Well it's August and since it's likely that even fewer people than usual are reading this editorial, I'm taking the opportunity to do a little housekeeping.

I read with great interest the story in this issue of Boards about Barnes & Noble's broadband initiative - the production of a series of "book videos," using established commercial production talent and a hybrid agency/production company/broadband provider to bring the project about. Those are the kinds of projects that I think represent one of the possible new directions for commercial messages outside of the traditional spot framework. This is one of the subject areas that will be examined in detail by a tasty mix of traditional and new commercial players at a conference called the Boards Summit at the end of November in LA. I recognize that conferences like this are inescapably viewed as showcases for companies, a chance for people to use their biggest words in front of a desired audience (hey I am shamelessly plugging the conference right now), but we don't want this conference to be a wankfest. Instead, it could be a great chance for people both firmly inside the established industry and those (currently) on the widening margins to discuss what's really going on now and what will go on in the next year or so that will affect everyone's business. I've heard some great ideas lately - on and off the record - about global production, interactivity and new relationships. These are the kinds of things that a conference like this can address and I invite anyone with an interesting perspective or cool project in the works to call and discuss.

On another administrative note, I'm overjoyed to announce the appointment of Boards' sassy, sly Sandy Hunter to the position of senior writer. Sandy's been here since the lean, early days of Boards when the editorial staff were sardined into one harshly lit, poorly ventilated room...oh wait. They still are. But Sandy has flourished under these conditions and has brought his own inimitable style to Boards and to the commercial production community. I remember when Sandy first showed up at the offices of Brunico Communications and, while I had little experience in human resources to that point, I was pretty sure that was not how one was supposed to behave in a job interview. So, naturally, we hired him. Well done, Sandy.

Teressa Iezzi

Editor