Recently a popular kid's magazine conducted a study with amazing results. From the study I would like to quote, "Australian Kid's aged six to eleven are influenced by the media, are tech-savvy and spend their pocket money on themselves."
Well that was worth the money for research. Is it just me or is the media lacking in ideas ?
With the slow decline in comic strips appearing in published media and an increase in Crosswords in their place I wonder where the valuable editors have gone. Don't get me wrong though, I deal with some very outstanding editors. But the fact is that the newbies have no talent and lack complete understanding of the importance in having cartoons appear in the media. Older generation editors that are now entering the retirement stage have noone to pass the skill on to. I've seen so many journo's come in to the chance/opportunity of taking the role of editor but lack any knowledge of what it involves. A little background in to the history of the role would do wonders for the entire community. I'm afraid that even today, we are seeing more newspapers becoming nothing but a catalogue of ads with the chance of some news being inserted in every 4th or 5th page. Yesterday's paper I picked up was literally the previous day's news reprinted and large quantities of ads. Now I understand the need to pay for the publication's costs etc.. but fair is fair. I spoke to one editor who is part of a larger nationwide group and he informed me of the profit made each publication. You could buy a fleet of Ferrari's with it. But his hands are tied to any outsourced expense and couldn't afford to hire me.
So I have to ask, when was the last time you were out socialising and prompted conversation with "Did you see those specials at Liquorland in the paper?" or "How was today's crossword ? hardy wasn't it ?".
Sorry but those to blame will soon realise when it is too late that content is king and they are in control. People want a laugh or need the boggling explained in a simple manner. That is why we have cartoonists. People who can communicate visually and translate the complex in the quickest and funniest manner. People who can make your day by giving you a laugh.
Bottom line for most media is money. Maybe some day they'll realise readership is what keeps them alive. Hopefully there will be a rise of quality leadership and the focus will be on providing top content and be more appreciative of those content providers. Some day the bad editors will get a huge bite on the arse by their readership. Some day they'll notice why newspapers like the LA Times wrap their daily with the Comics as a selling point. Some day they'll understand why in Europe people like cartoonists are treated with celebrity status. Some day they'll understand they have been ignorant and see they've been making a huge mistake.
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