Leading a Mobile-First Newsroom Steve Buttry American Society of News Editors June 23, 2010
Read more Blog posts at stevebuttry.wordpress.com on Twitter Slideshare.net/stevebuttry Tomi T. Ahonen’s blog, Communities Dominate Brands (linked from mine)
Mobile opportunity Source: Borrell Associates, “Mobile Advertising & Promotions Forecast”
Mobile opportunity Local mobile ad opportunity is bigger than: Sources: Borrell Associates & Newspaper Association of America
Mobile opportunity Local mobile ad opportunity is bigger than: Newspapers’ 2009 ad revenue drop Sources: Borrell Associates & Newspaper Association of America
Mobile opportunity Local mobile ad opportunity is bigger than: Newspapers’ 2009 ad revenue drop Newspapers’ retail ad drop Sources: Borrell Associates & Newspaper Association of America
Mobile opportunity Local mobile ad opportunity is bigger than: Newspapers’ 2009 ad revenue drop Newspapers’ retail ad drop Total 2008 newspaper classified revenue Sources: Borrell Associates & Newspaper Association of America
Mobile opportunity Local mobile ad opportunity is bigger than: Newspapers’ 2009 ad revenue drop Newspapers’ retail ad drop Total 2008 newspaper classified revenue Any newspaper classified vertical at peak Sources: Borrell Associates & Newspaper Association of America Details: stevebuttry.wordpress.com
Mobile disrupts Newspapers TV Radio Music Web Photography Video Books Games Mail Phones Wrist watches Alarm clocks Maps Movies Toys
Mobile is unique … 1.Only personal mass medium 2.Permanently carried 3.Always connected 4.Built-in payment channel 5.Available at point of creative inspiration 6.Best audience information 7.Captures social context of consumption 8.Augmented reality to mass markets Source: Tomi T. Ahonen, Communities Dominate Brands
Mobile-first strategy Text alerts Applications (phones & tablets) Social media (tweets, check-ins, tips) Location-based news, info & commerce Easy-to-use mobile web sites Device-flexible (not device-agnostic) Games (phones, iPads great for games)
Driving How often do you buy a car?
Driving How often do you buy a car? How often do you drive, gas up, service car, park?
Driving How often do you buy a car? How often do you drive, gas up, service car, park? Connect drivers with information they need daily Connect auto services with drivers
@statesman case study
Crowdsource
Say what you don’t know
Converse w/ public
Link to fresh content
A mobile-first project Twitter hashtag Photo contests Text alerts Liveblog Map Short code Community going to distant event User photos Foursquare Local ad sales Mobile coupons Collaborate w/ media in host city Advance promotion
Mobile-first strategy Executives emphasize mobile priority Journalists focus on mobile news & info delivery & presentation Tech staff focuses on mobile apps Designers focus on mobile design Sales staff meets business customers’ mobile needs
Mobile-first newsroom Top editors focused on mobile opportunities Every staffer with smart phone Mobile planning, emphasis in meetings Designated mobile leader Work closely w/ tech & sales staffs to pursue mobile opportunities
What can editors do? Use Twitter on your phone. A lot. Use Foursquare (don’t sync w/ Twitter) & check in regularly (yeah, become a mayor). Use several apps (including yours) on your phone. Lead company planning of mobile-first strategy. Appoint & empower mobile editor.
In meetings this week … Plan mobile-first coverage of an event. In routine planning meetings, ask about hashtags, maps, short codes, Foursquare, Ushahidi. Change front-page meeting to a mobile planning meeting.
Questions? Ask questions now, by or DM
Read more Blog posts at stevebuttry.wordpress.com on Twitter Slideshare.net/stevebuttry Tomi T. Ahonen’s blog, Communities Dominate Brands (linked from mine)
In mobile-first strategy … Don’t let obstacles become excuses