Magazines Want To Cash In On Web Video, Too
from the it's-more-fun-with-moving-pictures dept
While newspapers flounder as they try to figure this whole internet thing out, magazines have been slightly more adept. Now, there’s apparently growing interest among magazine publishers to try and cash in on the web video craze by rolling out their own video content — but it’s not driven by a desire to offer users better content, but rather simply to provide video inventory to sell to advertisers. It’s almost as if these sites are assuming that because something like YouTube is popular, there’s a great untapped demand among the online audience for any sort of web video, and they’ll be able to capitalize on it by offering up any old content, as long as it’s moving pictures. However, the rise of YouTube and other video sites simply means there’s more competition for users’ attention, so magazines will have to ensure that their video content is actually compelling enough to attract viewers and hold their interest. While some publications are devoting significant resources to video, others are just issuing cameras and microphones to their reporters, who often have no background in broadcast media. The assumption seems to be that video instantly makes a story more interesting, but that’s not necessarily the case, particularly if it’s not executed well. It’s all well and good that magazines are trying to expand their online operations, but just throwing content out there solely as a vehicle with which to move ads, with little consideration of what it offers the audience, isn’t a sound strategy.
Comments on “Magazines Want To Cash In On Web Video, Too”
wow...
you guy can’t have an article without mentioning newspapers not being able to figure out the internet can you?
yeah, wow.
i read many of these articles over the course of the day, and there is a real “anti-newspaper” vibe in many of the blog entries.
not that i am taking up for newspapers at all, the only time i read them anymore is if someone leaves the comics in the stall at work.
What’s a newspaper?
WorkWacky.com enters the video arena too
WorkWacky.com offers video to help reduce work-related stress
http://www.workwacky.com
you actually touch a newspaper someone left in the bathroom stall?
ew that’s wrong no SO many levels!
newspaper, newspaper and newspaper. why do people think that blugs, or video contents for that matter are valid replacements for newspapers. Yes, it might be true that society is becoming more paperless, still I don’t think that one can simply comapre the contents of a newspaper to that of a blug or whatever people call them these days.
In short, in my opinon, newspapers are more trust worthy than blugs. They have rules and code of ethics that make more of a valid source for news than some one I have never met writing their perosnal views about the world, or whatever it is that they are writing about.
Moreover, most if not all newspapers now have their contents presented on the net. So, I don’t really understand what the fuss is all about.
Re: Mag and Internet are two different things
I am constantly on the Internet and see its merits. But I would much rather read a magazine article in a magazine than on a computer. Read stuff on the computer, except for in short bursts, sucks. The ebooks have not caught on for that same reason. Outside of porn, if I am going to read about subjects I care about I would rather read it on paper.
ha ha ha
The newspapers are for stupid mcdummies!
Mag and Internet are two different things
exactly how much porn do you READ? o.O
Quality is everything
Audio and video for websites is clearly the “next big thing” in website enhancement and content. But Carlo’s point is right about quality. Will it enhance or damage mag brands?
I reckon it’s about the way you tell ’em! There are loads of “record it yourself” technologies flooding the marketplace – many of them extremely effective, very clever, low cost and generating massive volumes – YouTube being a very good example. Long may it continue because all of these technologies have a massive contribution to make.
But when it comes to mag or newspaper websites, I think the rules change. In general terms, they have websites which showcase the written stuff. They’ll have spent as much as they can afford in making the design and content reflect their brand. Now they’re adding audio and video and it’s here that good branding can turn bad.
I recently saw a Google ad for a piece of web audio technology that said “sound like the professionals in just three minutes”. Erm no! Professional voiceovers, scriptwriters and producers are employed for a reason – they are professonals!. Writing for voice, recording and producing audio and video scripts, understanding marketing, brand values, what to say and even how far to stand away from the mic are all essential skills to add to the technology. If you can package the whole thing in one, even better.
Let’s see how long it is before web users start to understand the difference between quality videoto really enhance a website and stuff that’s just there because the mags think their visitors/readers will acept anything they put up.