Tag: Publishing

Anne Rice and New Media

On Mar 04 2010

I love paper. I love the feel of the New York Times in the morning as it crackles in my hands; I love to sit with a book under the blanket my grandmother knit for me; and I love stationary, Kate’s Paperie is my dream store.

But I was intrigued by a new concept and a new media company, Vook, that may change how I read. Will you “vook” one day like you google? Maybe. The company launched last October; their concept – produce a digital book type that combines video, links to the internet and text into one application.

The only reason I even looked at Vook is because one of my favorite fiction authors, Anne Rice, has decided to “vook”. I have an entire shelf filled with Rice’s work – The Witching Hour is my favorite. She recently launched a multimedia edition of “The Master of Rampling Gate,” a previously published vampire story set in an England mansion in the 19th century. I checked it out – Vook is having a promo for the piece at 99 cents (don’t know how they are making money) – and I found it interesting. Though I still don’t like reading online (nope, don’t have a Kindle), I liked the videos attached to the story. The internet links were a little bit too obvious I thought and didn’t add much. But I loved seeing Anne Rice talk about her work and the story. I have never had the chance to see her at a reading, it but was a close second. (though going to her store in New Orleans when it existed was awesome). And she is definitely a fun woman to celebrate this month.

To vook or not to vook – that is the question.

Looking Ahead at 2010 – Is content king?

By admin

On Jan 06 2010

In Forecasting

Our first in a series of crystal ball guest writers in Speakers’ Corner is Nancy McKinstry, CEO of $4.8 billion (2008 revenue) professional publisher, Wolters Kluwer. I first met Nancy four years ago to write her profile for the Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women in the World list, and have met her annually to update the feature. (most recently, she ranked #43 on the list) I continue to be impressed by her forward-thinking and fearless leadership of a company facing tough times. Back in 2006, Nancy was finishing up a three year restructuring – including layoffs and divestitures – she started when she took the helm of the Netherlands based company. She started making acquisitions, expanding in China, and shifting the company into software as opposed to its traditional large tomes. She is committed to protecting Wolters Kluwer content and expertise by making sure the company changes with the times. I am inspired by her vision and I think publishers should listen and learn from her example. Of course pay for content says Nancy, but make it user friendly and user responsive. Great ideas from a great leader who is determined to keep her company independent (it’s become a running joke over the years, why don’t you merge with a bigger company I always ask; no way says Nancy). Revenue growth may still be a struggle, but the company’s stock price is up 17% over the past year.

I always leave a meeting with Nancy feeling jazzed and believing there are readers who value quality and not idiocy (oh say like MTV’s Jersey Shore). Read her thoughts on what is in store for content in 2010 in Speakers’ Corner.

Another great attribute of Nancy’s: making sure she is home in time to have dinner with her two children and to walk the family dog.

Welcome to Global Markets and Ideas

By admin

On Dec 03 2009

In giving, Reflections

I am excited to launch what I hope will become a network of idea generation and sharing with leaders and readers around the globe. Each month, I will be exploring a topic and engaging global thinkers to share their thoughts about the month’s theme. I anticipate Speakers’ Corner will be a chance for leaders otherwise reduced to soundbite or snapshot a chance to explore in long or short form their passions. I encourage readers to participate and share their stories, that way we can connect content to the market and create a new option for a media world coming undone.

This month’s theme is giving. It’s all around us – the ads, the Black Friday hype, the holiday decorations put up even before Halloween was done encouraging us to spend spend spend. Let’s begin a discussion that’s not so focused on if retailers are going to be profitable this holiday season. I say sell out your retail portfolio, companies like Coach’s stock price are going up based on fluffy hopes. It’s my gut call based on the fact they called to invite me to a store event and I haven’t purchased anything in years; they are digging deep to try to get dollars.

So instead, my first guest writer in Speakers’ Corner – philanthropist, publisher and author Ellen Sabin discusses teaching children to be charitable. Full disclosure: I have a two-year old daughter and I want to raise her to understand how lucky she is to have so many things so many children around the world lack – a family, love, food on the table, access to health and education, equal opportunity, never mind the gazillion toys. Ellen has wonderful ideas to teach children to make the world a better place one small step at a time.

I will be writing about my passion – the developing philanthropic tradition in Eastern Europe and Central Asia which is currently being driven by its top billionaires . More on that later.

Next month, we will be looking at what 2010 may bring, lessons learned from the previous year and successes in a year many thought was negative.

February is arts month. More on the editorial calendar as we go forward.

Share and enjoy!