Platformer's Ethical Switch, Meta's AI Leap, CNN's New Vision, and More

TOP NEWS

Data platform LiveRamp buys marketing startup Habu for $200 million, a move aimed at simplifying data usage for its clients. This acquisition is expected to streamline customer data sharing and privacy, a critical aspect for media professionals.

Condé Nast is folding its music website Pitchfork, acquired in 2015, into GQ – a move resulting in significant layoffs. Many have spoken of their sadness at the merger, at a time where there are widespread cuts to newsrooms globally.

Thomson Reuters acquires World Business Media, a content provider for insurance markets, integrating it into its Reuters News division. This move supports its expansion strategy in professional services, alongside investments in AI and acquisitions in legal and tax domains.

CNN's new CEO, Mark Thompson, aims to unify its newsgathering for all platforms and explore monetization, potentially through subscriptions. This strategy seeks to address CNN's challenges in ratings and profitability.

Meta and Dentsu launch "Intelligent Messaging" service for brands, deploying AI chatbots on Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This aims to boost brand audience, enhance one-on-one customer interactions, and personalize marketing messages.?

The Baltimore Sun, Maryland's largest newspaper, has been sold to a Sinclair media executive, bringing it back to local ownership after almost 40 years. It has over 150 staff and more than 230,000 subscribers to its print and digital versions.

DEEP DIVE

From Substack to Ghost: Platformer Leads the Way in Responsible Digital Publishing

In this week’s deep dive, we analyze a significant move in the publishing world: Platformer's departure from Substack to Ghost, a nonprofit, open-source publishing platform.?

This transition highlights critical issues and evolving dynamics within the digital publishing industry, particularly around platform choices, content moderation, and the implications for publishers and readers alike.

The Platform Shift

• From Substack to Ghost: Platformer's migration signals a growing trend where publications reassess platform affiliations based on values and operational needs.
• Why Ghost: Opting for Ghost underscores a preference for stronger content moderation and a commitment to aligning with platforms that share similar ethical standards.

Content Moderation Concerns

• Substack's Laissez-Faire Approach: Platformer's departure was partly triggered by Substack's relaxed stance on content moderation, particularly concerning extremist content.
• Ghost’s Stronger Stance: The move to Ghost reflects a strategic decision favoring platforms with more robust and proactive content moderation policies.

Strategic Implications for Publishers

• Platform Ethics and Brand Alignment: This shift underlines the importance of aligning with platforms that not only offer technological benefits but also resonate with a publication's ethical standards.
• Audience Trust and Credibility: By moving to a platform that actively moderates harmful content, Platformer aims to maintain audience trust and uphold its journalistic integrity.

Financial and Operational Considerations

• Cost Benefits: The switch to Ghost is expected to save Platformer a significant amount in annual expenses, highlighting financial considerations in platform choice.
• Autonomy and Control: The transition affords more control over content and subscriber relationships, crucial for independent publications aiming for sustainable growth.

Broader Industry Impact

• Setting a Precedent: Platformer’s decision sets an example for other publications contemplating platform shifts in response to content moderation policies and platform ethics.
• Ripple Effect on the Publishing Ecosystem: This move could influence how other tech companies and platforms shape their policies and services to attract or retain publishers.

For publishers and content creators, Platformer's move to Ghost isn't just about changing platforms; it's a pivotal decision reflecting deeper concerns about content integrity, audience trust, and aligning with a platform's ethos.?

Learn more about this transition at Platformer.

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CLASSIFIEDS

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• Vice President, Executive Editor - National Geographic
• Senior Editor, Banking and Investing - Yahoo
• Digital Content Director - TEGNA
• Commerce Director - Condé Nast
• Opinion Editorial Director - The New York Times