Monday, June 24, 2013

What's right and fair on a Digital Era. Do I have to pay for an intangible product?




Digital Revolution comes plagued of dilemmas, questions and uncertainties that terrify the heads of print media companies. Like the old quote says “Evolve or die” companies has to be dynamic, agile and flexible, more than ever. 
An example of a rigid company that did not adapted to the requirements of a changing market, is Kodak This Company was the leader of the photography’s world. When the digital cameras appear, they decided to stick to their same market and products, now they are about to disappear(2013 annual loss of $1.38 billions)


Markets and consumers' perceptions are changing; people are more willing to pay for digital content; especially in Music, Movies and Magazines. However the newspapers are more complicated that it seems.

First issue
The classic tradition of sitting for hours to read the news doesn't exist anymore.
Reading the news was considered a daily ritual (especially on weekends), gone are the years, where man sat on their favourite couch to smoke pipe and read the News.
People don’t have time anymore, they find out about what’s happening through social media, app’s alerts (probably if they wait to read it on the news the next day, the information would have been confirmed and disconfirmed 5 times before and people will be ready to create a reality show.). Besides, smoking is a frowned habit and women probably are more aware of what’s happening than men.








Second Issue
Why should I pay if Information is Free?
People love to have free stuff. Food samples, promotional gifts, extra product etc.
So if I want a printed newspaper, I could have the Metro in every corner of New York, so why should I pay $2.50 in the newsstand to get the New York Times?
The answer is simple Content, Content, Content…
No so Fast! If I want to be delighted for the exquisite writing of Paul Kruman, David Brooks or Maureen Dowd. I should be free to read their blogs and enjoy their writing. They as well should be free to expand the spectrum of readers all over the world.

The Dilemma
What content should be free and which content should cost?
Digital revolution appeals to the idea of “free speech and free content”. However, people should know that it’s the same hard work (even harder some times); the main difference is that it’s intangible.

The value perception is the one that has to be changed, quality products needs time and effort, thus they need an investment of time and money.
It is a dual work of media to and consumers to set the bases of what should cost and what should be paid by investment of sponsors and advertiser.

The Digital world is in constant recalibration, due to his dynamic nature!

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