By Ben Haber
How will the departures of Arrington and Parr affect TechCrunch and Mashable?
TechCrunch and Mashable – two of the most popular and influential blogs over the past several years – have recently seen major changes in their editorial staffs.
At TechCrunch, founder and lightning rod Michael Arrington left the company in September, highly visible writers Sarah Lacy and MG Siegler, and CEO Heather Harde followed suit. At the same time, Mashable has seen Jolie O’Dell, Jennifer Van Grove, Radhika Marya, Brenna Ehrlich and Erica Swallow all depart the company, and this morning it was learned that their most popular writer to-date, Ben Parr, has been fired.
TechCrunch and Mashable have been on similar paths of growth, and are now both seeing – for the first time – some major departures from the editorial staff. In fact, both outlets lost their most recognizable people (Arrington and Parr) who have built their own personal brands over the past several years.
This begs the question: are people reading TechCrunch and Mashable because the like the blogs themselves, or because they like specific bloggers? In today’s media world where social media is an extension of the blog itself, writers have become their own brands, and have built up quite a following – sometimes exceeding the popularity of the outlet they work for.
If I were to venture a guess, I’d say that Mashable will move on without any major hiccups, because their business model is more about the content then the person, and they have a lot of very good writers. However, TechCrunch has always been about Arrington and took on his personality – both good and bad. Without him on board, they need to figure out what their direction is.
What do you think? Do you read TechCrunch and Mashable because of the content they publish, or because of the people writing the content?
November 21st, 2011
By Ben Haber
Some current (and now former) Mashable writers celebrate St. Patrick's Day in March 2011.
Mashable has seen several writers flee over the past few months, as new leadership at the company works to change the direction and make the popular blog more mainstream in its news coverage.
Jolie O’Dell, Jennifer Van Grove, Radhika Marya, Brenna Ehrlich and Erica Swallow all recently called it quits, following the hire of Lance Ulanoff (the former EIC of PC Mag). Ulanoff has been tasked to make Mashable a global news organization, covering business, entertainment and sports, in addition to social media and technology news. When O’Dell left to work for VentureBeat, she attributed her departure to the direction Mashable was taking, and noted in her blog that Mashable was moving away from insightful content – which she valued and enjoyed writing. Van Grove was one of the first writers to work for Mashable, and had been at the company since November 2008. Like O’Dell, she also left to work for VentureBeat.
Business Insider has some more details on the changes occurring at Mashable from unnamed sources:
- Cashmore brought in Ulanoff to expand the site’s news coverage to general news and launched entertainment and world news verticals.
- Adam Ostrow, who had been editor in chief since the company started, relinquished his position. One source close to Ostrow described it as a “demotion disguised as a promotion.”
- Ben Parr was offered an enormous cash payout as long as he stays until 2012. One source said Parr was offered a compensation package, on top of salary, worth more than $100,000 and less than $300,000.
- Mashable let go most of its events staff: Kate Hayden. Karen Hartline. Site manager Brett Petersel was laid off in February. Mashable describes all its departures as “mutual.” Sources told us that they left because they disagreed with the direction of the company.
- Multiple sources told us Cashmore is looking to sell Mashable in the same way The Huffington Post sold to Aol.
Since Ulanoff came on board, Mashable has reportedly seen more unique visitors to the site then ever before. So even while they they are driving away some well known writers, their new content continues to bring in new readers.
UPDATE (11/21/11)
Editor-at-Large Ben Parr, has been fired by Mashable. The reasons for his termination have not been disclosed, but it is rumored that he and Mashable could not reach an agreement and that the compensation package he was supposed to receive didn’t happen, and the fact that the public found out about it was a breach of contract. Parr has not tweeted anything since Friday (11/18) which is rare for him. Except for Pete Cashmore, Parr was certainly the most recognizable reporter at Mashable. Parr has confirmed his departure from Mashable, but does not know what he will pursue next.
November 16th, 2011
By Guest Author
This is a guest post by Mandy Miller. Follow her on Twitter at @MandyMayM.
I was listening to a NPR story on the recent challenge held at Harvard against the famous IBM Watson. As you may recall, Watson beat out the all-time Jeopardy champion, Ken Jennings earlier this year.
In the NPR segment, the reporter posed the question if technology is the reason for the elimination of many high-skill jobs. It got me thinking – have we out-invented ourselves? Are our technologies a reason for so few jobs today? What will my kids have to look forward to when entering the workforce? Will I even have a job in 20 or 40 years?
While we can laugh at the thought of the robotic future running our society, the thought isn’t that far from reality. When you consider how many assembly-line jobs were eliminated through new manufacturing technologies, who’s to say what else can’t be eliminated? Look at how many telephone systems are now automated for customer service, airlines systems have self check-ins and more efficient farming technologies we have to plant and harvest more and better yields. For auto repairs, so many cars are so electric that a mechanic can hook them up to a computer system for a quick diagnostic.
