Steps publishers should take to protect themselves from cyber attacks PLUS an explainer on the various forms of 'commerce media'

October 04, 2022

I flagged up that a hacker was able to push racist and obscene push notifications from Fast Company, but that wasn't all. The hacker had got into their CMS. It took them offline for several days. The threat environment has become increasingly challenging over the past decade, and Digiday has a good roundup of steps publishers need to take to tighten their defences.

Also, with the recent hurricane, news delivered by text again became a major way for people to stay informed. RJI has a good guide on how to inexpensively set up systems like this.

Plus, Jacobs Media has a very good overview of the challenges of getting your podcast noticed. I know from experience that while creating a podcast has never been easier that the challenge now becomes building an audience. You'll have to put as much time into audience development as content development if you want to reach a sizeable audience, especially for locally focused podcasts.

Tech executives shared what publishers can do to prevent getting hacked and avoid cybersecurity breaches.

A hacker focused on breaching your systems is not easy to defend against, but there are common-sense steps that publishers should take. This includes using two-factor authentication systems, reducing the privileges that your teams have so that no one has more access than is absolutely necessary to your publishing systems and training. The vast majority of attacks begin with social engineering, and your staff needs to know how to spot these attacks so that they don't become the unwitting person who opens the door to hackers.

SMS systems are often expensive, pay per a text plans can make it affordable.

NPR created a text-based version of their site and numerous major outlets including USA Today rushed to create SMS-based news services as Hurricane Ian bore down on Florida. When disasters the scale of Ian hit, text-based services become one of the few ways to get information out to people. RJI in Missouri has a practical guide on how to set up a text-based service inexpensively.

Critics and experts weigh in but the future of the podcasting platform.

With almost 2.5m podcasts, discovery is a serious problem. How do listeners find podcasts that they like, and how do you find listeners for your podcasts? This post is thought-provoking. It makes the case that advertising-led businesses are risk-averse businesses, and that podcasting is losing some of its creative mojo. The solution? An art-house model for creative commissioning. Discuss.

The growing ‘commerce media’ sector encompasses brands, retailers and publishers Both ecommerce and the associated media offerings around the retail sector have grown exponentially over the last two years. Now consulting firm McKinsey has said that the sector should be viewed as one, bringing brand advertisers, retailers and media companies under one ‘commerce media’ banner. …

E-commerce and commerce media has become one of the revenue streams that publishers are seeking to bolster their bottom line. What's New in Publishing has a good explainer on this space as brands, retailers and publishers all flock into this space.

When I was asked to give a talk about AI in journalism at Media Party, I panicked. How do I share what I learned in four years on such a huge topic, in just twenty minutes? After the initial panic, I started reflecting on what were the main things I learned. I added each lesson as a …

Of all of the 10 things, I think having a strategy is one of the most critical. Companies need to know why they are using AI and how it benefits audiences and the publisher to guide what they want to do.

The creator economy is estimated to be a $104.2B market with “a substantial growth trajectory similar to the gig economy.” And, just as the gig economy has transformed the shape of work, the creator economy is impacting the media landscape. Industry-watcher Simon Owens notes how bootstrapped content entrepreneurs are harnessing platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and...

I was recently speaking with Chris Krewson at LION Publishers, and he said that the young publishers that they are working with don't have websites, they simply are using platforms like TikTok to distribute. The question becomes how to build a business around a platform-based play.

Press Gazette has been reporting on British journalism without fear or favour since 1965. Our mission is to provide a news and information service which helps the UK journalism.

Interesting. Patch is selling itself as a CMS for hyperlocal journalists.

With inflation rising, possible recessions looming and the ongoing situation in Ukraine, the short-term business sentiment in the news publishing industry has taken a downturn, according to the first results of WAN-IFRA’s global industry survey. That said, publishers have managed to adapt and innovate during the pandemic and those efforts will pay off in 2022 …

An economic downturn usually means a tough patch for publishers, but WAN-IFRA's annual industry survey finds that steps that publishers took during the pandemic have positioned them for resilience. These investments include focusing on product development and reader revenue.

Fandom expands its niche properties

Entertainment platform Fandom announced today its acquisition of seven entertainment and gaming brands from media company Red Ventures.

Fandom, which was launched by Wikipedia’s co-founder Jimmy Wales and entrepreneur Angela Beesley, has bought a number of other entertainment sites that fit well with its current offering.

Fandom Oct. 3 announced it is acquiring select entertainment properties from Red Ventures, including GameSpot, Metacritic, TV Guide, GameFAQs, Giant Bomb, Cord Cutters News and Comic Vine. Financials details of the transaction were not disclosed.

More details on the deal.

Time-poor audiences can sign-up for tailored takeaways from your podcast, newsletter or book via daily push notifications

A tool for some basic personalisation.

Search, Retail Media Inch Up As Most Other Advertising Stagnates Or Slows: Magna - 10/03/2022

As advertising starts to weaken due to macro-economic conditions, there are a few ad sectors that are remaining resilient.

The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is merging its nationally focused news resources into a national news division called Scripps News. Newsy network to rebrand, combine with resources of Scripps Washington Bureau, Local Media national news desk, to form national news division called Scripps News. The combined operation will better and more efficiently serve national audiences and Scripps local stations. Scripps News will launch Jan. 1. Kate O’Brian will assume the title of executive vice president, Scripps News division, and report to Adam Symson, Scripps president and CEO.

Newsy will now be Scripps News.