I get the impression many of my print, and even some web-based, colleagues are feeling like Tony Soprano at the moment.
I don’t mean they’re beating up rivals and taking money from running strip clubs (most media types contribute to the lapdancing industry, rather than withdrawing anything). I’m referring to the feeling that Tony talks about in the early episodes of the series. The feeling that everything is coming to an end, the old ways are dying, and old values are being lost.
There’s an obvious reason for this feeling in the print world. It’s the realisation that the internet isn’t a passing fad or a hobby, and that it;s going to be more and more difficult to separate the ‘normal, cool stuff’ from that which most people dismissed as geeky, nerdy stuff.
The more unusual phenomenon is the feeling of despair amongst those who are either web savvy, or tasked with one of the many internet projects currently being rushed out around the world. Many people who are interested in the net still see threats to the current print methods of publishing, advertising and revenue, with no clear answers. And those who have a deep passion and interest can find themselves overwhelmed with the influx of senior management claiming they are hip and down with the homies of the web ghetto.
Still, “If you can keep your head when all around you are losing theirs”, I think you’ll be in a far better position when the dust eventually settles in 12 months time. But the challenge in the meantime is to stay positive and focused on delivering those elements you can control, and not worrying about the fumblings of others.