The story did note that healthcare would remain virtually untouched in terms of doctor-nurse and patient interaction. I’m not 100% in agreement with that. As you may also remember, shortly after Watson beat out Jennings, Nuance Communications and IBM announced a research collaboration to bring Watson to healthcare. From that announcement, many questioned how Watson would redefine healthcare, and, in some cases, especially for more dangerous military scenarios, eliminate the need for a human physician. Could it be with how automated our medical records are becoming that we could also be going to a computer (no, not WebMD) for a doctor visit?
I’m not convinced that our society will go sci-fi and we’ll have a robotic nation, but I do feel that we need to grasp the full scope of the lack of innovation in this country. Granted, you can’t go a day without seeing a story about how innovation has flat-lined. In a time where unemployment rates are at an all-time high and we face a double-dip recession, we really have to continue to address societal problems and create new industries. If we don’t, I really don’t feel we can keep up with technology. As corny as it sounds, as a human race, we need to keep up with the technology that we’re inventing. While technology makes our lives easier, we have to, in essence, be competitive with our own gadgets.
What are your thoughts? Are we so encompassed in the luxury of our own technologies that we are ignorant of our own (potential) demise? What is our solution?
November 14th, 2011
By Taylor Pepe
The closest most of us will ever get to having a chauffeur: The Cab Driver.
Living in the city creates a whole array of necessities, one of which is quick transportation from point A to point B. Another is getting their in one piece. However, the latter part has always been a gamble, especially in Boston cabs.
Well, not anymore…
Check out SaferTaxi, a new website and app. now available from our friends across the pond which allows you to instantly gather and share some insight on the driver issuing you around the city in the hope that the fear of a negative review will inspire your driver to provide the highest level of professionalism. This should allow all cab users to have a more enjoyable experience.
So, say you’re in the North End impressing an attractive model you’ve just met at the bar with your flawless command of the Italian language when your phone goes off and your friends invite you to DJ a house party in Brighton. Once you’ve hailed your taxi, enter the license plate number or the driver’s registration ID into the app. Faster than a cabbie can navigate Comm. Ave. you’ll get a full rundown of your driver’s history including: ratings, reviews, and most importantly, safety records (should you receive a Lord of the Rings length response, you may want to opt for another driver).
Once you’ve safely arrived at your destination, you’ll be able to plug in your own ratings, feedback, and tales of how you and your driver sang a duet to the Righteous Brothers’ You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling.
Additionally, your account stores all of your reviews, so if you happen to lose your wallet you’ll be able to look up the cab you rode in, and begin to hunt it down.
Or look up who you had the best musical connection with.
November 10th, 2011
By Ben Haber
With so many social networks, sometimes it can be difficult to figure out where to post content and information. It’s important to remember that each social network has a different audience, and they want and expect (and react to) different types of content. How do you figure out which social network to post different types of content on? Let this amazing flow chart guide you…
Click on the chart to expand.
But in all seriousness, it is crucial to treat each social network differently, because your connections will vary on each, and so will the information your connections are interested in receiving from you. So unlink your Twitter handle to the other networks (except perhaps LinkedIn) and give each social network some personalized attention, so show them they you know who they are, and want to engage with them.
November 2nd, 2011
By Guest Author
This is a guest post by Geri Butner. Follow her on Twitter at @geributner.
Last night, I had the opportunity to attend the Millennial Branding Speaker Spotlight Series at Back Bay Social Club, featuring Rue La La executives Stacey Santo and Colin Hynes. One glass of cabernet and a few business card exchanges into the event, I crowded to the center of the room to listen to Stacey and Colin address important questions about their invite-only marketing, social media and business strategy. In between eyeing all of the stylish outfits the ladies (who made up about 93% of attendees) were wearing, I managed to take away a few interesting points from their talk.
Invite-only Marketing
I really liked how Stacey and Colin framed the reasoning behind their invite-only marketing technique. Rue La La doesn’t require a paid membership, but you do have to be invited by a friend to shop their site, which has been interpreted by some as being too exclusive. The whole point of this strategy, however, isn’t to exclude anyone, but to provide free access in a way that mirrors the real world – through who you know.
One reason why Rue La La is so successful as a shopping destination is that they understand their consumers enough to be able to simplify their consumer decisions, and in order to do this well, it’s important to maintain a “friend-of-a-friend” network. Imagine you’re throwing an event that you really want the attendees to enjoy. Do you invite every one of your Facebook friends, or do you invite the people you know and ask them to bring a friend? It makes sense to choose the latter.
