Adobe Not Exhibiting at Macworld Expo San Francisco

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/03/adobe-not-exhibiting-at-macworld-expo-san-francisco/)

Macworld reports (http://www.macworld.com/article/137244/2008/12/adobeexpo.html) that Adobe will not be exhibiting at Macworld Expo this year. The company will still have a presence, however, and does plan on providing conference sessions during the event:“Adobe has decided to shift its focus at the Macworld trade show this year,” the company said in a statement given to Macworld. “Macworld is a valuable industry show and we will still be an active part of it with members of our product team involved in Macworld tracks, including a full day of CS4 demo sessions with Adobe evangelists on Wednesday, January 7.”TUAW reports (http://www.tuaw.com/2008/12/03/adobe-trimming-expo-budget-possibly-jobs/) the decision to drop out of Macworld is a reflection of wider layoffs and cutbacks at Adobe.

Article Link: Adobe Not Exhibiting at Macworld Expo San Francisco (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/03/adobe-not-exhibiting-at-macworld-expo-san-francisco/)

[Pixellated]

Adobe is a huge company, why are they affected?!

[hoppo99]

didn't know adobe were doing that badly? though these luxuries are usually the first things to go...

[Pixellated]

didn't know adobe were doing that badly? though these luxuries are usually the first things to go...

How do you class their biggest Mac-Centric trade show a luxury?

[Peace]

Sounds more to me like Adobe has a problem with Apple,Inc.

[gkarris]

But the execs are flying in on individual private jets... :eek:

(kidding...)

:D

[fendol]

They're not out, they will still make a presence.

I don't think they're doing that bad, espcially considering how they practically force users to buy and update their suites and adobe applications through their standardization and what not :rolleyes::( http://seoagora.com/img/308/s08e1024rvou/champagne.gifhttp://seoagora.com/img/589/d08l1104oulu/smiley2.gifhttp://seoagora.com/img/1261/v08t1201sxfb/cheers.gif

[Pixellated]

But the execs are flying in on individual private jets... :eek:

(kidding...)

:D

They probably are as well...

[maclancer]

The only thing I use from Adobe is Photoshop, all my video editing is in Final Cut Express!!!! :D

[plumbingandtech]

Hey, leave them alone, it takes a LOT of money to make Flash suck that badly.


:p

[Small White Car]

Remember everyone, Apple and Avid both dropped out of NAB last year. Everyone was shocked, but it really just comes down to money.

For the millions of dollars they spend on these shows, they could do smaller education-sessions all around the country and reach many, many more people for the same price.

Avid figured that made more sense for NAB. Apple agreed. Now Adobe is seeing the same thing.

Hardly a surprise.

[dolphin842]

They're probably just trying to save some costs to get in a better position to ride out the recession. The physical conference approach is on the wane anyway (dropping of Macworld Boston, Apple eschewing NAB, increasing irrelevance of E3, etc.). I'm sure if it weren't for the Stevenote, Macworld would fade into a minor conference pretty quickly.

[Warbrain]

Remember everyone, Apple and Avid both dropped out of NAB last year. Everyone was shocked, but it really just comes down to money.

For the millions of dollars they spend on these shows, they could do smaller education-sessions all around the country and reach many, many more people for the same price.

Avid figured that made more sense for NAB. Apple agreed. Now Adobe is seeing the same thing.

Hardly a surprise.

I think for Adobe, at this point, the large show presence isn't necessary or cost-effective because it is still creating relatively niche products. They can still access those people who use their software through their educational sessions and those people will continue to purchase the product.

[theheadguy]

Sounds more to me like Adobe has a problem with Apple,Inc.
There may be more truth to that than most think at first glance.

[plumbingandtech]

There may be more truth to that than most think at first glance.

But now? After all apple / adobe product releases so far? Nah.

As others have mentioned, shows are dinosaurs and money sinks, and we are in a recession and the smartest thing for companies to do is to hold onto cash whenever possible.

[Beric]

So now there's absolutely no chance of Flash on the iPhone?

