How Businesses and Technologies Survive Death Sentence

Have a look at these screenshots -

These pictures show the raging debates in recent times about whether or not these businesses will survive in coming years. However, like many more similar things which were sentenced to death by experts, these businesses are not dead yet.

Transformation, not death.
This sounds philosophical. But it is perfectly applicable to all these things. Newspaper is not dead yet but the newspaper as we knew it is certainly dying. Same can be said to be true for many other things.

So, when some expert says that a particular concept or business will be dead, what it really means is that the reality is changing for that particular format. So the idea can still live on in a transformed avatar.

The masthead of NYTimes.com shows a successful transformation. 

Focus on technology at NYTimes.com

Circa an acclaimed news app which calls itself a news organization

Nexus 6 represents a trend where we will see a fusion of not only the capabilities but also of the physical form of smartphones and tablets (and laptops?)

Google's new Inbox application treats emails as messages and your inbox as a hub of your activities.

Ads Vs. Content (Or, is it so?)

Navin Kabra has published a rather apt post 'Why do website publishers alienate users with so much clutter?' on his blog.

My post is a response to many points he has raised in the said post. Navin's post can be summed up with his own tweet - "On free websites, advertisers are customers, you (readers) are the product being sold, & the content is marketing." :)

This is obviously true. But the catch is that those who take this approach, just can't survive or grow. If you want to thrive as a content website, you MUST serve your audience which is the readers and not the advertisers.

And, serving readers better does not necessarily mean closing out advertisers. If you need to survive, either you need to charge your customers for the content or you need to charge advertisers for displaying their ads. For average content websites, who do not have premium brand and content (e.g. online properties of bigwigs like Wall Street Journal and Financial Times), advertisements is the major (or the only) source of revenue.

So, basically the question here is - how not to alienate readers without compromising on the ad-revenue front?

Looking this way, it becomes a design and focus (of content) issue rather than business model issue. As far as content goes, it is a prerequisite that you must have original and very relevant content (as Harshad has been quoted as saying in Navin's post). Without this, you just can not stand out.

As far as ads go, many websites and bloggers have been successful in blending ads into content in a way that does not distract readers. Flashing ads are obviously a no-no for this.

There is a better approach to blending ads and content. It is to view ads as content itself (and which should ideally be so). If reader gets ads which are extremely relevant AND non-intruding, these actually become a value addition for the readers. If you create premium ad positions on your blog/website, and have can find advertisers which have a win-win match with your audience, you can command premium price for such spot. A good example of this is newspaper front page ads which sit in bottom right corner. This is an extremely premium spot. This spot commands a premium because the advertiser wants to get featured at a spot (front page) where editorial sanctity is of prime importance. So, ideally you should not find a liquor ad on front page. Ideally, editor (and not marketer) looks at the advertiser and ad material, and decides whether to feature the ad or not. (Unfortunately, this situation is changing now).

Same applies to paid content too. (Actually, advertisements are also a form of paid content). Paid content (e.g. articles, videos) is not bad if three conditions are satisfied - 1. If there is a proper and prominent disclosure, AND 2. If the content is extremely relevant to the audience, AND 3. The content is created by editors (who know their readers best). The last condition is necessary for a better user experience.

Let's see why and how paid content may serve value. Take example of Chitale Bandhu from Pune which is a sweets shop and are a legend when it comes to Bakharwadi (a snacks item which has become synonymous with Chitale Bandhu. Bakharwadi is no bakharwadi if it is not from Chitale Bandhu - so strong is the association).

Now, if a journalist wants to feature Chitale Bandhu's bakharwadi manufacturing process for the readers, should it be treated as advertisement, paid content or pure journalistic report? Even if the report is published in a daily only on basis of editorial merit, a competitor of Chitale Bandhu may dismiss it as paid content. To protect credibility of newspaper, without compromising on serving interesting and relevant content to readers, what should the newspaper do?

The answer to this may be earned media - where Chitale Bandhu sponsors the content by paying the newspaper or by giving some discount to readers who bring cutting of the article. When done proactively by businesses, this is actually content marketing. This is just an example. But this creates a fair, level-playing field without compromising business of newspaper or the interest or the readers.

On web, role of online ad networks is also important. Ad networks which focus on relevance and user experience rather than scale serve considerable value. Google understands the importance of this relevance and constantly strives to improve its ad serving technology.

