Land of Gutenberg Questions Print–(International Herald Tribune) Vanity Fair is about to launch a German issue. Says the writer, “Condé Nast’s introduction, set for Thursday, of a weekly version of the storied American monthly comes at a time when the idea of publishing on paper sounds increasingly like an anachronism.” 

World’s Oldest Paper Goes Digital –(Editor & Publisher) The world’s oldest newspaper in continuous publication is the Sweedish Post-och Inrikes Tidningar, founded in 1645. Now, the only available edition will be online. CIQ: There are so many negative comments in this article. “What a shame it is only online!” How about, “Isn’t it wonderful there IS an online or the paper would disappear entirely.”

Turner Broadcasting Fined $2 Million –(WSJ) For the buzz-campaign gone awry in Boston. People who saw the small off-color electronic signs of cartoon characters on bridges, tunnels, and subway stations called the police. CIQ: It’s very hard to understand why this didn’t happen in the other cities where the signs were also posted. Shows the unpredictability of viral/buzz marketing.

IVillage Hosts 2ndLife Fashion Show–(Media Post) Intended to boost the popularity of iVillage Monday, the virtual fashion show corresponds with the opening of Fashion Week in New York. CIQ: A wonderful idea, but with only 400 simultaneous avatars possible, one has to wonder about the bang-for-the-buck.

Porn Leads the Way in Digital Content Ideas and Format— (Wired) Online metrics almost always filter out online gambling and porn from the eCommerce numbers. Otherwise, our charts would be in the stratusphere. It’s no surprise that these two industries have led many online innovations. Wired columnist Regina Lynn notes that as people battle about DVD formats, the future of porn is in on-demand video and real-time simulated interaction. CIQ: Hollywood take notice and ask, how does this apply to your creative product.

EA Raises Support for Wii–(Financial Times) The get-off-the-couch video game is now outselling PS3, prompting Electronic Arts to announce increased support for the Wii. CIQ: One can imagine content developed for the platform that’s not just bowling. Say, jumprope with Shrek.

Ikea Employs User-Generated Video in New Campaign— (Media Post) Ikea is offering $5000 to the user who submits the best video on making a bed. CIQ: Great marketing idea! But they still have one of the lousiest ecommerce sites around.

Times Company Bleeds Red Ink–(NYT) The New York Times company said it was writing down the value of its two New England newspapers by $815 million due to sluggish sales. Executives say revenue from its online properties is expected to grow by 30% this year. But in 2007 online revenues represented only 8% of the total. CIQ: Will print be able to (a) make the transition to online fast enough? (b) survive as technology wrings the bloat out of the print industry?

 AOL Revenue Up 49%–(New York Post) Refocusing the company’s strategy to the ad-sponsored content model is producing results that commentators call “stunning.” CIQ: As with Apple, it’s a fun exercise to count the number of times the media has announced the death of AOL.

Newspapers Must Reinvent Themselves–(Hollywood Reporter) More ink on the fact that, in order to survive, newspapers must reincarnate in a meaningful digital way. CIQ: This will take time, money and brains. There will likely be pain and casualties along the way. Newspapers need bright digital minds on staff.

Snickers Site Extends Bowl Ad–(Ad Week) The microsite will provide alternate endings to the TV commercial. CIQ: Focusing the UCG energy is a great idea.

Online Advertising is Up, Site Development Soaks Up Dollars– (Media Post) Fascinating stat that’s rarely seen. 58% of all “online advertising” is actually spent on marketers’ own web sites. CIQ: Publishers must do more to offer creative ideas, including microsites. In other CIQ material we have covered that advertisers and agencies are more and more getting into the business of publishing content, effectively competing with publishers.

P&G Says No to 30-Second Spot— (Media Post) The CPG giant will be placing ads at the Oscar web site instead. CIQ: Old media death throes.

Will the Digital Era Change Writing— (WSJ, subscription required) The columnist notes the iPod-caused dissolution of the album and wonders will the same thing happen to books. CIQ: This editorial, plus the many responses to it, seems to miss the point, in our opinion. The question to ask is will a new written/spoken form emerge just for the iPod?

Media M&A Deals at 6-Year High— (BtoB) The largest number of acquisitions in publishing, information, and training companies since 2000. CIQ: How do we build a sustainable model and avoid what happened in 2001?