Mobile internet holds the key for publishers
The mobile internet has been pinpointed as the number one growth area for content producers.
In its annual Census Content and Trends Survey,
the UK Association of Online Publishers (AOP) quizzed members from the newspaper, magazine, TV, radio and internet sectors about what they expected over the next 12 months. And 85 per cent of respondents identified mobile web as one of the biggest opportunities, well ahead of areas such as user-generated content (75 per cent), high-speed broadband (75 per cent), social networking (73 per cent) and behavioural targeting (73 per cent).
Mobile named top distribution channel
Meanwhile, phones were also singled out as an increasingly useful way to connect content producers and readers. Approximately 69 per cent of the sample said mobile would become a more important distribution channel in the next 12 months, while 67 per cent highlighted mobile apps – the top two responses. And it seems Apple may have played a pivotal role in reviving the industry's image with 83 per cent agreeing that the
iPhone has transformed the possibilities for mobile internet.
Lee Baker, director of the AOP, acknowledged that the global recession has caused difficulties for many of its members. "We've all been talking about a tough year for industry, and particularly for publishers, but again our members show their ability to adapt and take on new challenges in the form of exploiting new formats. A strong vote for mobile and mobile apps is encouraging for the industry as a whole."
Earlier this week, Guardian.co.uk revealed it was developing a paid-for iPhone app that enables users to read articles on their screens. The announcement from the UK's second most popular newspaper website came just days after the well-received launch of the CNN iPhone app.
