Reflecting on the last two days at the Digital Publishing Innovation Summit in New York, there were two themes that stood out at the conference: content and collaboration.
First, let me set the stage. Summit attendees were comprised of publishers of all sizes including Reuters, CNN, Cracked.com, Guideposts, and everything in between. We met editors, social media experts, audience engagement vice presidents, and several programmatic executives. In addition to publishers, there were a smattering of consultants and sponsors, including Crowdynews. Due to the small number of sponsors, it was a conference for publishers first and foremost. Their needs and interests dominated all conversations. So, what did we hear?
Content and Collaboration
Content
The majority of presentations were by publishers. Topics included “Staying Profitable in a Snapchat World,” from AP; “Gen Z Are Coming, How Will Media Reach Them?” Hearst; and my personal favorite, “Why Publishers Need to Prioritize the Quality of Their Content Production,” Derek Flanzraich, Founder & CEO of Greatist. What struck me most in Flanzraich’s presentation was how similar his comments were to a webinar we co-sponsored with WAN-IFRA in March, “The Top 3 Pillars of Publishing.” Dr. Mario Garcia, of Garcia Media, emphasized three things every publisher should do to become and/or stay relevant including:
- Create a visually compelling and interactive experience for your mobile users.
- Deliver a personalized, informative and indispensable newsletter for your readers.
- Offer sponsored content while not compromising editorial integrity.
Similar to Dr. Garcia’s approach, Flanzraich was able to build Greatist from 0 to 13+ million unique monthly visitors in a few short years.
Collaboration
As all breaks and meals were served in a large area next to the meeting rooms. The ten sponsors lined the space where attendees could interact with us, or what happened more often, sponsors took part in publisher conversations about the presentations. It was a great opportunity to listen to publishers openly problem solve with one another during breaks. Discussions ranged from how to effectively work/compete with social media channels to building content strategies that better engage audiences. The Digital Publishing Summit was certainly one of the more collaborative shows I’ve attended.
Please click The Top 3 Pillars of Publishing to register and watch the must-see webinar featuring Dr. Mario Garcia, world renown storyteller, editorial designer, and digital strategy consultant. Dr. Garcia has been involved with the redesign and rethink of more than 700 publications in 120 countries. Or, click Crowdynews to learn more about audience engagement through the power of social content.