Posts Tagged ‘Publishing’

Microsoft takes the bait, enters discussions with News Corp

November 23rd, 2009 by Daniel Young | No Comments | Filed in Media, Search

It was pretty obvious that Rupert Murdoch’s recent announcement that News Corp would prevent its content being indexed by Google was an appeal to other search engines to step up to the plate.  I have half expected other publishers to make their own ‘anti-Google indexing’ announcements but it seems that they are keeping quiet for the time being to see what eventuates.

The FT reported today that News Corp and Microsoft are in ‘discussions’.  Microsoft is determined or desperate to catch up with Google in search, the latter being streets ahead.  Microsoft has made it clear that it will invest heavily to achieve its goals. 

Could Microsoft turn the tide in search through exclusive partnerships with publishers? 

Update: Some interesting perspectives on today’s developments…  

Tom Foremski at SiliconValleyWatcher: Is Murdoch Setting Up a Bidding War for News Corp. Index?

Danny Sullivan at Search Engine Land: Why an Exclusive WSJ Deal Wouldn’t Help Bing

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Media Industry Luminary Predicts Closure of Two Major Australian Metro Broadsheet Newspapers

April 2nd, 2009 by Daniel Young | 1 Comment | Filed in Media
Crikey's Eric Beecher

Crikey's Eric Beecher

Eric Beecher (Publisher of Crikey) painted a dark future for the print versions of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspaper during a panel discussion for ABC Radio’s Saturday Extra program earlier today. The discussion ‘Quality Journalism: How to Pay for it? Does it Matter?’ focused on the future of print journalism in Australia, new business models and the concept of public trust journalism.

Pointing to the fact that few cities internationally are able to sustain two daily newspapers (many are struggling to sustain one), Beecher made the point that News Corporation with The Australian and its tabloid dailies in Melbourne and Sydney would take the opportunity to ‘wipe out’ the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. A ‘not unlikely scenario’, he said.

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