[Porco]

"No, sorry, pack up the 'Flash on the iPhone' stand people, it's not happening... yeah, sorry to waste your time everyone, let's go home... "

EDIT: Aw Beric, 2 minutes!!

[eastcoastsurfer]

Adobe is a huge company, why are they affected?!

The same reason why Google has cut back. The economy sucks and people/businesses are cutting back their spending. Why buy CS3 when CS2 is working just fine?

You can also look at how everything is interrelated. When a company feels a pinch, advertising is often the first thing to go. Companies who design ad campaigns are probably some of Adobes biggest customers. Well when other companies cut back their advertising that hits the advertising company and then that his Adobe.

[Beric]

"No, sorry, pack up the 'Flash on the iPhone' stand people, it's not happening... yeah, sorry to waste your time everyone, let's go home... "

The problem with that? Flash is one of the main differences between the iPhone being a true mini-computer or not being one.

[Eidorian]

Sounds more to me like Adobe has a problem with Apple,Inc.This and what does Adobe really have to offer that we don't already know about.

It's not worth the money.

[Porco]

The problem with that? Flash is one of the main differences between the iPhone being a true mini-computer or not being one.

Yeah, I know, it sucks, I was just joking. That and copy & paste.

[Penguinwrangler]

I wouldn't read too much into this. The big trade show concept is fantastically expensive, and with everyone hedging their bets at the moment, this isn't the least bit surprising.

[IJ Reilly]

If Adobe is pulling out (only a month before the expo) I think we can expect MacWorld to be much smaller this year -- possibly down to one hall again.

[Eddyisgreat]

I would reckon there would be some cutbacks.

The figures for CS4 are still pretty strong. Its the biggest release in the companies history. Besides, time = money, and the enhancements made will increase the speed of an independent designer ten fold, and a design house will probably recoup the cost of upgrading their licenses with a short number of clients with the considerable enhancements with cross app interoperability.

/me thinks Adobe has a sizable warchest to play with, too :D

[commander.data]

Well if they are pulling back non-essential events and focusing their engineers and money on 64-bit versions and integration of future Grand Central and OpenCL features, then I'm all for it.

[sfh]

hmm... trouble in paradise? Cost benefit ratio must not have been good enough to make it happen. makes sense though

[OriginalMacRat]

So now there's absolutely no chance of Flash on the iPhone?

That's actually a GOOD thing for the iPhone.

That's a funny comment considering that I run Camino on my Mac so I can prevent all Flash from running in the browser.

[iVoid]

If Adobe is pulling out (only a month before the expo) I think we can expect MacWorld to be much smaller this year -- possibly down to one hall again.

And half of that will be iPod/iPhone cases. ;)

[econoline06]

Whatever dudes. Adobe is not that impressive in my opinion.

[econoline06]

That's actually a GOOD thing for the iPhone.

That's a funny comment considering that I run Camino on my Mac so I can prevent all Flash from running in the browser.

Flash stuff SUCKS anyway. Resource hog.

[Hrududu]

That sucks. I was kinda looking forward to seeing their stuff.

[IJ Reilly]

And half of that will be iPod/iPhone cases. ;)

It's funny because it's true.

I'm trying to work up some enthusiasm for going this year, but I can't quite make it happen.

[Di9it8]

So now there's absolutely no chance of Flash on the iPhone?
I thought YouTube was on the iPhone:D

[MacFly123]

Hey, leave them alone, it takes a LOT of money to make Flash suck that badly.


:p

Haha AMEN, favorite post I have read in a long time :D

[slu]

Wow. Some of you need to take off the tinfoil hats.

As some others have said, this is strictly a financial decision by Adobe. They don't believe they will get value for the dollars they would have to spend. And in the current economy EVERY company is rethinking participation in events such as this.

This has nothing to do with Flash on the iPhone or anything else.

People are finally realizing that many of these conferences are nothing more than excuses for people to play golf and get drunk and have someone else pay for it.

