2007 Brings Web 2.0 to the Print World

By Li Evans

Not even a full month into 2007 and there's a blazing trail of print media embracing Web 2.0.  Two magazine announced some major initiatives, and these should really put those in the print who haven't already looked at the web as a resource world, make them really start looking at increasing their web presence.  Not only are magazines and newspapers adding social news submission buttons, but they are utilizing trackback technologies, social networking features and even launching small social networks and blog dedicated to specific topics or sections of their publications.

1. Time Magazine launched their new redesign today.  The have also launched blogs for segmented areas such as Nerd World (I do feel loved now!) and Work in Progress - to name a few.  Time also has its own "Most Popular" area, looking very "Reddit"ish or "Netscape"ish.  First glance I've gotten, I like the new design and I like the new blogs.
2. Hearst Corporation snaps up eCrush and it's sister sites.  Hearst is embracing the social networking scene with eCrush, eSpin & HighSchoolStyleBoard.  It has some very robust plans in the upcoming months they will be launching CosmoGIRL.com, Seventeen.com, and Teenmag.com in February.  Plans are also in the works for MyPromShopper.com to launch later this month.

This year is definitely going to be the year of the widget, but I also believe its going to be the year of "Print" truly embracing the Internet and taking full advantage of its many opportunities.  Lets hope they realize they also need to understand how all this Internet and Search Marketing works and look to our industry to help them along the way.