I don't accept ads on this blog. There are lots of reasons for that, but the core one is this: I don't want readers to worry about bias. When I say that I like a particular magazine or Web site, I don't want anyone to think that I was paid to say so.
I view this blog as a service, not as a business. I write about things that interest me in the world of B2B journalism. And I try to offer insights, guidance and suggestions to my peers in this profession.
But it would be misleading for me to describe myself solely as a journalist. I'm also an entrepreneur. I run a consulting business. And this blog is most certainly a promotional tool for that business. In the world of B2B, I'm best known as Paul Conley, the blogger, not as Paul Conley who used to be Midwest Bureau Chief at the Journal of Commerce, or as that Conley guy, who used to be a v.p. at Primedia Business.
Nonetheless, on this blog I strive to keep a church/state wall between my business interests and my journalism passions. That's why posts on this blog often contain disclosures about my business relationships with companies such as IDG, Primedia/Prism/Penton, N.Y. Times Digital/About, SmartBrief, Cygnus, etc.
But every once in awhile, someone offers me a chance to "monetize" my blog through ads or pay-per-post or some other such scheme. And I've never had a hard time saying "no."
But in recent weeks, some of the bigger names in the blogging world have apparently succumbed to temptation. They took money to write positive things about an advertiser. And they failed to disclose the relationship.
Much of the blogging world is abuzz over the controversy. And as is often true when controversy moves through the blogosphere, Rex Hammock is the guy I'm most likely to agree with.
But I will add just one small point to the arguments over what is, and is not, permitted online.
As I said earlier, I am both an entrepreneur and a journalist. And it is in my role as a journalist that I can find all the guidance I need as I navigate the ethics debates.
Here's what ASBPE's ethics guidelines say about writing about advertisers: "Favorable editorial coverage or preferential treatment in an article must never hinge on the prospect of ad sales, financial gain, or other factors that are not related to editorial integrity." Here's what ABM says on the subject: "Advertisers and potential advertisers must never receive favorable editorial treatment because of their economic value to the publication."
For me -- and for all of us in B2B journalism -- the rules are clear. Whether we work in print, or online or both, we must behave as journalists. Or, as I have said more times than I can remember, the rules haven't changed online, and you shouldn't let them.
(Note: Longtime readers of this blog may remember the first time someone offered to pay me for my work here. Take a look at how I responded.)
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
Monday, June 25, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
The best and the bankrupt
Allow me to offer my congratulations to the finalists in ASBPE's Magazine of the Year and Website of the Year competitions.
ASBPE announced the final cut earlier this week. There are 20 magazines (in two circulation categories) left in the running. While 10 Web sites still have a shot at the grand prize.
The full list of finalists is available on ASBPE's Web site.
It's worth noting that one of the Web finalists is eWeek, the same publication that outraged me when I found it was a finalist earlier this year in ABM's Neal Award. ABM later showed the good sense not to give the award to someone who violated the ethics rules of our profession.
eWeek also later came to its senses .
But I would still hate to see a publication that demonstrated such disregard for our standards be named the best B2B publication on the Web. So I'm hoping that ASBPE opts to snub eWeek as well.
Note: in the Jan. 29, 2007, post in which I first complained about eWeek's unethical practices, I also made note of the parent company's dismal financial situation and predicted that "regardless of how things turn out, it’s unlikely that Ziff Davis’ owners, private equity firm Willis Stein & Partners, will get back anything close to the $780 million they paid for the company in 1999."
Well today Ziff Davis announced it was selling its Enterprise Group, which includes eWeek, for $150 million. The company remains riddled with debt. So it now seems likely that bankruptcy court will be the next stop for Ziff Davis.
Click here to read min's coverage of the sale.
Click here to read Folio's coverage of the sale.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
ASBPE announced the final cut earlier this week. There are 20 magazines (in two circulation categories) left in the running. While 10 Web sites still have a shot at the grand prize.
The full list of finalists is available on ASBPE's Web site.
It's worth noting that one of the Web finalists is eWeek, the same publication that outraged me when I found it was a finalist earlier this year in ABM's Neal Award. ABM later showed the good sense not to give the award to someone who violated the ethics rules of our profession.
eWeek also later came to its senses .
But I would still hate to see a publication that demonstrated such disregard for our standards be named the best B2B publication on the Web. So I'm hoping that ASBPE opts to snub eWeek as well.
Note: in the Jan. 29, 2007, post in which I first complained about eWeek's unethical practices, I also made note of the parent company's dismal financial situation and predicted that "regardless of how things turn out, it’s unlikely that Ziff Davis’ owners, private equity firm Willis Stein & Partners, will get back anything close to the $780 million they paid for the company in 1999."
Well today Ziff Davis announced it was selling its Enterprise Group, which includes eWeek, for $150 million. The company remains riddled with debt. So it now seems likely that bankruptcy court will be the next stop for Ziff Davis.
Click here to read min's coverage of the sale.
Click here to read Folio's coverage of the sale.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Cygnus becomes a sinner
Whenever I think that B2B media has turned a corner and committed itself to the highest standards of journalism, something happens to remind me of why so many people look down their noses at trade publishers.
A reader of this blog sent an email to tell me that Cygnus, a former client of mine, has begun inserting ads in the editorial -- the exact same offensive practice that Ziff Davis and CMP recently abandoned.
If you want to see the ads, take a look at this article or this one.
If you have any doubts that this practice violates the ethics guidelines of our industry, please take a look at this earlier post in which I praise ASBPE for issuing a clear and definitive statement saying that such ads are inappropriate.
And if you have any doubts about where the bending of editorial rules can lead -- if you have any curiosity about what the bottom of the B2B ethics barrel looks like, then check out the Nuclear Power Journal, where news releases are run for a fee. Click on the media kit and read about "editorial participation."
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
A reader of this blog sent an email to tell me that Cygnus, a former client of mine, has begun inserting ads in the editorial -- the exact same offensive practice that Ziff Davis and CMP recently abandoned.
If you want to see the ads, take a look at this article or this one.
If you have any doubts that this practice violates the ethics guidelines of our industry, please take a look at this earlier post in which I praise ASBPE for issuing a clear and definitive statement saying that such ads are inappropriate.
And if you have any doubts about where the bending of editorial rules can lead -- if you have any curiosity about what the bottom of the B2B ethics barrel looks like, then check out the Nuclear Power Journal, where news releases are run for a fee. Click on the media kit and read about "editorial participation."
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
CMP goes Web first; closes three magazines
There's some tough news today in the world of B2B journalism. CMP is restructuring and laying off some 200 people. The move is predictable, and even wise. But it's still sad to think that so many of our comrades are out of work.
The move is prompted by CMP's realization that last year its non-print revenue surpassed its print revenue for the first time, Chief Executive Officer Steve Weitzner told Folio. And according to Weitzner, "that trend is continuing and the gap is actually growing. We want to realign internal resources around these growth areas and look at opportunities in the marketplace and really go after them."
Or, in other words, CMP is putting its online business at the fore.
According to BtoB Magazine, CMP is closing three print magazines and reducing the frequency of two others.
CMP's restructuring comes less than three months after IDG's InfoWorld announced that it was going Web-only. I said then that "no matter how we look at the changes in media, it's clear that part of what is happening must be described as loss ... but something is gained, too ... a trail to follow, and vindication for the trailblazers."
I'm a glass-half-full kind of guy. So today, despite the losses at CMP, I also feel better about our industry as a whole.
Bit by bit, day by day, we are getting to where we need to be.
For more info, check out min's blog.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media
The move is prompted by CMP's realization that last year its non-print revenue surpassed its print revenue for the first time, Chief Executive Officer Steve Weitzner told Folio. And according to Weitzner, "that trend is continuing and the gap is actually growing. We want to realign internal resources around these growth areas and look at opportunities in the marketplace and really go after them."
Or, in other words, CMP is putting its online business at the fore.
According to BtoB Magazine, CMP is closing three print magazines and reducing the frequency of two others.
CMP's restructuring comes less than three months after IDG's InfoWorld announced that it was going Web-only. I said then that "no matter how we look at the changes in media, it's clear that part of what is happening must be described as loss ... but something is gained, too ... a trail to follow, and vindication for the trailblazers."
