News like you've never seen it before

Had to share this take on displaying news... but put your thinking caps on - it takes a little to get your head around.

Newsmap is an application that visually reflects the size and dimensions of news appearing on the Google News aggregator. So in the image above, the size of the square indicates the number of related articles about that story - so the bigger the square, the bigger the story.

Newsmap displays categories of information by colours - khaki is sports, pink is health, green is technology, aqua is entertainment, purple is business etc. And the lighter the shade of the colour, the more recent the story is.

Newsmaps can be generated on content up to a week old, and by six hourly intervals.

When presented together the underlying patterns in news reporting across cultures and within news segments in constant change around the globe is displayed.



The biggest news story at the time of writing about Tiger Woods' play-off in the US Open, with 4775 related articles.

Newsmap claim:

Newsmap does not pretend to replace the googlenews aggregator. Its objective is to simply demonstrate visually the relationships between data and the unseen patterns in news media. It is not thought to display an unbiased view of the news; on the contrary, it is thought to ironically accentuate the bias of it.

Now, doesn't that last sentence really get you thinking?! Look how much sports news (represented in the khaki shades above) dominates the screen.

Head on over to Newsmap and have a play - it's free and it's fascinating.

Tracking the media, monitoring the message

Newspapers Today

In an effort to curb the perception about the decline of newspapers, industry body The Newspaper Works recently commissioned research to understand of the relationship between consumers and newspapers and their websites, editorial and advertising content, and how they compare with other media.

The first part of the two part report entitled 'Newspapers Today' was released earlier this month. In summary the report found that consumers devote more concentration to newspapers than any other medium; newspapers continue to set the news agenda; and in an environment of media overload, newspapers and their content command the most trust and respect among Australians.

Here are some of the findings reported in the media release about the report:

-90% of people pay full attention when reading a newspaper compared with just 50% for TV, whilst readers are more than three times as mentally engaged and focused than when they listen to the radio.

-33% of consumers believe newspaper content is the most respected, compared with 17% for TV, and 13% for radio

-36% of consumers feel not only better informed but also educated by the content they read in newspapers, compared with 29% for TV and 20% for radio.

-74% of Australians claim they are using more types of media now than in the past.

-45% of people consider that newspapers in conjunction with their websites shape the important issues of the day, compared with 36% for free-to-air TV.

-Newspapers are regarded as setting the agenda for the day for all age groups surveyed, not just the older reader. Even when considering the printed version of newspapers alone, 14-24 year-olds are more likely than 25-34 year olds to hold this association (33% versus 28%), and are only slightly less likely than 25-49 year olds to have this view (35%).

-33% of consumers believe newspaper content is the most respected, compared with 17% for TV, and 13% for radio

-36% of consumers feel not only better informed but also educated by the content they read in newspapers, compared with 29% for TV and 20% for radio.

-Although they are making extensive use of digital media, Australia’s youth demographic has the highest level of trust in printed newspapers, with 42% of 14-17 year olds, and third of 18-24 year olds see the medium as having more credible content than other media.

-Newspapers Today reveals that the reputable nature of newspapers’ editorial content flows across into the advertising carried in the medium. Newspaper advertising is seen by consumers as the most believable of all, and newspaper advertising is substantially less likely to be ignored than on TV.

For a copy of the Newspapers Today report contact The Newspaper Works.

And just incase you hadn't heard of 'The Newspaper Works' before (I know I hadn't), here's some info:


The Newspaper Works is the industry body for the major Australian newspaper publishers and acts as a resource centre for advertisers and agencies as well as for publishers and the broader industry. It was established in 2006 by Fairfax Media/Rural Press, News Ltd, APN News & Media and West Australian Newspapers to promote the interests of its stakeholders and manage a number of industry initiatives. Primarily, The Newspaper Works’ mission is to increase newspapers’ share of national advertising revenue, and to achieve this it pursues two key strategies: promoting newspapers as a powerful and influential medium for advertisers; and consolidating newspapers’ position as modern and relevant within a media landscape that is constantly evolving. The Newspaper Works is also a unifying resource for the newspaper industry, providing research, marketing tools and other support necessary to demonstrate the value of newspapers to key target audiences.

Tracking the media, monitoring the message

Monthly Media Index: September 2007

For the month that was, here it is - top news stories in the Australian media for September 2007. Thanks to Patrick Baume, Senior Analyst at Media Monitors for the round up.

APEC – The early September meeting in Sydney of 21 government leaders from around the Pacific rim, including U.S. President George Bush and Chinese Premier Hu Jintao, was largely overshadowed by a breach of security by the ABCs Chaser comedy show, although a number of trade deals were signed with China, Russia and the U.S.

