The lead item in this edition of the Columbia Journalism Review examines the opportunities mobile and e-reading provide the business of journalism. Essentially author Curtis Brainard argues that, done right, mobile gives journalism a second chance to find a business model.
But there are big if's in the journey: The content needs to be different to reclaim the added-value nature of what used to be, the advertising needs to find an easy way to campaign across various platforms, the industry needs to create partnerships to stay ahead of the technology curve, and there is that most tricky question of whether consumers will shell out for subscriptions and services in an era of abundance.
Still: "The circulation levels and ad dollars of yesterday may be gone for good, but there are real opportunities to reclaim control of journalism’s financial future. Second chances are rare, and if we miss this opportunity to capitalize on digital content, we may not get a third."
But there are big if's in the journey: The content needs to be different to reclaim the added-value nature of what used to be, the advertising needs to find an easy way to campaign across various platforms, the industry needs to create partnerships to stay ahead of the technology curve, and there is that most tricky question of whether consumers will shell out for subscriptions and services in an era of abundance.
Still: "The circulation levels and ad dollars of yesterday may be gone for good, but there are real opportunities to reclaim control of journalism’s financial future. Second chances are rare, and if we miss this opportunity to capitalize on digital content, we may not get a third."
