Focus 2012 published: Creative solutions from Finland

MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
MINISTRY OF EMPLOYMENT AND THE ECONOMY
TEKES
SITRA
INVEST IN FINLAND
FINNFACTS

Press release 5/2012
10 January 2012

Focus on the Economy and Technology, the annual publication showcasing Finland and targeted at key international markets, has just been published for the tenth time. This year’s issue highlights Finland’s strengths in design, start-up entrepreneurship and natural resource economy sectors.

“The magazine contains impressive examples of Finland’s ability to produce creative solutions even in challenging conditions,” says editor-in-chief Nicola Lindertz from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. “We explain how design can affect quality of life, how nature forms a major resource for the Finnish economy and how ideas or businesses can evolve from small to big through bold thinking. Focus is a key tool in Finland’s public diplomacy, reaching out especially to business partners, investors and decision-makers. It enables us to broadly communicate the strengths of Finnish society: know-how, functionality and co-operative ability.”

In its selection of subject matter and layout, Focus introduces new and surprising perspectives on Finnish business life. The ambitious magazine succeeds in differentiating itself from other countries’ promotion publications and has achieved international acclaim. Last year’s Focus was a finalist among tough competition in a contest held by the British Association of Publishing Agencies (APA) for publishers of customer magazines around the world. The 2010 issue of Focus won gold for its new layout at the Eddie and Ozzie Awards organised by US media industry magazine Folio.

Focus is a joint publication of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, Tekes, Sitra, Invest in Finland and Finnfacts. Circulation of the magazine is handled primarily by Finnish embassies; it is also distributed at international export events and seminars showcasing Finnish know-how.

Production, design and project management for Focus are handled by Sanoma Magazines Custom Publishing.

For the first time, Focus is also being released as a tablet application. The new application and the digital version of the magazine are available at  www.focusmagazine.fi.(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window) Free copies of the paper magazine can be ordered at the same address. In March, Focus will appear in Spanish, German and Russian; in the spring the Japanese and Chinese versions will be released.

Further information:
Nicola Lindertz, Head of Publications and Finland Promotion, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Department for Communications and Culture, tel. +358 9 1605 5843
Mervi Liukkonen, Director of Communications, Ministry of Employment and the Economy, tel. +358 10 606 4786
Minna Hakaoja, Director of Communications, Invest in Finland, tel. +358 10 773 0320
Markus Kokko, Director, Finnfacts, tel. +358 40 730 0199
Elina Kiiski, Communications Officer, Sitra, tel. +358 44 540 3367
Anna-Maija Ikonen, Communications Manager, Tekes, tel. +358 10 60 55731