On March 1, in Austin at a meeting of the Texas Student Media board, there will be a discussion about cutting publication days of the 113-year-old Daily Texan, always one of the best collegiate papers in the U.S. Okay, you say, some non-student papers are moving to reduced publication. But those drastic steps are taken [...]
After the cat video, how ’bout some literature?
Yes, I like cat and dog videos on the web, the Stones and Ray Charles from the 60s, Willie, Waylon and Jerry Jeff from any era. As a journalist, anything news-related, and as a media consultant, anything newsy, new tech or build-a-great digital-businesss-related. And, oh yes, George Takei and My Prozac Moment on Facebook. But [...]
Real-time advertising, as fast as a news bulletin
When the lights went out on the Super Bowl at start of the third quarter, the Twitterverse lit up even more brightly. For anyone on Twitter, you didn’t see just individuals passing along some terrific humor or sarcastic thoughts. You saw ads, done in real-time, done rapidly, and done effectively. From some brands. You saw [...]
Unlikely occurrences
On the Great Big Map of U.S. Newspapers, you’ll find about 8,400 flags – 1,400 daily papers and 7,000 community newspapers. Though a struggling industry, it is still a gigantic industry that is working to reinvent itself. Times are challenging and the reinvention is not unlike repairing a plane while it’s in the air. Along [...]
Newspapers’ path to digital success
A survey of 180 U.S. newspapers on their digital transition efforts shows steady growth in revenue from digital sales, but challenges remain in establishing sales approaches that maximize digital revenue. The confidential survey was conducted by Media Solutions Partners, an Atlanta-based consulting group focusing on helping newspapers transition into a successful digital environment. The survey [...]
They know which way the wind blows
Appropriately, I drove through rain, snow, sleet, horizontal wind-whipped rain, mountain-top mist and a bit of sun from Pittsburgh to State College, Pa. and my destination, AccuWeather. Appropriately, AccuWeather is located on Science Park Road, not far from downtown and Penn State. “Look for the building with all the satellite dishes,” my AccuWeather colleague suggested. [...]
Coming soon to a Facebook near you….

For those of you furious, fascinated or frazzled by recent Facebook tweaks to the user experience, get ready for the next big wave to come crashing in. And it is a big one. Last week Facebook announced coming changes to the profile pages, creating a new “Timeline” approach that will roll out in a matter [...]
54 Minutes: The Life and Death of a Web Story in East Texas

Texas lawmen closed the country roads and started scouring the dusty ground late in the still-blazing afternoon in an isolated spot an hour-plus northeast of Houston, long beyond where the pavement turns to the Pineywoods. I got my first message at 4:07 p.m. Central time. It started: “POSSIBLE MAJOR STORY…” It came in all caps, [...]
It’s a small world…..

In the Dark Ages – about two years ago – newspaper companies with a healthy stable of smaller to medium size properties felt like they had the ultimate insurance policy. Perceived remoteness. “It’ll be years before Google, Yahoo and the rest discover us,” was the line of thought, as they watched the metros they owned [...]
Social media, business style

Some businesses ignore it (other than wondering WHY their employees are on social media during the workday). Others adapt and embrace, and make it their own. Here’s one from the latter category. Consulting company Booz Allen Hamilton has launched an internal social media networking tool called Hello. Booz has all the “normal” digital tools: email, [...]
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