I'm a glass-half-full kind of guy. So today, despite the losses at CMP, I also feel better about our industry as a whole.
Bit by bit, day by day, we are getting to where we need to be.
For more info, check out min's blog.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media
Monday, June 04, 2007
More on widgets
My recent post about widgets, Facebook, the future and B2B journalism generated a few emails. And two readers pointed out that there are now at least two widgets in our industry.
First, if you're attending the Circulation Management show in New York this week, you can check out the debut of a widget from NXTBook. I'm afraid I don't have any details yet. But I'm eager to see it.
Second, Penton has a widget of its SearchFinace tool, built with Yahoo's widget technology. Take a look at the lower left-hand corner of SearchFinance.com for info on how to download it.
For more on widgets, take a look at the Sexy Widget blog. (It's worth noting that Sexy Widget's Lawrence Coburn is considerably less pleased by Facebook's recent move than I am.)
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, widgets
First, if you're attending the Circulation Management show in New York this week, you can check out the debut of a widget from NXTBook. I'm afraid I don't have any details yet. But I'm eager to see it.
Second, Penton has a widget of its SearchFinace tool, built with Yahoo's widget technology. Take a look at the lower left-hand corner of SearchFinance.com for info on how to download it.
For more on widgets, take a look at the Sexy Widget blog. (It's worth noting that Sexy Widget's Lawrence Coburn is considerably less pleased by Facebook's recent move than I am.)
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, widgets
Saturday, June 02, 2007
A win for the ethical folks
Folio magazine has an article in its June edition about my recent battle with Ziff Davis over that company's unethical use of IntelliTXT ads inside editorial copy. And if Folio is correct, then this fight is over. Michael Vizard, editorial director and senior vice president for Ziff Davis’s Enterprise Group, tells Folio that Ziff Davis has removed the ads.
And as I take a look through Ziff Davis' sites tonight, I can find no evidence of the offensive ads. And I'm just thrilled.
If you're not familiar with this issue, you should be. These ads have become a plague in our industry. So please read the Folio article. Or take a look at my post that stared this fight.
Also, I'd like to once again thank ASBPE for taking a forceful stance on this issue. The support of that organization has been crucial.
At the same time I feel obliged to voice my great disappointment in American Business Media and the American Society of Magazine Editors. It was exactly a month ago tomorrow that I asked the three major trade associations to clarify their ethics policies in regard to IntelliTXT ads. And while ASBPE responded rapidly, both ABM and ASME have remained silent.
That is shameful.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
And as I take a look through Ziff Davis' sites tonight, I can find no evidence of the offensive ads. And I'm just thrilled.
If you're not familiar with this issue, you should be. These ads have become a plague in our industry. So please read the Folio article. Or take a look at my post that stared this fight.
Also, I'd like to once again thank ASBPE for taking a forceful stance on this issue. The support of that organization has been crucial.
At the same time I feel obliged to voice my great disappointment in American Business Media and the American Society of Magazine Editors. It was exactly a month ago tomorrow that I asked the three major trade associations to clarify their ethics policies in regard to IntelliTXT ads. And while ASBPE responded rapidly, both ABM and ASME have remained silent.
That is shameful.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
Saturday, May 26, 2007
The next big thing isn't here, but it may be very, very close
I've had no luck getting journalists and B2B publishers interested in creating widgets.
I've tried. But I've failed.
I can think of at least a half dozen conversations and emails on the subject in the past few months. But no one I've talked to has reacted with anything even close to enthusiasm. It's my fault, I'm sure. I didn't create a sense of urgency about widgets ... because although I've viewed them as exceedingly cool things, I haven't thought of them as crucial to a B2B publication.
But that may have just changed.
In a related vein, in the past few years dozens of journalists and publishing executives have asked me what I think will be the next big thing in publishing. And although I've used that question to launch conversations on dozens of topics, I haven't given a definitive answer ... because I didn't think I knew the answer.
But that too may have just changed.
If you've heard the news about Facebook, you may know what I'm about to say. If you haven't heard the news, let me explain. Facebook, the social-networking site that dominates the online lives of millions of college and high-school students, has said it will allow outside companies to embed applications and widgets in its pages. Facebook is opening its API to the world. What that means is that anyone is now free to build entire online businesses -- including content businesses -- on top of Facebook.
Scott Karp says the move gives Facebook the opportunity to become the next Google.
The first widgets are coming from predictable sources such as Amazon and Digg. But the possibilities are endless.
Certainly some of the smartest folks in the media business have jumped on the Facebook train. Take a look at this post by Rob Curley of the Washington Post, which "secretly" developed three applications for Facebook (Note: Rob emphasizes that Facebook is doing more than accepting widgets, but is instead looking for applications that are "real social-networking tools." And he even makes a point of saying that a simple widget of headline feeds would be about the dumbest thing anyone could try to get the Facebook community excited about.)
So am I saying that Facebook is the next big thing? For B2B? Not really.
Look -- Facebook has clearly become the most exciting company in the online world. And unlike a year ago when I first tried to sign up for a Facebook account, now even gray-haired B2B types like me are free to join. But I don't see Facebook becoming a major factor in the working lives of people in their 30s and older.
Am I saying that widgets are the next big thing? in B2B? Not really, although it's clear that many of the most exciting online products we'll see in the next few months will be widgets built for Facebook.
What I'm saying is that Facebook's decision to open its API is going to prompt a shift in the world of online content -- similar to the shifts that came with the rise of content aggregation and search. Once again the way that early adopters find, consume and share content is going to change. More importantly, an entire new class of entrepreneurs will emerge to build content companies on top of Facebook's API.
What I'm saying is that the next big thing in B2B publishing will exist because of what Facebook is doing. What I'm saying is that after new entrepreneurs figure out how to make money from content on Facebook, they'll figure out how to make money in B2B using a similar, widget-like process of embedding applications on top of someone else's business.
And the place that I think that's most likely to happen is Salesforce.com.
If you're not familiar with Salesforce, take a walk over to the desk of the guy who sells your ads. Odds are he knows it. Odds are he uses it. Ask him to explain it to you. Or just take a look here for an explanation of how Salesforce's customers can pick and choose from applications.
What you'll find is that Salesforce already is what Facebook is trying to become -- a technology platform that allows users to build a place to be on the Web. And while Facebook is about life, Salesforce is about work. Just like B2B publishing.
So consider this: Earlier this year Salesforce launched a service aimed at financial-service professionals. Merrill Lynch has already signed up 25,000 of its employees. Those employees are now using market-data streams and other applications in the Salesforce environment. But what they are not using is content, data or anything else from a traditional B2B publisher. Because as near as I can tell, none of the dozens of financial-service magazines in B2B have thought of a single application to offer them.
When I look at Facebook and Salesforce and open APIs, I'm convinced that I see the outline of the next big thing. I'm not sure exactly what form this next big thing will take. I'm not sure exactly how it will work. But I know that it is being born.
And as I have warned before, the world of B2B publishing isn't ready for it.
Click here to read how the development community views Facebook and Salesforce.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, widgets
I've tried. But I've failed.
I can think of at least a half dozen conversations and emails on the subject in the past few months. But no one I've talked to has reacted with anything even close to enthusiasm. It's my fault, I'm sure. I didn't create a sense of urgency about widgets ... because although I've viewed them as exceedingly cool things, I haven't thought of them as crucial to a B2B publication.
But that may have just changed.
In a related vein, in the past few years dozens of journalists and publishing executives have asked me what I think will be the next big thing in publishing. And although I've used that question to launch conversations on dozens of topics, I haven't given a definitive answer ... because I didn't think I knew the answer.
But that too may have just changed.
If you've heard the news about Facebook, you may know what I'm about to say. If you haven't heard the news, let me explain. Facebook, the social-networking site that dominates the online lives of millions of college and high-school students, has said it will allow outside companies to embed applications and widgets in its pages. Facebook is opening its API to the world. What that means is that anyone is now free to build entire online businesses -- including content businesses -- on top of Facebook.
Scott Karp says the move gives Facebook the opportunity to become the next Google.
The first widgets are coming from predictable sources such as Amazon and Digg. But the possibilities are endless.