Climate Change – APEC produced an agreement for aspirational targets amongst its members, including the two biggest carbon emitters, the U.S. and China, although the agreement was criticised as unenforceable by green groups.

Drought and water supply – The situation in the Murray Darling Basin went from very bad to calamitous during September, with the lowest inflows to the system on record. While citrus growers talked of having to pull up fruit trees, the price of water rose 1300% from the same time last year and there were predictions of higher grocery prices.

Industrial relations policy – The IR debate came back to centre stage during August, with business groups weighing in with an advertising campaign warning of dire times for small business if the WorkChoices reforms are overturned, whilst the Federal Opposition came out with its detailed policy, keeping many of the reforms but sticking to the commitment to remove AWAs

Xue Qian Xun – Strenuous debate over the merits of the Federal Government’s intervention into indigenous communities in the Northern Territory continued throughout August, with aboriginal groups and some welfare groups criticising several elements of the plan, particularly surrounding long-term ownership and the effectiveness of drinking bans.

Track the media, monitor the message

Monthly Media Index: August 2007

Happy Spring Slicers! Below are the top news stories at home and around the globe for August 2007. Thanks to Patrick Baume at Media Monitors for the round up.




• Industrial relations policy – The IR debate came back to centre stage during August, with business groups weighing in with an advertising campaign warning of dire times for small business if the WorkChoices reforms are overturned, whilst the Federal Opposition came out with its detailed policy, keeping many of the reforms but sticking to the commitment to remove AWAs

• APEC – The early September meeting in Sydney of 21 government leaders from around the Pacific rim, including U.S. President George Bush and Chinese Premier Hu Jintao, received plenty of coverage during August, with most of the focus on security preparations and disruptions to business and travel in the Sydney CBD.

• Climate Change – Climate change was one of the key areas discussed in the lead-up to APEC, with the Government pushing its plans for an alternative future international agreement to Kyoto and announcing further subsidies for alternative energy use, while the Opposition maintained its commitment to long term significant cuts in carbon emissions.

• Dr Mohamed Haneef – After all charges against Dr Haneef were dropped, the Federal Court overturned the Immigration Minister, Kevin Andrews’s decision to revoke Dr Haneef’s visa, leading to further calls for Mr Andrews’s resignation and prompting the Government to immediately announce an appeal.

• Federal indigenous intervention plan – Strenuous debate over the merits of the Federal Government’s intervention into indigenous communities in the Northern Territory continued throughout August, with aboriginal groups and some welfare groups criticising several elements of the plan, particularly surrounding long-term ownership and the effectiveness of drinking bans.

Track the media, monitor the message

Slice of Life: Jessica Ford of Fordcomm

So what kind of people use Slice Media? Introducing Jessica Ford, Media Monitoring Manager at Fordcomm.

Fordcomm is a medium sized communication and PR consultancy in Newcastle, NSW, specialising in reputation management and development communication for clients in the coal industry, bulk logistics, aluminium production and property development. The consultancy has ten employees and over 15 clients.

In February Jessica decided to review their media monitoring services, and that’s when she discovered Slice. “We chose Slice Media over another media monitoring services because it’s easy to use and it gives us control over what is tracked and for how long. It’s really handy being able to choose your own keywords for the different tracking folders,” Jessica said.

Jessica sets up different tracking folder for each of their clients, enabling them to manage a range of clients and issues simply. “We use Slice to track articles that specifically refer to clients and topical issues relevant to their industries,” Jessica said.

And being all online and digital delivers a raft of benefits for Jessica – no more towers of papers, piles of magazines or wasted time flicking pages. “Slice is also cheaper, faster and more convenient than just relying on subscriptions to newspapers and other publications through the mail. Digital delivery of the articles allows for more efficient management of clippings for our clients,” she said.

Track the media, monitor the message

Monthly Media Index: July 2007

The first month of the new financial year delivered the following top Australian media stories (see below). Many thanks to Patrick Baume, Senior Analyst at Media Monitors for putting this together for Slice. Enjoy Slicers!

(if you are receiving this post via email, and have trouble viewing the charts, please visit slicemedia.blogspot.com to view them online)




• Dr Mohamed Haneef – The detention, arrest, charging in relation to the failed Glasgow airport attack, release on bail, re-detention, dropping of charges and ultimate release of Dr Mohamed Haneef was easily the biggest news story of July, with the AFP, the DPP and the Minister for Immigration all under intense media pressure for their part in the saga.

• Federal indigenous intervention plan – The Federal Government’s takeover of many remote indigenous communities in the Northern Territory was hotly discussed in the media, with heavy criticism from some groups but polls showing majority support for the move.

• Climate Change – Climate change remains near the top of the news agenda as it has for the last nine months, with the Federal Government making more concessions with a solar hot water rebate, while the Opposition continued to claim the PM is asleep on the job.

