April 18, 2019 Andrea Kunz, Managing Editor Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer

1. April 18, 2019Andrea Kunz, Managing EditorJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer Making the Most of Your Publisher Search Process:A Society Perspective

2. Outline Through this presentation, we will go over how to: determine if there is a need to undergo a formal search process, identify who needs to be involved in each stage, develop a realistic timeline, and plan for the society’s role in each stage of the search process.

3. Determine the Need A few reasons why a society may choose to undergo a formal search process: To launch a new journal To make a change when a current contract ends To gather intelligence on latest trends and advancements available in publishing

4. Parties Involved Society Representatives Committees, Leadership, Staff Journal Representatives Editors, Staff, Journal Users Publisher Representatives RFP Teams, Publishers Consultants Publishing Consultant, Attorney

5. Develop a Realistic Timeline Give yourself plenty of time! Transitioning to new publisher: 14 to 18+ months

6. Preparations for Publisher Search • RFP and Proposal Review Needs Assessment and RFP Development Evaluate key data from the journal Survey/interview current and past representatives from the journal and society Journal: Editors, Authors, Readers, and Managing Staff Society: Leaders, Members, and Search Committee Representatives Identify goals, “must-haves”, and areas where improvements are of greatest interest to the journal and society

7. Proposal Management • RFP and Proposal Review *From the time the RFP is initially extended to the publisher

8. Proposal Management • RFP and Proposal Review Schedule Calls with Search Committee Early Set calls to review proposals and select finalists with the search committee months in advance. If society leadership approvals are needed along the way, be sure to take their call schedules into consideration when setting committee calls. Send regular reminders and updates throughout process. Use a Rubric Often developed in conjunction with RFP development Ensures committees are evaluating each publisher with the same mindset as to which questions/concerns are of greatest priority

9. Evaluation of Finalists • Finalist Selection & Approval

10. Contract Considerations • Contract Negotiations

11. Transitioning • Publisher Transition Facilitate the relationship between publishers while transitioning. Prepare journal editors and society leadership for the transition. Note that subscription-based journal transitions tend to take longer than open access journal transitions – pad your timeline!

12. Summary Determine if and when a publisher search is necessary Identify the key parties involved in the process – from the society, journal, publishers, and consultant Develop a timeline that takes into consideration the schedules of the many parties involved throughout the process and send regular reminders/updates Remember: Everyone wants to see the journal succeed!