 Print newspapers are slowly dying. All around us we see the content dwindling as print advertising revenue dries up. And it is not surprising. Newspapers cannot keep up with the digital technology available. Local blogs like claycord.com can beat the papers to an exclusive, offer color imagery and reader interaction long before the printed copy of the next edition gets hurled into the bushes by your driveway. And newspaper Web sites just do not work well, and certainly cannot generate the same revenue that advertising gets from the printed page. Newspapers offer a tactile experience that digital media does not. As big a fan as I am of technology, my PDA is paper. I prefer to read a book in my hand, and those digital readers, like Kindle, while very nice, do not substitute the tactile feeling of turning a page.  All this got me thinking about how to save newspapers. I am not a technical genius, but I would like to see someone develop the product I am going to suggest. There are variations of it already in development, but nothing yet that could save the newspaper industry as a whole.  So what is the answer? The answer is a flexible, plasti-fabric that feels a bit like paper, bends, is strong, and entirely digital in its ability to download content and display it on the page. It would be a two page newspaper, and each time you turn the page the content would change. In addition, you could get ALL the content in full color, and even video - great for the sports pages, or the entertainment section. You would also be able to select different newspapers and subscribe to a world of content. Each night, as you sleep, the digital update refreshes the paper's memory, not unlike a cell phone downloading updates, so that in the morning, as your coffee brews, you can get the paper from your dining table and forego the trip to the bush outside. Yes, it would eliminate the printing industry, the newspaper carriers and save a whole lot of forests. Well, change is good. Printers will be as the post office became once Email became the communication tool of choice. Such is life. Cruise ships gave way to aircraft. Horses and bicycles gave way to cars and motorcycles. Paper gives way to the digital fabric of the next generation. It would save the newspaper industry, the magazine industry and revolutionize the book industry, as each would have this material designed to the specifications of their format. Here are some sites that explain their version of this idea. Flexible Displays Closer to Reality Plastic Logic Flexibility Plastic Logic News A Digital Display that Rolls Up Are you ready to place your digital subscription yet? MisterWriter |
Saturday, March 14, 2009
HOW TO SAVE THE NEWSPAPER INDUSTRY - LISTEN UP CONTRA COSTA TIMES. IT IS NOT TOO LATE!
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3 comments:
No doubt the papers are struggling. I doubt they will every go away but they need to get with the times. Part of the issue is that the executives can't wrap there head around how to make the internet based readership profitable. They are trying and I hope it doesn't come to the point where we have to pay just to read news online but that may just be what happens.
If it comes to the point that we have to pay to read news online, then I just won't pay. What's the point when there's plenty of other places you can get it for free?
Thanks for the plus, Mister Writer, I like the idea.
Interesting content.
Just wanted to share some information that I came across in a few articles discussing about recession and how we can adopt a different marketing strategy to promote our business. It’s quite eminent that most of the advertisers and businesses are taking to online advertising medium since the Internet has now become a necessity to reach global audience. However, even today there is still a huge chunk of people who do not access Internet and to reach this segment of the society; we can rely on the print media. This in fact would be a great choice for anyone whether they are looking out for global, national or local exposure.
Since the economies are now at the bring of recession, it’s a good idea to consider print media as well in the marketing mix so that you can extend your reach further to get additional traffic to your website or business. You can try a blend of online and print advertising through a reputed ad agency that can help you professionally.
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