Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Reflecting on this change, Kate Gillespie, CEO of The Green Sheet Inc., said, "On the one hand, we are letting go of print issue distribution, but on the other, we are embracing the next chapter in our evolution as a trusted resource for payments professionals."
Founded in 1983 as an email newsletter by payments industry pioneer Paul H. Green, The Green Sheet was born out of a clear need: the merchant level salespeople (MLSs) and independent sales offices (ISOs) that connected with merchants in ways acquiring banks could not—craved guidance to navigate the rapidly growing and increasingly complex payments sphere.
Recognizing the vital role these professionals played in the industry, Green created a publication tailored to educate, empower and connect the industry's "feet on the street," as well as to inform the wider audience of payment processors, banks, equipment and software providers, data security firms, loyalty program developers, and a host of other payments service providers.
The Green Sheet has been a reliable partner through decades of seismic shifts in the industry. Our magazine chronicled the rise of electronic payments, the rollout of PCI security standards and later EMV chip cards, and the explosive growth of mobile payments and fintech, among other major developments. As digital transformation accelerated, The Green Sheet adapted, ensuring our readers had access to in-depth analysis, breaking news and thought leadership, no matter the format.
The decision to phase out print reflects not just changes in publishing but also broader shifts in how the payments industry consumes information. Digital platforms have become central to the professional lives of readers, enabling them to access content anytime, anywhere—a flexibility increasingly essential in a fast-paced, tech-driven sector.
Likewise, advertisers in the payments space are finding digital platforms offer new opportunities to engage with their target audience through multimedia campaigns, clickable content and measurable performance analytics.
"We are immensely proud of The Green Sheet’s legacy as a print publication," Gillespie said. "But our readers and advertisers are looking for more dynamic, interactive and immediate ways to connect. By focusing on our digital platforms, we can meet those needs more effectively while continuing to provide the high-quality, reliable information we’re known for.”
While the medium may be evolving, our mission remains steadfast: to educate, empower and connect payments professionals across the industry. As fintech innovation redefines commerce and customer experiences, The Green Sheet will continue to offer essential insights into emerging technologies, regulatory changes and opportunities for growth. Our digital editions will enable even greater agility in delivering up-to-the-minute news and feature articles that matter most to its audience.
The payments industry—like publishing itself—has undergone incredible changes since The Green Sheet first launched. Today, MLSs are navigating challenges that would have been unimaginable in the early 1980s, including AI-powered fraud prevention, account-to-account payments and cryptocurrency acceptance.
As always, The Green Sheet will be there to guide our readers through the complexities of these changes, equipping you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed. For advertisers, the shift to digital also brings exciting opportunities.
"Ultimately, this transition is less about leaving the past behind and more about embracing the future, and we have no doubt 2025 will mark yet another milestone in The Green Sheet's enduring legacy," Gillespie said. "As the industry continues to innovate, our publication will remain a vital, digital-first resource for payments professionals everywhere."
Subscribers can look forward to seamless access to each issue along with continued opportunities to engage with exclusive content, commentary and insights from industry leaders. For more information on the transition, explore how you can take advantage of the new opportunities this change presents, or to ensure uninterrupted access to The Green Sheet, please contact Kate kate@greensheet.com or Rick rick@greensheet.com. 
The Green Sheet Inc. is now a proud affiliate of Bankcard Life, a premier community that provides industry-leading training and resources for payment professionals. Click here for more information.
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