The lines between various aspects of journalism continue to blur and create new categories.

• Social media meets the press release.   First, no longer are press releases written for the press; they’re written for everyone  - clients, consumers, and investors.   A good release strategy helps with search.   Second, the Internet is consumed differently than print.   We do not read, we scan.   A 2 page release in 5 paragraphs just doesn’t work any more.  Third, words are only one way of communicating.  Places to check out for the social media newsroom include.

  • NewsCatctus - a service for creating a news room for your website.
  • Pitch Engine - a service for stand alone releases as well as archiving and custom solutions.
  • Social Media News release - templates, discussion and group
  • New Rules of Marketing & PR - David Meerman Scott’s book on changes in the industry.

• Para Journalism is also emerging in a new direction.
  • Spot.US - a marketplace where citizens, journalists, and news organizations can come together.   Ideas for stories are posted and funded via micro-contributions.  Highly California (bay area) centric; but interesting to peruse.
  • newsassignment - a crowdsourcing approach to open-source journalism.   Several projects looking at the intersection of professionals and journalists.
  • Citizen Marketers - Ben McConnell and Jackie Huba’s book on the topic.