Vox Solicits Reader Contributions to Keep Its Content Free Amid Ad Declines

The near-simultaneous rush among publishers with subscription businesses to loosen their paywalls and provide free access to reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic has reignited long-standing debates about whether the news should fundamentally be free, even as ad-supported journalism (with some exceptions) becomes an increasingly difficult proposition. This week, rather than erecting a paywall, Vox says it's looking to make up for declines in its advertising business by soliciting contributions from those readers who can afford it, in order to preserve free access to its journalism for those who can't. "Our dedicated team of journalists has boundless ambitions—and feels a great sense of responsibility—to bring you more of our distinctive coverage, in new and different ways, and to continue doing so for free," wrote editor-in-chief Lauren Williams and executive editor Allison Rockey in a note to readers Wednesday afternoon. "But even with record audience growth, the media business is not immune to the effects of economic downturns. In fact, right now, when audiences need quality, accessible journalism the most, ad revenue is on the decline as companies move to save money and shrink their marketing budgets." While not a tax-deductible charitable donation, Vox says recurring or one-off contributions, ranging from $7 to $250, will help support its science explainers, its coverage of the challenges being faced by the U.S. health care system and its YouTube and Facebook videos... Continue reading at 'Folio Magazine'

[ Folio Magazine | 2020-04-10 16:17:19 UTC ]
News tagged with: #caption id= #subscription model #apple news+ #york magazine #media industry

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Flipboard's Quittner Talks About Role, Explains Ad Platform

If you have an iPad or tablet device, chances are you've seen the Web through the glossy world of Flipboard. If you've ever taken the "social magazine" for a spin, you might know that while the user experience is silky smooth, the company has had to address concerns about the service's threat to... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2012-05-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #display ad #print version #existing content #personal philosophy


Hearst Hails the Age of the Tablet, Says Readers are Willing to Pay More for Tablet Editions

London, England – The World e-Reading Congress drew a number of influential speakers in London today, including Duncan Edwards, CEO of Hearst Magazines International, who highlighted the striking rise of tablet publishing. Hearst is ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-05-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #tablet editions


Nick Denton: The Banner Ad Era is Closing

There’s something of a revolt in the digital media world against the tyranny of the banner ad. Platforms like Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter aren’t running standard display ads. New-style publishers like Buzzfeed don’t lik ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-05-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #nick denton #banner ad


Original Content: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Digs, Meredith Video Studios  DIY-centric programs like Ready, Set, Celebrate (instructions for throwing offbeat soirees like a “We Hate the Kardashians Party”), Craft and Burn (a sort-of-scripted series about a destructive crafting habit) and Extreme Craft Challenge (ever wondered how to... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2012-05-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #wasting time


Alohomora! Free Harry Potter books coming to Kindle

Harry Potter has joined the Kindle lending library.Amazon.com announced Thursday that on June 19, the ebook editions of J.K. Rowling's seven Potter novels will become part of the Kindle service available to Amazon Prime subscribers. Members can download a book for free once a month. Amazon's... Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2012-05-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #harry potter #announced thursday #ebook editions #financial terms #online retailer #licensing agreement #pottermore website


PPA Conference: Stylist editor reveals how free title competes in challenging market

It would be a big surprise if one of the major publishers were to follow Stylist magazine and launch a mainstream free women's title, according to Lisa Smosarski, editor of Stylist, who believes such a move would be a "big step". Continue reading at Media Week

[ Media Week | 2012-05-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Google Expands Carrier Billing for Digital Content

Google said Wednesday that customers can now charge more types of Android content to their cell phone bill, including music, movies, books and apps. Google is partnered with a number of carriers globally, including T-Mobile in the U.S., with Sprint coming soon. Continue reading at AllThingsD

[ AllThingsD | 2012-05-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #digital content


Barnes & Noble's Nook e-readers getting NFC, says CEO

Now that all of that Microsoft-related news is out in the open, Barnes & Noble's CEO William Lynch is ready to talk about the future. Fortune sat down with him to discuss the deal and what's next for the Nook. The answer to the latter is, at least in part, near-field communication. The exec... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2012-05-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #barnes noble #physical books #bestseller lists


From the Editor : Know the Reader, Know Thyself

By James Sturdivant My favorite part of a very good keynote address from Josh Tyrangiel, editor of Bloomburg Businessweek, at this year’s Publishing Business Conference & Expo (see full coverage here ) came... Continue reading at Publishing Executive

[ Publishing Executive | 2012-05-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #james sturdivant #josh tyrangiel


Microsoft gambles $300m on e-readers

Microsoft is jumping into the fast-growing ebooks market by investing US$300 million in Barnes & Noble's Nook e-reader and university business, as it looks to unlock Amazon.com and Apple's grip on the exploding tablet computer market. Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2012-05-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'One third' of Britons own e-reader

Nearly a third of people in the UK own an e-reader, with a further 15% planning to buy one in the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-04-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Are you there, readers? It's Judy Blume

The author first hit it big in the 1970s with a string of go-to books for kids. She recently helped turn 'Tiger Eyes' into a film and is busy on a 1950s-set novel.When "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" first came out, publisher Dutton did not send Judy Blume around the country to talk about it.... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2012-04-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Market Transformation Equals Challenges and Opportunities: Content Services in India 2012

In 2006, when PW released the first report on the content services industry in India, the topics centered on XML, PDF, and e-deliverables, and conversations revolved around print- vs. content-centric work flow. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2012-04-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #content services


New Kobo sections will support e-reader trials, says WHS

Customers will be encouraged to invest more time in trialling e-readers with WH Smith's new... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-04-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #wh smith


Barnes & Noble Releases Glow-in-the-dark Nook E-reader

Barnes & Noble on Thursday released a new Nook Simple Touch e-reader with a screen that lights up so that books can be read in the dark. Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2012-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #barnes noble


Nook e-reader 'glows in the dark'

E-book users will now be able to read in complete darkness - thanks to the first-ever e-ink reader that glows in the dark. Continue reading at BBC World

[ BBC World | 2012-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #nook e-reader #e-ink reader


Barnes & Noble Launches e-Reader Meant for Reading in Dark

Barnes & Noble wants you to take your e-reader to bed. The latest iteration of the Nook, revealed by the book retailer Thursday, is a black-and-white device with a softly glowing backlit screen. It is designed to solve a common problem that co ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #barnes noble #latest iteration


Issuu Integrates Peecho to Transform its Digital Content Into Printed Copies

NEW YORK CITY– April 11, 2012 - Peecho (http://www.peecho.com), a free service that allows anyone to sell their digital content as a physical product, and Issuu (http://www.issuu.com), a leading global digital publishing platform that deliv ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #digital content #printed copies #free service


IAB's New Standardization Tools Just Might Mean You Won't See That Beer Ad Ten Times in a Row

The Interactive Advertising Bureau is addressing a problem that's plagued tech-centric industries since the first Mac-vs.-Dos argument: standardization. The problem has become acute for Web video, an industry enjoying meteoric growth, and the growing pains that come with that growth. So the IAB... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2012-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Advertisers Recycle Print Ads For Tablets

With Conde Nast, Hearst and Meredith launching their own digital newsstand in the form of Next Issue Media, it’s clear that magazine publishers are counting on tablets for future growth. Forecasts predicting rapid tablet adoption abound. e ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2012-04-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #conde nast #digital newsstand #issue media #magazine publishers #future growth