ABM's 12th Executive Forum, opening today in Chicago, focuses on ways to increase recurring revenue

Norman Pearlstine

Oct. 22, 2012 -- At its annual gathering of top-level media and data executives, held today and tomorrow in Chicago, ABM is focusing on ways to "drive recurring revenue," the theme of the event.

This year ABM is pushing forward with two cutting-edge tech initiatives. Eliminating paper-based conference materials, ABM is offering its agenda and a wide range of other event information via an app that can be use with a laptop, tablet or smartphone. ABM is also using the event to launch its Tout feed; Tout.com is a Twitter-like micro-vlogging service that offers snippets of information in 15-second bits.

At his keynote tonight, Pearlstine will offer tactics for finding the right mix of paid and free content options. From his viewpoint as chief content officer for Bloomberg LP and chairman of Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Pearlstine will explain the strategy that has pushed Bloomberg on its current growth path.

Other sessions at Executive Forum include new research on content for smartphones and tablets, business intelligence vs advertising, paid membership communities, licensing, events and finding hidden revenue.