Certainly some of the smartest folks in the media business have jumped on the Facebook train. Take a look at this post by Rob Curley of the Washington Post, which "secretly" developed three applications for Facebook (Note: Rob emphasizes that Facebook is doing more than accepting widgets, but is instead looking for applications that are "real social-networking tools." And he even makes a point of saying that a simple widget of headline feeds would be about the dumbest thing anyone could try to get the Facebook community excited about.)
So am I saying that Facebook is the next big thing? For B2B? Not really.
Look -- Facebook has clearly become the most exciting company in the online world. And unlike a year ago when I first tried to sign up for a Facebook account, now even gray-haired B2B types like me are free to join. But I don't see Facebook becoming a major factor in the working lives of people in their 30s and older.
Am I saying that widgets are the next big thing? in B2B? Not really, although it's clear that many of the most exciting online products we'll see in the next few months will be widgets built for Facebook.
What I'm saying is that Facebook's decision to open its API is going to prompt a shift in the world of online content -- similar to the shifts that came with the rise of content aggregation and search. Once again the way that early adopters find, consume and share content is going to change. More importantly, an entire new class of entrepreneurs will emerge to build content companies on top of Facebook's API.
What I'm saying is that the next big thing in B2B publishing will exist because of what Facebook is doing. What I'm saying is that after new entrepreneurs figure out how to make money from content on Facebook, they'll figure out how to make money in B2B using a similar, widget-like process of embedding applications on top of someone else's business.
And the place that I think that's most likely to happen is Salesforce.com.
If you're not familiar with Salesforce, take a walk over to the desk of the guy who sells your ads. Odds are he knows it. Odds are he uses it. Ask him to explain it to you. Or just take a look here for an explanation of how Salesforce's customers can pick and choose from applications.
What you'll find is that Salesforce already is what Facebook is trying to become -- a technology platform that allows users to build a place to be on the Web. And while Facebook is about life, Salesforce is about work. Just like B2B publishing.
So consider this: Earlier this year Salesforce launched a service aimed at financial-service professionals. Merrill Lynch has already signed up 25,000 of its employees. Those employees are now using market-data streams and other applications in the Salesforce environment. But what they are not using is content, data or anything else from a traditional B2B publisher. Because as near as I can tell, none of the dozens of financial-service magazines in B2B have thought of a single application to offer them.
When I look at Facebook and Salesforce and open APIs, I'm convinced that I see the outline of the next big thing. I'm not sure exactly what form this next big thing will take. I'm not sure exactly how it will work. But I know that it is being born.
And as I have warned before, the world of B2B publishing isn't ready for it.
Click here to read how the development community views Facebook and Salesforce.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, widgets
Thursday, May 24, 2007
The best and brightest among us
I've been too busy to post much to this blog this week. But I'm going to take a second or so now to offer my congratulations to some of my favorite new-media journalists for winning grants from the Knight Foundation.
First and foremost among the winners is Adrian Holovaty, who picked up $1 million. After winning the award, Adrian quit the Washington Post and announced that he's starting a business. I've been saying for a very long time that Adrian, programmer/journalist and creator of ChicagoCrime.org, is among the smartest people working in our field. I'm glad that the Knight Foundation agrees.
Also among the winners are Amy Gahran and Jay Rosen. Longtime readers of this blog know that I've been urging journalists to follow their work for a long time.
No one understands the future of journalism -- and what those of us in the trenches must do to succeed -- better than these three.
Click here to see the entire list of winners.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism education
First and foremost among the winners is Adrian Holovaty, who picked up $1 million. After winning the award, Adrian quit the Washington Post and announced that he's starting a business. I've been saying for a very long time that Adrian, programmer/journalist and creator of ChicagoCrime.org, is among the smartest people working in our field. I'm glad that the Knight Foundation agrees.
Also among the winners are Amy Gahran and Jay Rosen. Longtime readers of this blog know that I've been urging journalists to follow their work for a long time.
No one understands the future of journalism -- and what those of us in the trenches must do to succeed -- better than these three.
Click here to see the entire list of winners.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism education
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Relapse of an ethical lapse
Let's review.
Ziff Davis began inserting ads inside editorial.
I complained that such practices violated the ethics guidelines of our industry.
Michael Vizard, editorial director and senior vice president at Ziff Davis, disagreed. He told Folio magazine that selling parts of a news story as an advertisement was "in compliance with existing ASME and ASBPE guidelines as we understand them," and said his company would "be inclined to" remove the ads if those "officially recognized bodies adopt specific policies related to IntelliTXT ads."
ASBPE responded with a statement that was about as clear as any I have ever seen in the world of ethics. The trade association, which represents the journalists of B2B, said "ad links within editorial text should NOT be sold under any condition."
The ads disappeared from Ziff Davis' sites.
Sam Whitmore reported that Vizard told him that Ziff Davis was dropping the ads, but wouldn't issue a statement on the controversy.
And just when it seemed that this ugly incident was over, a reader of this blog sends me an email to tell me that the ads are back at Ziff Davis' PC Magazine (Take a look at this article for examples.)
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
Ziff Davis began inserting ads inside editorial.
I complained that such practices violated the ethics guidelines of our industry.
Michael Vizard, editorial director and senior vice president at Ziff Davis, disagreed. He told Folio magazine that selling parts of a news story as an advertisement was "in compliance with existing ASME and ASBPE guidelines as we understand them," and said his company would "be inclined to" remove the ads if those "officially recognized bodies adopt specific policies related to IntelliTXT ads."
ASBPE responded with a statement that was about as clear as any I have ever seen in the world of ethics. The trade association, which represents the journalists of B2B, said "ad links within editorial text should NOT be sold under any condition."
The ads disappeared from Ziff Davis' sites.
Sam Whitmore reported that Vizard told him that Ziff Davis was dropping the ads, but wouldn't issue a statement on the controversy.
And just when it seemed that this ugly incident was over, a reader of this blog sends me an email to tell me that the ads are back at Ziff Davis' PC Magazine (Take a look at this article for examples.)
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Another win in ads-in-edit controversy?
Maybe we're making some progress.
Last week, just as I learned that Ziff Davis had apparently ended its offensive practice of inserting ads in editorial text, I learned that CMP had begun doing so. But as a few readers of this blog have told me via email, CMP also now seems to have also retreated. Clickable ads that had appeared in stories here and here have disappeared. And as I take a quick cruise through the site this morning, I can't find any more of the offensive things.
However, I'm not entirely convinced that CMP has decided to do the right thing. When I look through the source code of those stories, I find references to IntelliTXT ads. That code may be something that's left over even if the ads have been removed forever. I just don't know for sure. So I'll wait awhile before I thank CMP for behaving responsibly.
But I would like to once again thank the readers of this blog who have voiced their support over this issue. And I'd like to offer special thanks to the American Society of Business Publication Editors. After publishing executives claimed that selling ads inside editorial text didn't violate ASBPE's ethics guidelines, the association responded quickly with a clear and definitive statement that no one could possibly misunderstand: "ad links within editorial text should NOT be sold under any condition."
On the other hand, I'm still awaiting a formal statement on this issue from American Business Media and the American Society of Magazine Editors.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
Last week, just as I learned that Ziff Davis had apparently ended its offensive practice of inserting ads in editorial text, I learned that CMP had begun doing so. But as a few readers of this blog have told me via email, CMP also now seems to have also retreated. Clickable ads that had appeared in stories here and here have disappeared. And as I take a quick cruise through the site this morning, I can't find any more of the offensive things.
However, I'm not entirely convinced that CMP has decided to do the right thing. When I look through the source code of those stories, I find references to IntelliTXT ads. That code may be something that's left over even if the ads have been removed forever. I just don't know for sure. So I'll wait awhile before I thank CMP for behaving responsibly.
But I would like to once again thank the readers of this blog who have voiced their support over this issue. And I'd like to offer special thanks to the American Society of Business Publication Editors. After publishing executives claimed that selling ads inside editorial text didn't violate ASBPE's ethics guidelines, the association responded quickly with a clear and definitive statement that no one could possibly misunderstand: "ad links within editorial text should NOT be sold under any condition."
