As media and journalism students of recent years, we have been hearing from our first semester about how the print industry, particularly printed newspapers and books, is on a decline and facing extinction. There have been so many predictions about the death of the hard-copy books/newspapers since the advent of new technology ( e-Papers, Kindle, smartphones etc ).
However it is important to understand that owning a computer/ smart phone and having internet access is still considered a luxury in various parts of the world. This digital divide in the global community caters to the existence of the book industry you talk about. Across Asia and Africa, community colleges and local educational establishments which run on minuscule Government allocated budgets still don't have computers but keep hard copies of books and newspapers in their libraries.
Perhaps the added value of books and newspapers is that - this is how we have known knowledge and information to be transmitted through history ( apart from oral narratives ). Rest all is a branched evolution of this industry which hasn't replaced it 'yet'.
I believe that nothing can ever replace the look and feel of a book in one's hand.
I, for one, love reading, and while I do enjoy reading books on my Ereader, I have to confess that I cannot skip going to the bookstore; and if I end up with a very good book on my Ereader, first thing I do is go and buy it to put it on my shelf and add it to my precious collection.
So from a personal experience, I have to say that in terms of advertising, the industry relies pretty much on the passion of its audience and those who despite all the new technologies, still like to have it old-school.
Print company and offline agency will be facing a wall soon. And it will affect a huge industry from the wood to the ink. But from another point slim and modulable screens will be a new possibility to get the information. And for sure a better life for the trees.
par
Roba Al-Assi , Brand and Communications Director , Bayt.com
The added value of books and newspapers in that they often target a different audience than other sorts of advertising. Newspapers also seem to have a level of trust due to the carefully curated content, even when it comes to advertising.
