Media Ramblings
Rambling About the Media and Using the Media to RambleArchive for newspapers
Media in 2020: Allie Osmar
Today I interviewed Allie Osmar, a Social Media Analyst (cool job huh?) at Edelman Chicago, regarding Media in 2020. This is the second interview in the series and be sure to check out her blog and podcast at www.thecreativecareer.com
The interview was done on Skype and this is my first interview using that application. The audio sounds very “tinny” so I apologize upfront for the sound.
If anyone can shoot me some tips on making Skype sound better please don’t hesitate to send me an email or leave a comment.
Media in 2020 Q/A: Cara Carriveau
In the coming days you will hopefully see more posts like this one. I recently sent out a questionnaire to various people I find to be interesting, intelligent and curious about media.
These questions were regarding the future of media in the year 2020. As the answers come in they will be posted here so whenvever you see a blog title “Media in 2020 Q/A” that is what it’s all about.
If you would like to participate shoot me an email and I will be in touch.
Here is the first one. Thanks Cara!
Cara Carriveau is a multi-media talent. Besides being the midday host on 101.9 fm The MIX in Chicago (one of my old stations), Cara hosts two podcasts, provides blog content to a local TV station, interviews artists for “The Chicago Music Guide” and does various voiceovers such as the voice at Rosemont Theatre that welcomes you inside!
Q: Do you feel that the way media is experienced by consumers will be totally unrecognizable in 2020 or do we just like to think the future holds secret advances that may or may not come about? In other words, do you think there will be any real changes in media consumption in the next 11 years or just variations on a theme already utilized? Will something jump out to us that we aren’t even thinking about yet?
A: A big change will be internet accessibility in moving vehicles. Automobiles and all forms of mass transit will have it. Advertisers will sponsor broadcasts on commuter trains, boats & planes and have a captive audience. I can’t imagine people still going to stores like Blockbuster to rent movies. It will all be digitally downloadable, even more convenient and affordable than it is today. I’m sure there will be something new and incredible developed that I can’t even imagine. Cell phones will surely be even more common and able to perform a wider variety of functions.
Q: What does the newspaper of 2020 look like?
A: There will be no such term as “newspaper” by then. Because of the internet and environmental concerns newspapers will have gone the same way as the “8-track”. I imagine by 2020 there will be light & affordable portable devices that most people will have with them on trains, etc, to read instead of an ink & paper newspaper. I also imagine wifi access will widely accessible and free (likely paid by advertisers who will somehow get their logo and/or recorded message on everyone’s PDAs).
Q: Will media be accessible in more places than today? If so, where and how?
A: Yes! The internet will be standard in automobiles and all forms of mass transit. It will also be standard in cell phones and common in several rooms of everyone’s home. Café’s and other business will likely offer free wifi to keep customers, who will be accustomed to 24/7 internet access, happy.
Q: In what ways will the Internet have changed in 2020? Are laptops necessary? Is WiFi an old technology? What replaced it?
A: If I knew the answer then I’d develop the new technology myself & rake in the $! I do think laptops will be necessary.
Q: Can you imagine any new departments created at PR/Advertising/Marketing firms due to the changes in media delivery and consumption in the year 2020? If so, what?
A: If the internet is standard in all forms of transportation then there’s a whole new era of advertising and PR. Especially in cars, where folks can’t necessarily look at an ad but they can hear…and even smell…it. Maybe there’s a way for ads to become more interactive and more specifically hit a certain target. For example: Macy’s buys ad time on a commuter train and I am exposed to an ad for womens clothes while the man behind me is exposed to an ad for mens cologne.
Q: Finally, if you could have one thing come about in the year 2020, media or otherwise, what would it be?
A: I’d like to see more advertiser-sponsorships enabling free access/enjoyment by the consumer. Folks are sick of being nickeled & dimed to pay for wifi and internet access only to be besieged with all kinds of advertising (in emails, on blogs & websites, etc).
Internet Causing Insomnia
People are losing sleep over the Internet.
I’m not talking about students researching papers that are due the next day or obsessive compulsive fan boys waiting for midnight to strike so they can see the new Slipknot masks.
I’m talking about TV and Newspaper executives.
I came across an interesting article at Variety.com that speaks to the changing media landscape. It details a study that finds the average age of those watching Live TV is older than ever before. I say Live TV because this study didn’t measure delayed viewing or DVR use.
What’s the age you ask? 50. Yep, the people who watch TV the most are half way to 100 years old.
Okay that last sentence is total “Internet Sensationalism.” 50 isn’t close to 100. As a matter of fact if 50 is old than to get to 100 you would have to live a whole other 50 years to get there! So you would have to be a whole other 50 year old older. That makes 50 seem young.
Just thought I’d call myself out on an obvious spin.
This is actually interesting for a few reasons. First of all, it’s the first time that the average age of TV viewers has fallen out of the coveted 18-49 year old age demographic. Secondly, it marks another sign that more and more people are getting their entertainment and news from other media sources like the Internet.
Why stay up late to watch one of your favorite comedians on The Tonight Show when you’ll be able to watch it and discuss it tomorrow at your leisure on YouTube or the network’s web site? Tonight Show viewers by the way have a median age of 54.
Check out the article for more specific and interesting stats on different shows such as the average age for viewers of Supernanny is 41 and Nightline viewers are 52. Hey did you know that the median age for U.S. households is 38?
Okay I’ll stop.
The Washington Post points out that newspapers are also feeling the hit from the new media. Circulation is down, jobs are being slashed and designs are changing all in an attempt to compete with the Internet.
Will it work? The article makes a good point when it states that Newspapers can’t beat the Internet at it’s own game.
Physical newspapers are not going to be able to be updated at any time throughout the day, have readers comments and ideas added instantly or be able to transform into another paper instantly.
One of the big arguments against the Internet is that it is too shallow and catering to an A.D.D. mindset where sound bytes matter more than substance and research is second to sensationalism. There are cases to be made for that to be sure but the truth is that you can find EVERYTHING on the Internet.
If you want shallow, sensational sound bytes you can get your fill but you can also splurge on in-depth, well researched articles. That’s the real strength of the Internet. You create your own experience. You can get whatever you want, when ever you want it with just a click of a mouse.
How can anything compete against that?