On the other hand, I'm still awaiting a formal statement on this issue from American Business Media and the American Society of Magazine Editors.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
Thursday, May 10, 2007
All's well that ends well
I like a happy ending.
Harry McCracken has been reinstated as editor of PC World. And that should please everyone at PC World, parent company IDG and the journalism world in general.
If you haven't been following the story, you can read coverage from CNET.
But suffice it to say that McCracken stepped down after complaining that he had been facing inappropriate pressure on coverage from executive Colin Crawford.
Now from the beginning, I've had a hard time with this story. I've met both Harry and Colin. And I like and admire both of them tremendously. In fact, I haven't written about the issue prior to today because I had hoped that I might help arbitrate the dispute. I've believed from the start that this was a situation that could be resolved. Two good guys, both of them professionals, had a disagreement over vital issues. And it seemed to me that if we could lock them in a room with a disinterested third party (not me, I had some other folks in mind), then things would be resolved quickly.
As it turns out, IDG didn't need help from me or anyone else. It seems that the company handled things with sensitivity and common sense. Harry is back at PC World. Colin is returning to his role overseeing online initiatives. I expect both guys will do great work in the future.
(DISCLOSURE: I consider IDG a client, although I haven't worked with the company or received payment from it for about a year. More importantly, I consider IDG a good example of how to run a publishing company. And the way IDG has responded to this crisis renews my faith in the wisdom of the company.)
For more on this story, check out what Chad Dickerson has to say.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
Harry McCracken has been reinstated as editor of PC World. And that should please everyone at PC World, parent company IDG and the journalism world in general.
If you haven't been following the story, you can read coverage from CNET.
But suffice it to say that McCracken stepped down after complaining that he had been facing inappropriate pressure on coverage from executive Colin Crawford.
Now from the beginning, I've had a hard time with this story. I've met both Harry and Colin. And I like and admire both of them tremendously. In fact, I haven't written about the issue prior to today because I had hoped that I might help arbitrate the dispute. I've believed from the start that this was a situation that could be resolved. Two good guys, both of them professionals, had a disagreement over vital issues. And it seemed to me that if we could lock them in a room with a disinterested third party (not me, I had some other folks in mind), then things would be resolved quickly.
As it turns out, IDG didn't need help from me or anyone else. It seems that the company handled things with sensitivity and common sense. Harry is back at PC World. Colin is returning to his role overseeing online initiatives. I expect both guys will do great work in the future.
(DISCLOSURE: I consider IDG a client, although I haven't worked with the company or received payment from it for about a year. More importantly, I consider IDG a good example of how to run a publishing company. And the way IDG has responded to this crisis renews my faith in the wisdom of the company.)
For more on this story, check out what Chad Dickerson has to say.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
One step forward, two steps back
God, this business is getting depressing.
Just as I hear a piece of good news, someone sends me a piece of bad news.
First, the good news.
It appears that Ziff Davis has wised up and removed the ads from within editorial text. Regular readers of this blog know that I've been arguing for this for a week now. A few days ago, the American Society of Business Publication Editors issued a clarification of its ethics policy so that even the folks at Ziff had to accept that the practice violated ASBPE ethics guidelines. And now it looks as if Ziff has retreated. I no longer see the ads on Ziff Davis' sites.
But as good as this new is, I'm cautious. Ziff hasn't issued a statement. And longtime readers of this blog know that we've been down this road before with Ziff.
Now, the bad news.
Just as Ziff Davis seems to have accepted the rules of decent behavior, someone else has decided to violate them.
CMP's InformationWeek is now running the same ads-within-edit links from IntelliTXT that Ziff Davis did. You can see examples here and here.
As pointless as it sometimes feels to do, I will now quote from ASBPE -- "ad links within editorial text should NOT be sold under any condition." And while I'm at it, I'll also quote from American Business Media's ethics guidelines -- "Links within editorial should never be paid for by advertisers."
Now that seems crystal clear to me. But I'm quite sure that someone from CMP will send me an email full of convoluted logic and muddled thinking to explain why selling links in editorial doesn't actually violate the guidelines.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
Just as I hear a piece of good news, someone sends me a piece of bad news.
First, the good news.
It appears that Ziff Davis has wised up and removed the ads from within editorial text. Regular readers of this blog know that I've been arguing for this for a week now. A few days ago, the American Society of Business Publication Editors issued a clarification of its ethics policy so that even the folks at Ziff had to accept that the practice violated ASBPE ethics guidelines. And now it looks as if Ziff has retreated. I no longer see the ads on Ziff Davis' sites.
But as good as this new is, I'm cautious. Ziff hasn't issued a statement. And longtime readers of this blog know that we've been down this road before with Ziff.
Now, the bad news.
Just as Ziff Davis seems to have accepted the rules of decent behavior, someone else has decided to violate them.
CMP's InformationWeek is now running the same ads-within-edit links from IntelliTXT that Ziff Davis did. You can see examples here and here.
As pointless as it sometimes feels to do, I will now quote from ASBPE -- "ad links within editorial text should NOT be sold under any condition." And while I'm at it, I'll also quote from American Business Media's ethics guidelines -- "Links within editorial should never be paid for by advertisers."
Now that seems crystal clear to me. But I'm quite sure that someone from CMP will send me an email full of convoluted logic and muddled thinking to explain why selling links in editorial doesn't actually violate the guidelines.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
Monday, May 07, 2007
Teach yourself
A reader sent an email last week saying that I have "argued quite well, and quite long, about how journalists need to expand their repertoires to incorporate a variety of digital abilities," but that I should provide "details or suggestions about how one might attain such skills."
Point taken.
Back in the early days of this blog, I did a fair number of posts about where to learn the skills of multimedia journalism. My emphasis was on free or inexpensive resources that allowed journalists to teach themselves. But I haven't published anything like that in awhile.
So here, without further ado, is a quick and updated list of resources for multimedia 101.
1. J-learning.org -- There was a three-month period of my life where I used J-learning as the home page of my Firefox browser. That was an easy way to remind myself to take the time to master everything that the site offers. And I would recommend that any journalist looking to learn the basics of online do the same. J-learning offers brief, do-it-yourself lessons in html, databases, audio, video and the rest of the new-media skill set. It's 100% free. And it's wonderful. This is the place to start.
2. News University -- The newspaper industry's Poynter Institute has also launched a site for aspiring multimedia reporters. It too is free.
2. Soundslides -- This is Flash-based software, built by journalists for journalists, that lets you build slideshows without any programming knowledge. Even if you've never done any multimedia work before, Soundslides can make you look like a pro. The company's motto is "ridiculously simple storytelling" -- and that's an accurate description of the product. Soundslides is also ridiculously cheap. It will cost you $40.
3. Audacity -- Free, open-source software that lets you record and edit sounds. It's a good idea to invest in an audio recorder. And there are loads of inexpensive models out there. But with or without a handheld, digital recorder, you can begin your audio career with Audacity.
4. Bloglines -- Folks can argue back and forth forever about the potential of RSS. But for journalists, there can be no argument. Nothing will improve your ability to monitor your beat faster than learning RSS. Nothing. If you don't understand RSS, check out this video. Then sign up for a Bloglines account. It's free. It's wonderful. It's Web-based (so you can check your feeds even when you're at another computer), it works great on PDAs (at least on my Treo), and it's addictive.
5. WordPress -- When I launched this blog, I opted to use Blogger, Google's free content-management system. And I stick with it because it works just fine. But there is a vastly superior system. And it too is free. That's what I urge my clients to use. WordPress may be the coolest and easiest CMS you'll ever use. Get a free account. Start a blog. Use that blog to experiment with new media. If you want to see just how much can be done with WordPress, check out the Web site of XXL magazine -- a multimedia-filled extravaganza that is run on WordPress. It's also a good idea to learn some of the other leading, open-source content-management systems. When you're ready for the next level, check out Drupal, which now powers the New York Observer.
6. Google mash-ups -- Few things in multimedia journalism have had the impact of ChicagoCrime.org, the mash-up created by Adrian Holovaty. You too can merge a Google map with other data to create a storytelling, interactive graphic. And Google will tell you how. Once you learn the basics, check out programmableweb.com to see what other folks are doing.
