Print Media Business Opportunity Peek at iPad
Some observers predict that the iPad would replace the newspaper or magazine in the future. Viewed from the production side, it is clear that this paperless technology more effectively than paper that should be recycled.
While viewed from the side ergonomisnya, clearly readers in the future does not need to pile up a newspaper or magazine worn again in the warehouse. From the practical side, 9.7-inch sized objects are also better dijinjing everywhere, compared to newspapers or magazines.
Some foreign media tycoon already has a business plan itself. The idea is simple, just move the content of their newspaper or magazine to the iPad. Marketing side has also been changed. From kiosks to be real ‘online shop’, from ngecer be downloaded. Sukseskah this new business model?
GQ, Magazine Sold 365 iPad Copy
GQ is one of the first magazine that appears in the iPad. On the App Store, GQ sells for U.S. $ 2.99. This price is much cheaper than the version of ‘physical’ dibanderol its U.S. $ 4.99.
“With this price, we do not require an extra fee. There is no printing or shipping costs,” said Pete Hunsinger, vice president and publisher of GQ.
“All this leads to profit, I see the vision for the future, that the iPad would be a major component for our circulation,” he added.
Although sales figures GQ still considered low, but Hunsinger believe this business model in the future will be profitable. This can be seen from some advertisers who continue to grow in GQ.
Sure enough, in May 2010 this month GQ sales rose sharply. Developing issue that the magazine would become a best-seller in the App Store later. Of the GQ cases this can be seen that to achieve profits, the publisher should be able to wait for a positive response from the market. When the public has been ‘caught’, where money is flowing. Publishers also have to wait while smiling seeing a growing number of downloads.
Is Print Media Must Switch to iPad?
Slowly consumer tastes will also be changed. Along this, new questions arise, whether print media should follow the new business model? Of course the answer will vary, depending on the context.
Responding to this, it’s good to see technology convergence that has been done by some foreign media. About a month ago, ABC introduced their application in the iPad. Not long after their best-selling application with the number more than 200,000 downloads.
At the beginning of the month, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch had been enjoying the results of this business model. IPad application because the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) his, now has more than 64 000 readers. For information, two examples of current applications such news is still free.
Above facts have proved that the market was well-received this new business model. Although felt slow, but the prospect of a paperless business model of media is considered a bright future.
Unfortunately no studies that aired in the media related to the effectiveness of iPad than a newspaper or magazine, seen from the market tastes, the effectiveness of circulation, as well as the cost of production. We’ll see, whether the local print media business is also going to glance at iPad? Only time can answer.
The author, Dawn Widiantoro, is a journalist detikINET. This paper is a personal opinion and does not reflect the opinion of any institution or place to work.