Media Roundup: The First New Media Inauguration, USA Today Ends International Edition, and More
The first new media inauguration -- Today's presidential inauguration of Barack Obama may be the biggest new media event in history. There are dozens of ways to stream the festivities online, and many media sites are taking the opportunity to experiment with new features such as 3D photo mosaics, "mood maps" and the utilization of services like Twitter, Seesmic and Qik. [Source: BBC]
USA Today ends international edition --Starting this Friday, USA Today will no longer publish an international edition. However, the nation's largest newspaper will look for partners in Europe and South America to keep printing. The paper is seeking an agreement that would have it providing articles, photos and other content to a third party for a per copy licensing fee. [Source: AP]
More cuts coming to LA Times -- According to a memo posted on the union's Web site, the Los Angeles Times will be laying off some employees, including members of the press room. The exact nature of the cuts are due to be announced by March 15. Since 2001, the paper has nearly cut its newsroom in half. [Source: Save Our Trade]
NYT gets cash infusion -- The New York Times announced yesterday that it was getting a $250 million cash infusion from Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim Helu bringing the company's total debt load to $1.1 billion. The Times will use the credit to refinance some of its existing debt that is set to expire in May. The issued notes will carry a 14 percent interest rate. [Source: New York Times]