Poynter News University
Media organizations considering an iPad app should start now but carefully weigh the development challenges, according to Regina McCombs in a News University webinar held Tuesday. McCombs, a member of the Poynter faculty and co-blogger here, led the session “iPad and Journalism: An Early Assessment” that reviewed the major news-related iPad apps. McCombs focused on the processes used by The Wall Street Journal, Reuters and National Public Radio as they developed their initial offerings for Apple’s digital tablet.
McCombs reports that each organization pursued different strategies in developing their content presentation, audience targeting and revenue expectations. But overall the questions asked and lessons learned were very similar.
- Know your audience.
- Do a competitive audit of your market.
- Decide your overall mobile strategy.
- App vs. site? Or both?
- In-house or agency?
- Don’t wait to go mobile.
- Have fun.