7. Flash Journalism -- Many of the coolest applications you see in multimedia are built using Adobe's Flash. Mindy McAdams, who holds the Knight Chair in journalism at the University of Florida, wrote the book on the subject. Buy it. And add Mindy's blog, Teaching Online Journalism, to your Bloglines account.
8. Photoshop -- I don't know of a better way to work with photos on the Web than this software. Unfortunately, it ain't free. However, there are tons of free tutorials related to it. My favorite source is Lifehacker. Check out the freebies here. There are also alternative software systems for photo editing. And one or another of them is included in just about every digital camera sold on earth. But Photoshop rules this world. Do everything you can to get your boss to pay for it. Or, if you work for yourself, just be grateful that you can deduct it.
9. NewsVideographer -- For print folks looking to move into multimedia, the trickiest issue will be video. Fortunately, there is a young journalist who offers advice for free to anyone who is willing to learn. Get to know the work of Angela Grant.
10. You -- A few months ago I asked the managing editor of an email newsletter company what her newsletters looked like on a Blackberry. She didn't know, she said, because the company didn't provide her with a Blackberry. That, in a nutshell, is everything that can possibly go wrong with a journalist. Her curiosity, her pride, her tenacity and her common sense had all disappeared. Don't let that happen to you. If you don't have a Blackberry, borrow one for a minute and check out your publication. If your company won't give you a gorgeous and expensive SLR digital camera, then get yourself a cheap little one that fits in your pocket. If your company won't pay for someone to train you, then teach yourself. You're a journalist, for god's sake, and there was a time in your career when you wouldn't take "no" for an answer.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism education
Point taken.
Back in the early days of this blog, I did a fair number of posts about where to learn the skills of multimedia journalism. My emphasis was on free or inexpensive resources that allowed journalists to teach themselves. But I haven't published anything like that in awhile.
So here, without further ado, is a quick and updated list of resources for multimedia 101.
1. J-learning.org -- There was a three-month period of my life where I used J-learning as the home page of my Firefox browser. That was an easy way to remind myself to take the time to master everything that the site offers. And I would recommend that any journalist looking to learn the basics of online do the same. J-learning offers brief, do-it-yourself lessons in html, databases, audio, video and the rest of the new-media skill set. It's 100% free. And it's wonderful. This is the place to start.
2. News University -- The newspaper industry's Poynter Institute has also launched a site for aspiring multimedia reporters. It too is free.
2. Soundslides -- This is Flash-based software, built by journalists for journalists, that lets you build slideshows without any programming knowledge. Even if you've never done any multimedia work before, Soundslides can make you look like a pro. The company's motto is "ridiculously simple storytelling" -- and that's an accurate description of the product. Soundslides is also ridiculously cheap. It will cost you $40.
3. Audacity -- Free, open-source software that lets you record and edit sounds. It's a good idea to invest in an audio recorder. And there are loads of inexpensive models out there. But with or without a handheld, digital recorder, you can begin your audio career with Audacity.
4. Bloglines -- Folks can argue back and forth forever about the potential of RSS. But for journalists, there can be no argument. Nothing will improve your ability to monitor your beat faster than learning RSS. Nothing. If you don't understand RSS, check out this video. Then sign up for a Bloglines account. It's free. It's wonderful. It's Web-based (so you can check your feeds even when you're at another computer), it works great on PDAs (at least on my Treo), and it's addictive.
5. WordPress -- When I launched this blog, I opted to use Blogger, Google's free content-management system. And I stick with it because it works just fine. But there is a vastly superior system. And it too is free. That's what I urge my clients to use. WordPress may be the coolest and easiest CMS you'll ever use. Get a free account. Start a blog. Use that blog to experiment with new media. If you want to see just how much can be done with WordPress, check out the Web site of XXL magazine -- a multimedia-filled extravaganza that is run on WordPress. It's also a good idea to learn some of the other leading, open-source content-management systems. When you're ready for the next level, check out Drupal, which now powers the New York Observer.
6. Google mash-ups -- Few things in multimedia journalism have had the impact of ChicagoCrime.org, the mash-up created by Adrian Holovaty. You too can merge a Google map with other data to create a storytelling, interactive graphic. And Google will tell you how. Once you learn the basics, check out programmableweb.com to see what other folks are doing.
7. Flash Journalism -- Many of the coolest applications you see in multimedia are built using Adobe's Flash. Mindy McAdams, who holds the Knight Chair in journalism at the University of Florida, wrote the book on the subject. Buy it. And add Mindy's blog, Teaching Online Journalism, to your Bloglines account.
8. Photoshop -- I don't know of a better way to work with photos on the Web than this software. Unfortunately, it ain't free. However, there are tons of free tutorials related to it. My favorite source is Lifehacker. Check out the freebies here. There are also alternative software systems for photo editing. And one or another of them is included in just about every digital camera sold on earth. But Photoshop rules this world. Do everything you can to get your boss to pay for it. Or, if you work for yourself, just be grateful that you can deduct it.
9. NewsVideographer -- For print folks looking to move into multimedia, the trickiest issue will be video. Fortunately, there is a young journalist who offers advice for free to anyone who is willing to learn. Get to know the work of Angela Grant.
10. You -- A few months ago I asked the managing editor of an email newsletter company what her newsletters looked like on a Blackberry. She didn't know, she said, because the company didn't provide her with a Blackberry. That, in a nutshell, is everything that can possibly go wrong with a journalist. Her curiosity, her pride, her tenacity and her common sense had all disappeared. Don't let that happen to you. If you don't have a Blackberry, borrow one for a minute and check out your publication. If your company won't give you a gorgeous and expensive SLR digital camera, then get yourself a cheap little one that fits in your pocket. If your company won't pay for someone to train you, then teach yourself. You're a journalist, for god's sake, and there was a time in your career when you wouldn't take "no" for an answer.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism education
Friday, May 04, 2007
ASBPE takes stand in Ziff Davis ad-link scandal
Well this should put an end to the debate.
The American Society of Business Publication Editors has issued a formal statement saying "ad links within editorial text should NOT be sold under any condition." The statement comes in response to requests from me and others that ASBPE clarify its ethics guidelines as related to hyperlinks.
If you haven't been following this story, here's the background:
Earlier this week I blasted Ziff Davis for engaging in unethical behavior by selling ads within the editorial sections of its Web sites. The tech publisher had begun using IntelliTXT ads -- in which words in news stories link to advertisements.
Folio magazine wrote a story based on my post. And in that story Michael Vizard, editorial director and senior vice president of the Ziff Davis Enterprise Group, denied doing anything wrong. According to Vizard, selling parts of a news story as an advertisement is "in compliance with existing ASME and ASBPE guidelines as we understand them."
Vizard also said that Ziff Davis would "be inclined to comply" if those "officially recognized bodies adopt specific policies related to IntelliTXT ads."
Now to me, the rules of both organizations were already crystal clear -- editorial space belongs to the editorial department. But in a post last night, I asked those organizations, as well as American Business Media, to clarify things for Vizard.
ASBPE is the first of the three to respond. And I want to thank the organization for moving so quickly on this important issue.
I think it's fair to say that ASBPE's response is clear and strong. You can read the group's entire statement on Folio's blog or in the addendum to the magazine's earlier story. But the bottom line is that ASBPE says "ad links within editorial text should NOT be sold under any condition."
Now I'd like to see ABM clarify its position (although to be honest, the existing language is about as clear as can be: Links within editorial should never be paid for by advertisers.) And I expect that ABM will issue a statement soon. I'd also like to see ASME clarify its position (although, again, I think its guidelines on product placement, which say that editorial pages should be solely under the control of editorial, say all there is to say.) But to be honest, I have little faith in ASME's ability to handle controversy. I don't expect an answer from them for months.
But even if ABM and ASME don't respond, it seems clear to me that Vizard has got his answer:
Selling links in a story is unethical.
So when will Ziff Davis "comply" and pull the ads?
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
The American Society of Business Publication Editors has issued a formal statement saying "ad links within editorial text should NOT be sold under any condition." The statement comes in response to requests from me and others that ASBPE clarify its ethics guidelines as related to hyperlinks.
