These are my slides for APME NewsTrain at Texas Christian University Oct. 12-13. I was asked to give an overview presentation on the opportunities facing front-line editors in these turbulent times in the news business.

1. It was the worst of times,it was the best of times* Steve Buttry #NewsTrain Texas Christian University Oct. 12-13, 2010 sbuttry@tbd.com * with apologies to Charles Dickens

2. Read more about it stevebuttry.wordpress.com tbd.com @stevebuttry on Twitter #newstrain on Twitter Slideshare.net/stevebuttry

3. It was the worst of times

12. It was the worst of times Newspaper newsroom employment fell by 14K (25%) from 2007 to 2010 Newsroom payroll spending, 2006: $6 B; newsroom payroll, 2009: $4.4 B (down 27%) Newspapers’ annual print ad revenues fell by $17B (41%) from 2007 to 2009 (& still falling) Newspapers’ daily circulation as % of population: 36% in 1950, <13% today Sources: ASNE, NAA, Reflections of a Newsosaur, “State of the Media,” Project for Excellence in Journalism

13. It was the best of times Source: Borrell Associates, “Mobile Advertising & Promotions Forecast”

14. “Publishers can’t stand being the first to do anything innovative. … When confronted with a potentially game-changing idea, the first question publishers always ask is, ‘Who else is doing it?’ That phrase could well stand as the industry’s epitaph.”

15. Your job as a newsroom leader should be to be a game-changer. When your publisher (or editor) asks, “Who else is doing it?” your answer should be: “We’ll show the way.”

16. Pursue the best times* Lead the pursuit of new business models Be your organization’s mobile leader Be a Twitter evangelist Find location-based opportunities Master live news coverage Engage the community * Ideally, for your newsroom, but at least for your career

17. Why should journalists be involved in our business model?

19. C3’s new relationships For the public: We will be their essential connection to community life — news, information, commerce, social life. Like many Internet users turn first to Google, your community should turn first to C3, whatever the need.

20. C3’s new relationships For businesses: We will be their essential connection to customers, often making the sale and collecting the money.

21. Our current relationshipwith business customers Huge expense line in budget Lots of inefficiency Ad rates dropping Ad revenues dropping Lots of digital competition

22. C3’s digital marketplace Move beyond advertising Direct sales (tickets, reservations, gift registries, sports paraphernalia) Lead generation,targeted ads, daily deals Sponsorships, memberships & events Mobile ads & applications Handle multiple needs (yes, competing ads)

23. The new relationshipwith business partners Revenue line in budget (maybe still expense line, too) Delivering high value, tailored to needs One-stop shop for connecting with customers

24. Aspects of C3 Community content Personal content Business services Entertainment Enriched news content

28. Mobile opportunity Source: Borrell Associates, “Mobile Advertising & Promotions Forecast”

29. Mobile opportunity Local mobile ad opportunity is bigger than: Newspapers’ 2009 ad revenue drop Newspapers’ retail ad drop 2005-2009 Total 2008 newspaper classified revenue Any newspaper classified vertical at peak Sources: Borrell Associates & Newspaper Association of America Details: stevebuttry.wordpress.com

30. Mobile-first strategy Text alerts Email Applications (phones & tablets) Social media (tweets, check-ins, tips) Location-based news, info & commerce Easy-to-use mobile websites Device-flexible (not device-agnostic) Games (phones, iPads great for games)

31. Mobile-first newsroom Top editor stresses & shows mobile priority Every staffer with smart phone Mobile planning, emphasis in meetings Designated mobile leader Work closely w/ tech & sales staffs to pursue mobile opportunities

32. What can you do? Use Twitter on your phone. A lot. Use Foursquare (don’t sync w/ Twitter) & check in regularly (yeah, become a mayor). Use several apps (including yours) on your phone. Offer to lead newsroom (or company) planning of mobile-first strategy. Plan a mobile-first project

34. Foursquare

35. Local ad sales

36. Mobile coupons

37. Collaborate w/ media in host city

44. How (& how much) do you use Twitter?

50. Quakes show Twitter’s value Indonesia Twitter HQ

52. @statesman case study

53. Crowdsource

54. Crowdsource

55. Say what you don’t know

56. Converse w/ public

57. Link to fresh content

58. Use hashtags

62. Do you check in?Are you the mayor?

68. Breaking news is always …

69. Cover the unfolding story Livetweeting Twitter stream Liveblogging Live streaming video

70. Community engagement TBD approach: 185 community blogs & websites Crowdmaps User-submitted photos #TBDnight Social media Live chats

76. Pursue the best times Lead the pursuit of new business models Be your organization’s mobile leader Be a Twitter evangelist Find location-based opportunities Master live news coverage Engage the community

77. It is the best of times

79. In innovation, as in news … Don’t let obstacles become excuses

80. Read more about it stevebuttry.wordpress.com tbd.com @stevebuttry on Twitter Slideshare.net/stevebuttry