While you guys are changing things all around for 2009, I have a request. Can we please retire that picture of Denton? I'm sick of that t-shirt. I'm sure Mr. D. has much more fetching attire.
I realize that no one else cares, but I am fascinated by the on-going drama of the Denton Empire. I truly would like to see the books of Gawker Media Network and figure out which sites are paying for themselves and which ones are dead weight.
The bottom line for Denton and any business is labor cost. Once a site is up and running, the on-going expenses are minimal. But labor costs can kill you which is why Denton keeps experimenting with different pay systems and inducements for the staff.
I've dealt with film people for years and once lived in Los Angeles. Defamer never really got it. The editors never understood the town or the "industry." It was never a go-to site for anyone in the business. (Unlike, Nikki Finke's site)
Denton, I know you're not asking for advice, but here it is anyway: What you sell to advertisers and what generates hits is the same thing -- voice, attitude, style, point of view. If the "voices" on the different sites seem true, the viewers will come. All this means, hiring good writers and, alas, that is a labor cost.
@smithhimself: Thanks for that. More please. And you are so right about Defamer. Snark is good and all, but without a real grasp of the players and the inner workings and the industry, simply posting videos of some actor's appearance on Letterman with sarcastic commentary will just not cut it. Finke has Defamer beat.
I think Denton needs to focus less on snark and more on substance.
@Svengali_Jones: perhaps, but we're still listening to Blondie. I mean, have you seen Debbie Harry lately? Granted, she's looking more like Camille Paglia every day, but she can still sing.
I'm just wondering out loud: what would happen if Denton actually invested in good writers over the long term by paying them well and not overworking them? That way, there'd be less turnover and a much more consistent voice thru all of his websites.
I think Kotaku, Gizmodo, Deadspin and Jalopnik are way more consistent in their voice and range of topics covered.
@Claytons: consumerist "maintained consistency" because it is the driest goddamn website on earth. it's like saying that the ap "maintains consistency".
@QueenAlice: and there's a reason for that. I mean, geographically i should be all over Valleywag, but have you looked at it? I do, but only when i can't sleep.
@SybilDisobedience: yep, i know what you mean. Gawker is my home, too. I spent a little time on Defamer, but it's kind of slow, and frankly, i'm not that interested in Hollywood. As much as i'm interested in science fiction, Io9 had too many Star Trek shut-ins posting on it...i don't care how many Romulans can dance on the head of a pin. Nope, Gawker's a snark sanctuary and i'm a snark.
I'm hoping that with the money saved from some of the smaller concerns they'll upgrade they're bloody servers. If not, then we have to give serious consideration to what Mama Penguino says above.
01/01/09
12/31/08
12/31/08
But they shouldn't be punished for THAT.
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
The bottom line for Denton and any business is labor cost. Once a site is up and running, the on-going expenses are minimal. But labor costs can kill you which is why Denton keeps experimenting with different pay systems and inducements for the staff.
I've dealt with film people for years and once lived in Los Angeles. Defamer never really got it. The editors never understood the town or the "industry." It was never a go-to site for anyone in the business. (Unlike, Nikki Finke's site)
Denton, I know you're not asking for advice, but here it is anyway: What you sell to advertisers and what generates hits is the same thing -- voice, attitude, style, point of view. If the "voices" on the different sites seem true, the viewers will come. All this means, hiring good writers and, alas, that is a labor cost.
Good luck with the on-going struggle.
12/31/08
I think Denton needs to focus less on snark and more on substance.
12/31/08
12/31/08
After all, she used to be in Deelite.
It's pretty close. Just an extra "e."
12/31/08
Yours in pop-music copy editing,
Moff
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
I think Kotaku, Gizmodo, Deadspin and Jalopnik are way more consistent in their voice and range of topics covered.
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
I'm hoping that with the money saved from some of the smaller concerns they'll upgrade they're bloody servers. If not, then we have to give serious consideration to what Mama Penguino says above.
12/31/08