Breaking News: Context Rules

I've written before about how the Associated Press crafted a digital strategy in 2008 to reflect the changing online news marketplace. Well, they're at it again. This time, as PR consultant, Lou Hoffman relates, they're mapping out how to achieve success beyond breaking news. A memo by senior managing editor Michael Oreskes outlines how the AP should embrace "journalism that’s more analytical, maybe a fresh and immediate entry point, a move … [Read more...]

Reinventing News on Your University Website

Two weeks ago at HighEdWeb, I gave a presentation entitled Carrying the Banner: Reinventing News on Your University Website. This session won the Red Stapler for Best of Track (Content), as well as Best of Conference honors. Thanks, HighEdWeb, for the opportunity to present and the tremendous honor! You can watch the full session online, thanks to Higher Ed Live, or read a recap, thanks to LINK. What follows is an elaboration on some of the key … [Read more...]

Liberate Your PDF Newsletter Content

We’ve all received them—heck, perhaps we’ve even had to (shudder) distribute them. You know what I’m talking about: PDF newsletters, sent as an email attachment to a distribution list or linked on a webpage. In some corners, they still lurk. I’m just going to say it: People use PDFs for a hundred different reasons, and about 97 of them are wrong. (Rick blogged about some of these content problems in April.) The wrongest of the wrong, however, … [Read more...]

13 Tips for a Good Interview (and Thus, a Great Story)

Sometimes, finding a good story isn’t the problem. You could be innocently sitting at your desk, sneaking in a play on Facebook Scrabble, when you get a new email. Why, it’s from the academic dean, and he just wanted to let you know about this student who is not only first chair trombone in the local symphony orchestra, but has also not allowed a goal in net all season as the lacrosse team’s goalie and has logged 250 hours of community service … [Read more...]