hyperlocal

Part 1

Part 2

Here’s a couple of interviews with Mark Whitaker, former Newsweek editor, who is now VP and Editor in Chief of New Ventures Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive (WPNI). He speaks with Jeff Jarvis about hyperlocal publishing. If that concept sounds familiar it may be because Rob Curley ex-Lawrence Journal-World is also at WPNI. Along with Django lead developer Adrian Holovaty.

Whitaker sees local bloggers providing “good solid reporting around the country” taking the place of the local papers. Many of which are closing in the US.
Supporting this move WPNI is creating an ad marketplace for local bloggers - which also provides WPNI with a way of participating in the more targeted models of advertising.
He also sees video as a key element for online newspapers. He suggests that although broadcasters should have the natural advantage in exploiting video online they are limited by self imposed assumptions over production values and what works on TV.