GTC AGM 2010 BR Amended.rtf - The Guild of Television Cameramen

The last twelve months have proved very tough in terms of advertising revenue. All magazines and web
sites have suffered a fairly large drop in income, due to the recession, and the GTC was no exception.
Many companies have drastically cut their advertising budgets, whilst many others have reduced the
size of their ads or taken fewer of them. This gave me quite a challenge. I held rates at the same level
as last year and worked with our advertisers to keep them on board. Many are now opting for the
considerable savings to be made by purchasing multiple placings, either in the same magazine, or
across both Zerb and GTC In Focus and the web site. This benefits us too as we have a better idea of
income across the year. I have also managed to increase my database of potential and actual
advertisers, with the result that overall income remained similar to last year.
Of course my work has also been made easier by Roger Richard's and Alison Chapman's efforts in
producing such superb quality magazines, that are much admired the world over.
Despite the web site expanding in terms of content and features, I do think this is an area that many of
our sponsors and advertisers overlook. Our rates are extremely competitive and I have figures
demonstrating the increasing popularity of the site. The important point, of course, is that everybody
visiting the site sees their ad, whether they are a member or not. So my target for 2010 - 2011 is to grow
the web site income without impacting on magazine ad sales.
Sponsorship Liaison Officer’s Report
After many years of sterling service for the GTC, Les Ager stood down as our Sponsorship Officer last
year. It cannot be understated the tremendous contribution Les made to the GTC's coffers and its
Council Meetings. For as long as I can remember, he has beavered away, quietly and efficiently, mainly
in the background, and built up a tremendous list of generous sponsors. Without them, the GTC would
not only find it harder to operate due to lack of resources, but also we would be much less relevant. The
fact that companies approach our members for advice on new products, participate so actively on the
Internet forum and help us with organising many interesting and beneficial workshops for our members,
shows the high regard that they hold our organisation in.
As I already spoke to the sponsors for advertising, it seemed sensible that I volunteer, at least in the
short term, to take over Les' role. I have spent the last few months getting up to speed and explaining
the changes to our sponsor contacts. We have lost a few old friends over the past twelve months but
also gained a number of new ones. A few have asked to reduce their contributions for a short period, to
tide them over the difficult times we find ourselves in. I take the view that it is better to work with these
problems, rather than lose the sponsor completely.
The overall result is that sponsorship income has remained very similar for this year as last.
James French
Membership Officer's Report
Since this time last year we have had 214 new member applications, most of which now come through
the Website. Of those we have been able to approve 109 Full members, 18 Associate members, 3
Affiliate members, 5 Student members and 2 Academic members; that is a total of 137, and we are still
waiting for further information from the other 77.
I have also been trying to contact those members whose membership has lapsed or who have resigned
to find out why and to see if we can persuade them to reconsider. Those who have lapsed have
usually done so because they have changed their address or their bank account and have forgotten to
tell us. Those who have resigned usually say that they are no longer active as cameramen. I shall
continue to pursue them.
Rex Palmer
Workshop Coordinators Report