An Economical Change

The Economist is one of my all time favorite magazines/newspapers. They are also in an industry that is struggling to capture the value they deliver due to changes in distribution. I applaud them today for getting around to making an audio version available automatically in itunes. This is a great example of adaptation and change in the media industry. Many will know that the Economist has gone round and round on whether to make their content online free, limited, etc. While finding the perfect balance takes time and experimentation they generally get it right in the end. I like the print edition but it comes too late in a world that is electronically wired. I liked the audio download but it was cumbersome and time consuming to download. So they figured out a great way to distribute in a timely fashion. I also should add that I like paying them a subscription fee to keep the great reporting alive. However, I think their next step will be to offer a discount for an audio version only. Thanks Economist!