Rad office pranks

I could stand to to nearly all of these to folks in the office. Just don't know that many of the stiffs here would appreciate the level of caring it would take to pull off such a wonderful feat.

Found via Popurls Twitter feed

Journalism Mottos

Here's a contest that Poynter had to come up with a journalism motto using only six words. There's themes from all aspects of the biz. I think this is the best one:

It's how I change the world. -- Nick Escobar, The Elgin (Ill.) CourierNews

Stop and look around once in a while

Umm, looks like newspapers still face an uphill battle

Either newspapers are not giving their readers what they want to read and see or maybe people are just learning to be more effective in using the web. If I use a newspaper's RSS feed on each topic of my choosing, I don't have to spend as much time on the site. Let's take that one step further – if I use GoogleReader for that feed and the tease doesn't interest me I won't click on the story anyway.

Being a purist about journalism and what is important to the community is critical to creating quality journalism, but if the community doesn't care until something spirals out of control how do you maintain an effective audience? As media outlets drive 120mph with their hair on fire to the online realm -with an occasional brake check for no reason whatsoever- the online outlet really needs to have tons of forethought. Still a long way to go in the transition from a dinosaur to Optimus Prime.

Why is the ad model beginning to break?

Because online there is no middleman charging money to find eyeballs for a product or service. Newspapers and other MSM are suffocating in their over presumptuous egos of having the only gig in town that guaranteed eyeballs. The world is flat once again online. The only trick is creating something that generates momentum and utilizes the key element of the internet: word of mouth (or text really). What do you think this blog is in reality?

This is a post on VideoNuze about a Nike ad, that like other creative video ads should take off virally and share the brand in its own new way.

The next phase of convergence

Too bad it's taking place across the pond and not here in the states. Take critical note of this statement though:

“But in five years’ time there will still be people who will be working in the old way because if, for example, you’re doing breaking news, it’s going to slow you down if you’re working across more than one platform.”

There are still very difficult hurdles to overcome in the new realm of convergence. But when most of the content and tools used in the news business are all online-based in the not too distant future it will become much easier.

Found via Cyberjournalist.net

Jobs that pay over $20 per hour

This is interesting. Wonder if I take this into the boss he'll give me a raise? Take note of the growth outlook.

7. Multimedia artists and animators -- $27.90/hour

Multimedia artists and animators create special effects, animation or other visual images seen in movies, television programs and computer games.

Annual salary: $58,030

Growth through 2016: 26 percent

Industry: Arts, design, entertainment, sports and media

From CNN via popurls.com Twitter feed

Rad Journalist T-Shirts

I truly think that the "journalists get laid (off)" is the best of the bunch given the hard cold fact of more than 3,000 newspaper journalists have been laid off or fired this year.

The other good one is "Shhhh! (on deadline)"

Found via Journalistopia

Proof that democracy has been destroyed

No response needed other than – Wow.

The battle over info control

Here's an article that only scratches the surface of the ongoing battle between major sporting leagues and multiple levels of media outlets. The playing field of sending out information is getting as flat as a F1 brake rotor. Everyone wants absolute control not only of the info, but the ability to capitalize on positive image (spin) and advertising.