Opportunities in social media intrigue experts

Are you thinking about opportunities in social media? Advertisers are, according to a panel of marketing experts. It's used in several ways, including just listening to consumers, according to this Online Media Today story. That listening approach, it seems to me, has applications for editors, managers and educators as well as marketers, and certainly it's something that students should be thinking about.

A look at what is really happening for J-students

The Associated Press does what its been doing best lately, touching on a good issue that cries for more reporting. Today's story concerns the beginning journalists entering schools like Marquette's Diederich College of Communication. It gives both the good and the bad of today's media situation (it is indeed the best of times and the worst of times). I'd like to see a little more research into some of the initiatives entrepreneurial schools and journalists are undertaking (and a little less single-source self-promoting of one program -- yes, it'd be fine if it was our program not Missouri's), but it addresses some of the opportunities as well as weaknesses of the industry. Be sure to read to the end to see someone who understands why I like the opportunities while hating what's happening to the industry.

'Saving Newspapers From Their Saviors'

With a headline like "Saving Newspapers From Their Saviors," you get the impression that Jack Shafer of Salon doesn't like government breaks for journalism. You'd be right, but not because he hates newspapers or media in general, but that he thinks the proposals are bad for the business. Worth reading.

New newspaper starts -- a new ethnic newspaper

Built on the ashes of a closed newspaper, the nation's newest newspaper represents a resurgent community media. San Francisco's Nichi Bei Weekly is aimed at that community's Japanese.

It represents both good and bad news for ethnic newspapers. A survey shows a 16 percent increase in readership nationally for the papers, but, like mainstream papers, they often struggle financially as advertisers seeks cheaper alternatives despite the proven demand by consumers.

Newspaper stocks jump on good advertising news

All it takes is a little good news about advertising and newspaper stocks jump in value. It comes after several "good news" stories about the industry and its revenues.

Should we create the "hate" beat? Opportunities knock

An Ad Age columnist has a little fun with a proposal to set up a new news beat, the "hate beat," but, frankly, it's not funny in any respect. First is the fact that the media should start looking seriously at "hate" in America, and whether media actions are encouraging (obviously) or facilitating (I think so) hate.

He suggests setting up a "hate sports" beat. Frankly, it already exists. Look at deadspin.com for examples of hating sportswriting and broadcasting. And all you have to do is turn on white talk radio or most of the evening cable hosts to see "hate politics" in action. Hate is a big topic these days, only no one will touch it. I wonder if the reason is fear? After all, Howard Kurtz reports today how Glen Beck drove a White House aide out the door without any media amplification (or revealing to his audience the aide's connection to a campaign that has cost Beck loads of sponsors). So the lesson is that if you lead a campaign against any of the hate talkers, they'll get you. Sounds like a beat to me.

Second is the argument that those wanting to succeed in media (listen up, students) should start creating their own beats. This is the era of the journalist entrepreneur. And, frankly, covering hate in America is a good place to start. The media had better come up with subjects to cover that people want to know about.

Will Hulu kill television?

Analyst says Hulu will wipe out television broadcasting. Analyst Laura Martin says it's cannibalizing audience from broadcast, and that's not going to change. She also says the coming switch from broadcast and cable to Internet viewing will hasten adoption of Web-based viewing and, most important, that "we don't expect the Internet audience to ever put up with as many commercials as there are on TV."

Of course, Hulu was set up by television folks who are allowing their shows to be viewed on the site, reminding me way too much of newspapers blindly giving their content to their free web sites.

What are all these shiny MBAs being taught about supply and demand, anyway?

Coverage of religion among losses of current ills

Interesting story on a Boston Globe blog from a meeting of religion reporters about how their numbers are dwindling fast, and how that is opening the door for organized religion to push its messages without filtering. Unfortunately, that's seemingly true about almost all areas of news coverage. The losers are not just news consumers, but our society itself. Journalism, and, yes, it can be objective, is needed in a democracy.

National newspapers to replace big local publications?

One of the advantages of the Internet is that we can now read foreign press in real time, often finding news about ourselves as well as garnering that all-important outsider view of our culture. Today's Guardian from Great Britain offers a story that might be far more important than it seems.

The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, according to the Guardian, plan local editions in the San Francisco area since it's entirely possible that city's big local papers will die out. The strategy is aimed at the hardest-hit segment of the newspaper market, the big local paper (like the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). National newspapers and community newspapers are suffering a bit, along with the rest of the economy, but the big local papers are really hurting.

This strategy -- and, if it's successful, look for USA Today to relaunch its '90s effort to create local papers to accompany the national one -- is yet another sign that some in the newspaper world aren't giving up on those of us who like print.

$5 million bid for the Sun-Times

A bargain-basement bid of $5 million is reported for the Sun-Times (including its weekly papers). The company is in bankruptcy and any winning bidder will have to take over about $20 million in debt. Still, it's an incredibly low amount for a major newspaper company.

Weekly magazines take bit circulation hits

Weekly magazines have taken a bigger hit than their monthly companions, according to MediaPost. Only five of the 20 magazines studied in the analysis showed a year-to-year improvement. Among the hardest-hit were the National Enquirer, Newsweek and Time. MediaPost noted that the decline parallels that of daily newspapers, although in both media circulation has been better at publications with longer publication times.

Google to offer micro-pay system for print media

Add Google to the list of those developing micropay platforms that newspapers see as one solution to their declining revenue streams. The fact it's only one option available is highlighted as the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has joined those newspapers delaying online delivery of some key stories that were printed in the paper version. The JS has long shielded its Packer Plus content. Now it's routinely delaying posting of its main story. I'd go a bit farther and shield its columnists and better features permanently -- which would still give it the city's best news site, but mean that anyone seeking some of the fringes need subscribe to the print. Of course, it's gotten rid of some of its best columnists and writers, so maybe there isn't enough to shield. And, of course, since it's Google (whose business practices are an online version of those of Microsoft) offering the system, many are still leery of signing up.