Two great panels – one from journalists, and another from the comic book industry – talking about how their two newsprint industries can move seamlessly into the social web.
This is the quote of the entire conference, because at least half of it has been about this:
“The role of journalists and editors now is to form [news] into a piece of narrative and inform. Real time web becomes right time web,” getting the information people want to them in a digestible format at the right time.
Also, my paraphrase from the comic panel:
It’s not a surprise that creators are celebrities – they are the artist and the auteur. It’s different than film or television stars.
Media Roundtable
Kicks off talking about the 4G iPhone leak earlier this week with Nick Bilton, tech writer for the NYT (@nickbilton). “It’s fascinating to see how a lot of news orgs reported this story.” There was speculation on if it was real until Gizmodo did “a tear down review like it was a poor, unsuspecting alien from another planet.” The Times can’t cover rumors, so they have to cover THE REACTION to the rumors.
On followup, talking about NYT coverage of Iran “revolution,” and he actually sourced something from Twitter. Lines are beginning to blur not only between SM and journalism, but SM and people on the street. Blogs try to start conversation, “which is something newspapers have never done before.”
Benjamen Walker, a producer from WNYC (@benjamenwalker), reinforces yesterday’s message about why radio uses Twitter.
Alex from O’Reilly Media (Not on the agenda! Jeff Pulver ad-libbed him onto the panel!), talking about DC’s Snowmageddon this winter. “You could see in a few minutes how definite media organizations” were analyzing and reporting how the snow was falling, and how the government begin to aggregate data. For the first time WaPo posted live tweets on their homepage! It’s also an important part of what’s happening Iran and elsewhere, “smart journalists are getting in front of events” by connecting with sources on the ground in the places where they want to report news before that news occurs.
“The role of journalists and editors now is to form [news] into a piece of narrative and inform. Real time web becomes right time web,” getting the information people want to them in a digestible format at the right time.
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Twitter and comic books!
This is awesome. The very eloquent Philly-based Jonathan Maberry on the panel.
They start by talking about the letters page as an early social media [I completely agree!], but with a huge lag (usually three months)! How is Twitter changing that, or how is it even the new letters page?
Ryan Penagos, Marvel.com editor (@Agent_M): Marvel’s philosophy was always to bring the public closer to the creators – think back to the Marvel bullpen! Now they have over 250 creators on Twitter, accessible to all.
Tom Brevoort, Marvel exec. editor (@TomBrevoort): It does a slightly different thing than the letters page – part of the appeal there was to be a permanent part of the comic! Twitter is different – more 1:1, as opposed to Stan Lee’s legendary column about what was going on behind the scene. Now, the boundaries between creator and fan grow narrower, and create more dedication with readers.
Moderator Jeff Newalt, editor (@jahfurry): Because it is so easy to sneak preview on Twitter, is it actually expanding the reach?
Ryan: “I definitely have.” Following up on comments about upcoming Marvel movies to share a free digital comic.
Mod: Intros Jonathan as the creator on the panel.
Jonathan Maberry, author and Marvel writer (@jonathanmaberry): “Well, the most important thing is that it gives me a chance to build a new fan base and tap into an existing fanbase.” Keeps an eye out for mentions of his characters, follow people are talking about them. And, when he posts a comment about a new issue he gets equal feedback of “that’s great” and “what is it” – except for everyone answers “what is it.”
Mod: Comics are now digital in addition to on paper. Sends to Micah.
Micah Baldwin, CEO of graphic.ly (@micah): Looking at existing options, people want to replicate their historical experience with comics – their nostalgia. But, the more interesting thing is digital comics that are beginning to replicate the comic buying experience – which was very social and conversation! Now comics are becoming more interactive, more mobile.
Mod: Comics are like crack – need to give people a small fix that will addict them.
Micah: Comparing comics to both novels and art – if you can appreciate art in a museum or novels in a library you can appreciate comics.
Jonathan: Previews create a doorway to new readership – breaks conceptions about what comics are, “this might be something sophisticated and layered enough” to draw them in.
Jeff: (Talking about getting Harvey Pekar to tweet when he won’t use a computer – literally gets his tweets over the phone! Good message about finding the way to get good messages from creators.)
Ryan: It’s more important to answer questions than to just scroll through. You need time for interaction.
Jonathan: “It’s very clear we’re having fun … it’s not just selling. It’s ‘I’m having fun with this, and you’ll have fun with it to’.” “Other models that are more negatively based don’t work as well, because they don’t invite you to have fun.”
Micah: It’s not a surprise that creators are celebrities – they are the artist and the auteur. It’s different than film or television stars.
Jeff: Talking about the wave of comics writers who are prolific, impressive tweeters – Ellis, Gaiman, Bendis – “like micro-chunks of DVD extra content.”
Micah: “Jim Lee is using Twitter to engage fans directly. He did a scavenger hunt in Chicago … for me the thing that is interesting the most about [SM] is the breakdown between your hero and you is that you become you and your hero – the same person.”
Jeff: Ryan, how does your love of gaming influence your tweeting?
Ryan: The community supports across all of the characters/products of the company, and also allows him to cross-sell other books with the characters.