America group.
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