It’s an interesting name. Do I mean “2.0” like in… “Web 2.0”? But what does print have to do with the Web you might ask?

As the CTO of the Imaging & Printing Group of HP (IPG), I have had first hand experience with this question, both asking it and trying to answer it. We started this journey a couple years ago, experimented, invested, debated and here we are, furthering our “Print 2.0” vision in New York City on August 28.

The impact of the web on print media is clearly worth discussing. It’s an integral part of our lives, and it’s a very large industry (approximately 50 trillion “pages” are printed every year, worldwide and it continues to grow). It’s also one of the longest lasting technologies on earth (paper and print).

It’s not just about books and newspapers, it’s about my photos, the toy I offer to a child or the gift I bring to a friend. It’s also about the advertisement wrapping a bus, the new storefront of the nearby bakery, the mailing of the local real estate agent, the wristband a newborn receives at the hospital, the label on the box of medication, the contract you sign for a business transaction. The art you created and might want to share with the world. It’s also about the video you just created, the movie you just downloaded or the blog you just posted. Yes, digital content can take many forms.

In other words, it matters.

That’s why I am starting this blog. The future of content and print is a question for which we all have ideas and we need to build the future together. I hope we can share and build right here. Check out my vodcast where I talk about the launch of this blog.

We’ll talk about digital content, creation, sharing and distribution, the web as a platform, the social web, long tail, business models on the web, digital print, print services, technology, innovation and probably any random thought I or you feel should be shared.

Defining print 2.0 is certainly a challenge. The definition of web 2.0 is still being debated, let alone web 3.0. I would propose the way Eric Schmidt defines web 2.0. It’s pragmatic and resonates with me.

I hope to meet you on this blog and encourage you to comment and converse, dialog and discuss these exciting topics and times with me. We have a lot to talk about.