Hey, Look Us Over

With makeover shows still racking up the ratings on TV, I guess it's only appropriate that Insurance & Technology recently assessed its own look and embarked on a complete redesign. This issue features the fruits of that effort, and I hope you agree with me that the result is an elegant, readable and easy-to-access publication. Credit and thanks for this dynamic and successful update go to our talented design team of Doug Adams, art director of I&T sibling publication Optimize; I&T's art director, Grey Morris, and associate art director, Sheena Paul; and Michael Gigante, creative director for the InformationWeek Media Network.

Of course, even though the surfeit of reality shows might indicate otherwise, looks aren't everything, and I&T's content continues to set the pace for focus, timeliness and quality. In conjunction with the redesign, we have launched some new features to I&T's editorial mix. For example, "Back to Business" will present concise news and updates on trends in five critical insurance business areas: regulation/compliance, distribution, financial/risk management, claims and policy administration. The new "My Favorite" column will present reflections from I&T readers about the various influences - professional and personal, work-related and "just for fun" - that keep them motivated, happy and productive.

You can count on Insurance & Technology's outstanding editorial team of Senior Editor Anthony O'Donnell, Associate Editor Wendy Toth, Managing Editor Les Kovach and Copy Editor Brett Forman to bring together the hottest topics and most authoritative and interesting sources in every issue, and I hope you'll have the chance to work with them in the coming year.

Our new look is particularly timely given that in 2005 Insurance & Technology will be celebrating its 30th anniversary. That's a long time by any standard, but we have never let longevity serve as an excuse for complacency or doing "business as usual." I&T continues to excel as the industry thought-leader and innovator, whether it involves print, online or live events. In addition to our outstanding editorial and art teams, our most important asset is our vibrant relationship with our readers and audience. That will never change - regardless of fashion or style.

Katherine Burger is Editorial Director of Bank Systems & Technology and Insurance & Technology, members of UBM TechWeb's InformationWeek Financial Services. She assumed leadership of Bank Systems & Technology in 2003 and of Insurance & Technology in 1991. In addition to ... View Full Bio