Blueprinting the Information Valet Economy

Building a collaborative, shared-user network

A wrapup of the December 3-5, 2008 summit at the
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute
Columbia, Missouri

RJI PICTURED

THE RJI VISION

THE BACKGROUND

On Dec. 3-5, 2008 the Donald. W. Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) hosted "Blueprinting the Information Valet Economy," a summit designed to kickoff the Information Valet Project. . . . . (ORIGINAL FLYER ANNOUNCEMENT--PDF) . . .

Meeting in the new RJI Smith Forum and adjacent meeting spaces, some 50 journalists, researchers, technologists, publishers and entrepreneurs worked to change the landscape for news and information-service providers, artists and publishers. They shared ideas and advised RJI fellows on how to start the Information Valet Economy, where companies compete to provide personalized service to users, and make money referring their users to content -- and advertising -- from anywhere. The service could coordinate next-generation advertising placement and compensation, consumer-centric demographic management (and privacy) and multi-site commerce -- all designed to sustain journalism and providing new value to traditional print news subscribers.

WHY IS 'BLUEPRINT' NEEDED? (WATCH VIDEO)

The U.S. news industry struggles as print advertising moves elsewhere and web advertising's double-digit growth sputters. The industry can now rethink and relaunch its relationship with 50 million customers -- to become their "information valet" able to make money whether those users are buying services, information (including music and entertainment) or being paid for web seeking and contact with sponsored messages and advertising.

Consumers want a customized experience, but want to control and be compensated for use of demographic and usage profiles.
The Internet needs a user-focused system for sharing identity, exchanging and settling value (including payments), for digital information. The system should allow multiple "Information Valets" to compete for and serve customers with varied topical interests and appetites for demographic sharing. It needs a New(s) Social Network.