Viacom exec jumps to News Corp.'s iPad project
updated 10:55 pm EDT, Sun August 22, 2010
Viacom digital lead to head iPad news service
News Corp. has begun moving executives around to start up its iPad-focused news service, a leaked memo confirmed this evening. Viacom's digital distribution head Greg Clayman is said moving in the AllThingsD note to a "new venture" that is known to be the corporation's national digital-only news outlet. The New York Post's executive editor, Jesse Angelo, will reportedly moonlight in a similar position at the new project.
The job swaps corroborate earlier stories of News Corp. using the resources of its combined news and entertainment outlets to produce the service. Little is known, but it should be a multi-genre subscription that will cover pure news as well as sports and other general interest content. It will favor Apple's tablet first but should also come optimized for other tablets as well as Android hardware, iPhones and other smaller-screened devices.
Most stories surrounding the publication suggest it's a personal project of corporate head Rupert Murdoch, who is personally excited about the iPad. In public, he has characterized it as a way of getting a younger audience back into reading. Murdoch is also thought to be rebelling against the tendency towards free content on the web and could use a native app to steer readers back to subscriptions.
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They still don't get it...
These paper printing morons still think they have to pay for the printing and distribution costs that are covered by subscription prices. The real money is in the advertising and iAd can take the brunt of the work off their shoulders. Their job will be to provide news and iAd will monetize their work.
If only the 'news' organizations would focus on providing well balanced news and leave the advertising to others. The world has turned and they need to get up and smell the coffee.