I also think that the bad economy back in 2008-2009 had a lot to do with it. If one really looks at how they've acted over the past few years you can tell that these were finally told some news that was bad. I'm thinking that somewhere along the line it came to light to the GB that the number of JWs in the cult wasn't as large as they've been led to believe and that a huge number were leaving.
Once this news got to the GB or whomever is really pulling the strings things started happening quickly to try to save the sinking ship and that why we have now a much different cult . A cult that is smaller in expenses, no longer doing much printing and is trying thier darndest to shield thier members from any out side source like people asking questions etc.. This is why they now direct people to the website, sit behind carts and are being taught less and less since even the Bible exposes them as a fraud.