Introduction
PLUNKETT'S ENTERTAINMENT
& MEDIA INDUSTRY ALMANAC, the fifth edition of our guide to the entertainment
and media field, is designed as a general source for researchers of all types.
The data and areas of interest covered are intentionally broad,
ranging from the most important trends in the entertainment and media industry, to emerging technologies,
to an in-depth look at the 400 major firms (which we call "THE ENTERTAINMENT 400") within the many sectors that
make up the entertainment and media industry, such as book, newspaper and magazine publishing; electronic games; gambling
and casinos; retailers, such as bookstores, of entertainment and media products; radio; television, including broadcast,
satellite and cable; movie production and distribution; movie theaters, publishers of databases and much more,
including related services, hardware and software.
This reference book is designed to be a general source for researchers.
It is especially intended to assist with market research, strategic planning, employment searches, contact or prospect
list creation (be sure to see the export capabilities of the accompanying CD-ROM that is available to book and eBook buyers)
and financial research, and as a data resource for executives and students of all types
PLUNKETT'S ENTERTAINMENT
& MEDIA INDUSTRY ALMANAC takes a rounded approach
for the general reader. This book presents a complete overview
of the entertainment and media field (see “How To Use
This Book”). For example, the impact of the Internet upon
entertainment is discussed in exacting detail, along with easy-to-use
tables on all facets of entertainment and media in general,
from the types of services involved to names and descriptions
of the divisions and affiliates of the major firms within this
industry..
THE ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA
400 400 is our unique grouping of the biggest, most
successful corporations in all segments of the entertainment
and media industry. Tens of thousands of pieces of information,
gathered from a wide variety of sources, have been researched
and are presented in a unique form that can be easily understood.
This section includes thorough indexes to THE ENTERTAINMENT
400, by geography, industry, sales, brand names, subsidiary
names and many other topics. (See Chapter 4.)
ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA
INDUSTRY ALMANAC enables readers who have no business
background to readily compare the financial records and growth
plans of entertainment companies and major industry groups.
You’ll see the mid-term financial record of each firm,
along with the impact of earnings, sales and strategic plans
on each company’s potential to fuel growth, to serve new
markets and to provide investment and employment opportunities.
No other source provides this book’s
easy-to-understand comparisons of growth, expenditures, technologies,
corporations and many other items of great importance to people
of all types who may be studying this, one of the most rapidly
evolving industries in the world today
By scanning the data groups and the
unique indexes, you can find the best information to fit your
personal research needs. The major companies in entertainment
are profiled and then ranked using several different groups
of specific criteria. Which firms are the biggest employers?
Which companies earn the most profits? These things and much
more are easy to find.
In addition to individual company
profiles, an overview of entertainment and media technology
and its trends is provided. This book’s job is to help
you sort through easy-to-understand summaries of today’s
trends in a quick and effective manner
Whatever your purpose for researching
the entertainment and media field, you’ll find this book
to be a valuable guide. Nonetheless, as is true with all resources,
this volume has limitations that the reader should be aware
of:
