Millennials are just as emotionally connected to their cities as any generation before them, but that digital generation doesn't get local news and information through the traditional conduits that Boomers and Gen Xers do, and OtherWorld is a new platform aiming to give Millennials better access to local news. The platform uses locally dispersed beacons to beam stories directly to users' smartphones when they're in the immediate vicinity, providing stories that are automatically relatable and relevant to the reader.
To be sure, OtherWorld still relies on quality journalism from local beat writers. The difference is that those stories are now targeted, letting readers get more value out of them. For instance, if there's a story about a new store that's opened, readers can immediately go in to check it out (since they'll have been pinged because they're nearby.)
Millennial-Focused Local News Platforms
OtherWorld is Up and Running in Manchester, England
Trend Themes
1. Hyperlocal News - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop a hyperlocal news platform that uses location-aware technology to deliver personalized news content to users in their immediate vicinity.
2. Proximity-based Storytelling - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create a platform that utilizes proximity-based storytelling, delivering relevant and relatable stories to users based on their location.
3. Mobile Journalism - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the potential of mobile journalism and develop platforms that deliver local news directly to users' smartphones for enhanced convenience and engagement.
Industry Implications
1. Media and Publishing - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Transform traditional media and publishing industry by creating platforms that leverage location-aware technology to revolutionize the way local news is delivered and consumed.
2. Technology and Software - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Utilize cutting-edge technology and software to develop platforms that enable proximity-based storytelling and personalized news delivery for enhanced audience engagement.
3. Retail and Commerce - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore partnerships with local businesses and retailers to create platforms that offer real-time notifications and promotions to users based on their proximity to physical stores, driving foot traffic and boosting sales.