Updated, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 14:59 EST
TAKEAWAY: That is the title of my presentation for journalists and bloggers today at the US Embassy in Bucharest, Romania. The message is primarily to improve on how they craft the modern newspaper. Final word: Tabletize. TOMORROW: New series, a sort of career memoir, 40 Years/40 Lessons begins
Presentation at the American Cultural Center, US Embassy, Bucharest, Romania today (Photo: Lucian Crusoveanu / Public Diplomacy Office )
Here is title slide for the opening of my presentation today at the US Embassy: Bucharest, Romania
It was not a good 2009 for newspapers and media houses in Romania, so my audience today will include many journalists who feel rather skeptical about the future of their publications—-and their jobs. Yet, the message is one of how to prepare for the future. My presentation deals with reality, but will also hopefully inspire these journalists to take stock of their skills, of the publications in which they now work, and plan to take them to the next level.
Dozens of newspapers were closed in Romania, including those owned by MediaPro and Realitatea Catavencu which closed national Cotidianul, Business Standard, Ziua, Gardianul dailies. One source told me that in 2009, there were days in which between one to four newspapers per day were shut down. Obviously, some of these newspapers which disappeared had small circulations and followed specific political affiliations and were sustained by business leaders who wanted a political statement made.
In addition, existing newspapers eliminated 20 to 30% of their staff, cutting salaries for those who stayed. Like newspapers globally, Romanian newspapers also saw many of their readers gravitate towards the Internet, with online media traffic increasing between 10 and 40% in 2009. Advertising, too, moved towards online, dropping 50% for print media, but gaining 13 million euros online.
Keeping the faith
Yet, although this landscape is not very positive, the journalists I meet here are.
In fact, I am in Romania to put finishing toouches on a new look and content rethinking for Romania Libera, one of the country’s traditional dailies, and one respected because it remains objective.
Dan Turturica, editor in chief of Romania Libera, is one optimistic journalist here:
“We are on the verge of a renaissance for Romanian journalism,” he tells me. “It is a time to think positively, to remind ourselves that there are great stories in this country, and we are here to tell them.”
My own message to the Romanian journalists today:
1. Storytelling is what it is all about. That is what you trained to do, and that is what you will continue to do regardless of the platform used.
2. Make your newspapers useful and needed—-and you do that through content.
3. Review how you pace content in your newspapers (and online). Today’s newspaper does not have to have four sections, and, in fact, fewer pages and fewer books is better Monday through Friday.
4. Connect with your readers through social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. Be part of the community. Be as local as possible.
5. Finally, start thinking future platforms and making money. Start the tabletizing process.
Mario talks to Tyler Brulé on MONOCLE Radio about the iPad
Go here to download the broadcast:
http://www.monocle.com/The-Monocle-Weekly/default.aspx
iPad at the Grammys
At the Grammys:” ….and the winner is…….”
The impact of the iPad——not yet on sale to the public—-is unquestionable. The iPad even made a guest appearance at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
Stephen Colbert, preparing to announce the nominees for Song of the Year at the Grammys on Sunday night, reached into his pocket for the list.
“And the nominees are . . . I’m sorry where’s the list?” he said, looking offstage.
Then he turned to face the audience. “Oh I know,” he said. “It’s on my iPad.”
Well, Stephen, no doubt you will have your iPad handy for such presentation next year.
For more of the story: http://blogs.ft.com/techblog/2010/02/colbert-shows-off-ipad-at-grammys/
And, while on the subject of the iPad and the Grammy’s, I just wonder how this page from Germany’s Bild Zeitung would tabletize? Let’s start sketching.
Wonder how this page would translate into the iPad? Start thinking such thoughts soon.
Starting tomorrow: a new series
Illustration by Ana Lense Larrauri/The Miami Herald
In 2010 I celebrate 40 years in this wonderful business of ours. I have been gathering my thoughts and jotting them down. I have learned much during this four-decade journey. So 40 Years/40 Lessons is an informal career memoir where I retrace my steps, reminisce and reflect. In the process, I pass lessons learned along the way. The series of 40 installments starts tomorrow and will run periodically between now and February 2011.
TheMarioBlog post #471