Hyperlocal space

The hyperlocal space ; or is it hype about local? Sarah Hartley | Oct 2009 | Digital Editors’ Network

Context Big players Small players Future Introduction Today’s talk

Share some research in the hyperlocal area.

Prompt some further discussion.

Ask for your help.

Hyperlocal space

Context Big players Small players Future Introduction The hyperlocal space – why now?

Fast-changing local news landscape.

Emerging communication tools offering new opportunities for citizens to connect with power.

Reduction of local journalism due to cuts/closures has created a vacuum.

An appetite to engage with local issues via blogs.

Hyperlocal start-ups and crowdsourced initiatives springing up.

Hyperlocal space

Context Big players Small players Future Introduction Two major trends

Big players buying up and moving in.

Small players emerging.

Hyperlocal space

Designs Small players Future The big players What’s happening elsewhere?

In the US;

In June, AOL bought Patch for $7 million.

In August MSNBC acquired EveryBlock

“ Hyperlocal news sites are becoming a hot commodity”. TechCrunch

Hyperlocal space

Small players Future The big players Different approaches to the question

Daily Mail launched 50 community sites in July.

"These are not small news sites.”

Intended to be for ‘community interaction’

Hyperlocal space

Small players Big players Future Introduction Seeking to expand through partnership

ITN propose ‘grand alliance’

ITN, Johnston Press, Guardian Media Group and other media groups have entered the consultation process for the consortia first proposed by media regulator Ofcom and subsequently included in the government's Digital Britain report.

Hyperlocal space

Small players Big players Future Introduction Seeking financial return

Trinity Mirror trial hyperlocal advertising solution in the North East.

Follows on from postcode initiative on Teesside.

Hyperlocal space

Forward together Emerging Introduction The Guardian signalling beatblogging move Future of journalism

Designs Research Next steps Update Second big trend

Public organising themselves.

Collaborative investigations launched.

Securing funding from 4ip (Channel 4) ...and others.

Local

Forward together Emerging Introduction Checks on power: Parliamentary Future of journalism

Checks on power: Welsh assembly Designs Research Next steps Update Local

Checks on power: Live from the council Small players Future Big players Hyperlocal space

Future Small players Big players Checks on power: Political activism Hyperlocal space

Future Small players Big players Carrying out investigations Hyperlocal space

Future Small players Big players Re-defining old formats “Lustings not listings” Hyperlocal space

Small players Future Big players Providing live events coverage

People’s Voice Media looking to 60 sites across the North West.

Collaborating with established media – BBC.

Hyperlocal space

Future Small players Big players Taking it to TV: Hyperlocal web TV Hyperlocal space

Small players Future Where does that leave us Big players Hyperlocal space

“ The overriding message to mainstream media was: Watch your back – we’re filling the void you’re leaving behind! ” John Baron

Small Players Future Where does that leave us? Big players Hyperlocal space

Future Small players Big players Response 1 Hyperlocal space

Future Small players Big players Response 2 Hyperlocal space

Future Small players Big players What use a journalist? 1. add capacity - phone wrangling during office hours. 2. bit more bite – have someone at arms length to tackle more difficult stuff. 3. court and crime reporting – in general any specialist reporting where contempt and special rules apply. 4. town hall stuff – a well trained journo will have understanding the budget, declarations of interest, expenses, procurement etc 5. skills transfer – basic tips for writing to get attention without being sensationalist and the basics of libel etc 6. build links – is there a bigger picture from sticking the blogs together? And in general just network things together a bit. 7. broker relationships to syndicate local content – I don’t kid myself that they make any money from my stuff so i don’t expect to be paid. Might be nice though if the local rag makes a donation to a local charity say for young people every time they lift a piece. Hyperlocal space

Future Small players Big players Collaboration Hyperlocal space

Future Small players Big players Is this the future? “ A future no longer controlled by a single newspaper but instead by an ecosystem made up of many players with varying motives, means and models, working collaboratively in networks.” Jeff Jarvis. Hyperlocal space

Future Small players Big players And finally………..that request for help

Tracking moves in the hyperlocal space.

Interested in news, announcements, stat-ups.

Share via blog (www.sarahhartley.wordpress.com) or delicious (/sarahhartley).

Hyperlocal space

Future Small players Big players Thank you! @foodiesarah | [email_address] | www.sarahhartley.wordpress.com Hyperlocal space

Sources, credits and links

Slide 6: Announcement of Local People. http://www.journalism.co.uk/2/articles/535002.php

Slide 7: ITN's 'grand alliance' proposal. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2009/oct/14/westminster-local-news

Slide 8: Trinity Mirror announce Addiply trial.http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2009/oct/13/addiply-local-ad-network

Slide 9: Guardian local recruitment announced. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2009/oct/12/guardian-local-news-bloggers-emily-bell

Now hiring image: www.uberreview.com/.../uploads/now-hiring.jpg

Slide 11: They Work for you. www.theyworkforyou.com

Slide 12: Politics Cymru. politicscymru.blogspot.com

* Slide 13: Ventnor Blog. http://ventnorblog.com/ * Slide 14: Pits 'n' Pots. www.pitsnpots.com. * Slide 15: Help Me Investigate. www.helpmeinvestigate.com. * Slide 16 : The Culture Vulture. http://theculturevulture.co.uk/blog * Slide 17: People's Voice Media. peoplesvoicemedia.co.uk Community reporters image from Smarter Cities, Salford 2009. Copyright Sarah Hartley. * Slide 18. East Salford Direct.www.eastsalforddirect.co.uk Slide 21: Ostrich with head in the sand image: Copyright http://englishpod.com/lessons/thats-funny * Slide 22: Child listening image: Copyright customersrock.wordpress.com/2008/07 * Slide 23: Talk About Local. http://talkaboutlocal.org/2009/07/29/journalists * Slide 24: Wordle of MPs expenses. http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2009/may/08/mps-expenses-houseofcommons * Slide 25: Jeff Jarvis in The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/sep/14/ecosystem-hyperlocal-bloggers