From: Ann Shumelda Okerson <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2015 16:42:06 -0500

In answer to my own question, it just occurred to me that one
organization that monitors and pays attention to such matters is
Outsell -- many readers are likely aware of their daily news
announcements (Outsell Information Industry Headlines) and other
services and reports?  For its clients, Outsell monitors the overall
market closely and often writes about what types of transactions might
be coming down the pike.  Analysts cover the STM (Deni Auclair) and
Information Management (Jim Hydock) markets, for example.  While most
of these reports are not so easily accessible for librarians, it's
still worth following if/as we can.

And of course this whole thread began with a citation to David
Warlock, whose blog (davidworlock.com) is worth our attention.  I'm
not advertising, just listing a couple of helpful sources!!  If you
know of others, please send them along!  Cheers, Ann




On Tue, Dec 8, 2015 at 9:10 PM, LIBLICENSE <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> From: Karin Wikoff <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Tue, 8 Dec 2015 13:00:44 +0000
>
> I don't really have time to study up regularly and consistently on the
> corporate positioning of the companies with whom my library does
> business.  If I did, perhaps I could see some of these mergers and
> acquisitions coming.  Once in a while, something big will be
> happening, and you can sort of feel a change coming, but mostly not.
> Mostly it's figuring it out after the fact, as Ann says.  There must
> be sources for this kind of information out there: people who act as
> filters, people with a business or economics background who read all
> the news and watch the markets and put the pieces together for those
> of us who don't have that kind of concentrated time for in-depth
> study.  For my information of this sort, the update that Rob Karen of
> WALDO gives once a year is the best source.  It seems to be part of
> his job to watch the industry, think about what it all means, and
> share that with library folks who attend their annual regional
> meetings around New York State,, but it's only once a year.  I'd be
> interested to hear if other readers of this forum have similar
> sources.
>
> Good question.
>
> Karin
>
> --
> Karin Wikoff
> Electronic and Technical Services Librarian
> Ithaca College Library
> Ithaca, NY 14850
> Email: [log in to unmask]
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ann Shumelda Okerson <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 21:23:20 -0500
>
> These are fascinating replies -- thank you for them and any to come.
>
> But, lest there be a misunderstanding:  while I (and many others no
> doubt) can explain after the fact why XX acquired (or merged with) YY,
> what I mean to say is that the initial announcement more often than
> not comes as a surprise.  However, usually after giving it a little
> (and often not very much) thought, we can understand the underlying
> strategy.  After the fact.  So maybe my real question here is, why
> don't librarians see most of these acquisitions coming, for I doubt we
> do.  I mean, which of us pondered and figured out back at the time,
> that Elsevier's next acquisition would be Mendeley?  (sorry for
> picking on Elsevier, but I trust they don't mind).  Anyone?  Really?
>
> (Perhaps investment analysts and consultants do, though.)
>
> And who do we librarians think could be eyeing whom, next?  Ilkay Holt
> was brave enough to venture a shot at this question in her posting
> yesterday, but she may be the only one.
>
> Or maybe these questions just wrong.  Perhaps Joe Esposito will write
> up this discussion in Scholarly Kitchen and we will be enlightened!!
>
> Best regards, Ann Okerson