Podcasting is stuck between the open model of the past and the push for monetization in the future. Might there be a third way that actually benefits publishers?
Tesla Skepticism and Superchargers, Medium for Publishers
Just because Tesla is achieving an Apple-like brand doesn’t mean they will have Apple’s success: the hard part starts now. Plus, why SuperChargers are a big deal. Then, Medium for Publishers is Medium’s play to own the long tail of publishing, and it’s very exciting in what it enables.
Bill Simmons to Launch ‘The Ringer’; More Media Notes on Yahoo, BuzzFeed, Vox
Bill Simmons’ new site looks to take an integrated approach to money-making. Plus, strategies for content creators with examples from Yahoo, BuzzFeed, and Vox
Kanye West and Tidal, The Problem with Exclusivity, Pandora for Sale?
Kanye West says his new album will be available exclusively on Tidal, which doesn’t make sense for consumers or for West as either a businessman or an artist. Then, Pandora is yet another advertising-based business to feel the heat, and it’s exacerbated by backwards-looking labels
Follow-up, Snapchat’s Deal with Viacom, Verizon Exploring Yahoo Purchase, Disney
Follow-up on The Reality of Missing Out, including why I’m worried about Pinterest. Than, why I’m a bit wary of Snapchat’s deal with Viacom, but a believer in the idea of Verizon buying Yahoo. Finally, a reiteration of my Disney optimism.
The FANG Playbook
The FANG companies — Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, and Google — are far more similar than you might think. Their rise in value is no accident, and it is connected to Aggregation Theory.
A New Publishing Model…Maybe; Facebook Earnings, Facebook Sharing
Follow-up on yesterday’s article on potential new publishing models, and then a discussion of Facebook earnings. Plus, a new reason skeptics have found to doubt the company.
Grantland and the (Surprising) Future of Publishing
ESPN’s decision to close Grantland seems to be more evidence that there is no future outside of massive scale or one-man operations. Bill Simmons’ recent successes, though, suggest that the answer could be the exact opposite.
What is Medium Doing?, Facebook Updates Notes
Medium just raised $57 million on a relatively modest valuation, but lots of folks aren’t still sure what the company is trying to accomplish: today I give it my best shot. Plus, Facebook has updated Notes, which look a lot like, well, Medium posts. The appearance, though, isn’t what will make them succeed or fail.
Popping the Publishing Bubble
For years publishers haven’t had to worry about business models: they just captured attention and watched the money come in. Those days, though, are over: the publications that survive will start with business models and build journalism around it.