Social Media
Stacey and Colin pointed out that social media isn’t an add-on for their business, it is their business. While they use Twitter and Facebook, the company itself is social media by way of social shopping. They understand that in order to stay on top of their business, they have to engage and respond to customers as quickly as possible. After all, if a company isn’t being transparent and authentic in a timely manner, then someone else will be for them. “Social media is as authentic as it gets.”
One person from the audience asked about ROI for social media, and they responded that when you have clear, defined objectives, the measurement is easy to evaluate. Ultimately, though, you just have to have faith and experiment with what works for your business. It’s important not to turn social media into a popularity contest, because the quality of followers and fans is more important than the quantity.
Something that really resonated with me during Stacey and Colin’s speech was that their business is based on trust. Every day at 11 a.m., they tell hundreds of thousands of shoppers not that they need a little black dress, but exactly which little black dress to consider. Rue La La has the power to simplify our decisions and steer our choices. As long as Rue La La continues to build trust in people through social media and friend-of-a-friend networking, people will happily continue to allow it.
What are your thoughts on Rue La La’s business strategy?
October 27th, 2011
By Ben Haber
Last week the Boston Globe officially instituted some major changes to their online properties. Following in the footsteps of The Wall Street Journal and their parent company, The New York Times, the Boston Globe launched a subscription-only site, BostonGlobe.com, which will be available in addition to the already existing and free, Boston.com.
BostonGlobe.com was officially launched in September, but the subscription fee is taking affect this month. To access the content on BostonGlobe.com moving forward, readers must pay $3.99 per week. However, people that already subscribe to the print edition will receive access to BostonGlobe.com without any additional cost.
As you can guess, BostonGlobe.com is designed to mirror the print edition, and according to the press release, it will be the only site to provide access to the full range and depth of the Boston Globe’s journalism, while also offering video, photo galleries and breaking news throughout the day. Another bonus and big selling point for subscribers is that it will also be optimized for reading on a tablet, smartphone and PC.
So what are the differences between Boston.com and BostonGlobe.com? Boston Globe spokesperson Bob Powers explained this in an email to RaceTalk: “We are separating the brands to appeal to different audiences and so the two sites will have major distinctions in content and layout. There will, however, be some shared content. For instance the sports site on Boston.com will contain most of the sports content from BostonGlobe.com. Boston.com will also have five stories per day from the Globe. Boston.com will accent interaction and things to do, but will also be a general news site.”
For the loyal Boston Globe readers that have received the print edition on their doorstep for decades, BostonGlobe.com should convince them the move to digital isn’t bad. With the latest content throughout the day, rich multimedia and sharing options, this site could be reason alone to buy a tablet.
A big question we had following this news is what these change means for Boston Globe employees, who in the summer of 2009 made major concessions to avoid being shutdown by the New York Times Co. (see our interview with Boston Globe reporter Sean P. Murphy). According to Powers, the same newsroom will create the content for both BostonGlobe.com and Boston.com. However, each site will have a separate editor, and the reporters will report to the appropriate editor for each particular story.
Powers also added that there will be separate Twitter handles and Facebook pages for each site, which tells us that the Boston Globe will continue to hold social media in high importance.
What do you think of the Boston Globe’s new subscription-only site? Will you subscribe to BostonGlobe.com?
October 26th, 2011
By Guest Author
This is a guest post by Mandy Miller. Follow her on Twitter @MandyMayM.
Sometimes I find out addiction to technology very repulsive. On that same note, I get uneasy when separated from most devices longer than 10 minutes. Although completely counterintuitive, many question the safety of being so connected. Some surveys have found that adults spend the most on TV at just over four hours a day – this obviously brings concerns of sedentary lifestyles and obesity. In close pursuit, we spend two and a half hours a day (beyond what we do at work) on the Internet – this also brings concerns of a sedentary lifestyle and obesity. When it comes to phones, Business Insider reported smartphone owners are using the ‘phone’ 15 percent of the time, while 56 percent of time is spent on mobile apps, followed by email and messaging at 19 percent. While the numbers aren’t a surprise, new research is suggesting we may not be at a high risk for this cell phone addiction as we once though.
Contrary to other studies evaluating the same topic, a new study in the British Medical Journal says that our excessive amount of time spent with cell phones won’t cause cancer in adults. The Danish study of more than 350,000 people showed that there was no difference in cancer rates between people who had used cell phones for more than a decade and people who hadn’t.
That’s not to say that our addiction to these pieces of electronics isn’t harmful. While not dished out in mass amounts, cell phones do emit radio waves, which are comprised of radio-frequency (RF) energy. This is a form of electromagnetic radiation. That’s somewhat unsettling for most consumers. It’s not like nuclear waste seen on The Simpsons oozing out of a barrel, but this radiation is just as phantom-like as cancer itself. What research suggests happens is this electromagnetic radiation is flowing into our brain tissue, possibly causing brain tumors.