If you haven't been following this story, here's the background:
Earlier this week I blasted Ziff Davis for engaging in unethical behavior by selling ads within the editorial sections of its Web sites. The tech publisher had begun using IntelliTXT ads -- in which words in news stories link to advertisements.
Folio magazine wrote a story based on my post. And in that story Michael Vizard, editorial director and senior vice president of the Ziff Davis Enterprise Group, denied doing anything wrong. According to Vizard, selling parts of a news story as an advertisement is "in compliance with existing ASME and ASBPE guidelines as we understand them."
Vizard also said that Ziff Davis would "be inclined to comply" if those "officially recognized bodies adopt specific policies related to IntelliTXT ads."
Now to me, the rules of both organizations were already crystal clear -- editorial space belongs to the editorial department. But in a post last night, I asked those organizations, as well as American Business Media, to clarify things for Vizard.
ASBPE is the first of the three to respond. And I want to thank the organization for moving so quickly on this important issue.
I think it's fair to say that ASBPE's response is clear and strong. You can read the group's entire statement on Folio's blog or in the addendum to the magazine's earlier story. But the bottom line is that ASBPE says "ad links within editorial text should NOT be sold under any condition."
Now I'd like to see ABM clarify its position (although to be honest, the existing language is about as clear as can be: Links within editorial should never be paid for by advertisers.) And I expect that ABM will issue a statement soon. I'd also like to see ASME clarify its position (although, again, I think its guidelines on product placement, which say that editorial pages should be solely under the control of editorial, say all there is to say.) But to be honest, I have little faith in ASME's ability to handle controversy. I don't expect an answer from them for months.
But even if ABM and ASME don't respond, it seems clear to me that Vizard has got his answer:
Selling links in a story is unethical.
So when will Ziff Davis "comply" and pull the ads?
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
Thursday, May 03, 2007
More on the Ziff Davis ads-in-edit scandal
Folio magazine has written an article about my dispute with Ziff Davis over that company's insertion of ads into the bodies of stories.
Take a look.
I think it's fair to say that while folks such as Rex Hammock and Jeffrey Seglin (both quoted in the Folio article) agree with me that the ads are violations of our industry's ethical standards, the folks at Ziff Davis disagree. Rather, Michael Vizard, editorial director and senior vice president of Ziff Davis Enterprise Group, says the ads are "in compliance with existing ASME and ASBPE guidelines as we understand them."
But consider, if you will, the wording of ASME's ethical guidelines: "Advertisers should not pay to place their products in editorial pages nor should they demand placement in return for advertising. Editorial pages may display and credit products and tell readers where to buy them, as long as those pages are solely under editorial control."
The key here, it seems to me, is that last section. Editorial pages must be "solely under editorial control."
I think it's clear that ASBPE is even more clear in its ethics guidelines: "Contextual links within editorial content should not be sold.”
But I think the award for clarity on this issue has to go to American Business Media. Here's what ABM has to say: "Hypertext links that appear within the editorial content of a site, including those within graphics, must be solely at the discretion of the editors. Links within editorial should never be paid for by advertisers."
But as clear as these rules are to me, they are apparently not clear enough for the senior management at Ziff Davis. Vizard wants ASBPE and ASME to be even more direct. He tells Folio magazine that "Should these officially recognized bodies adopt specific policies related to IntelliTXT ads, we would welcome that clarification and would also be inclined to comply with those guidelines."
Now putting aside that Jeffrey Seglin is a member of the ASBPE ethics committee, and that in the Folio article he seems to offer exactly the sort of clarification that Vizard says he wants, let's try to put an end to this depends-upon-what-the-meaning-of-the word-'is'-is foolishness.
Let's just ask the "officially recognized bodies."
So here goes: I'm formally asking that ASBPE, ASME and ABM issue statements on the use of advertising links in stories. Please publish your opinions on your Web sites and/or the comment section of this blog.
Thank you.
For other takes on this issue, see what Matt McAlister, Eric Shanfelt and Rex Hammock have to say.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
Take a look.
I think it's fair to say that while folks such as Rex Hammock and Jeffrey Seglin (both quoted in the Folio article) agree with me that the ads are violations of our industry's ethical standards, the folks at Ziff Davis disagree. Rather, Michael Vizard, editorial director and senior vice president of Ziff Davis Enterprise Group, says the ads are "in compliance with existing ASME and ASBPE guidelines as we understand them."
But consider, if you will, the wording of ASME's ethical guidelines: "Advertisers should not pay to place their products in editorial pages nor should they demand placement in return for advertising. Editorial pages may display and credit products and tell readers where to buy them, as long as those pages are solely under editorial control."
The key here, it seems to me, is that last section. Editorial pages must be "solely under editorial control."
I think it's clear that ASBPE is even more clear in its ethics guidelines: "Contextual links within editorial content should not be sold.”
But I think the award for clarity on this issue has to go to American Business Media. Here's what ABM has to say: "Hypertext links that appear within the editorial content of a site, including those within graphics, must be solely at the discretion of the editors. Links within editorial should never be paid for by advertisers."
But as clear as these rules are to me, they are apparently not clear enough for the senior management at Ziff Davis. Vizard wants ASBPE and ASME to be even more direct. He tells Folio magazine that "Should these officially recognized bodies adopt specific policies related to IntelliTXT ads, we would welcome that clarification and would also be inclined to comply with those guidelines."
Now putting aside that Jeffrey Seglin is a member of the ASBPE ethics committee, and that in the Folio article he seems to offer exactly the sort of clarification that Vizard says he wants, let's try to put an end to this depends-upon-what-the-meaning-of-the word-'is'-is foolishness.
Let's just ask the "officially recognized bodies."
So here goes: I'm formally asking that ASBPE, ASME and ABM issue statements on the use of advertising links in stories. Please publish your opinions on your Web sites and/or the comment section of this blog.
Thank you.
For other takes on this issue, see what Matt McAlister, Eric Shanfelt and Rex Hammock have to say.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
Those darn meddling kids
I've written quite a bit about the widening gap between the skills of working journalists and the demands of new media.
Want to see where you stand? Want to see where your publication stands?
Right now, do a quick inventory of your digital skills. Can you shoot and edit video? Operate a digital camera? Edit those photos? Design a site and/or article page? Operate an open-source CMS? Function on any CMS other than the one you're required to use at work? Can you do any coding? Can you read at least basic HTML? Do you know Flash? How about map mash-ups? Ever publish in real time? Ever run a forum or manage a "conversation" through feedback functions? Belong to any online communities? Ever start from scratch and build an online news site?
Now take a look at the future: a news site run by high-school kids.
Not college kids. Not pros. Just a bunch of 16-year olds.
Take a look and ask yourself honestly -- what are these kids doing on this site that I can't do at my publication?
(Thanks to Howard Owens for pointing me to the site.)
Want to see how rare and valuable these digital media skills are in B2B? Read an interview with the CEO of Vance Publishing, in which she says her company has been adding new positions in digital media, but has been unable to fill the slots.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism education
Want to see where you stand? Want to see where your publication stands?
Right now, do a quick inventory of your digital skills. Can you shoot and edit video? Operate a digital camera? Edit those photos? Design a site and/or article page? Operate an open-source CMS? Function on any CMS other than the one you're required to use at work? Can you do any coding? Can you read at least basic HTML? Do you know Flash? How about map mash-ups? Ever publish in real time? Ever run a forum or manage a "conversation" through feedback functions? Belong to any online communities? Ever start from scratch and build an online news site?
Now take a look at the future: a news site run by high-school kids.
Not college kids. Not pros. Just a bunch of 16-year olds.
Take a look and ask yourself honestly -- what are these kids doing on this site that I can't do at my publication?
(Thanks to Howard Owens for pointing me to the site.)
Want to see how rare and valuable these digital media skills are in B2B? Read an interview with the CEO of Vance Publishing, in which she says her company has been adding new positions in digital media, but has been unable to fill the slots.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism education
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Ziff Davis crosses the ethics line again
(Note: My policy is not to use foul language on this blog. But I'm making an exception today. I apologize in advance to anyone who is offended. )
There's no reason to pretend any longer that Ziff Davis is a reputable company.
