There's the future

Seybold Online has a article about the future of publishing, brought to you by The Christian Science Monitor, of all things:

The New York Times reported today the decision by The Christian Science Monitor to cease its Monday through Friday print edition and move to an online-only version (apart from a new printed Sunday magazine) beginning in April. The news is a significant milestone, but hardly unexpected. Articles in The Seybold Report and elsewhere have long observed the evisceration of newspaper print ad revenues by the Web, as well as the demographic changes in media consumption habits, that are predictors of this type of change.
For national papers such as the Monitor, brand strength will give them an edge — perhaps sufficient to thrive in a brave new media world. Not many newspapers can boast the Monitor’s journalistic and editorial reputation. According to the report, the move will enable the paper to keep all of its bureaus open, preserving the journalistic brand. However, because it is a non-profit, it is uncertain whether this is a model for other papers' successful transition.
For-profit newspapers need not despair — although they may have to consider a similar move. In an upcoming issue of The Seybold Report, we will examine two Scandinavian newspapers’ profitable (and somewhat unconventional) use of the Web to fight against the overall downturn in the industry. Technology and workflow choices are vital, but so is each paper’s commitment to improving its brand value. People don't buy a newspaper (or advertise in it) because it is printed or online. They do so based on how well it meets the public demand for information and ideas. Good journalism is still essential to the brand — regardless of the medium or its revenue model.
Here’s a measure of success to shoot for: People still say the word “dial” when interfacing with their modern, dial-less phones. In the future, they will probably also refer to reading something in “the paper” when referring to the online or e-paper versions of their daily news container. The medium is not the message. (Sorry, Marshall.) Publishing businesses that “get” the notion of building a better idea container — the historic mission of Seybold — will be the most likely to survive.

Rico says he'd seen this coming, but it's coming faster than he thought it would...