While the study has received mixed reviews, one of the remaining questions is “How does this affect kids?” Naturally, as a child’s body is developing, his skull is naturally thinner and cannot block radiation as easily. Some suggest that children are still at a higher risk through being exposed to this radiation at a young age.
Regardless of what is reality and as much as we would like to say we could ‘quit,’ we can’t. There’s no patch for this addition. The fact is, there is radiation and there are some things you can do to limit your exposure to it. If anything, use the mass hysteria as an excuse to disconnect from your device.
1. Don’t sleep with your phone.
I think the majority of PR pros are guilty of this. I know I am. I leave my phone on my night stand. There, it jacks out plenty of radiation over night. Even if you use your phone as an alarm, you can turn your phone to ‘Airplane Mode.’ Not only will the phone not emit a signal, it will still wake you up, bright and early (yes, exciting). Plus, you’ll probably get better sleep because your phone isn’t going off every few minutes. Even if you are working with global teams, it’s a good idea to disconnect. For one, it’s call ‘eight hours of sleep’ for a reason. Sleep – don’t work!
2. Keep it from the kids.
It’s so cute they know how to work one better than you, isn’t it? Well, lay down the law and pull the plastic from their hands. As noted above, their cute craniums can’t ward off the radiation the way an adult skull can. Whether you’re a parent or have little kiddos running around, use the time to build their social skills and interact with them. They’ll have plenty of time to use cell phones in the future.
3. Text talk and email.
Very few cell phone plans come without a big texting or data package and as PR pros, we constantly have the connection to the internet. While it’s not the same as a voice conversation, texting and emailing can limit your exposure as the cell phone is further away from your body. The further the device is from your body, the better off you are. Even if you want to type quick emails, you can set your device to read something like “Sent from my phone – please excuse any typos.” The instant disclaimer helps out with that auto-correct or shorthand. This is also very beneficial if you’re breaking up with someone as you don’t have to talk to them – bonus!
4. Kick it old school or new age.
If you’re expecting a really long call (i.e. your family), try a different connection, quite literally. Although the age (and budget) of a landline is quickly closing, using a landline limits your exposure. Who knows, maybe you’ll get chosen to be in one of those annoying Vonage commercials! If that’s out of the question, try connecting up on Skype. Switch from one device to another and get the added experience of being able to see someone’s face while you talk. Many businesses use this for meetings as you can view your entire team while meeting.
5. Ditch it.
As much as it kills me for the first five minutes or so, it’s quite lovely to ditch the device all together, especially if your phone is connected to email. If you’re a gym addict like me, it’s a perfect time to turn off. Most gyms are cracking down on the use of cell phones while using machines, but take the time (and excuse) to disconnect. Obviously, a planned separation from your device also limits exposure to radiation.
In an age where it seems life and work is constantly connected to the internet, do you have any additional tips on ditching the electronics?
October 25th, 2011
By Taylor Pepe
It’s fall and that means a few things: Most notably, Spandex.
Almost as recognizable as the changing leaves, the shift from Bruce Jenner-length short shorts to full-on spandex happens quickly. It’s a wonder of nature really. However, sometimes the run can be cold, and when that happens, it’s always beneficial to have a little extra body heat. Thankfully, someone has figured out what to do.
Presenting JoggingBuddy, a new-ish website which helps you find the jogging partner of your dreams, now available in Boston.
Despite its interesting layout, it’s worth noting one major point: this is not a dating website. The purpose here is to help you find a running partner. However, if your new found buddy happens to have amazing flow and looks great sporting running shoes, than best of luck to you.
How this works: once you’ve stretched out those hammies, log onto the JoggingBuddy.com. Once there you’ll create a profile, upload a picture (preferably the one of you out-sprinting the Boston Marathon champion), and enter the zip code of where you’ll be recreating the beach scene from Chariots of Fire (music optional, but encouraged).
Now that you’re profile is updated on the site, you can scroll through pages and pages of runners in the hopes of finding your ideal match. Once you’ve found that special someone, it’s as simple as connecting and scheduling a time to meet up for a jog (and potential cool down over a bottle of wine).
And one of the coolest features of this site is that it’s international, meaning you can connect with running buddies when you travel to your winter home in Spain.
Remember, a cool-down in most European countries involves some form of clubbing.
October 21st, 2011
By Taylor Pepe
Nowadays, we’re always connected. We connect to our friends, our families, and even work over a variety of channels. One of the most utilized means is by phone. It seems everyone these days has a cell phone, and a lot of companies are taking note. So today, we ask you, does your company use mobile communication to stay in touch? Take our quick survey and let us know!
October 20th, 2011
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