TechFlash Live
By Seattle Business Magazine March 24, 2010
The folks gathered in the Showbox Sodo last night for TechFlash Live were there for free beer, first-class table tennis, and some insight on what the future of online advertising will look like.
Those of us who work in media were eager to learn what the business model of online news will look like. Madrona Venture Group managing director Brian McAndrews said websites that provide content should not rely on advertising. He pointed out that the problem of relying too heavily on advertising revenue exists in other forms of media: You look at television and the broadcast networks are the model that’s based on advertising alone and they are the ones that are in the deepest financial trouble.
Later in the panel, TechFlash editor John Cook asked about the possibilities for advertising on hyperlocal news sites like Tech Flash, Publicola, and the host of neighborhood news blogs on Next Door Media. MSNBC.com president Charlie Tillinghast said he sees potential for a lot of business in hyperlocal sites selling ad space to local businesses: I think that local sales is one of the most interesting opportunities out there.
For more quotes and audio, see TechFlashs coverage of the event here.