Web 2.0 Pointers

On this Friday-before-a-holiday (in the U.S., anyway), a few links on media convergence, “getting” the web 2.0 movement, and a tool for generating fake public relations results:

• The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is publishing a 22-chapter serial drama on Hurricane Katrina. It’s a major undertaking for any newspaper, but here’s the noteworthy twist: the entire series is available in audio format via podcast recordings on iTunes. As Chip Scanlan notes, it’s the latest in a handful of newspapers that have adopted this approach for major projects. Another great example of media convergence.
• A frustrated Lee Hopkins questions how long it’ll take the business world to “get” the Web 2.0 movement – and whether it’s all worthwhile. He describes his clients who still don’t “get it” after a year of persuading (and several demos of the latest-and-greatest online tools). But others do “get it” and are experiencing growth from social media. Although this Australian will undoubtedly keep emphasizing the value of these new “business essentials” (as he calls them), it’s a reminder of how much is yet to be discovered and adopted within most organizations.
• Finally, a fun tool for public relations professionals who need to quickly generate some fake results: The Newspaper Clipping Generator generates your own front page. Simply enter your masthead, date, headline and story – and a web-based “clipping” is created.