Other good example of an ad network with a focus on relevance and user experience is Deck Network which is a premium, invite-only ad network. (I am in no way associated with http://decknetwork.net). If you see live examples of ads served by Deck Network, it is evident that they have tried to create a win-win situation for everybody involved.

As far as mobile sites and the ads on them go, the scene is like that of HD TV channels - as long as audience is small, they are ad-free. As the audience grows, they will start serving ads. And, the user experience is actually messier on mobile than on desktop as far as ads go. As a report points out, almost 40% clicks on mobile ads are useless. Out of these 40%, 18% are accidental clicks.

So, what's the solution?
It is definitely not stopping ads altogether. It is to follow strict journalistic norms of content quality, and of serving readers.

Media In Dilemma

Here is the link to my post on Indian media facing a dilemma. It is published on blog of MediaNext - my company.

Notes on Mumbai Terror Attacks

The shameful attacks that were carried out on Mumbai for last 2 days are finally reached to the end now. With death of more than 150 common people, some best cops & commandos, and some foreign nationals, these attacks have made wounds on hearts of billions of Indians.

A few things that I noted during these attacks are -

1. These attacks have certainly shocked even the most resilient city of Mumbai, mostly because there was a methodical randomness and wide reach in these attacks.
2. The real face of politicians came to fore more starkingly than ever. Especially what angered people was behavior of Narendra Modi, CM of Gujarat, who took a press conference right in the cordoned off area while the commandos were shedding their blood inside the Oberoi hotel.
3. This was probably the longest LIVE coverage of an event which lasted for more than 57 hours…kudos to cameramen and anchors of electronic media for bringing all to the masses – for now everybody understands the dangers of religious hatred that culminated in terrorism.
4. These attacks also will bring in a change in the way Indian internal security system works. Some issues which need urgent attention will be – coordination in various intelligence agencies, overall strengthening of intelligence gathering, security of sea-shores of India, tougher majors to curb terrorism, and strengthening the hands of cops who deal with terrorism.
5. Before general elections next year, these attacks will force Indian government to do some tough-talk and arm-twisting with the Islamic neighbors of Pakistan and Bangladesh.
6. This event also showed, at once, the strength and weakness of social media, especially Twitter. On one hand Twitter facilitated very wider conversations and interactions which are just not possible in any mainstream media. Many Indian media houses will hopefully wake up now to this reality. On the other hand it was also seen that most of the conversations were parasited on coverage of electronic media. Very little original feed came in.

A window to web on Mumbai Terror attacks:

Twitter Feed for #Mumbai

Flickr Photoset of Vinu

Some of the best, original, and least seen photo shows here, here, here, here, here, here, here & here from local media

Some good content from around the globe here [one of the best photo shows], here, and here, and here

Map of the locations

NDTV Page on Attacks with videos and more

Now, Social Movies!

Why One Minute Movies will matter?

• Democratic flavor: Everybody can't be Martin Scorcesse or Peter Jackson. But everybody can make a 1-Minute statement. And cameras are dozen a dime now in cellphones, which everybody has.
• It's simple: Just click and shoot.
• It's quick: Just click, shoot and save.
  
• It's economic: Camera, as an add-on in a cellphone, is free. Unless you sign up Brad Pit for your movie, it will cost nothing.

I wonder how greatly this matters for media and mobile industries...

Read this post on resurrection of One Minute Movies on ajit balakrishnan’s Blog -

"In a move that may have marked the start of a new era, the legendary former Disney CEO Michael Eisner unveiled plans to produce 80 episodes of a serial called “Prom Queen.” This by itself may not have caused a stir except that each episode will be just 90 seconds. “Prom Queen” is a serialized mystery and will begin on April 2nd and roll out over 80 days. It has been billed as 'a blend of love, gossip and betrayal”. The series will run on the studio’s own site Vuguru.com, on a show site promqueen.tv, on Youtube the popular video sharing site, on Veoh a file sharing site and arrangements are being made to distribute it on wireless and handheld video devices. Ads will run before and after episodes. Eisner also announced this week the formation of a studio, Vuguru, that will acquire and develop short videos for the web.

User created One Minute videos have been around ever since the dramatic drop in price of video cameras. But what makes the Eisner move different is that he plans to have his 1-minute videos “professionally produced”, using top Hollywood talent.

What this will do to the movie industry that has marching towards ever larger production budgets and ever lengthier durations and ever plusher multiplexes is too complicated"

Watch some great 1-Minute Movies here and here.

How Second Life Is a Disruptive Idea?

