Research & Development

In the digital world, media companies need to think more like software developers – constantly seeking the next breakthrough product or service that will generate new business.

Fortunately, there are proven methods and tools available to help media companies of all sizes identify, prioritize and develop new products and business models. The following resources will help.

Crowdsourcing your R&D
Emerging Web applications give media companies new options for soliciting feedback and product ideas from their audiences, on the cheap.


What can media companies learn from “open innovation”?
Technology and consumer goods companies use “open innovation” methods to generate product and business innovations. Why aren’t content publishers doing the same?

Six reasons to start your own ad network
Instead of ceding ground to ad networks, niche publishers should think about creating their own.

How to create an ad network: a publisher’s guide
There is a no-cost process for evaluating the potential for a vertical ad network in your space. And we’re willing to share it with you.

My advice to the New York Times? Copy Foursquare
The Foursquare mobile app doesn’t seem to have much in common with The Grey Lady. However, the features that make Foursquare a runaway iPhone hit could also help the Times make a successful leap behind the paywall. Here’s how.

Should you build a Facebook app?
Publications have a real opportunity to create profitable marketing programs for advertisers with a Facebook app.

Building a case for data-driven content
Data products – directories, buyers guides, classifieds, rankings and the like – are a frequently underutilized revenue resource for publishers in both business and consumer sectors.

The 3 pillars of online video
Creating compelling video can be a challenge for media companies. Monetizing this content is even more difficult.

How to make money from online classifieds
Publishers can’t keep trying to replicate their print model online. Here are five steps they can take to recapture lost business in the classifieds marketplace.

Does media need a TED?
Though the TED conference has been criticized for its elitist nature, it has been remarkably successful in its goal of spreading unique ideas to the world. Why can’t the media industry adopt a similar event model?

The future of media is the upgrade
Rather than put the genie back in the bottle, some media execs are beginning to treat free online content as marketing while looking for ways to charge more for enjoyable content experiences.

The magazine stand of the future
The coolest thing Sean Blanda saw at SXSW was a table that lets users browse digital magazines and immediately uploaded their choices to a tablet computer.

iPad roundup: Who’s got game?
A compilation of e-reader digital publication demos from five publishers: Bonnier, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, Wired, Marie Clare and VIV Magazine.

How to make crowdsourcing sustainable and productive
In just four years, crowdsourcing has moved from a newly-coined term to an increasingly common practice. It’s time to outline some principles and dispel some misconceptions for the crowdsourcing era.
Source: PoynterOnline

“Fun with data”: Oxymoron no longer!
Now that we have more access to more information than ever before, it’s incumbent on journalists to change people’s minds about data: to make raw information relevant for them. And engaging. And — no, seriously! — fun.
Source: Nieman Journalism Lab

Social media data is changing customer-focused business intelligence
The best-run companies pay particular attention to information that helps them learn about their customers and their preferences. Social media is changing how this customer data is collected and analyzed.
Source: Dashboard Insight

10 completely free wireframe and mockup applications
Every web designer and developer should have a good and reliable wireframe (mockup or prototype) tool at their disposal. Here’s a look at 10 free tools for developers.
Source: Speckyboy

21 prototyping, mockup, and wireframing tools for iPhone app development
There are many different types of tools available to iPhone app developers, from low-tech stencil kits to high-tech collaborative software. Here’s a roundup of the more popular ones.
Source: iPhoneized