Media Relations

Kindle Less Expensive Than Printing NY Times?

If the New York Times offered me a free Kindle with my subscription...instead of the hard copy...would I take it up on the offer?

This article attempts to do the math and concludes that printing the New York Times COSTS MORE than a Kindle.  Read it in Business Insider. 

I think I'll take the Kindle!

Thanks to Fern Reiss for passing along this link.

Newspapers On Cliff's Edge - Will They Fly Or Jump?

They felt thin and weak in my hand this morning.  Two extremely lean newspapers, plastic wrapped and waiting on my doorstep.  I've subscribed to the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News for a long time.  We've been so fortunate to have two daily newspapers in the Salt Lake City market.  The bill to "re-up" came just yesterday and without hesitation, my check is in the mail.

But changes are coming.  It can't be denied.  We've heard about the newsroom layoffs, the lack of  print advertisers during a down economy, and the gutting of classifieds' revenue by other online entities who do it for free.

The industry is on the edge of a cliff.  Will it fly or jump?  Most importantly, will it hang onto its sage newsroom management and senior reporters?  Will they be there to mentor the newbies who may not understand how easily their words can ruin reputation or influence government and business for better or worse?

What if...

both papers suddenly announced they were going completely online?  Advertisers who've doubted the effectiveness of online ads would have only one option if they wanted to be in the Deseret News or Tribune....get used to online news.  As more advertisers take the plunge, new forms of measurement will follow to satisfy those who live and die by the numbers.

What if...

Kindle and iPhone offered Tribune and Deseret News subscriptions?  Sure, I can currently subscribe to other larger papers, but I want local news.   I'd be the first to buy in, because I refuse to spend my carefully rationed free time in front of a computer monitor.  Just last week, in five quick minutes, I bought a book from Amazon.com on my computer and it was downloaded wirelessly to my iPhone.  I quite enjoy reading from the device.

And what if...

in their hard copy absence, a group of skilled and fresh-out-of-work reporters could cobble together the financing to create a brand new Salt Lake newspaper...the kind you can still hold in your hand when technology hurts the weary eyes.  That would be a blast.  And I hope it happens.

No news reruns.

The news industry can't fill the online space with re-runs.  This is the information age and those who produce the content will always have a place.  Two tough questions remain:  Is it a welcoming, ethical, respectful place, and does it pay enough to make it worth their lifetime dedication?

Sick Of Social Media? Read On...

Call it a bad attitude, but some of us are in burnout phase when it comes to updating our social media skills.  True, we must do it to keep our profession and paycheck healthy.  Nevertheless, how much can one body and one brain take?

A wonderful list of "25 Random Reasons We're Sick Of Social Media" hit the Ragan Communications Website today.  I loved it.  Kudos to the creativity of authors Lindsey Miller and Jessica Levco.  Some of my favorites include:

• We’ve got only six people following us on Twitter. Our self-esteem is at an all-time low.

• We can't remember the last time we wrote a letter. It’s hard to remember how to hold a pen correctly.

• People always want to know where we are, but last week we Tweeted during a colonoscopy.

And truly my favorite:

• Our social workload is rapidly becoming another 40-hour-per-week occupation. But this one isn’t paid.

Check out the long list here!  And take a break from social media.

A Two Minute Tale of Social Media Burnout, And Laugh Away Your Anger At Wall Street

Social Media Burnout

A two minute V Cast documentary I can relate to: Social Media Burnout.  Starts out quite serious (face and voice of addict disguised).  It ends with...well, you need to watch it here.  Focus, two minutes...focus.  

Again, I bring up Steve Rubel's prediction of a coming "Attention Crash."

Angry at Wall Street?

Recently, I went on a "news fast" after watching the market free-fall.  Instead, I indulged in a "fake news" binge, watching the Daily Show and Colbert Report every night.

Laugh until you cry (don't drip on your stock statements), by going here for Jon Stewart's (The Daily Show) magnificently, cleverly edited rave about Wall Street.  You will need to commit some time for this, but it's worth it.  Gather the family around for 21 minutes...incredible therapy.  I watched it twice.  I feel much better now : )

200,000 Layoffs in January. Employers Beware - Tattlers Turn To Telonu.com

Ahhh, the latest headache for the PR profession.  When employees and former employees want to vent, they can do it here.  A site called Telonu "Tell On You" is featured in the Ragan newsletter.  Membership on the site has exploded, climbing 50-100% EACH DAY.  Those who post to the site are allowed to do so anonymously.  The Public Relations Society of America frowns on anonymous Internet posts for obvious reasons.  People can and do lie. 

But instead of feeling victimized and defensive, companies who find themselves attacked online should monitor what is being said.  The complaints just might give them more truth than they could get from their middle management and fearful-of-layoff employees. 

By the way, a lovely example from the site (look out for the language), by an anonymous manager...or maybe an employee with a flair for writing : ) 

Telonu.com

"I am Sonny McCutcheon and I just want to state a few words. My first priority is my bonuses and severance package. My second priority is my staff. My third priority is I don't give a damn about my employees..Ya'll can KISS MY ASS!!! I just want to give a few examples of how I treat my employees....When I hold a meeting for employee appreciation I reward them with notepads, logo pens, coffee mugs (all from a temporary agency...PROSTAFF and such), kitchen rugs, ELCOTEQ logo shirts that I've been holding for two years...that doesn't fit me and $20 restaurant gift cards that will pay for your date's dinner(but you're on your own). On Thanksgiving I purchase pre-packaged turkey lunch meat (that I heated up in the micowave) and on Christmas I arranged the potluck Christmas Party :). I am a money making man and I DON'T CARE ABOUT MY EMPLOYEES, all I care about is putting all the money I can IN MY POCKETS. I don't care about my asian hourly employees, your job is to get to the work out and put money in my POCKETS!!! I RUN A SWEAT SHOP HERE!!!!"