What can be a truly disruptive idea? What can be said to take the business one step ahead of the competition? What can be the answers of these questions when they are asked in connection with media business? These are the questions which I ask myself again and again.

I think that in media the business ideas which succeed beyond expectations are those which truly exploit the potential of that particular medium. For example, what is the strength of Internet? Is it the fact that there are lesser or no size limits when compared with print medium, where you have to stuff all the news you have into 16 to 20 pages (in India)? Is it the fact that you can stream videos? According to me, until now Internet had 2 strengths – One, the hyperlinks [which make the Internet infinite, by always giving you some entry points and some exit points]. The other strength which Internet has is its ability of offering interactivity, or a window to react and be creative, for the users. For example, I can easily connect with a friend over content on a website using the same medium. Single medium is used as a content offering tool and at the same time also a tool to interact and communicate, unlike in any other medium except perhaps a mobile.

This takes us to a relationship between type of business idea and the characteristics of the medium. The relationship is –

[Extent of disruption caused by an idea] α [Extent of use of unique strengths of the medium for maximum benefit]

This point gets validated by the disruptive ideas on Internet in recent times. Google [connects you to resources on Web], Wikipedia, Youtube and Flickr [all 3 - window to create something], MySpace [connect with each others] and Amazon / eBay [imitate real life on Internet using interactivity and communication ability].

What will be the biggest disruption on Internet from its inception? I am sure it is going to be Second Life [as an idea. Current Second Life is not at all sophisticated in technology. Perhaps it will be Google’s similar offering that will change the game altogether]. If you look at Second Life, you will find that it has everything that I listed above – communication tool, transaction tool, creativity tool and a lot more than that like it is a real-time MMORPG which will keep you engaged, provide you an earning and also entertain you.

Keep your fingers crossed, because the Virtual World is going to change not only Internet – that will be a minute part. It is going to stir the Human Society to its roots by challenging the existing logic, notions, transactions, inter-relationships and Interactions in ordinary human life in most confounding way.

News That Matter

• C-DAC [The institution that launched India into Supercomputing age] launched Pragati a Hindi web browser, which is based on Firefox. This is important, since there is much to be done in Indian languages computing, before Indian masses can interact with PC's and web in their local languages [via Quick Online Tips].

• Economic Times reports that India may offer free broad band services to her people at 2 mbps, within next 2 years. The cost will be a fraction of Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF). USOF is created out of annual deposit of 5 % of revenues of each cellular operator in India. It was supposed to be used for bridging the telecom devide that exists between urban and rural India. Incidentally, currently USOF burgeons at 9194.12 crore.

• AOL has launched its Indian version - AOL.in, which currently looks quite a basic portal.

3G Enters India...Almost.

Today, there is a full page ad of Nokia N95 in Times Of India. The features list of N95 is just impressive. It has a dual slide design, 5 MP camera, Wi-Fi abilities, internet browser with Mini Map for better internet experience, integration with Flickr, the LifeBlog application, GPS...and so on. Cool! That is a range of features I will die for! See all the features here and a deatiled review here. So, futuristic handsets are here, penetration of mobile-phones is rising at a scorching pace and operators are also prepared to play the 3G game. What about the spectrum?

Other news in the same newspaper, that has caught my attention is about Indian governement's decision (or is it just a proposal?) about inviting global bids for spectrum auction. The Indian Airforce is expected to vacate 42.5 Mhz of spectrum by July, this year. The bids will be invited after this. The significance of global bidding is that it will give some big global players, an opportunity to catch the telecom-boom bus, which they have lost or left earlier. For consumers, this will mean that they will have a richer 3G experience and the tariffs will be lowered considerably. And for government, this will mean big bucks. The news says -

"The most significant aspect of Wednesday's announcement read along with the modified 74% FDI guidelines in telecom announced by the government just last week, is a clear invitation for global telcos to put their money where their mouth is. Analysts suggest that this is perhaps the last opportunity for those who have not been a part of the Indian telecom juggernaut to now jump in."

Read the news here.

Best Cell Phones

Virginia Tech Timelapse on Wikipedia

It was great watching this video about how wikipedia changes during a world acknowledged event. I originally viewed it on Wired.com. Now it seems that even NY Times has made a great homepage feature on Wikipedia's woking in the wake of V Tech shooting. A must read feature on NYT and also a must watch video...

Anatomy of Compelling Digg Videos: 101

Have a good video. Definitely people would like it. So you want the people to watch it. So you have also put it on Digg.

