Research topics

Now that the world is experiencing a rapid democratization in the production of content, traditional media has been strongly affected by digital advances. Technology has simplified the transmission of information by giving free online tools to users. Some elite media seems to have been left behind in the digital space because of the way other tech-savvy parties are implementing innovations in a fast pace and taking over traditional privileged position. As a consequence, online news entrepreneurs and social networks are taking advantage of this disruption, creating new media outlets that intend to capture audiences and revenue. With these concepts in mind, I would like to propose the following projects:

My first research idea aims to understand how online news entrepreneurs are adopting technology and innovation into their newsrooms. This research project will analyze the innovative contribution of those online entrepreneurs who confront the digital news ecosystem, create news business models and survive. It will also examine the development of innovative ideas and the entrepreneurial effort to integrate and provide information to news audiences. Finally, it will look at how this new online networks are structured.

My second research idea aims to understand how traditional TV is relaying on social networks and second screening to provide an “ambient” experience for their audiences when it broadcasts live programing. I understand and define second Screening as a process in which users, while watching television, utilize an additional electronic device-space to access social networking sites in order to obtain more information about the program they are watching, share their thoughts, glance other viewers’ opinions and discuss ideas with them in a conversation created around the program or event in real time. This process builds a sense of community and connects people outside their own physical area and networks. Reaching people outside viewers’ physical TV space and sharing a virtual room through social networks are key characteristics of second screening that often enrich TV viewing.

Some of the economic theories and concepts I can use for this project are Network externalities (using social networks to increase the number of people consuming live TV), engagement (using second screen to create a new experience that motivates people to view a TV event as it happens), and attention economy (using the social online ambient to draw users’ attention to TV viewing from many other activities and content). This project will try to find a unique way to help traditional industries (TV Networks) to maintain engagement and attention share, and to increase the number of people consuming content by repurposing the Web.