The Beat
Science and cutting-edge technology have replace e-commerce and reporting on the media. Add to that kids and technology. Focus: how kids are using tech and how intelligence is evolving in the Internet age. In the past, coverage in this area has focused primarily on "filtering and how parents can help protect kids" but in the last couple of years Stefanie has seen an explosion of virtual worlds and networks aimed at younger kids.
Video is hot. It's cheaper than ever to produce, and fresh distribution channels are emerging. On the consumer tech front, CNET Networks yesterday announced CNET TV, a video-on-demand (VOD) package of instructional content, news and reviews to be available in June through Cox Communications, TVN Entertainment and TiVo, and on the web later this summer. The videos will run 15 minutes and will feature CNET editors and reviewers on camera. ClickZ filed this article yesterday.
The online effect
InfoWorld's online-only approach hasn't changed overall coverage, except for what Doug calls "the online effect" that pushes reviews "toward more timeliness," and "more previews of high-profile products." Example: Lotus Notes and Domino 8. Doug expects about 200 reviews this year, down from 300 as maturing product categories "go by the wayside," (i.e. host-based intrusion prevention.) In their place, look for more SOA, virtualization, open source, green IT, enterprise data protection.
“Storytelling is the absolute joy of the job, we fancy ourselves the business magazine that excels in storytelling…; we’re the gold standard.”
FT Readership
Circ U.S: 150K; Global: 450K to 500K, catering to a "niche, dedicated and active audience."
Digital Business is FT's regular supplement on information technology. Published with the global edition 16 times a year, Peter describes it as a "chance for FT to dig deeper into a subject that is vital to a large number of our business readers." The focus is not the technology itself but on "IT as used by business… to make money, save money, stay out of jail, those sorts of things." There is an associated podcast published a week before each print issue, and extra material published online as well.
A dimension of empathy
Having been in marketing for 17 years before deciding to work for LAN Times (which was owned by Novell circa 1988), Deni has seen “a complete revolution of the circle.” While many thought “mainframes were going away… most business still rely on mainframe for critical apps.” Even though she’s been around a long time, she is very approachable and constantly interested in learning as much as she can about the evolving tech landscape.
"Long-term" changes
In spite of the early summer layoffs at CMP, InformationWeek's staff grew, up five or six full-time editors and ditto for technical feature writers. Rob says the changes both in staffing and restructuring position InformationWeek for "long term growth… for online and events, as well as print. Now we can get back to just producing good product."
The new Ziff Davis
In the wake of the sale to Insight Venture Partners, the remaining eWeek staffers are enjoying a boost in morale, according to Jim. Debt free and with the promise of investment from the new owners, things are looking up. Expect the staff to grow and note the following changes already in place: