Media disruption

Podcasting is growing. Mainstream media, independent media and amateurs are rushing the new channel. Here are some interesting recent podcast announcements/developments:

CBS podcasting segments of 60 minutes. Source: MarketingVOX

PBS is podcasting its American Experience series – the most watched history series. Source: PBS

Grooves magazine podcasts. Source: Grooves.

The brilliant Paul Harris, host of film buffs forecast on 3RRR-FM podcasts. Source: RRR-FM.

While there is an excellent selection in independently products podcasts coming from Australia it is surprising that there is nothing yet from Australian newspapers. In some respects this suits those in the newspaper supply chain. However, podcasting extends the reach and relevance of the brand.

Bob Cauthorn has posted an excellent blog entry at Corante about newspapers and why sales are falling.

It is the product. Bob is right. His comments fit with my earlier entries here about the ridiculous number of product giveaways and competitions being run by News and Fairfax to sell their products. For every sale you win with a CD, a DVD or drink coasters you confuse a consumer about the value proposition of the newspaper.

Consumers are losing sight of why they are buying newspapers.

The masthead must stand for something beyond competitions and free product. Spike increases are not sustainable and while they may help with an audit they do not fix the newspaper malaise.

As a newspaper retailer I want product I can respect, product which consumers seek out because of content. That type of consumer will be more valuable in long term business and basket depth.

Newspapers don’t have to lose a race with online media. The two are different, serving different needs and even different consumers.

The Discovery Channel is running a film festival for films made on mobile devices. They’re looking for 5 images or a 30 second video with no more than 300 words content.

BusinessWeek serves up a good summary about internet trends and their impact on several channels including newspapers. Where do we fit in?

This Newsweek story is the latest in mainstream media about the disruption in entertainment and news distribution as a result of telecommunication developments. There was a time when publishers were publishers and TV networks were TV networks and Telcos were Telcos. The news and entertainment channels have become a mosh put and the original independent retailers in the channel are under the feet of the new dancers.

Government has an obligation to small business to help them navigate these challenges. I’m not talking about a handout but rather an obligation to ensure that small business understands the changes and has the resources necessary to navigate the future they choose.