• Water policy – The attempted Federal takeover of the Murray-Darling river system was big news this month, as former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks stepped away from negotiations, claiming the Plan was dead, while the Federal Government pledged to go ahead with the takeover without Victoria’s agreement.

• Federal Liberal leadership – The speculation about the Liberal leadership resurfaced this month after criticism of the PM by the Treasurer in a soon to be released Howard biography, although a poll claiming 30% of people would be less likely to vote for the Liberals with Peter Costello as leader nor his own ruling out of a challenge dampened media discussion fairly quickly.







Track the media, monitor the message

SliceReach - August 07 list now available

Hiddy Ho Slicers, the new month is in town. And so too is the latest version of SliceReach - our complete list of tracked press publications and broadcast stations.

Slice regularly reviews the press publications we track to ensure we're putting our resources to best use. To keep Slice the trim, taught and terrific spunk we all know it to be, we've deleted some publications, but fear not... we've added some others - all 99% fat free of course.

If you'd like a copy of the latest SliceReach document, send us an email or give us a tingle.

Track the media, monitor the message

Changes to media ownership

I recently received some information about changes to media ownership in Australia compiled by Steve Ford, Content Rights Manager at Media Monitors. If this stuff doesn't float your boat, eject now. Otherwise read on and suck it up.


In mid-2005, the Minister for Communications, Helen Coonan outlined proposed changes to the Broadcasting Services Act, removing foreign ownership restrictions for television from the Act and largely removing ‘cross-media’ ownership restrictions and the pundits were predicting big changes, including a consolidation of media assets.

After a slower-than-expected passage through Parliament, the new media ownership laws were proclaimed on 29 March 2007, and the expected rash of mergers and takeovers has followed.

PBL
PBL Media, owner of the Nine Network, paid $250m for NBN, the Nine affiliate in north-east NSW and the Gold Coast. NBN was a significant regional prize, with the fourth largest viewing audience in the country, after Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Shortly after PBL claimed NBN, the Packer family sold down their interest in PBL. CVC Capital Partners, a London-based private equity firm, paid more than $5b for a 75% stake.

WIN
Bruce Gordon’s WIN-TV missed out on NBN, but bought Perth’s Channel 9 from Sunraysia Television for $163m and Adelaide’s Channel 9 from Southern Cross, for $105m.

FAIRFAX AND RURAL PRESS
Fairfax Media and Rural Press merged, creating a combined operation to rival News Limited in total newspaper circulation. The deal brought the Fairfax family back into the company bearing its name, with Rural Press chairman John B Fairfax and brother Tim joining the Fairfax board. Fairfax family interests now own almost 15% of Fairfax Media.

Prior to the Fairfax-Rural Press merger, Rural Press bought the Riverina Media Group, the privately-owned publisher of Wagga’s Daily Advertiser.

(The sale of the Daily Advertiser leaves only three independent regional dailies in the market – the Shepparton News, Mildura’s Sunraysia Daily, and the union-owned Barrier Daily Truth in Broken Hill).

MACQUARIE MEDIA GROUP
Macquarie Media Group has bought Southern Cross Broadcasting, in a deal valuing Southern Cross at $1.35 billion. Macquarie is on-selling some key assets - including 2UE, 3AW and the Southern Star television production company - to Fairfax Media. (Macquarie Media Group is a subsidiary of Macquarie Bank, and not related to the once dominant Macquarie Broadcasting Network, now reduced to 2GB-2CH.)

NEWS LIMITED
Since late 2006, News Limited has acquired 16 community newspapers and 25 magazines from the Federal Publishing Company, for a total of $340m. News sold down its strategic stake in rival Fairfax.

RETURN OF THE MOGUL?
The Packer family’s exit from television seemed to signal the decline of the Australian media mogul. In that context, the return of the Fairfax family to the big smoke, having quietly built a fortune in the bush, is an interesting turn.

What goes around comes around. The Fairfax family once controlled a (Sydney-centric) media empire, including the Sydney Morning Herald, ATN-7, and the Macquarie Broadcasting Network. Fairfax Media now has about one-third of total newspaper circulation, eight metro radio stations, a television production company, and is sure to make an aggressive play for mobile television spectrum.


Track the media, monitor the message

What? 110 new titles?!

Slice just got a whole lot busier today, with the addition of more than 110 Australian lifestyle magazines added to our tracking list. Slice will now be carving its way through publications such as Australian Mother & Baby, Australian Medicine, Big Issue Australia, city Child publications, Fashion Journal, Life etc., jmag, Instyle, SA Life, TV Hits, Voyeur and Wheels to name few. Hmmm, we may have to increase Slice’s daily carb intake to keep up... they will of course be all low GI.

Happy Slicing. www.slicemedia.com.au