[iMacmatician]

I misread the title as "Apple Not Exhibiting at Macworld Expo San Francisco."

For a second I was really shocked! :D

[!¡ V ¡!]

I misread the title as "Apple Not Exhibiting at Macworld Expo San Francisco."

For a second I was really shocked! :D

Wait for it, there is still a month left to go. Apple just might pull out. ;):D

[rpaloalto]

Maybe their not going to give us 64-bit support. When CS5 comes out, ether. They just want to avoid any questioning.
Wait, whens in CS5 due, in like 11 months:D sarcasm

[MacsRgr8]

That's actually a GOOD thing for the iPhone.

That's a funny comment considering that I run Camino on my Mac so I can prevent all Flash from running in the browser.

Get Snow Leopard, and put Safari into 64 bit mode.... no Flash then! ;)

[twoodcc]

wow, i didn't realize how big of deal the economy is right now. i didn't think companies like adobe would pull out of macworld

[xamp]

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Adobe Systems Inc. released better-than-expected preliminary earnings for the fourth quarter late Wednesday, but said it will cut 600 jobs, or 8 percent of its work force, because of slower revenue growth.

Source (http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/9da746c259144b2416eac8f340d00dbf.htm)

Would be very difficult to justify a large exhibit cost after having to cut 600 jobs right before Christmas :(

[QuarterSwede]

I wouldn't read too much into this. The big trade show concept is fantastically expensive, and with everyone hedging their bets at the moment, this isn't the least bit surprising.
Exactly, trade shows are mostly a waste of time. I've been to one and it was the biggest waste of a weekend that I can remember.


People are finally realizing that many of these conferences are nothing more than excuses for people to play golf and get drunk and have someone else pay for it.
Bingo.

wow, i didn't realize how big of deal the economy is right now. i didn't think companies like adobe would pull out of macworld
I work for one of the biggest retailers in the US, and trust me, they are being hit hard and penny pinching like crazy. There isn't a company out there that isn't affected by what's going on.

[Kwill]

The expo floor of Macworld has become an over-hyped flea market of regurgitated technologies previously released on the Web. I applaud Adobe for having the courage to focus on what will truly be beneficial -- in-depth courses and classes -- albeit with less visibility (hundreds instead of thousands). After all, who doesn't know who Adobe is already?



(With the floor to itself, Quark will likely capitalize on the opportunity.)

[MacTraveller]

If Adobe is pulling out (only a month before the expo) I think we can expect MacWorld to be much smaller this year -- possibly down to one hall again.

I miss the glory days when there was both MWSF and MW-Boston. And then you had these clowns like Sinbad being flown in by Apple to do cameo appearances and autograph signings.

[funnyent]

so no flash on iphone. :( i didnt know that they were doing that badly. maybe they should stop flying their private jets. jk ;)

[OriginalMacRat]

Exactly, trade shows are mostly a waste of time. I've been to one and it was the biggest waste of a weekend that I can remember.

Especially when MacWorld ends BEFORE the weekend. :D

[748s]

These shows are a thing of the past.
As mentioned, apple and avid out of NAB.
Much better and cheaper ways to reach your customers.

[OriginalMacRat]

I miss the glory days when there was both MWSF and MW-Boston. And then you had these clowns like Sinbad being flown in by Apple to do cameo appearances and autograph signings.

Actually, Sinbad went to MacWorld because he is a Mac user and runs his business on Macs.

[MacTraveller]

I've been to a trade show and it was the biggest waste of a weekend that I can remember.

I'm sorry to hear about your experiences at CES.

[ra noodle]

i think the expense was the reason too, and if i am not going to far out of the subject, i am going to eventually have to get a new photo program and so many of you use such for a living etc and i was wondering in general which is better Adobe and its addons or Aperture- this would be for a general user not professional yet still would like a good photo..in view of Tiger to Leopard to hopefully snow leopard i am wondering if Aperture is a better choice?

Yes/no???

[dvkid]

Remember everyone, Apple and Avid both dropped out of NAB last year. Everyone was shocked, but it really just comes down to money.

