Google is making a play as a mainstream media publisher with its launch over a week ago of Australia Votes. The site uses maps, videos, web gadgets, and oter tools to provide broad coverage. It will compete directly with the election coverage offerings from News, Fairfax, ninemsn, Yahoo!7, the ABC and other media players.
The Google move is media disruption for all to see. Newsagents ought to watch this space – at play here is print sales. This is why newsagents need to be thinking outside the square when it comes to future traffic and revenue streams.
The Google move underscores a vulnerability for newspapers and newsagencies which has been denied for all too long in this country.