Encyclopaedia Britannica, the 244-year-old company, recently announced it would stop printing encyclopedias. Of course this triggered a flurry of talk about the end of printed books, magazines, and newspapers and a once-great company humbled by shifts in technology. But to fall into that narrative is to miss the greatest lesson of the story. Innovating, creating something new, playing the beginning of the game is the easy part. Britannica offers us invaluable insight into the much harder half of the innovation process: how to play the end game.You see, every game--chess, tennis, business--has an end. Every business will eventually die. We cannot escape this inevitability. Yet we hold on to the fantasy that somehow OUR company will be different, that our company is “built to last.” The key to long life in business is knowing how to play the end game so that you can position yourself to play the next game. Britannica seems to be doing that well.The Wi-Fi PatternTo understand what is going on here, think about Wi-Fi (wireless Internet) service. Ten years ago when you walked into a Starbucks you had to pay for Wi-Fi access. Now you get it for free. If something doesn’t cost anything to provide, eventually someone will give it away for free. Or as an economist would say, over the long run, the market price of any competitive product or service reaches its margin cost.Wikipedia has proven that there are lots of smart people out there who are willing to write content for free.... Continue reading at 'Fast Company'
[ Fast Company | 2012-03-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Facebook and the gaming community have a tumultuous relationship. Hardcore gamers look down on the social media giant for offering casual games like Farmville. However, Facebook has proven to be a great way to link gamers together. For instance, I am a big fan of Candy Crush Saga and Words With... Continue reading at Betanews
[ Betanews | 2013-07-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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On this week's podcast: Xbox One self-publishing, EarthBound on Virtual Console, Shadow of the Eternals and changes at Electronic Arts. Continue reading at Wired
[ Wired | 2013-07-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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With so much at stake, and so much potential labor cost involved in maintaining multiple channels, many publishers are being cautious in planning their long-term content strategies. Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2013-07-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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After the European Commission accepted offers from Apple and four publishers to free up ebook pricing restrictions in December 2012, it's now accepted Penguin's commitment to do the same. Much like Penguin's vow to the US DOJ, it will end its agency agreements with Apple and other retailers, and... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2013-07-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Microsoft is to allow independent games developers to self-publish on its Xbox One games console, in a reversal of its previous policy. Continue reading at BBC World
[ BBC World | 2013-07-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Rogue Legacy, from the makers of Don't S**t Your Pants, is the sort of indie game that should have traditional game publishers staining their pants indeed. Continue reading at Wired
[ Wired | 2013-07-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Simon & Schuster UK m.d. and c.e.o. Ian Chapman has been promoted to chief executive and... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2013-07-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Brazil has been a complicated marketplace for brands in recent weeks, but it's not stopping companies from getting ready for the FIFA 2014 World Cup. For instance, Young Hollywood and Momentum Entertainment Group today are announcing their partnership to create a digital channel that will focus... Continue reading at AdWeek
[ AdWeek | 2013-07-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sony's already said that it's making game publishing on PlayStation 4 even easier than it is on the PlayStation 3, but Senior Account Manager of Development at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Agostino Simonetta today explained exactly what that means. Sony's apparently applying a "four... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2013-07-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Print media is dying; some may argue it is already dead. With the launch of the iPad and the current industry trend of tablet media consumption, consumers don’t want to clutter their homes with stacks of paper magazines and newspapers. Not to mention, there is the trend of "going green" which is... Continue reading at Betanews
[ Betanews | 2013-07-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Poland's Kwiaty Orientu publishing company delivers translated editions of South Korean literature to a Polish speaking audience. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-07-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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B-to-b publisher and professional services provider The Dolan Company has announced agreements to sell off two of its legal services businesses to affiliate groups. Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2013-07-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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RDA Holding, parent company of The Reader's Digest Association, had its plan for emergence from bankruptcy approved and will officially exit Chapter 11 in late July. Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2013-07-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Random House's Ballantine Books joined the ranks of the Food Network, Smithfield, Wal-Mart, and a bevy of other companies in ceasing its relationship with the self-proclaimed queen of butter. Continue reading at ABC News
[ ABC News | 2013-06-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Templar is launching a new imprint this autumn with a list of colouring-in books for all ages.... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2013-06-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The French government announced a plan to introduce a law to stop Amazon from offering discounts and free delivery for books, citing it as "unfair" competitive practice. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-06-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Independent Publishers Guild has brokered a deal with Ingram Content Group to support IPG... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2013-06-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fairfax Media has confirmed that it will no longer publish longstanding technology titles Computerworld, Reseller News and PC World. Continue reading at Stuff
[ Stuff | 2013-06-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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JADS International creates scent for comic book iconCreate a fragrance that smells heroic with a touch of villainy — that's what Andrew Levine's Lutherville company set out to do. Continue reading at Baltimore Sun
[ Baltimore Sun | 2013-06-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Comic book icon's super scent includes ginger, basil and violetEver wonder what comic book icon Stan Lee smells like? Continue reading at Baltimore Sun
[ Baltimore Sun | 2013-06-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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