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Do CMP layoffs presage IT print media’s demise?

This week, Paul and David reflect on upheaval at CMP, which laid off 20% of its workforce last week and shuttered some print publications. Paul Believes this is the beginning of the end of print publishing in the IT media market and notes that the economics of online publishing in that area are now weighted toward using freelance and blogger contributors instead of full-time staff. David notes that technology companies are becoming more aggressive about launching their own online and even print publications, and that some of the senior editors who have lost their jobs in IT media will be moving over to work for vendors. Paul and David agree that these custom publishing operations are legitimate targets for PR people to place their clients. Now that everyone can publish easily to the Web, the definition of a “media company” is becoming fuzzier. In Cheers & Jeers, Paul praises Oovoo, a new videoconferencing service that sent customized video messages to journalists and bloggers as part of its launch campaign. But he directs a raspberry at Dell Computer, which sent a cease-and-desist notice to Consumerist.com, an action that ultimately backfired on Dell. But he commends Dell’s openness in blogging about the mistake and even linking to underground photos of unannounced Dell products. My, how times have changed!