If you’re using the summer months to review your TV station’s digital and social media tactics and strategies (and you should be), make sure you consider how you’re presenting video. Whether it’s Instagram, Snapchat or the “godfather” Facebook, there’s no question the focus should be on images and video. For most stations, posting video means [...]
In a focus group I sat in on last week, one local news viewer said, “There are plenty of places I can turn to for opinion, no matter if it is left, right or something else. I watch the local news because it isn’t like that.” According to our research, his viewpoint is shared by [...]
Many say we “missed it.” I think they’re right. Critics say the media didn’t get it because they are “media elites” who are out of touch with the people. And I think they’re right. Honestly, I didn’t quite understand the meaning of “media elites” at first. But I think I do now. Many of us [...]
Disgust. Uneasiness. Anger. As voters put an end to election season tomorrow (hopefully), these aren’t the feelings generally associated with declaring winners. Those words also apply to how many people view the news media. So for news organizations, striking the right tone on election night is important. Here are some big picture thoughts before you [...]
I live in an area known for frequent power outages. We could lose power for hours in little more than a strong gust of wind. Recently, when a series of predicted storms started to approach the area, I immediately plugged in all of our devices to make sure we were charged up. Honestly, I was getting [...]
We see it almost every day on TV when viewers send cell phone video. They shoot great video of a chase, a reunion or some breaking news - but because of the way the phone was held more than half the screen has no video when it shows up on TV. The reason is simple. [...]
A good friend of mine struggles to figure out her computer and phone. In her world, files disappear and mysteriously move never to be seen again. When she explains her latest frustration, people are curious: Why does she have these problems when some of us facing the same thing bungle along and figure out a [...]
“Can you hear me now?” Remember the Verizon ad? (As if pop culture will ever let us forget it). When it comes to your news mobile app, let’s change it to, “Can you see me now?” Can you see the images, weather maps and graphics I just put in your Facebook feed on your cell [...]
Some of you might say this blog is from Captain Obvious. But I figured I would write it anyway to maximize the enormous digital opportunity on Christmas. We’ve learned that Christmas Day is a huge digital day. Folks are getting new phones, new tablets, wearables and other connected devices. And as the wrapping paper is [...]
The attacks in Paris really hit home for me this weekend – as they have for many Americans. And so has the disappointing local TV coverage of this huge international story with direct implications in all of our hometowns. Friday night, my daughter was getting on a plane in Boston to return to college in [...]