Regular readers of this blog know that I complained earlier this year when Ziff Davis inserted ads in the text of stories -- perhaps the clearest violation of professional ethics I have ever seen. Executives at the company failed to return my emails or phone calls. But ethical journalists from Ziff Davis kept sending me emails asking for help. So I kept writing and writing.
And eventually, Ziff Davis pulled the offensive ads.
But now my inbox is filling again with complaints from journalists at Ziff Davis.
Because the company is once again placing ads inside stories.
If you've never seen one of these things, take a look at this story. You'll see that the second word in the lead paragraph -- "software" -- is a link to an ad for Adobe.
If you have the stomach for it, you can find similar ads in Ziff Davis' CIO Insight (take a look at this guest column, where the advertising department now controls the content.)
But if you want to see the single most ridiculous, most offensive, most disgusting and dimwitted thing in the entire history of B2B publishing, then take a look at the Editorial Mission statement of Baseline magazine -- the Editorial Mission statement, for god's sake!!! -- where ads have been inserted in the copy. (Screenshot is below.)
Look. I have nothing against advertising. But this is not a negotiable issue. The ethical standards of our industry are as clear as can be in this area. The editorial department controls editorial. It's that simple. Here, in fact, is what ASBPE says: "Whether for editorial or advertising information, hypertext links should be placed at the discretion and approval of editors. Also, advertising and sponsored links should be clearly distinguishable from editorial, and labeled as such ... Contextual links within editorial content should not be sold, and generally should not link to a vendor’s Web site, unless it is pertinent to the editorial content or helpful to the reader."
There may be a place for ads such as these, but that place cannot be in any publication that claims to adhere to the standards of professional journalism.
Years ago, when I was a young and impressionable reporter, an ad salesman took me to lunch to explain his side of the business. I remain forever grateful for what he taught me that day. He told me that he made his living by marketing my integrity. As long as I was pure, he could sell ads. But if I forgot what made for professional journalism, then he couldn't tell advertisers they were buying space in a credible publication.
There was, of course, a downside to his approach. There were always advertisers who would pay higher rates for puff pieces, fawning profiles of executives and "investigative" pieces aimed at competitors.
"Paul," he told me, "the truth is that guys will pay a lot more for a blow job than for a handshake. But blow jobs ain't what we're selling."
As I said at the start of this post, there's no reason to pretend any longer that Ziff Davis is a reputable company. There's no reason to pretend anymore that Ziff Davis is selling handshakes.
So let's all stop pretending.
I'm urging the senior staff at Ziff Davis to admit that they can't live by the standards of our profession, and to thus stop claiming to be part of our profession. I want Ziff Davis to resign its membership in American Business Media.
I'm urging organizations such as ABM and ASBPE to cut the crap and cut ties to Ziff Davis. Don't accept their applications for awards. Don't invite their executives to speak at your conferences. Stop letting them cheapen your reputation and our profession.
I'm urging everyone who competes against a Ziff Davis publication to take advantage of the current morale crisis there. Companies such as Reed Business, IDG and CMP all have magazines that compete directly with Ziff Davis' magazines. Surely the folks at the legitimate companies know at least one or two talented Ziff Davis' employees at rival books. Today is the day to steal them away. Call them now. Many of them are miserable at Ziff Davis. Get them out of there.
Most importantly, I'm urging every professional journalist at Ziff Davis to refuse to whore. Stop pretending that things will get better.
Grab a few coworkers, head to a nearby coffee shop, and plan a rebellion. They can't fire all of you. Don't report. Don't write. Don't edit another word for people that think you're a whore.
It's time to get all "Norma Rae" about this.
It's time to make your bosses miserable and to make yourselves proud.
Click here to read Folio magazine's new profile of Ziff Davis.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
There's no reason to pretend any longer that Ziff Davis is a reputable company.
Regular readers of this blog know that I complained earlier this year when Ziff Davis inserted ads in the text of stories -- perhaps the clearest violation of professional ethics I have ever seen. Executives at the company failed to return my emails or phone calls. But ethical journalists from Ziff Davis kept sending me emails asking for help. So I kept writing and writing.
And eventually, Ziff Davis pulled the offensive ads.
But now my inbox is filling again with complaints from journalists at Ziff Davis.
Because the company is once again placing ads inside stories.
If you've never seen one of these things, take a look at this story. You'll see that the second word in the lead paragraph -- "software" -- is a link to an ad for Adobe.
If you have the stomach for it, you can find similar ads in Ziff Davis' CIO Insight (take a look at this guest column, where the advertising department now controls the content.)
But if you want to see the single most ridiculous, most offensive, most disgusting and dimwitted thing in the entire history of B2B publishing, then take a look at the Editorial Mission statement of Baseline magazine -- the Editorial Mission statement, for god's sake!!! -- where ads have been inserted in the copy. (Screenshot is below.)
Look. I have nothing against advertising. But this is not a negotiable issue. The ethical standards of our industry are as clear as can be in this area. The editorial department controls editorial. It's that simple. Here, in fact, is what ASBPE says: "Whether for editorial or advertising information, hypertext links should be placed at the discretion and approval of editors. Also, advertising and sponsored links should be clearly distinguishable from editorial, and labeled as such ... Contextual links within editorial content should not be sold, and generally should not link to a vendor’s Web site, unless it is pertinent to the editorial content or helpful to the reader."There may be a place for ads such as these, but that place cannot be in any publication that claims to adhere to the standards of professional journalism.
Years ago, when I was a young and impressionable reporter, an ad salesman took me to lunch to explain his side of the business. I remain forever grateful for what he taught me that day. He told me that he made his living by marketing my integrity. As long as I was pure, he could sell ads. But if I forgot what made for professional journalism, then he couldn't tell advertisers they were buying space in a credible publication.
There was, of course, a downside to his approach. There were always advertisers who would pay higher rates for puff pieces, fawning profiles of executives and "investigative" pieces aimed at competitors.
"Paul," he told me, "the truth is that guys will pay a lot more for a blow job than for a handshake. But blow jobs ain't what we're selling."
As I said at the start of this post, there's no reason to pretend any longer that Ziff Davis is a reputable company. There's no reason to pretend anymore that Ziff Davis is selling handshakes.
So let's all stop pretending.
I'm urging the senior staff at Ziff Davis to admit that they can't live by the standards of our profession, and to thus stop claiming to be part of our profession. I want Ziff Davis to resign its membership in American Business Media.
I'm urging organizations such as ABM and ASBPE to cut the crap and cut ties to Ziff Davis. Don't accept their applications for awards. Don't invite their executives to speak at your conferences. Stop letting them cheapen your reputation and our profession.
I'm urging everyone who competes against a Ziff Davis publication to take advantage of the current morale crisis there. Companies such as Reed Business, IDG and CMP all have magazines that compete directly with Ziff Davis' magazines. Surely the folks at the legitimate companies know at least one or two talented Ziff Davis' employees at rival books. Today is the day to steal them away. Call them now. Many of them are miserable at Ziff Davis. Get them out of there.
Most importantly, I'm urging every professional journalist at Ziff Davis to refuse to whore. Stop pretending that things will get better.
Grab a few coworkers, head to a nearby coffee shop, and plan a rebellion. They can't fire all of you. Don't report. Don't write. Don't edit another word for people that think you're a whore.
It's time to get all "Norma Rae" about this.
It's time to make your bosses miserable and to make yourselves proud.
Click here to read Folio magazine's new profile of Ziff Davis.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism ethics, advertising
Monday, April 30, 2007
Failing to learn, failing to teach
Many of the journalists I know have adopted a strange, delusional vision of their value. I could say that they are in a state of denial. But that hardly describes the sorts of things I hear from people.
Rather, I think it's fair to say that these folks -- veteran journalists with years of experience -- have moved from denial into fantasy.
They've gone from being stubborn about adding new skills to being rigidly opposed to any change in their job description. And they cannot see the damage they are doing to themselves, their peers and their publications.
Consider the editor who told me he wouldn't think about providing headlines for mobile devices because "no reasonable person needs more than a PC to stay connected."
Or consider the reporter, told by his boss to include links in his copy, who insists that his publication "has to hire a specialist to do hyperlinks for me."
Or consider the managing editor who told me she'd fight any attempt by her staff to launch new online products because she liked her job and her schedule "just the way it is."
