This document discusses the role of mobile devices in journalism and the news business. It notes that cell phones and local news are a natural fit, as local content can be localized for readers. It provides statistics on mobile phone adoption and use, and discusses opportunities for generating revenue through mobile advertising, shopping, banking and location-based content. The document advocates for smarter editing and reporting capabilities that make use of mobile devices' features like GPS, cameras and live streaming.

1. Journalism: Is there
an app for that?
Mobile’s role in
the “new” news business
Presented by:
James Pilcher
Sept. 9, 2009

2. ‘Walking billboards’
Cell phones and news = the perfect marriage
– Local content that can be “localized”
– Breaking updates w/depth behind it
– Ad sales staff and support
– Ready and willing audience
Don’t forget about broadcast
– Wireless networks slowly allowing video
– Radio is a natural fit

3. Wireless 101
 300 million subscribers nationally
 Local market ~2 million including consumer, business
and pre-paid
 Market share for Cincy:
1) Verizon
2) Cincy Bell
3) AT&T (climbing due to iPhone)
4) Sprint (but falling due to merger issues)
5) T-Mobile (network quality issues here)

4. Wireless 101
 What’s with all the Gs?
 3G (third generation) the current standard
– Getting to be the equivalent of a broadband
connection on your hip
– Wireless could be up to double current landline
speeds by 2012
 Get ready for 4G, LTE and even WiMAX

5. Wireless 101
 48.1 billion text messages per MONTH
 About 15 percent of cell subs use their web
browsers regularly (25-30mm)
– Still, 44% dissatisfied with mobile Web
 Projected growth in data
– 100 million on wireless Internet (35%) by 2010

6. Revenue potential
 Mobile shopping/e-commerce coming soon
– So is mobile banking
 Paid content on cell phones?
– Unlikely, unless there is specific niche for it
 Mobile ad spending to grow 74 percent this year
– Could hit ~$1 billion
– Expected to grow to $13 billion by 2013
 This can be as local as we are

7. What about the content?
 Do more than just post Web stuff on cell
phones
– WAP decks outdated
– Need location enabled content
– More editing/more timely
 Smarter phones = smarter reporters
– Recent live streaming coverage on an iPhone
– Research on the fly

8. Content - continued
 Not just for print
– Can stream video and audio
– NPR.org has iPhone app with downloadable audio stories
– New iPhone apps make it possible to shoot live (WCPO)
 Best practices:
– Washington Post
– Minneapolis Star-Tribune
– NPR
– AP
– Clear Channel; CBS Radio

9. SMS a key
 “Texting” is the default standard
 Short codes major tool
– Allow pull-push conversation with readers
– Easy tag for advertising
– Plug for local high school scores
 Cincinnati = texting “capitol”
– Locals average 300-400 msgs per month
 Whither Twitter
– Starting to become a viable news source, or at least a lead
– Still needs verification, but works for headlines

10. The future
 Interactive by location via GPS
– Everything from movie times to sex offenders
 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth etc.
– Imagine Kroger that sends coupon to cell phone when you
enter store based on buying preferences off Kroger card
– Or having stories/ads/coupons beamed to your cell that tell
about that neighborhood or connect with local merchants
 Comparison shopping
– Applications already there: scan a bar code and look up
prices online and in bricks and mortar