For the millions of dollars they spend on these shows, they could do smaller education-sessions all around the country and reach many, many more people for the same price.

Avid figured that made more sense for NAB. Apple agreed. Now Adobe is seeing the same thing.

Hardly a surprise.

I had heard that Avid's pulling out of NAB had a lot to do with cash-on-hand. And Apple's pulling out was mostly to do with no longer having to combat Avid's presence.

With regard to Adobe dropping out of Macworld, it seems logical. They can catch a majority of their target users at more focused shows like NAB and the various top-dog graphics conferences. There, they can focus specific products on both Mac and Windows and still reach the audience. Macworld, I assume, was largely a bonus show for Adobe. Most users they were hitting there were already being hit somewhere else.

[AidenShaw]

Maybe their not going to give us 64-bit support.

Perhaps Adobe was planning on demoing 64-bit CS4 at MacWorld, but Apple didn't want Adobe to bring in all those $999 quad-core 8 GiB 64-bit Vista mini-towers to the show floor :eek:

[slu]

so no flash on iphone. :( i didnt know that they were doing that badly. maybe they should stop flying their private jets. jk ;)

Not to pick on you specifically because several people have posted this, but can anyone explain to me why this announcement = no Flash on the iPhone?

Because I see no correlation whatsoever.

[IJ Reilly]

Exactly, trade shows are mostly a waste of time. I've been to one and it was the biggest waste of a weekend that I can remember.

In a way, MacWorld was a lot more fun when it was just about the only place you could expect to run into more than one Mac user in any single place. You'd go for no other reason than to not feel quite so alone. If Apple's success comes at a price, it's that attending a MacWorld doesn't feel as much like a gathering of the tribe as it did once.

I miss the glory days when there was both MWSF and MW-Boston. And then you had these clowns like Sinbad being flown in by Apple to do cameo appearances and autograph signings.

Don't forget New York.

I've run into Sinbad on the floor a couple of times. I also met Jef Raskin a few years ago, which was pretty exciting.

[kbmb]

From Reuters:

Adobe cuts jobs, lowers revenue outlook

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Adobe Systems Inc (ADBE.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) on Wednesday lowered is revenue outlook and said it will eliminate 600 jobs, or around 8 percent of its workforce, due to the weak economy, sending its stock down 7 percent in extended trading.

http://www.reuters.com/article/hotStocksNews/idUSTRE4B28D920081203

Might explain some things.


I find this interesting as well:


Adobe cited weaker-than-expected demand for its new Creative Suite 4 family of products, which began shipping in the quarter, as the main cause of the revenue shortfall.

Yeah Adobe....most people don't want (or can't) shell out cash for a mediocre upgrade.

-Kevin

[BackInTheSaddle]

I'm sure this was purely a financial decision. Some Adobe bean counter decided to take a few dollars out of Marketing's budget, so they have to make do during this slump (hopefully short lived).

Conferences aren't necessarily junkets for people to play. I work with a user group and I can tell you, our attendees have very little play time. They are in technical sessions most of the day, and spend the rest of their time networking with colleagues (it may be over dinner and/or drinks). A trade show is often the only opportunity to talk one-on-one with a vendor during the year, and you can hit multiple vendors in the same venue. It's very efficient and productive. Internet chats and video conferences only get you so far-- it just does not replace personal interaction.

Sure, at a conference you can go hit the bars or the golf course, but that's your choice how to make use of your time (and chances are, if you goof off at a conference, you probably goof off at work too :-)

Never been to Macworld but I'd love to go someday when I can get the time.

[rustyjames]

Paul Kent, who claims that MacWorld Expo '09 is "his conference" has proved to be a fairly bad event organizer this year. It is no surprise to me that Adobe and some other regular exhibiters will not be there this year.

After years of attending MacWorld Expo, I registered for my free exhibit hall pass and "opted out" of any email. Having become ill and unable to work anymore, I am resigned to live on Social Security Disability Income, which means I can no longer pay for things that most can.

