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The must-read publishing stories you may have missed this week
The hidden costs of hybrid
As the world slowly begins to re-open, publishers are planning out what their events will look like for the rest of the year and beyond.
We can all agree that events will never be the same again. The pandemic has forced innovation, opening up publisher events to attendees from all around the world, with clear benefits in terms of audience reach and engagement. But a ‘hybrid’ approach – often cited by publishers as the way forward for events – may not actually be suitable for everyone.
Hearst UK’s Head of Events Nikki Clare talks this week about how they transitioned their own events business, and warns that publishers mustn’t just ‘host hybrid for the sake of it.’ “The perceived cost of virtual being more cost-effective has been a misconception we’ve quickly unraveled at Hearst. To deliver a high production value event virtually, you need to invest in it,” she says.
Hybrid events should be carefully considered, planned and budgeted, with thought about what elements are critical to make the physical and virtual aspects work.
How Hearst UK transitioned its events business, and what other publishers can learn
How do publishers who operate an event portfolio resurrect a revenue stream that has fallen on its knees? According to Hearst UK’s Head of Events and Client Service, Nikki Clare, the answer lies in, “thinking about your audience and how they will experience an event. It is then a case of crafting out what that experience will look like for your attendees depending on where they tune in from.”
Top tech trends for publishers, from WAN-IFRA
A majority of the publishers surveyed for the report (90+ executives globally) were bullish about the importance of innovation in the success of their firms.
The most effective subscriber retention strategies, according to publishers
Publishers were asked about the potential value they saw in different retention strategies irrespective of whether they were using them or not.
44% publishers cite accelerating digital transformation an “overwhelming top priority”
If publishers have been muddling their way through a long-term digital transformation strategy, the shock waves of the pandemic have put those plans into overdrive.
UK digital publishing revenues increase to £165M: AOP and Deloitte report signals recovery
Whilst auguring well for digital publishing revenues in 2021, the strong growth in Q4 2020 masks significant revenue contractions across the full calendar year of 2020.
M&A activity surges past pre-COVID levels in tech, digital, media
Digital, MarTech and media were the most active target sectors in Q1 2021, representing 61 percent of all deal activity and the greatest rise in deal volume, an increase of 55 percent across these sectors.
Paid podcasts are here: What publishers need to know
As it becomes easier than ever for independent creators to put their podcasts behind a paywall, expect more and more listeners to hit podcast paywalls.
Top 10 new digital tools for media professionals
Imagine a free tool that can not only transcribe online interviews, but can also embed video quotes for your stories and social media — without the need for a single video editing skill.
Why good editors are worth their salt in the age of data
Tom Hawkins discusses how data influences what we view online, and how good editors are now more important than ever.
Google’s ad targeting changes: How it impacts publishers and advertisers
Google’s decision to end support for behavior-based targeting creates questions for publishers, advertisers, and identity resolution companies.
This week we hear from Gina Tonic co-founder of The Fat Zine, an independent magazine by fat people for fat people, plus those that care.
7 potent insights, ideas and resources for your newsroom newsletter
Here are 7 tips and suggestions from ex-The New Yorker and BuzzFeed Director of Newsletters Dan Oshinsky that can take your regular email send-out from dud to delight – and even a driver of revenues.
See the rest of this week’s stories at whatsnewinpublishing.com