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about these people is that they have survived for so long. While news of layoffs keeps coming, there are still people in newsrooms across the country who believe that their old skill set is enough. They entered the profession at a time when being able to report, write and edit for a print publication was all they needed. And they cannot accept that this is no longer true.
And what is strangest about so many of these people is that they seem convinced -- absolutely convinced -- that they will survive even as hundreds of others lose their jobs.
Last week I met with an old friend who told me that his newspaper, like dozens of others across the nation, is moving to a Web-first model. And management, looking to boost productivity online, tried to transfer a number of print reporters to the online department.
But it was too late.
The online department rejected them. The print reporters didn't have the skills or the understanding to work online. And no one in the online department had the patience anymore to teach them. Instead, the online department has requested that the paper hire some recent graduates and some programmers.
And thus the print reporters will be laid off.
I've been thinking about that a lot since reading a post by one of my favorite young journalists, Meranda Watling. Meranda finds herself at a newspaper where most of the old-timers -- the people with the institutional memories that she needs to tap into -- are gone.
Take a look at Meranda's post and think back to what it was like to be the new kid in the newsroom. And perhaps you'll agree with me that the saddest thing about the stubborn old-timers is that because they haven't been willing to learn, they won't be available to teach.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism education
Rather, I think it's fair to say that these folks -- veteran journalists with years of experience -- have moved from denial into fantasy.
They've gone from being stubborn about adding new skills to being rigidly opposed to any change in their job description. And they cannot see the damage they are doing to themselves, their peers and their publications.
Consider the editor who told me he wouldn't think about providing headlines for mobile devices because "no reasonable person needs more than a PC to stay connected."
Or consider the reporter, told by his boss to include links in his copy, who insists that his publication "has to hire a specialist to do hyperlinks for me."
Or consider the managing editor who told me she'd fight any attempt by her staff to launch new online products because she liked her job and her schedule "just the way it is."
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about these people is that they have survived for so long. While news of layoffs keeps coming, there are still people in newsrooms across the country who believe that their old skill set is enough. They entered the profession at a time when being able to report, write and edit for a print publication was all they needed. And they cannot accept that this is no longer true.
And what is strangest about so many of these people is that they seem convinced -- absolutely convinced -- that they will survive even as hundreds of others lose their jobs.
Last week I met with an old friend who told me that his newspaper, like dozens of others across the nation, is moving to a Web-first model. And management, looking to boost productivity online, tried to transfer a number of print reporters to the online department.
But it was too late.
The online department rejected them. The print reporters didn't have the skills or the understanding to work online. And no one in the online department had the patience anymore to teach them. Instead, the online department has requested that the paper hire some recent graduates and some programmers.
And thus the print reporters will be laid off.
I've been thinking about that a lot since reading a post by one of my favorite young journalists, Meranda Watling. Meranda finds herself at a newspaper where most of the old-timers -- the people with the institutional memories that she needs to tap into -- are gone.
Take a look at Meranda's post and think back to what it was like to be the new kid in the newsroom. And perhaps you'll agree with me that the saddest thing about the stubborn old-timers is that because they haven't been willing to learn, they won't be available to teach.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media, journalism education
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The Times, TED and the business of B2B
As Rex said today in a de.licio.us bookmark, "It's not everyday the New York Times does a story on the economics of business-to-business media." So I felt obliged to read the article and link to it.
So here, take a look.
As you'll see, the Times is making note of the decision by TED, the Technology, Entertainment and Design organization, to begin offering videos of 100 of its famous 20-minute presentations. It's a move that the Times says puts TED "at the vanguard of a trend in the conference industry, where organizers have begun to exploit assets that in years past evaporated as soon as speakers left the stage."
And it's worth noting, as the Times does, that TED's decision comes as the latest data from American Business Media indicates that revenue from trade shows has surpassed revenue from print publishing for the first time.
Note: Some of TED's videos have been available online for quite some time. For an earlier post of mine that links to my all-time favorite TED video, click here.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media
So here, take a look.
As you'll see, the Times is making note of the decision by TED, the Technology, Entertainment and Design organization, to begin offering videos of 100 of its famous 20-minute presentations. It's a move that the Times says puts TED "at the vanguard of a trend in the conference industry, where organizers have begun to exploit assets that in years past evaporated as soon as speakers left the stage."
And it's worth noting, as the Times does, that TED's decision comes as the latest data from American Business Media indicates that revenue from trade shows has surpassed revenue from print publishing for the first time.
Note: Some of TED's videos have been available online for quite some time. For an earlier post of mine that links to my all-time favorite TED video, click here.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
"Gatsby," writers and new media
Come morning I'll be on the road, visiting three states in eight days.
And on this trip, when time allows, I'll be reading "The Great Gatsby."
I've read Fitzgerald's masterpiece before, of course. And like many writers, I went through an obsession with the book -- reading and re-reading it constantly back in high school (Hunter Thomson claimed to have retyped the entire book in an effort to absorb Fitzgerald's talent.) But obsessions fade, and it's been at least two decades since I last read "Gatsby."
So why now, at 48 years of age, am I returning to "Gatsby"?
A few weeks ago I was in my car listening to NPR when I heard a wonderful piece about "Gatsby." It featured actors reading selections of the work. There was audio of a trip to Long Island with a Fitzgerald expert. The host and his guests discussed movie versions of "Gatsby,"dissected the book's influence on writers, Fitzgerald's understanding of America and his mastery of the craft, and looked at the Gatsbys of our own time.
At the end of the show, there was a reference to more material available on the Web. When I got home, I logged on and looked.
And by the time I finished absorbing the multimedia presentation, I was obsessed again.
I'd urge you to take some time to do the same. Visit the Web site of Studio 360. Drill down. Follow the links. Listen to the audio.
And then come back to this post.
In the past few weeks I've heard from a number of folks who are upset -- some of them tremendously so -- by two recent posts of mine. In those posts I downplay the usefulness of clips in making a hiring decision and I celebrate those young journalists who take the time to master new skills.
The critics, if I understand their complaints, think I should put more emphasis on the ability to "write" and less on the mastery of new media.
Now it's easy to dismiss some of these critics as morons. (Consider, for example, the ridiculousness of the comment in this post, in which an anonymous person demonstrates an inability to think or write.)
But not every criticism comes from an idiot. Rather, most have come from reasonable folks with a love of good writing. Most, in fact, have come from folks who write for a living and do so with some skill. In other words, most of the criticism has come from folks who have likely had a "Gatsby" obsession, or a "Vonnegut" obsession -- folks just like me.
The truth is that my critics and I share a love of writing. That's why we got into the world of journalism in the first place. Where we differ is on how we feel about the new forms of storytelling. I adore the new forms, and I accept that they are superior vehicles for conveying a story online. Furthermore, I accept that what makes for good writing in print is vastly different from what makes for good writing online.
Consider, if you will, "The Great Gatsby." It is arguably, the greatest piece of American writing in history. In fact, for the sake of argument, let's say that it is the greatest piece of writing in American history.
Now click here and try to read it.
What you'll find is that even "Gatsby" cannot sing on a computer screen. On a computer screen, a multimedia presentation about Fitzgerald's masterpiece works better than the masterpiece itself.
Writing well is about choosing the right medium as much as it is choosing the right word. And the computer screen (or a PDA) is not the right medium for Fitzgerald. Nor, in fact, is the computer screen the appropriate place for most types of long-form writing.
So yes, when I think about hiring young people, I'm not very interested in their ability to write in long form.
I care more about reporting ability. I care more about ambition and entrepreneurial spirit. I care more about multimedia skills than print skills because I accept that young journalists are entering a business where the page is not as important as the screen.
"In my younger and more vulnerable years" I dreamed that I would write like Fitzgerald. I dreamed that I would create a book that was wondrous and beautiful and without peer. I may do that yet. And if I do, I pray that you read it in print and not online.
In the meantime, I'll look for the next generation of long-form writers in the bookstore and I'll look for the next generation of journalists online.
And I'll continue to try to do what I hope I have done here -- writing well for online by telling a story, making a point, uploading a photo, linking elsewhere and beginning a conversation in less than 800 words.
tags: journalism, b2b, media, trade press, magazines, newsletters, business media
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