I have a hard time managing spam and used all of the available options to stop the spam from the event organizers including calling them on the phone several times, but it kept coming....relentlessly. I finally sent my return spam with nasty replies and demands to stop shoveling the difficult to manage spam to all listed individuals on the site, as no one listed had a title such as manager or the like. Mr. Kent raised his head and proclaimed that the event was "his conference" and summarily cancelled my registration because he did not like my anger; it seems that we have to endure the spam, regardless of how difficult it is to do so, or not have equal access to the free event pass.

Shame on Mr. Kent. I am not surprised that others are not attending, though for other reasons. Mr. Kent should be replaced with someone who makes better decisions and knows how to get the large draw exhibiters and attendees needed to have a good draw and a strong audience.

I am very angry about this and would like to hear from any others who have had similar interactions with Mr. Kent or the show promoters.

As of now, I am boycotting the event I have been attending since the 1980s.

[SFStateStudent]

Yup, Channel 7 KGO TV News in San Francisco, California, just reported 600 layoffs from Adobe's 7,000 employees. Everything will probably go up in price...:(

[BenRoethig]

Sounds more to me like Adobe has a problem with Apple,Inc.

I'm not surprised. Apple seems to be doing everything in their power to usher Adobe's type of user off the platform.

I miss the glory days when there was both MWSF and MW-Boston. And then you had these clowns like Sinbad being flown in by Apple to do cameo appearances and autograph signings.

I preferred MWNY myself. Either way, I miss having a late summer/ fall consumer show, especially for the other coast. Its just not the same having the announcements split between the developer oriented WWDC and a bunch of smaller events in the fall. Besides, there's just something about the big Apple and Apple that just fit well together.

[jnaks]

Well I think the economy definately has a lot to do with it. My old company cancelled a $1mil setup at CES back in 2002 with the aftermath of 9/11. Quick decisions happen like that when the books look stressed.

So with a big announcement like that I'm not so surprised.

Let's also not forget that adobe already had a CS4 opening party in Sept. And let's ESPECIALLY not forget that Adobe just hosted their own major conference, Adobe MAX in the same facility, no less. And noticably NOT present at MAX was Apple. So this was probably an easy withdrawl for adobe given all those circumstances

Don't forget, premier cs4 is now back on the mac. So competition is brewing amongst them again.

[emma-amme]

With the economy in depression, it is no wonder that Adobe feels the pain. We are a small company and we were about to automatically update the C3 web applications to C4 versions. We decided instead to look into alternatives and have now switched from Dreamworks to the free Aptana Studio (http://www.aptana.com/). The quality of free software has completely surprised us and without the current economic situation we would not have noticed it.

I think Adobe will have to reduce prices fast if they want to retain their customers.

[PinkyMacGodess]

You would think that with all the money that people have given them over the years, they could atleast have a booth at MacWorld...

[FoxyKaye]

Fine by me - I wouldn't have anything nice to say to them, anyhow.

[skellener]

Maybe they don't want to be inundated with support questions about all the problems between their buggy suite and Leopard when used in conjunction with servers?

[alphaod]

When I read the headline I thought it said Apple wasn't going to be at Macworld. I thought I was seeing things—I was.

[Gasu E.]

Take it from someone who has run a marketing department, trade show booths are barely justifiable in the best of times. You can do nearly as well at these shows through sessions and private suites. Really, sometimes I think the only point of the boots is to show you have a lot of money to waste. For smaller, less well-known companies sometimes a floor presence helps them with media attention, but for a big company like Adobe there are other mosre cost-effective means of achieving the same thing.

[Trajectory]

Shocking considering that Adobe's software is quite expensive. Upgrades for Adobe products cost the same price as buying a new product from most other software companies. Maybe they should lower their prices so more people could afford to buy more of their software.

[Play4keeps]

Sounds more to me like Adobe has a problem with Apple,Inc.

Exactly

[wshwe]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5G77 Safari/525.20)

I boycott Adobe apps based on principle. Their software is vastly overpriced.