Vogue-Vice Project Delay, LittleThings Shutdown, Buzzfeed’s Walmart E-commerce Deal, Views on GDPR, Women in Media, InDesign Tip: Importing Endnotes from Word
Welcome to Technology for Publishing’s roundup of news, stories of interest, and tips for media industry pros! This week, we’re sharing posts about a delay in an editorial collaboration between Vogue and Vice, how Facebook’s recent algorithm change forced a popular women’s site to shut down, Buzzfeed’s new e-commerce deal with Walmart, how media companies and brands are approaching GDPR, and more.
Vogue and Vice hit the pause button on Project Vs, a widely publicized editorial collaboration that was set to launch this week. Announced in October, the partnership was conceived to pair Vogue’s “sophisticated” content with Vice’s “gritty” reporting on a new 100-day site, says Digiday, noting Condé Nast was “taking the lead on advertising.” But plans hit a snag in the wake of negative coverage focused on workplace harassment—at both publications—according to the report, with sources saying some launch sponsors had “redirected” their spend. A CNBC post, however, notes there is no evidence that the project delay is due to workplace issues.- LittleThings, a women-focused digital publisher that shot to fame in large part by sharing its inspirational and how-to content on Facebook, was shut down—an apparent victim of the social giant’s much-publicized algorithm change. In announcing the closure, LittleThings CEO Joe Speiser said Facebook’s move to “de-emphasize” content from news orgs and publishers was “catastrophic,” causing organic traffic to plunge 75%, according to The Wall Street Journal. The company had been exploring a sale, the report says, but potential buyers were scared off by the steep drop in traffic.
- In its quest to find new revenue streams—wherever and however it can—Buzzfeed is taking its e-commerce aspirations to a new level. The digital publisher just signed an exclusive deal with Walmart under which it will sell a Tasty-branded line of cookware and kitchen tools on both Walmart.com and in the retailer’s stores. Recode says its a win-win: “Walmart benefits because BuzzFeed will use its extensive online reach to drive consumers to its stores and digital properties; BuzzFeed will benefit by getting a piece of the retail sales, plus a deeper relationship with a powerful partner.”
- With the EU General Data Protection Regulation approaching this spring, advertisers, brands, and publishers are focused on how they will meet its strict requirements. An Adweek post boils down what GDPR is and what media leaders are saying about it. At Dow Jones Media Group, for example, publisher Almar Latour has formed a privacy steering committee to assess how to best balance today’s data-driven media business with consumer data privacy needs. Says Latour, “With the way that this topic evolves, you have to think about it in a 360-degree way. If the leaders are actively engaged and aware, that fosters an atmosphere of education and collaboration that ripples through the company.”
On the Technology for Publishing Blog
- Check out our new Women in Media roundup, highlighting what’s ahead for Vanity Fair’s new editor, how InStyle’s special projects director and her team drive video success, a Q&A with HarpersBazaar.com’s editor, Bloomberg’s first-ever chief product officer, and more.
- InDesign CC 2018 Tip: Monica Murphy explains an InDesign feature that makes importing endnotes from Word super easy!
- ICYMI: Our latest Infographic Pick looks at consumer attitudes about sharing their personal data to enable more personalized experiences. Also, TFP’s Book Picks offer expert insights on how to create an optimal work culture, leverage the science of timing, ensure positive customer service, and more.
Image: Digiday
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Posted by: Monica Sambataro
