Killing Fairfax is an excellent read, I couldn’t put it down over the last couple of days. Beyond telling the story of how successive leaders of the once giant media company missed online opportunities, the book takes us deep into Australian media family rivalries thanks to excellent on the record sources.
Newsagents wondering about the future of newspapers ought to read this book. It’s pages are drenched with insights newsagents could benefit from as they plan their future.
Beyond the question of the future of print, this is an excellent business book and most instructive for businesses facing the challenges of disruption to the model they were founded.
Kudos to author Pamela Williams. I highly recommend Killing Fairfax.
Interesting editorial response on P2 of today’s SMH, to the recent publicity surrounding this book launch.
off topic, see they are jacking the cover price of the Australian up again, I don’t mind the extra commission but not that long ago they had a hefty rise to $2.00 and now going to $2.20 ($3.30 on Sat) is this a ploy to drive readers to the digital platform?????
Thanks for putting that info here Rick, now I receive email not fax for subscriptions we are not informed of any price increase.
I’m guessing this is from next Monday?
Didn’t,t hear about that one , but welcome it
Whoops ,should check my emails
rick, every publisher is actively trying to get all of us to read their stuff online. It isn’t just price rises of the physical product, but it is also being done by gradually tightening supply of the physical product. We were told recently that we should not give our subs any returns credits and only supply firm sale, then we would have enough papers.
My intention is to last as long as I can, then close the doors. I reckon we’ve got about 15 yrs.
Read today’s Australian – article on Fairfax closing weekday papers much sooner than planned.
Starting to worry now.
H, that’s the spirit dream big …
hey shaun, do you reckon Fairfax will outlast me ? Put your money on the table !!!
Seriously would,you even consider papers as a factor in a 15 year plan . I have no idea about your business but I am sure it has more to it than newspapers .
oh look, you win Shaun. At 72, I figured the business would see me out, but then realistically, you are probably right, I might have to give up sooner…..
Create a business that does not rely on print. Been saying it here for years. Nothing has changed except that the train’s lights are more obvious.
There is only one problem with the digital newspaper platform – in all but a very few specialist titles, it doesnt work commercially. Crikey recently reported the digital subscriber base of the major metro publications. As an example, the Herald Sun in Victoria has had saturation marketing in recent months across newspapers and other media under its News + branding. This is the second round of marketing coming on the back of its bundled offers 12 months ago. According to Crikey, after all that, the Herald Sun has 26,000 paying subscribers. This from a publication that 5 years ago had a daily circulation of 500,000. Access to the newspaper isn’t the issue in terms of consumers sourcing news content. Online news is cheap. In fact its free. There is heaps of quality news content on the web and its free. That is the great conundrum for newspaper publishers, and newsagents for that matter.
Yeah why would I pay Fairfax, News or other newspaper groups for online news when I can get all the online news I want from the ABC or other free sources.
As a newsagent who has expanded into an alternative business “food” I was frustrated that both the age and herald sun have stopped offering cafe deals to food outlets. Now I would be expected to pay 4 times the price to get 3 papers per day. Nope not this little black duck. I have instead invested $550 once off on a free wi if system for my customers plus a tv for news and sport in store. So even the publishers are pushing me to digital.
why would you be paying 4 times the price ?If thing are really that bad and you want papers why not just go and buy it from a newsagent close by after all you are only talking about 3 newspapers which probally equates to 1 or 2 cups of coffee for the day .
“h” do you mind me asking who told you to only supply subs on a firm sale basis?
Makes sense to me, but would like to know what region you are in. Perhaps you have been offered special treatment because of your location?