By David Farrell
Canadian newspaper readership at an all-time high
The seventh annual Newspapers 24/7 Report, a benchmark of Canadian newspaper readership conducted by Totum Research for News Media Canada, found that nine out of 10 Canadians (88%) read a newspaper – either in print or digital format – at least once a week. This is a 3% increase over the findings of the inaugural study conducted in 2012. – Media in Canada
It's election time, so it’s time to talk up a digital policy for Canada
The Harper government talked the talk leading into the 2015 election (and lost), and at various times Ottawa politicians (like Melanie Joly) have huffed and puffed and promised to unfurl a blueprint for the 21st century. With Big Tech now throwing a hex on the general population, and providing platforms to deep-six democracy, Trudeau Jr. is winding up his campaign rhetoric with the promise of a new digital strategy that will bring the likes of Google to heel. Of course, the feds can’t even implement a payroll system for government employees so the idea the powers that be can wrap their heads around complex policy issues like borderless communications and the global ambitions of global tech giants seems remote. But it sounds (almost) real, and might even fool some of the people some of the time.
CBC’s Elizabeth Thompson digs into the meat and potatoes of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains plans for a new digital charter. Expect more of the same when the Conservatives return to power.
TV rankings fall short
When the television first entered homes around the world, it was a safe assumption that if it was on, it was the centre of attention in a room. Whatever was broadcast to the screen for that evening would be closely regarded with well-deserved awe. The household TV set could depend upon its audience.
Today, however, it is no longer sufficient to assume that a) there is a TV set, b) anyone is watching it and c) what is on it is even being paid attention to. Yet the traditional measurement metrics that the industry still relies upon fail to reflect these distinctions. – Mark Mulligan, Music Industry Blog
The lost art of radio stunting
Stunts can be a very effective method to get attention and enhance your brand by doing the unexpected. So why, by and large, has radio stopped doing them?
One of the first measurements we look at in our research is Unaided Awareness. It’s a way to determine which brands are top-of-mind without any prompting. Why is this so important? People aren’t going to listen to your radio station if they aren’t even thinking about it.
Marketing is an obvious way to grow Unaided Awareness, but few stations have the luxury of a big budget advertising campaign, and stunting is a creative way of raising awareness without a big budget. – Sam Milkman, Coleman Insights
Democracy is in a global crisis
…A pervasive culture of militarism offers beleaguered individuals at least the solace of an imagined national community. Our daily work may be regimented, pointless and insecure, but at least we can imagine, beyond it, a world of collective noble endeavour and selfless courage in defence of the nation.
In this militarized culture, many people are plainly looking for strongmen who can stand up for the nation. And around the world, including our corner of it, they’re finding them. – Ian McKay, AlterNet
Women are fighting to wrestle control over the politics of America
RIP
Global News journalist of 10 years and current communications manager at OCAD University Christine Crosbie died Sunday after losing a short battle with cancer.
Crosbie, 52, spent over a decade with Global News Toronto from 1997 to 2007. She worked as a producer, weather specialist, general reporter, and health reporter before becoming a morning show co-anchor with now-evening news anchor, Alan Carter. Before her time at Global, she also worked at CFTO/CTV. – Global News
