The impending doom of print newspaper ads seems to have been predicted for quite some time. So even though national print advertising revenue dropped an insulting 6.7% in 2007, which marked the most severe decline since the beginning of advertising, this figure probably doesn't shock many people.
What may be more worrisome is the Newspaper Association of America's numbers for online revenue which show its growth slowing significantly from the impressive 30% growth rates of 2005 and 2006 to only 18.8% in 2007.
Editor&Publisher.com, who originally reported this story did not seem upset about this growth stunt, but instead explained it saying, "As newspaper Web sites generate more advertising revenue, the growth rate naturally slows. "
I would argue that most of the online environment still has a lot to learn about the best ways to grab reader attention and capitalize on online advertising. Big newspaper sites may think they have it all figured out, but many of the "innovative advertising methods" I've come across lately are either intrusive or just annoying.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
HTML the clear winner in the e-newsletter format debate
For almost a decade, experts have been debating which format is best suited for sending out e-newsletters. Web-standards gurus, media professionals and the like have written countless articles and given lecture after lecture to discuss this topic. Originally, the debate focused on html vs pdf.
In the last few years, the general consensus is that html should be the standard. There are still some minor debates regarding the ability of all email programs to process and correctly display html newsletters, which has sparked some defenders of the boring text-only format.
As a CMC student, an experienced email user, and a newsletter coordinator, the choice seems very clear to me.
Below is a short list of the benefits of html newsletters:
In the last few years, the general consensus is that html should be the standard. There are still some minor debates regarding the ability of all email programs to process and correctly display html newsletters, which has sparked some defenders of the boring text-only format.
As a CMC student, an experienced email user, and a newsletter coordinator, the choice seems very clear to me.
Below is a short list of the benefits of html newsletters:
- Businesses can track reader click-through rates on the newsletter in general, as well as each individual story
- The colors and graphics entice users to read the email
- Allows for branding reinforcement through logos and images
- Graphical layouts encourage scanning and are less intimidating to readers
- Readers can be easily directed to take a specific action such as make a donation or redeem a coupon
- Story teasers entice readers to continue on to the company web site to find out more
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Pop-ups rear their ugly head
While surfing some popular media sites recently, I came across mediaweek.com, a site that reports the latest media news. But before I had a chance to dive deeper into one of their juicy stories, I was stopped in my tracks by a pop-up.
Although the abundance of pop-up ads have greatly diminished since the 1990s, I do occasionally still run across them. The standard pop-up barely causes me to pause because I know exactly how to get rid of it and continue my web surfing. This, however, was no ordinary pop-up.
This particular pop-up was an "invitation" from Nielsen//NetRatings to take a survey about the usability of the website (mediaweek.com). This was not your typical pop-up either. There was no convenient red "x" to close the window in the corner. In fact, the window was designed to look like part of the web site and you couldn't move it or get rid of it before answering yes or no to the "invitation".
This use of the pop-up angered me because it seemed to be a manipulation of the system. Not only did I become frustrated as I read over the ad to make sure I successfully clicked out of it without being subjected to any other annoying ads, but I also lost my interest in reading Mediaweek's stories.
While I understand the importance of gathering data about usability, this pop-up strategy is certainly not the way to go about it.
Although the abundance of pop-up ads have greatly diminished since the 1990s, I do occasionally still run across them. The standard pop-up barely causes me to pause because I know exactly how to get rid of it and continue my web surfing. This, however, was no ordinary pop-up.
This particular pop-up was an "invitation" from Nielsen//NetRatings to take a survey about the usability of the website (mediaweek.com). This was not your typical pop-up either. There was no convenient red "x" to close the window in the corner. In fact, the window was designed to look like part of the web site and you couldn't move it or get rid of it before answering yes or no to the "invitation".
This use of the pop-up angered me because it seemed to be a manipulation of the system. Not only did I become frustrated as I read over the ad to make sure I successfully clicked out of it without being subjected to any other annoying ads, but I also lost my interest in reading Mediaweek's stories.
While I understand the importance of gathering data about usability, this pop-up strategy is certainly not the way to go about it.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Myspace expands TV offerings
In an effort to surpass its major competitors, Facebook and YouTube, Myspace has been expanding and diversifying its TV content. Mediaweek reports that they announced their newest branded channel from TMZ on Wednesday.
TMZ, according to comScore, is one of the most heavily trafficked gossip sites, attracting nearly 11 million unique visitors last month. They will be providing Myspace with two to three exclusive clips per week, along with several nonexclusive clips.
The TMZ channel will join several other branded channels on Myspace including BBC, National Geographic and the New York Times. The TMZ channel will be competing with Myspace's current Celebrity channel which includes content from People magazine and Getty images.
This effort to broaden content offerings seems to be a trend among the social networking sites recently. Sites that began with a specific purpose and niche market, such as Facebook which was originally only a network of college students, are now diversifying in an effort to become the favorite "one stop shop" for viewers.
TMZ, according to comScore, is one of the most heavily trafficked gossip sites, attracting nearly 11 million unique visitors last month. They will be providing Myspace with two to three exclusive clips per week, along with several nonexclusive clips.
The TMZ channel will join several other branded channels on Myspace including BBC, National Geographic and the New York Times. The TMZ channel will be competing with Myspace's current Celebrity channel which includes content from People magazine and Getty images.
