Archive for November 4th, 2006
Gannett’s newspaper newsrooms are undergoing a “huge” restructuring into information centers that focus on four goals: 1) prioritize local news over national news 2) publish more user-generated content 3) become web-centered 24/7 news operations and 4) use “crowdsourcing” methods in large, investigative projects — putting the audience to work in digging up details on government malfeasance. “We’ve already had some really amazing results with the crowdsourcing element of this,” said Jennifer Carroll, Gannett’s VP for new media content. “Most of us got into this business because we were passionate about watchdog journalism and public service, and we’ve just watched those erode. We’ve learned that no one wants to read a 400-column-inch investigative feature online. But when you make them a part of the process they get incredibly engaged.”
November 4th, 2006
Called Ziddio, the site encourages people to submit video in a variety of themes and categories for prizes. And the best video will air on a new Comcast video-on-demand channel of the same name or on partner channels, such as The Style Network. Although the site has yet to launch (although the press release makes it sound like it’s already up), the idea of connecting focused user video with television programming is a promising one. In fact, Ziddio seems very similar in approach to NBC’s new user video site, ItsYourShowTV.com. Also, Comcast has been in talks with YouTube and Revver about repurposing their user video on VOD. (Via PaidContent)
November 4th, 2006
Two Seattle websites are at the forefront of dramatic change in the real estate industry. The first is Redfin, and the site’s basic premise is that the internet has reduced the need for realtors to connect buyers with sellers, and as a result, you should only pay a fraction of the commission. And the second is Zillow, which uses historical MLS and tax record data to come with with “zestimates” of a home’s value. And the backlash has begun. For Redfin, some realtors are refusing to sell homes to buyers who are using Redfin. And Zillow has been hit with a complaint filed with the FTC that alleges the site is knowingly deceiving the public by presenting its estimates as accurate (despite the fact that Zillow makes it clear on the site that its estimates are just starting points for professional valuations.) As information becomes democratized through technology, such opposition is a natural by-product of traditionalists protecting their turf. In my humble opinion, the industry is ripe for change.
November 4th, 2006
