The new media landscape: Emerging models in local news

Michele McLellan

Yesterday - Towering stands of old growth journalism

Photo: Andria Krewson, http://twt.tl/aocDfAi

Today - Infant news ecosystem

Emerging models

1. New traditional

2. Community3. Micro local4. Niche (local)

5. Student-powered

6. Mini7. News system8. Aggregator

Key challenges

•Journalists are not business people▫Overemphasis on content▫Too little emphasis on revenue

•Starting a site is the easy part▫Gathering and growing community▫Having a life

On the path to success

• The Batavian (NY)▫ strong local ad base, diversifying revenue

• West Seattle Blog (Seattle)▫strong ad base, community support

• Next Door Media (Seattle)▫neighborhood blog network

• Davidson News (North Carolina)▫ expansion – site #2