DSC's Evolving View of the Future of Publishing

For the past week and half, I have been diving into the world of digital publishing. Basically, I bought a Kindle and got intrigued. Reading e-books and observing the e-reader buzz at the CES piqued my interest as an investor. Unfortunately, trying to develop a thesis on digital publishing seems to have spilled over into a broader media thesis. In reflecting on a few weeks of conversations and research, I am toying with the idea that media gatekeepers such as publishing houses, television networks, etc. who have historically held roles as trusted curators of content for their audiences, have been losing their footing. To survive in the digital world, these gatekeepers will have to fight to maintain their “curator” status. Social media leveled the playing field; new curators have been crowned by their Twitter followers, Blog readership, or Facebook friend counts. A battle is raging on the web and users are attempting to unseat media titans by proving that they can provide more relevant experiences to their followers than company executives.


While I think round one went to @aplusk (Ashton Kutcher – the most followed person on Twitter), all is not lost for publishers and other media gatekeepers. Individuals have the advantage of speed and agility, but gatekeepers have strength in their resources (financial and human capital). If corporations are to maintain their statuses as “curators”, they will have to use their resources to better understand their customers. They need to focus on in-depth consumer research and use their ability to track data, give away content, invest in web applications, etc. to better understand the communities of users for which the experiences they provide are relevant. We, as consumers, are struggling with information overload. Individuals spend hours trying to separate the “signal” from the “noise” and have turned to user recommendations for help, but these recommendations are as flawed as the recommenders themselves. Herein lays the opportunity for a book publisher or network executive to build credibility with a niche community. They have the resources to conduct research, create tailored content and experiences for their customers, and continue to refine that content/experience as the community develops. Some might argue that they can aid in the shaping of the future of that community. As media companies learn to be more relevant to the communities they serve, they will be able to monetize their experiences through products and services their communities are looking to consume.

Realizing that a few weeks of work does not make me an expert, I welcome your thoughts and feedback, so please add a comment, email me, or DM @andrewsaltoun.  Also, we are actively looking to meet companies and people in the industry, so please reach-out with suggestions and introductions.