May 8, 2015
The weather’s heating up here in Chicago – and the news continues to stay hot. Here are some of my favorite stories from the week.
- News is in the News – A new US study reports that the news industry is struggling with a shift to mobile as more readers turn to smartphones and tablets for information. In fact, 39 out of the top 50 digital news websites had more traffic from mobile devices than from desktop computers in early 2015.
- All Screens, All the Time – An article in the Economist stated that Americans spend over 12 hours a day, in total, watching TV, browsing the internet, reading newspapers and the like. Also interesting – this is the first year that consumers of media globally will spend more time online than watching TV.
- It’s All Political – More GOP candidates entered the Presidential election race this week – and one experienced a tech “oops” off the bat. Former HP CEO Carly Fiorina failed to secure the web domain carlyfiorina.org, resulting in someone else using it to launch a page that’s critical of her tenure at HP on the same day she launched her candidacy. In other political gaffes, an email from New York Mayor Bill de Blasio to aides turned into a New York Times story this week, because the mayor copied the reporter on a message.
- Sweet Homage – Ryan Gosling continued to win hearts around the world by posting a touching tribute to Ryan McHenry, creator of the wildly popular “Ryan Gosling won’t eat his cereal” meme. Spoiler alert: the tribute has Ryan finally eating his cereal.
- Lots of Appreciation – Teacher Appreciation Week was a hit on social media, with #ThankATeacher trending throughout the week. The hashtag #PlusSizeAppreciation also picked up steam. And while people were expressing appreciation, they also were celebrating “Star Wars” – #MayTheFourthBeWithYouwas another top hashtag.