Rji-interview-langeveld-forsgren

Rich Forsgren's notes of his conversation with Martin Langeveld

Q: How do we develop the ability to share context and actionable information in a community, and enhance the ability to make meaningful connections?

• R- I think we do that now when reporters hit the street but we have always been the observer. We should continue that process but also be expand our editorial page philosophy through every employee and opportunity.

Q: What is the common framework that can guide us as we take on this work?

• R- Telling the story in whatever form we need too and whatever form the audience wants to digest it.

Q: If they were starting from scratch today, what service(s) would news organizations provide to meet community information needs -- and how?

• M- Adoption rate for tablets is going to hit 80 to 90 percent penetration. These two years will be transformative for magazines and newspapers sub rates will plummet and more and more papers will have to reduce printing frequency (New Orleans). There needs to be a daily digital business model based on tablets. How does a daily paper hold the readers attention to serve ads and make money when the time spent is so minimal with news. What UI, user network would help newspapers have a bigger share of attention online?
• R- We would be a kiosk of information continually asking the audience their needs.

Q: In a world of data overload, what do we know about the information experience users seek, and how can we help them to discover trustworthy information that informs, inspires -- and entertains?

• M - People are going to find a concentrated period during the day reading the news. They are not going to spend all of it on the newspapers site. I think there is potential for the newspaper to act as the portal during those sessions. Circlabs was working to personalize the news but there was not a content news rights agency available at the time. We are closer to delivering that personalized news stream, by learning from your behavior and delivering content that is relevant to you. Flipboard is not so far of the mark. Imaging the local newspaper becomes the Flip Board

Q:What is the role for established news organizations in the personal-data ecosystem – the world of privacy, identity and “personas”?

• R- We have been at the center of personal data. The first time we signed up a subscribers, and stored their name, home address and phone number put us in that business. In the digital age, we continue to “collect” data on our audience, but in real time, and in massive amounts. We must utilize that data to provide our audience the best content experience.

Q: What would it take for journalists to be at the start of conversations about vibrant, sustainable communities? Q:What’s now possible at the intersection of journalism and technology to answer those five questions?

• R – The current tool shed for journalist is robust and immature at the same time. Let’s not forget we were pasting up text 20 year ago. The digital age has allowed for the immediacy and the “atomization” of the story. The story is pushed and pulled onto more consumer platforms in the history of story telling. We Tweet, SMS, write web stories and traditional long form journalism. Many masters are being served, with fewer bodies and less time. Technology will continue to grease the wheels of this shifting paradigm.

Q: What are you most passionate about, professionally?

• M - Since I left the newspaper business has been blogging being involved with University of Missouri and the InfoValet shared news network and thinking about other business models that might work. Main interest is journalism, but needs supported financially. So I am thinking about how we can replace the ad-supported model that is currently dying.
• R – I got in this business to tell take pretty pictures and enlighten the audience. Nothing has changed about that core responsibility and obligation our audience expects. Being part of the never-ending paradigm shift of our business on delivering the story is cool.

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Q: How best can we advance the values, principles and purposes of journalism in support of participatory democracy?
Q: What are the best-possible outcomes we might strive to achieve at Pivot Point?
Q: What vital skills, experience, expertise or perspective will achieve those outcomes?