>> Covid-19

Our 2021 Predictions Turned Out… Sorta…

November 29, 2021 7:17 am

One year ago we fielded eight predictions for 2021. How did we do? Not great, honestly. Let’s look at each.

CES 2022: Clear as Mud

August 18, 2021 9:14 am

In an SWMS spot check, journalists weigh in on whether CES 2022 is now safe to attend and worth attending, now that show organizers announced that all attendees will need to prove they are vaccinated against Covid-19.

Cheat Sheet: Reporters Who Cover Contact Tracing

June 9, 2020 6:17 pm

Whoever thought this would ever be a beat? Well, strictly spreaking it’s not a beat but part of a broader swath of territory patrolled by journalists covering the path forward from the catastrophe that is Covid-19. Here’s a short list of those who are covering apps that will help detect infection.

What to Expect — Apr. 20-24, 2020

April 20, 2020 3:59 pm

As the Covid-19 crisis moves well into its second month, we’ve noticed a dwindling number of new story approaches to try. Roundups, with their low-payoff SOV, still rule, especially in B2B. This week did spot a few emerging approaches — pretty much special reports — but still providing paths for most tech companies and agencies.

Amanda Orr: Edit Themes for Pitching the Recovery

April 15, 2020 2:22 pm

[PR pro Amanda Orr writes:] Like much of the country, communications teams both in-house and at PR firms have been in a holding pattern. As we look at the Johns Hopkins tracker on a daily basis, watching the numbers of infections and fatalities climb, we knew (at least I hope most of us knew) that this wasn’t the time to send emails or make cold calls…

What to Expect — Apr. 13-17, 2020

April 13, 2020 12:22 pm

Last week we polled B2B contributed content gatekeepers, nearly all of whom wanted the same kinds of pitches they received before the Covid-19 nightmare. Our research echoed what we heard last month from reporters and editors.

Constellation Research’s Post-Pandemic Playbooks

April 9, 2020 5:39 pm

“Pitch the reporters but study the analysts” has been our mantra for a while now. In that spirit, we recently checked in with Constellation Research founder R “Ray” Wang, who has been busy presenting to clients — and listening to them, too.

David Strom: Covid Do’s & Don’ts

April 8, 2020 3:50 pm

David Strom says: “My inbox is overflowing with a virus: all Covid, all the time, with pitches and experts offered from all walks of life. It isn’t just the infosec vendors, either: I’ve gotten pitches from genealogy vendors, and how sports reporters are coping now that there are no professional games being played.”

Contributed Content Gatekeepers: ‘Biz as Usual’

April 8, 2020 2:15 pm

With few exceptions, contributed content gatekeepers are operating the way they always did before Covid-19 — serving the readers who buy products, manage teams and have projects to deliver. Here’s what nine of them said this week.

What to Expect — Apr. 6-10

April 5, 2020 7:42 pm

Last week at this time we saw strategic content from levels high above the reporter level, on “What will it take to get past this coronavirus thing?” Here’s what’s coming this week, and how you can get a piece of it.

YOUR ACCOUNT

FRIDGE NOTES

FT Opens Up Its Content to OpenAI

April 30, 2024

While the NYT pursues its suit against OpenAI, the Financial Times has chosen to license its content to help OpenAI train current and future LLMs. The NYT seems to be on the wrong side of this issue, with the Associated Press and Axel Springer also choosing to see OpenAI as a source of income, rather than an enemy.

Here’s the opposing view, from Press Gazette’s Dominic Young, who advises publishers to play a game of chicken with OpenAI and its LLM competitors.

Newsweek Uses AI…

April 18, 2024

… and it has no problem disclosing how. Reporters still run the joint, but they are getting AI assistance.

The Atlantic’s Karen Hao Has A Big Idea

April 16, 2024

The Atlantic’s Karen Hao, in conjunction with the Pulitzer Center, is designing a course in AI for journalists. Classes begin next month. Details here. Might be something to alert your friendlies about. Karen hopes to help train 1,000 journalists in AI over the next two years.