This effort to broaden content offerings seems to be a trend among the social networking sites recently. Sites that began with a specific purpose and niche market, such as Facebook which was originally only a network of college students, are now diversifying in an effort to become the favorite "one stop shop" for viewers.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Hulu.com shakes up the world of web video
Hulu.com, the newest face in the world of online video, offers viewers a new realm of content. This joint venture from NBC and News Corp provides "premium content" from networks like Fox, USA, E! Entertainment and the like, all at no cost to viewers.
Launched just last year, the site continues to add content and increase its availability across the globe.
Along with full length TV shows from popular series like Heroes and The Office, Hulu also offers popular commercials (like those from the Super Bowl) and movie clips and trailers. Their video player is completely customizable, and you can easily share and embed your favorite clips and videos, as well as view them from other partner sites like MSN, MySpace and Yahoo.
On top of all this, Hulu's CEO, Jason Kilar, seems to know what viewers want and need from embeded advertising. Mediaweek.com reported that during a recent presentation, Kilar urged online advertisers to "deliver creative that is suited to the environment." He went on to say that producing original creative placements that are shorter in length was the best way to do this.
After poking around on Hulu.com myself, I've determined that this newcomer has a lot going for it. If they're able to keep the content free and updated it wont' be long before Hulu.com is as widely known as YouTube.
Launched just last year, the site continues to add content and increase its availability across the globe.
Along with full length TV shows from popular series like Heroes and The Office, Hulu also offers popular commercials (like those from the Super Bowl) and movie clips and trailers. Their video player is completely customizable, and you can easily share and embed your favorite clips and videos, as well as view them from other partner sites like MSN, MySpace and Yahoo.
On top of all this, Hulu's CEO, Jason Kilar, seems to know what viewers want and need from embeded advertising. Mediaweek.com reported that during a recent presentation, Kilar urged online advertisers to "deliver creative that is suited to the environment." He went on to say that producing original creative placements that are shorter in length was the best way to do this.
After poking around on Hulu.com myself, I've determined that this newcomer has a lot going for it. If they're able to keep the content free and updated it wont' be long before Hulu.com is as widely known as YouTube.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Local avalanche makes safety concerns a reality
While hiking the backcountry near Cameron Pass on Sunday, three Fort Collins' men encountered a life-threatening avalanche.
According to the Coloradoan, two of the men escaped unhurt, while the third remains in a coma at Medical Center of the Rockies.
Despite being experienced backcountry skiers equipped with the right gear, the group encountered the slide while trying to traverse a slope and reach a safer place to descend 'Hotdog Bowl', a well-known spot near Zimmerman Lake. Luke Mason, the only member of the group that wished to be identified, spoke out Tuesday about the horrific experience.
"I knew it was dangerous where we were, but going in the trees was very difficult because the snow was so deep," Mason told the Coloradoan.
The avalanche barely missed Mason and the second group member and hit the third dead on, engulfing him in 2 1/2 feet of snow. Mason and his surviving friend were able to locate their friend using their beacons and performed CPR until he regained a pulse and began breathing.
Bill Cotton, a seasoned rescuer who arrived to rescue the group, noted that this was the only rescue he'd encountered where the buried person survived. Cotton credited the man's rescue to his friends' knowledge and skill with their equipment.
The Colorado Avalanche Center is predicting more of these incidents throughout the season due to the way the snowpack is forming. So if you were considering heading into the backcountry without proper training, you may want to reconsider.
According to the Coloradoan, two of the men escaped unhurt, while the third remains in a coma at Medical Center of the Rockies.
Despite being experienced backcountry skiers equipped with the right gear, the group encountered the slide while trying to traverse a slope and reach a safer place to descend 'Hotdog Bowl', a well-known spot near Zimmerman Lake. Luke Mason, the only member of the group that wished to be identified, spoke out Tuesday about the horrific experience.
"I knew it was dangerous where we were, but going in the trees was very difficult because the snow was so deep," Mason told the Coloradoan.
The avalanche barely missed Mason and the second group member and hit the third dead on, engulfing him in 2 1/2 feet of snow. Mason and his surviving friend were able to locate their friend using their beacons and performed CPR until he regained a pulse and began breathing.
Bill Cotton, a seasoned rescuer who arrived to rescue the group, noted that this was the only rescue he'd encountered where the buried person survived. Cotton credited the man's rescue to his friends' knowledge and skill with their equipment.
The Colorado Avalanche Center is predicting more of these incidents throughout the season due to the way the snowpack is forming. So if you were considering heading into the backcountry without proper training, you may want to reconsider.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Films for every fancy
There are so many great snowboard films out this season, I decided to use this entry to highlight some of the best in a few different categories.
If you favor street riding:
If you favor street riding:
- We're People Too - this film by MDPeople features riders like Austin Smith, Nima Jalali, Jon Kooley and Brian Fox on heavy street rails, ledges and wall rides
- Optimistic - this movie is all about fresh powder, crazy antics and seasoned veterans showing their talents. Featuring riders like Mark Frank Montoya, Danny Davis and Nicolas Muller, Absinthe Films really delivered this time.
If you like to see the ladies shred:
- La la Land - this flick is all about the ladies. Laura Hadar, Leane Pelosi, Anne Flore-Marxer, Hana Beaman and Tara Dakides, along with many others, shred the park, street and powder in this project by Runway Films.
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