Newspapers: Getting Kicked into Change

With the recent announcements of even more newspapers folding or facing major cutbacks, lots of change is in the air for media corporations. Folio’s recent 2009 media predictions create a sense of urgency for media to evolve into a more user-friendly version of itself.

Keith Kelly, a columnist for New York Post suggests:

More closings of magazines and newspapers and more survivors clinging to the online world as a life boat. Fundamental problem of the digital age vs. print. While the gross numbers grows, advertisers still don’t invest in all the niche products with anywhere near the level of support that they once had for old mainstream media.

While Andy Cohn of VP Media foresees:

Five out of every 10 magazines and newspapers will go out of business, scale down their frequency or move entirely to the Web.  This will not just be survival of the fittest, rather survival of the most willing and able to adapt to the changing media paradigm, and throw all of the old rules out the window.

David Callaway sees the threat of the institution leaders will force innovations to save newspapers:

Unlike autos and finance, the problem with newspapers isn’t the content, but the delivery. The business side was too slow to adapt…So, by all means, mourn the passing of great names, just as we do in other industries. But look for the new channels from which all the talent that made them great will flow.

 

Dangerous Communication

London is combatting the dangers of texting while walking by giving pedestrians a cushion on the perilous lamp posts. I can see the combo of walking and texting as a dangerous one, especially since just walking is dangerous in large cities. I wonder how many problems the e-readers are causing. I have seen my husband get pretty involved while reading his (even while watching a movie!). But there is one documented case where an e-reader saved an avid bookie. This poor guy was about to get evicted because his plethora of books became a fire hazard.Other crazy people get academic while driving. Maybe not a good idea.Getty Image