The Daily, News Corporation’s new tablet-only publication, is set for launch on February 2. Boosters, like Ben Elowitz, contend that the combined strength of News and Apple will ensure its success. Doubters, like Andrew Wallenstein, hold that the new publication is unlikely to bring anything sufficiently innovative to change the game.
Who is right?
Sometimes a dumb question yields a smart answer and a mistake yields triumph. Whether or not The Daily is able to immediately thrive and to create a model for others to follow, it’s at least an attempt to create a new foundation. Critics of Big Media so often tell it what NOT to do, but few are able to tell it what it SHOULD do, to reshape their business models and compete in the new media world. Rupert Murdoch’s organization has repeatedly shown that it’s willing to take on big challenges and stick with them to the end. Others have repeatedly shown a willingness to criticize, and then to follow, his lead when he’s proved himself correct.
