Websites of future reflect users’ profile

Posted by Jean Yves Chainon on February 28, 2007 at 5:18 PM

At the Magazine Publishers of America’s annual digital conference, much talk pointed towards magazines’ websites evolving towards user-driven content and video. As newspapers become magazine-ish, perhaps there’s something in it for them.

Marthastewart.com will begin introducing tools for users to share content with each other, starting this summer.

Dennis Publishing is also experimenting with user-driven content. It is planning to launch sometime soon MyMaxim.com, a website that will let users customize text, images and video live.

Betsy Frank, chief research and insights officer at Time Inc.’s Media Group, spoke about Time Inc.’s recent creation of a video content production studio. This move is representative of magazines’ (and newspapers) move towards new platforms.

“Doing video will not be a ‘nice-to-have’, it’ll be a ‘must-have,” she said.

As the Web becomes more of a primordial aspect for magazines and newspapers, the online editions will gradually begin to influence the print editions.

For more details on the conference, click below.

Source: Media Week