Why Great Indian Media companies fail on the internet?
I had “stumbled upon” this article on Npost.com, which analyzes why most Indian media majors fail to make it online. The author to summarize states that most Indian portals are just hit concepts from the US re-purposed for the Indian auds. Also, most media companies see online as an extension of their offline presence and believe their brands is strong enough to draw visitors. Its very true that new media companies like Google (with Google News), Craiglist (with classifieds), Facebook have disrupted the traditional media business.
Continue reading the article on Npost.com >>
Personally, for Southscope my own print magazine – it has a no presence on the web, though we have a skeletal website. The problem is coming from the web-designing background I just dont feel like having an apologetic online presence like most magazines. Amongst international magazine, only TIME had a strong online presence back in the day, but now the others have caught up too. Amongst the other magazine lot, I think BusinessWeek, Entertainment Weekly have done a good job online. Most Indian magazines have a very apologetic online presence. I have an extensive plan for Southscope with a lot of web 2.0 features like Facebook and iPhone apps, interactive content, high-res videos – but lack the team that has a technical capability to execute my vision. I was looking for the “editorial-best” to benchmark my site with. In terms of content, I found BollywoodHungama, Idlebrain and Behindwoods the best, while in terms of presentation buzz18.com was the best, but still no match for most international portals. I do not wish to compete with the “editorial-best” in what they’re already market leaders in, but find a new space/niche not covered by them and serve that new space.
PS : I am looking for techies who love web 2.0 stuff (like apps, widgets, social-media et all) and movies to work with Southscope. We’re a startup, yet we pay market competent salaries. We’re looking at full-time employees, but can consider part-time if you’re extraordinarily talented or a freelancer with a proven track record. If you think you fit in, drop in a line. We’d get in touch with you.
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11 Comments to “Why Great Indian Media companies fail on the internet?”
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Idlebrain is good enough for content .. but not design .. and they have certainly become greedy with the ads and so greedy that they allow ads which invoke security alerts from the browser and you cannot get past through company firewalls because of the virus infested content in the site.
If you do start a website, which we (every telugu movie buff) really encourgae you to, please make sure it is clean and that you do not allow the similar viral content.
ohhh really unhappy to see this post from you. Now you have started a magazine and you are a media person, isnt it?
Just say frankly are you happy with your website http://www.southscope.in ? Im really not so happy. This is the worst website i have ever seen from a big brand like yours.
Instead of blaming Indian media where you are a part of it now. you be a rolemodel for them and make your website listed top of the list, and then this posting can be considered….
No more “South Scope” is a startup as you mentioned in your post. Its a magazine representing the entire South and more over it has the brand Geetha arts behind it. You might have planned about the website earlier….. Finally you must be more active with this magazine.
Regards
Gopal
Gopal, instead of commenting in the same tone.why dont mention what you can do to make it better. I am not a web techie so i do not have significant inputs, if you know of someone you should refer them so that we can make the site a better one.
Hi Sirish,
I think you are on the money about ‘apologetic presence’ of many media brands online. The sites that we have today such as idlebrain etc. are decent in content, but can be improved upon.Most of the sites that appear slightly slicker than the average, are poorly designed in terms of how fast they load, compatibility with different browsers, especially mobile browsers, and so on.
So, you want mash-up social networking and micro sales (iTunes, downloading iPhone apps, ring tones etc) with film-based content. Good idea. But who are we targeting as prime audience for the online presence? The phase-wise rollout of features would depend on such audience analysis.
I suggest you don’t look for techies as such. That part (getting the portal developed with all the latest mash-up features) is the easiest and can be conveniently outsourced to any young startup.There would also be companies that can do a BOT for you (build, operate and transfer the tech team after the first two releases of the portal).
I suggest you look for young people who live and breathe internet.Cross-pollinate them with people who have a burning vision for what a sticky online presence can do for the brand and its products. It will be great if some of these people have an aptitude for what technology (especially Web 2.0 technology) can do, and they can work with young, talented programmers.
I have a few ideas on what a world class web 2.0 film portal should deliver..please let me know the mail id to which I can write.
Dear Sirish,
Please update your southscope.in website and make sure all the links work properly, please check your geetha arts website it is down past couple of months.
You were speaking about Movie Promotion, In tamil the movie Promotion is very good they have an website for most of their movies, in our case we didnt have a website for magadheera which was the biggest the block busster of the year.
Ex: I am from Bangalore many of my friends who are from other parts of the country were checking the net for high resolution magadheera photo’s and when they didnt get it they were like is this a small movie why no website.
Hi! Sirish
There is too much competition from other gigantic media companies like BBC, WSJ, times..etc.
Our media co’s are mainly focusing on India only,
Hello Sirish,
I am an optimistic fan of your family.
As many of those above comments are more of suggestions to you than feedback on ariticle.I too wanted to deviate from topic and exchange some information with you.
Reaching the point ,I do not know how much publicity is possible from these different websites but i am damn sure that people from different parts of the world visit main websites like wikipedia,google etc to grab information about Allu Arjun,Charan,Pawan,Chiru Sir,PRP,Geetha Arts etc,..
But the information in Wikipedia kind of websites is always vague,uninformed,round about when comes to Mega Movie Stars,ofcourse yeah people having permissions to change they keep screwing it up.We always change it back to free of error but still they go back to the stage as they were.
So if measures been taken that info about us in wikipedia always stay nice,then people across the globe could get to know about our achievements.
Thanks,
Your’s Sincere Fan
Hey Sirish,
Good topic.. Btw, I am surprised you did not mention about BBC. I feel they are one of the best media guys utilizing most of web by interacting people as possible only through internet. You get everything you need in the first page and maximum by 2nd scroll. Without marketing too much about it, I would say you can visit the site once..
And, btw, I am in for iphone apps for you if you want. let me know how can we talk about it in detail.
content is n’t just enough…. experience (presentation) matters… presentation of idlebrain sucks… Even if some other site with better design with little less content ppl will choose that over idlebrain..
First of all i want to appreciate for your blogs. I followed few of your blogs. Your blogs are open, honest and educating to the people out there who are tiered of listening to boring gossips. I hope more people from telugu industry to come forward and follow your path and share their experiences/ideas/knowledge to benefit many folks out there. Thanks again for publishing your thoughts. By the way if you are still looking for web 2.0 professionals let me know. I always wanted to collaborate/innovate and i felt this is one of those offers I’m greatly interested in.