2 weeks of links here — enjoy!
Innovation
Novel printing process turns ordinary paper into interactive surfaces— newatlas.com
A typical sheet of paper or cardboard is neither waterproof, interactive or able to harvest energy, but an innovative new printing technology developed at Purdue University can make it all of the above. #innovation
Google expands AI-powered flood alerts to all of India — venturebeat.com
Google has expanded its flood-predicting model, which can predict severe flooding with 75% accuracy, to cover all of India and parts of Bangladesh
Apple wants to establish a 3D spatial audio format standard that incorporates the extra spatial information that AR requires — appleinsider.com
Like it did for 3d models for ARKit, Apple is developing a a new audio format that makes it easier to place sounds around a user, even when that user is moving, when wearing “Apple Glass,” or other AR devices, possibly based on the company’s work with Pixar. #AR
Technology
Memers are making deepfakes, and things are getting weird — www.technologyreview.com
Grace Windheim had heard of deepfakes before. But she had never considered how to make one. It was a viral meme using the technology that led her to research the possibility — and discover that it was super easy and completely free. Within a day, she had created a step-by-step YouTube tutorial to walk others through it.
The Guardian publishes first-ever op-ed written entirely by artificial intelligence
AI isn’t replacing journalism, but like every other industry, it’s upending it and shaping it in new ways. #AI #journalism
When digital transformation fails, focus on the why and how of change, not just technology and transactions — www.zdnet.com
For #digitaltransformation, it makes a lot of sense to focus on the why and how of change, not just technology and transactions via @briansolis#innovation #digital
TikTok reveals details of how its coveted algorithm works — www.axios.com
The beleaguered app describes the inner workings of its video-selection code.
Amazon launches Alexa Print, a way to print lists, recipes, games and educational content using your voice — techcrunch.com
The internet of protest is being built on single-page websites — www.technologyreview.com
The internet of protest is being built on single-page websites like Carrd. Simple, shareable, and private, these pages are Gen Z’s choice for not just learning about something, but doing something about it.
Publishing & Media
Google Images is making it easier to license photo rights — www.theverge.com
Google Images will start showing information about the licensing status of the photos and pictures it shows in search results. “We believe this is a step towards helping people better understand the nature of the content they’re looking at on Google Images and how they can use it responsibly,” the company says in a blog post.
Publishers Are Investing in a Second Generation of Audio Articles — www.wsj.com
Media companies used to rely on voice artists or basic text-to-audio software to turn written articles into audio stories. Now they are developing humanlike reader technology and training reporters in the art of reading out loud to help people with overflowing “to-read” lists. #voice
Sony Music plans to release nearly 40 podcasts this year and is developing more than 100 original programs
ViacomCBS is expanding its podcast business with a three-year deal with iHeartMedia — deadline.com
Why Google and Facebook are being asked to pay for the news they use — explainer
HT @michellemanafy The digital platforms aren’t happy and have warned of dire consequences if the draft legislation is passed into law
Facebook is threatening a ban in Australia in an attack on proposed legislation that would force it to pay publishers. — www.smh.com.au
Google says it supports Australian media and not to blame for newspaper classifieds decline — www.zdnet.com
Google argues that it supports Australia’s news biz & doesn’t steal news content.
Amazon Book Clubs is a new program in early access — goodereader.com
People can join public groups, that focus on specific genres. via @goodereader
Playster has gone bankrupt — goodereader.com
Playster was an unlimited streaming platform for audiobooks and ebooks and the company has gone bankrupt. via @goodereader
Meredith Corp. Weighs Split of Publishing, Local TV Business
www.hollywoodreporter.com
Meredith Corp. is proposing an amendment to its corporate charter that would allow for the company to split its national media business and its local media business, though the company is emphasizing that no such split is imminent.
Gray, Meredith Join Launch of Local TV Streaming Service
A new streaming service called VUit (“View It”), featuring more than 200 TV stations, launched on Tuesday
Conde Nast Publishes 100 Different Covers for Vogue Italy — wwd.com
In times when digital is becoming the preferred medium of communication, Vogue Italia is betting big on print. #magazines
Condé Nast to Drop Some Claims Against Tonchi to Keep W Details Secret — wwd.com
Condé Nast, in its suit against Stefano Tonchi over W magazine’s sale process, wants to avoid revealing a trove of business details. #magazines
Self magazine is expanding into licensing, with a new product line with sexual-wellness brand JimmyJane
Hearst Extends Magazine Brands to New Line of Mattresses
House Beautiful and Men’s Health are among the brands slated to become mattresses in a new licensing deal #licensing #magazines
David Pecker still calling editorial shots at National Enquirer, US Weekly
nypost.com
David Pecker may have stepped down as CEO of American Media last month, but he’s still heavily involved in calling the editorial shots at the publisher of the National Enquirer sources tell Media Ink.
