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ABOUT SKIES AMERICA
SKIES AMERICA AS A CUSTOM PUBLISHER
Unlike most publishing companies, Skies America was founded as a custom publisher. Our entire corporate philosophy revolves around client-based publications. Serving our client always comes first—from top management through all levels of publishing.
Our People
The culture begins with our hiring practices. In general, we apprentice our own editors and designers, and prefer to hire them fresh out of Journalism and Design schools. A seasoned editor or designer with traditional publishing company experience often has difficulty understanding the balance between client marketing needs and editorial targeted solely to publication readers. It is a special challenge and requires extraordinary talent to achieve both goals simultaneously. We have a staff of individuals who are energetic and enthusiastic about working together.
Our Japanese-language editors are Japanese nationals. They have the added responsibility of staying up-to-date with the tones and trends in Japan. Because several of our Japanese-language projects are in the fashion industry, our editors work diligently to keep abreast of all of the current language nuances in Japan.
Our Size
We believe size is important, and we like our size. Skies America is big enough to have the experience, business savvy and volume to leverage vendors for improved quality, better prices and quicker turnaround. We are big enough to allow projects to share the efficiencies of common resources, yet we are not so big that we house the burdens, overhead and red tape of a massive communications company. We do not boast hundreds of contract publications and projects; instead we boast personalized long-term relationships, and corporate clients who are highly satisfied with our work.
Our Technology
Our size and the nature of our publishing projects allow us to remain on the cutting edge of technology. For several years we have successfully published full-color publications Direct-to-Plate in English and Japanese. The results are wonderful—quicker turnaround, more control, higher quality and better prices—four goals we have found high on our clients’ lists. Technology has helped us to keep our staffing and overhead to modest levels. A key to successful publishing is understanding the right combination of technology and talent. Our clients tell us we have it right.
Communication
Speaking of right, we are not always right. We have checks and double checks at every stage of the publishing process. Our record is terrific, and we plan to keep it that way. When we do make a mistake, we quickly bring it to the client’s attention with resolution ideas in place. We practice open communication in all aspects of our client relationships.
Communication is always where a custom publisher and client relationship starts and ends. We ask questions, but we take care to minimize their impact on our clients’ time. In turn, we provide direct answers to their questions, even if unpleasant. Then we move immediately toward problem solving.
Partnership
Our staff understands how to work in partnership with our clients. They know how to maintain editorial integrity, while including the needs of the client and their customers. Our employees understand the importance advertising plays in the financial success of the publication. We like to bring ideas to the table, and we don’t mind them being tossed off the table. Then we’ll be back with more ideas. That, too, is an integral part of our corporate culture.
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