Posts tagged Publishing
The iPad is our silver bullet. Here’s why
Mar 22nd
At the end of January when the iPad was officially announced by Apple, techies, developers and Mac enthusiasts all over the world rejoiced. The journos (the ones that know about technology) cried a sigh of relief as the silver bullet for the publishing and media industry had been shot. Want proof?
But there are still those that remain skeptical as to what exactly the iPad will deliver, let alone how it will save the media (and revolutionise marketing…remember?)
Well I’ve found proof.
VIVmag, an all-digital magazine from the US that offers insight, advice and authentic stories to “inspire and motivate women”, has created its next edition of the magazine with the iPad in mind.
The issue is more interactive, entertaining and engaging than not just any other magazine on the market, but any digital magazine on the market.
There’s a sort of demo/behind-the-scenes look at the forthcoming issue below.
The iPad isn’t only reinventing what we formerly knew as the print media though. It’s taking digital to the next level.
The iPad will take full advantage of everything we can now do within the digital medium such as videos, moving images, interactivity including live surveys and games, music, sound effect…the list is absolutely endless.
This tablet computer is single handedly changing the way journalists approach their stories and the way that editors display it. It is employing creativity and making it a necessity, not a luxury.
So, it’s not surprising that big brands are getting on board, quickly (we can’t wait to see what the big mastheads come up with).
I’m also interested to see what the advertising is going to be like on these publications when the iPad arrives given that the media industry has poured some much into already.
They have a real chance here to step up to the plate and do something truly different, creative and game-changing. However, the first problem to overcome is to make sure that the ads don’t trump the content and that they aren’t distracting.
While exciting times lay ahead, like anything via the internet, it will also be a time of trial and error.
e-Readers will save the media industry and lead the ad market to recovery. Or will they?
Jan 22nd
e-Readers, Tablets and Kindles are going to save the media industry! Have you seen those headlines?
There is widespread excitement among the newspaper industry at the moment with all this hype over Apple’s upcoming ‘Tablet’ (or iSlate…or whatever). The reason is that just a few months ago people were saying that the newspaper industry was poised for failure.
It couldn’t attract advertisers due to falling circulation numbers. London’s evening free press was pretty badly hit too, those papers (London Lite and thelondonpaper) actually no longer exist. But, with the launch of these tablets and the like, the rebirth of the newspaper industry is being touted.
Suddenly, apparently, advertisers will be attracted once more to the newspaper mastheads and brands.
This seems like the silver bullet to save the industry doesn’t it? It’ll reignite good journalism and revolutionize how we consume news media. But I have my reservations.
Firstly, one report in the US said the ‘Tablet’ will cost around $999. I don’t know too many people that can afford that…they might stick to paying 20p for a copy of the Sun each morning with a side of breasts on Page 3.
Secondly, how will the ads differ from web ads?
Are they going to be interactive?
There is no doubt that January 27 will be an exciting day. But I think it’s too soon to be predicting the rebirth of the newspaper masthead.
There’s going to be pay walls next year around News Corp publications and I predict several other publishers will follow suit. So even after you do pay this $999 for a ‘Tablet’, you then also have to pay for a copy of your newspaper of choice.
It all sounds very expensive. And people have enjoyed getting the news for free for so long will they be willing to pay and to view it on a fancy reader? The reader (I’ve seen leaked pics) looks as big as a laptop…will consumers really want to lug it around all day? I for one can’t afford a bigger handbag, nor can my back.
Apple’s device is widely expected to be geared toward the publishing industry, a hub for newspaper, magazine, and book reading in addition to accessing music, games, and video. And with its App Store already a huge success, Apple will enter the market with a major advantage.
And is worth noting the success so far of Amazon’s Kindle in the US so far – it was the most popular Christmas gift last year.
When iTunes started selling music on the internet I know that the industry had its reservations about that too: “We download music for free, why would we all of a sudden pay for it?”
Perhaps I’m echoing those calls with this ‘Tablet’ business. Don’t get me wrong, I’m just as excited about this gadget as most. I do however think it is a bit early to be suggesting it’s the industries savior.
Furthermore, look how long it took advertisers to get on board with social media. Will they jump aboard these e-Readers instantly? Publishers are going to have to make some interesting deals with advertisers to make them worthwhile for both the newspapers and the consumers.
Recent Comments