It’s that time of year again: Time for reflection, some fruitcake, and the recquisite “year in review” lists. Here, we focus on the latter, offering our perspective on the top publishing topics of 2009, along with a handful of additional "best of" lists. What made your top 10 for 2009? Let us know.
Lessons learned in 2009
Let’s just say we’ll be glad to see 2009 in the rearview mirror. But despite the consistent hum of doom and gloom, there were some bright spots in the publishing industry. More importantly, there are some lessons to be learned from the trials and tribulations, the publication closings, and the search for new revenue models. Here are seven such lessons.
- Paid content is hard: There was plenty of talk - but less action - around how paid content models will save journalism.
- Social media is not a fad: Twitter and other social tools are reshaping the foundations of journalism.
- There’s plenty of life in ad-supported models: Despite this year's spending lull, the outlook remains rosy for digital advertising.
- Hyperlocal is a legitimate growth area: Sites targeting local communities gained momentum, and some big investors to boot.
- Mobile is the new black: Smart phones, e-readers emerge as tempting platforms for distributing content and engaging with users.
- No brand is safe: Some high-profile closures increased the urgency for publishers to figure out a sustainable model.
- In search of the next Steve Jobs, or the next Google: Smart companies would be wise to blaze their own innovation trail rather than listen to media's current moguls.
Other Features
Media blogs we love (or at least like)
After combing through our stuffed bookmark folders and crowded RSS readers, here are our favorite media-related blogs.
8 social media role models
Social media’s role in business can be a tough concept to grasp. Luckily, this year a few intrepid souls stood out among the pack of social media pundits and practitioners.
9 + 1 best gadgets and apps
Sure, we all know about the iPhone and the Flip Camera, but there are lots of other gadgets and applications that are under-appreciated by publishers. Here are nine (plus one) apps and gadgets that help us work smarter – maybe they can help you too.
3 non-media sites worth bookmarking
Recharge your creative batteries and gain inspiration from three websites that are not among the usual suspects of media innovators.
Quotes of note: Paid content
Industry pundits and CEOs have waffled about pay walls as a business model and have given us plenty of sound bite-worthy assessments on this complex issue. Here are some of our favorites.
Media site design: What a difference a decade makes
As we close out the decade, it may be tempting to reminisce about the good ol' days of 2000. Allow us to remind you how far we've come by showing some popular media websites in 2000 compared to now.
9 bold predictions for the media industry in 2010
An early look forward at what to expect next year.
Time capsule: The Rough Guide to the Internet... from 1999
Ars Technica takes a look back at the Internet of a decade ago as seen through the lens of a leading guidebook. After reading it, all we want to know is: what happened to our floating armada of Internet airships?
10 American industries that will be destroyed in the next decade
The Bureau of Labor Statistics published an interesting study about the way employment will change over the next several years. It specifically identified 10 American industries that will see the biggest declines in employment between the years 2008-2018. Some are surprising, and others are industries that have long been due to die.
10 signs the worst of 2009 is behind us
Believe it or not, there are plenty of reasons to hope 2010 will see things start to pick up. But just to be safe, we're keeping an eye open for trouble.
Other "Best/Worst of 2009" lists
Because all work and no play make for a boring holiday season.
10 Worst Marketing Blunders (Collateral Damage)
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