Our Data, Our Selves
[by Judy Herrmann]
Earlier this year, ASMP President, Richard Kelly, suggested I read Ken Auletta’s book, Googled: The End of the World as We Know It. Thought-provoking and packed with facts, quotes and well-researched information – I actually pulled out a highlighter pen for the first time in years – it is so well-written and organized that it’s an easy and inviting read.
Auletta, who has written the “Annals of Communications” column for The New Yorker since 1992, uses the rise of Google as the basis for a much broader thesis on the impact of the internet and searchability on business, communications, advertising and the creation, distribution and publishing of content. He clearly outlines the struggle between old and new Media and his interviews with moguls on both sides of the line provide fascinating insights into the role of content in these vast distribution networks. My new understanding of the data collected about consumers and how it’s being used to monetize the internet has completely altered my views of the future and how our industry and my business need to evolve to take advantage of these rapidly growing data mines.
We’ve all been Googled in one way or another. We owe it to ourselves to understand a little more about what that means.
Judy Herrmann, photographer, business consultant and former ASMP national president volunteers on ASMP’s Strategic Research and Web Oversight committees. Learn more about her at www.HSstudio.com
One Response to 'Our Data, Our Selves'
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Judy, now that you have been googled, I suggest a followup read in Jeff Jarvis’ book, “what would google do.” building on what Auletta writes, Jarvis offers some ways to “googlize” our businesses. If are looking to write an updated business plan er model, this book is the perfect companion. Fire up another highlighter.