Why we should be talking about the transformation of publishing, not its decline
HT @BoSacks via @nichepublishers #magazines #magazinepublishers
The publishing industry has been and is still vibrant and ever-evolving
#magazines #magazinepublishing
Oscars set inclusion standards for best picture contenders — www.latimes.com
Starting in 2024, movies will need to meet specific inclusion standards in order to be eligible for the best picture Oscar.
Business
The ABCDE of Marketing Re-Invented — rishadt.wordpress.com
From @rishad
Apple pauses privacy changes, offering reprieve to anxious mobile advertisers
adage.com
iPhone maker will delay new rules on collecting data to give marketing tech industry time to adjust.
‘Amazon is a brand play for us’: How Buick is building a long-term partnership around Amazon’s ad business — digiday.com
While the Alexa-powered in-car experience is novel, it’s the link to the wider Amazon platform that has Buick’s marketers excited.
Amazon’s new NYC Whole Foods Market is basically an Amazon warehouse — www.fastcompany.com
The company has opened a new “store” that’s exclusively for online deliveries.
Twitch’s Prime Video watch parties are now available to everyone — www.engadget.com
RT @mediagazer Twitch makes Prime Video Watch Parties, previously confined to top US Twitch creators, available to every creator and viewer on the platform globally
Is 30 too old to work in media? This advertising boss has been forced to apologize after ageism row
Century 21 files for bankruptcy and will close all of its stores — www.cnn.com
New York department store chain Century 21 filed for bankruptcy Thursday and said it will shut down its business.
Resources & Opportunities
#LatinxPitch 9/15 — twitter.com
MT @latinxpitch #LatinxPitch: We’re open to all #Latinx creatives focused on #KidLit.
#SuspenseIncludesYou Twitter Pitch Day 9/23
RT @HarlequinSYTYCW Calling underrepresented and own voices authors who love a little romance and a whole lot of suspense! Join us on September 23 for our #SuspenseIncludesYou Twitter Pitch Day.
WNDB 2021 Mentorship
RT @diversebooks Writers, get ready: applications for WNDB’s Mentorship program open on October 1, 2020 and this year we’re selecting 15 mentees to work with these amazing mentors!
PublisHer launches women’s mentorship scheme — www.thebookseller.com
PublisHer, the network that “strives for gender equality in publishing,” will launch a free mentorship scheme to assist women seeking guidance from professionals in the industry. #readwomen
I, Too, Am the American Dream Contest
MT @angiecthomas This is not a scholarship. It’s a $5000 cash prize for WHATEVER need. Not every high school senior will be going to college, and that’s okay. We have to stop acting like college is the only option. There’s trade school, truck driving school, etc. — Excited to announce that I’ve partnered with @AdvanceTheDream for their “I Too Am the Dream” writing contest. All US high school seniors are encouraged to apply. The grand prize is $5000.
Black Voices: Pushing for Change in Children’s Book Publishing Resource List
RT @AuthorsGuild During our Black Voices webinars, the panelists shared numerous resources. Although this isn’t exhaustive, we’ve gathered everything so you can easily find books, publishers, organizations, conferences, and reading materials suggested by the panelists.
How to Pitch Stories to Wired — www.wired.com
We want to encourage a broad set of writers to amaze and challenge us. So here’s a more transparent look at how we assess and assign stories.
BIPOC Agents & Editors
HT @MinoritiesinPub @BIPOC_Bookshelf Calling All BIPOC Agents & Editors — We are curating a list! If you’d like to be included or want more info, please visit http://bipocbookshelf.com or https://forms.gle/Y2aDKe1Lr2RvUP8A9… Feel free to share the links or this post with your colleagues & friends. Thank you! #BIPOCBookshelf
PEN America offers online harassment self-defense training — jaws.org
RT @womenjournos Women journalists are facing unprecedented levels of hate and harassment online. Join us for a virtual Online Harassment Self-Defense Training with @PENamerica on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 6–7:30 p.m. ET.
#Heartbreakers Marketplace — database for all the books that editors TRIED to buy, but lost
MT @imaginarysmd Hey, we built this! 67 editors have shared their heartbreaks; if you haven’t yet, please do so. Thanks to @manadurphy for co-conspiring & to all those willing to help build a network of transparency. Agents who want access, lmk. #HeartbreakersMarketplace