Need for speed 2: Newspaper data diving, metrics and methodologies

Welcome to the weeds, fellow bit-twisters and data divers. We can chat here without worrying about the numeracy nonbelievers. This post details the methodologies used in “Need for speed 1: Newspaper load times give ‘slow news days’ new meaning.” First, you and I both know “load time” is a fickle metric, completely dependent on the … Continued

News startup survey: Revenue growth, capacity challenges

In the chaotic world of online news startups, I think it makes sense to take a long view. Whenever someone asks whether a big breakthrough is coming, I scratch my head. That’s because progress at this time is so incremental — a game of inches, feet, maybe yards but rarely miles — a marathon with no … Continued

Leadership and culture are linchpins of digital transformation in the newsroom

Little has proven more challenging for newspaper newsrooms than their transformation to digital news and information providers. It takes much more than learning new skills, although those are important. It’s a matter of re-engineering journalists’ attitudes and their relationships with news consumers, as well changing newsroom workflows and priorities. It takes significant culture change; both … Continued

The future begins with P: Privacy, personalization and payment

What will sustain journalism in service of democracy? Because of the rise of the Internet and the financial challenges faced by legacy media organizations, that question tugs at those who write and produce the news. Conferences, reports and columns run through the same checklist: Advertising going digital and mobile and increasingly controlled by technology platforms … Continued

Tablets are now commonplace in households with children

2014 RJI Mobile Media Research Report 1 More than half of U.S. households now have tablets and three-quarters have smartphones according to the latest Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) mobile media poll. Households with children were much more likely to have mobile media devices than those without children. In households with children, 70 percent … Continued

Circa app adds breaking news alerts

Breaking news alerts are among the key features of Circa News 2, the latest update to the mobile news startup. Released last week, the feature is also included in Circa’s new Android app. Circa launched in October 2012 as an app on iOS devices and identifies itself as a news source that delivers news in … Continued