News and Analysis

What Whitney Houston’s Death Teaches Us About Publishing

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I'm going to confess I'm a bit uncomfortably writing this story.  Whitney Houston's death was a troubling event, and among the love and sorrow I see over her passing are things that disturb me; snarky jokes, exploitation, disrespect for the dead.  So as I write this, if it's not the usual "Steve" please understand.

Also, admittedly, it's a bit personal; she's one of the distinct singers I grew up with.  It's a familiar voice, and it's gone, and even sadder as she had her personal demons to cope with.

Alan Cross notes an interesting phenomena in the wake of her death – fourteen books on her life appeared within seven hours of her death.  Fourteen.

Cross notes this is part of the larger trend of changes in media, and is much like what happened to music.  Those are very true words – publishing is being changed rapidly with technology, much as music was.  I recall how even a near-decade ago the rap scene was getting a lot of indie people with home studios who made a living with a small market – stuff that today comes cheaply or pre-installed.

Publishing of course is something computers have let us do for decades – it was just the publishing of a word processor and a printer.  Now technology is interlinked enough we can make books in what would seem to be an instant to an author of 20 or 30 years ago.

It's so fast that people can shovel out books the same day as an event.  I'm quite sure a lot of these are crap, but for all we know someone put out their near-finished personal work or some hidden gem of dedication.  Yeah, I doubt it, but . . . it's at least possible.

We're now in an age where book publishing and journalism/reporting (and yellow tabloidism) are on the same speed.

Think about that.  Me, I'm still a bit sad and I'm going to end this here.

– Steven Savage

Zynga Profits Drop, Analysts Hammer it

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Yeah, it appears the bloom is off the Roseville.

Of course after a run-up like it had it couldn't last forever, the question really being what happens next.  Unfortunately what happens next would involve gambling or a change of management, neither of which may sit well with people (as I suspect a management shakeup would be NASTY).

I also think that with Facebook's IPO coming up, Zynga is getting a harsher look.

As for employment options, well, you've heard enough complaints that it might not be your cup of tea.  I'm more wondering how Zynga is going to react to this – they could overreact, and that could make it pretty miserable to work at.

– Steven Savage

 

 

The Loss Of Loss Leaders?

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Remember "Loss Leaders" in the world of tech and gizmos?  Have CD's and DVD's that are marked down insanely low, hope you sell, and get people to buy other stuff.  It's a historical practice, and probably one that doesn't get enough attention.

This was something Best Buy and some electronic stories try or tried because they want you to buy expensive stuff. In fact, last time I headed to a Best Buy, I thought about the fact I see a lot less CD's and DVD's there.*  Sure there were some, but not many, and they seemed to be cheap stuff, recent stuff, and expensive sets.  I'm guessing the latter is the only guaranteed profit maker.

Loss leaders aren't working like they used to.

Come to think of it, the answer seems pretty obvious: The Internet and The Economy.

First let's address the economy, which sucks and means we want to buy less stuff, especially stuff that we really don't need.  Sure it's marked down, but if we don't really need it anyway, then why buy it in tough times?  The economy clearly didn't help.

But then there's the Internet.

The obvious way the Internet kills off Loss Leaders is that simply you can get their contents online through Netflix, discounted sellers, used copies, or simple piracy.  Why buy them at a store when you can do it cheaper or free?

But there's other reasons.  Previews of things seen on the internet, reviews, and so forth can make you more picky and better informed.  You're used to looking for, well, crap, used to researching.  You know what you want, you seek it, and you're less likely to be tempted at a store.

Put it all together, and there's a loss of Loss Leaders.  We don't want to buy them, we don't need them.

I have to wonder how many companies have to struggle with this loss . . .

– Steven Savage

 

* In my defense, I now usually go to Fry's.