But there are thousands of people like you out there. There are thousands of better videos. What do you think will then make the difference? Why a dig visitor will click on a video, which is just one of many? The answer is – Write a compelling description of your video. Those 3-4 lines below your video will matter the most. The description should be so compelling that the dig visitor must feel that he has come to Digg, just to watch videos like this. How to do it then? What is the single most compelling description ever written?

There are 3 factors associated with a Digg video – Content, Title & Description. Now there are following scenarios –

1. Content is simply very much attractive – This is obviously the most ideal situation; and a rare one. When you have a strong content of video, your mantra would be 'Be Descriptive'. Just write core of your video in 5 to 8 words of Title, and elaborate 'what the title is?' in a Description of 2-3 lines. You are done.
   
2. Average Content – You know when your content is average, don't you? We are the best judges actually. In such a case, what will obviously matter are
   other 2/3^rd part – the title & the description. This is tricky. But the solution is simple. Here you will have to do upside down. Make your title a bit descriptive, e.g. 'Johnny Playing Football with Dog and Getting Beaten 2-0!' This surely not a substantive content, is it? This was for the title. For description, don't write more than 1 simple sentence. The most compelling description can be – 'Just watch it', or 'Dog's dribble rivals Ronaldnho. Watch it to know it!', or 'Beyond description; Just watch that!', or 'Not that the dog is playing football; it's the way it beats Johnny', or 'My God! The doggy is Pele!!'

If you look at the descriptions in point (2), you should come to know how the descriptions ought to be. If you write a description as – 'A little boy was playing football with his dirty looking doggy, when the dog beat the boy by 2-0. Watch the video, you will lol.' Doesn't it suck? You will think – 'Who the heck is the submitter, to tell me to watch it?' What's wrong with this description? Your obvious reaction would be like this because the writer of description has placed himself on other side of Line of Distrust.

What is this Line of Distrust? This is an invisible boundary that separates a consumer from a supplier of content / product. Here, it means that while writing a description, even if you have shot the video, you need to think from a viewer's point of view. Ideal description is as if a viewer is thinking to himself, or 'somebody' telling him to watch the video because it is really great. This somebody MUST NOT BE THE SUBMITTER but a fellow viewer telling how good the video is.

While writing a good description, submitting a good post / video, you must be on side A of the line of separation. And believe me this applies to every piece of creation in a process of communication.

Can Cricket Be The 'Football' For India?

One theme that was discussed at the WAN organised Digital Winners, 2007 meet (where I had been), was the importance of Football for media. Football is one great leveller. It is secular, it is popular, and thanks to media attention, it is highly glamourous.

Now, when more and more media houses are shifting their focus to the interfaces of tomorrow - web & mobile, they want something reliable to test their business models and also to minimise the risk. Here, Football comes into picture. As Noam Chomsky has said, sports is one thing that still remains in public sphere of control, totally. All other things - polity, commerec etc. are more or less, into control of other entities - State, mainly. This control helps an ordinary person to connect with the game very easily. He has full liberty of expression in the arena. Complete freedom of speech. It is like the freedom of expression, which is enjoyed by parliamentarians within parliament premises. You can cheer a team, you can boo a team, you can insult, cry, do whatever your adrenaline prompts you to. Further, an ordinary fan of the game likes not only the game, which end only in 90 minutes or so, but also whole context of game. Fan wants to see football as a complete story - story full of varied characters, their lives, conflicts and tenssions, ups and downs of the heroes etc. It is like a movie script.

This is where the media houses stand a good chance to play the roll of mediator between the game of 90 minutes and a rich story, which the fans love more. If presented in this form, the consumers are really winning to pay for the content. The content can be clips, interviews, match streaming, wallpapers, themes, commercials etc. Further strong links can be established between consumers and the sellers of the Football caps, tee-shirts, shields, shoes and so on and on, there is little limit to what can be sold.

This potential of game is now well recognised by the media houses all over the world. In many countries in Europe, newspapers devoted to football have top circulations. A telecom company like Telenor (under whose premise the Digital Winners event was held) has established a separate division named Football Telenor, which has aggressive plans for future.

The question that popped again and again in my mind was - Can the success of 'football + media', be replicated in India? India is poised to enter the 3G game on a big scale and broadband is an 'IN' thing now (Govt. of India has declared 2007 as the 'Year of Broadband'). During this transition, Cricket can be a great help for all the media industry in India. What is your take?