Not groundbreaking, but some ideas that could really make a difference in the network for the digital age.

2. CNN TV content should be divided into three categories:
A. Breaking News
Where all the network’s resources should be used. It is important that updates be as
fast as possible and incorporate all latest technology.
B. Daily Important News
What the viewers need to know to be informed. Heavily dependent on your
target demographics.
C. CNN News & Stories
Content created by the CNN team. In other words CNN must create its own
breaking news and big stories on a daily basis.
In this Volume, I will focus on the last two. At the end there are some tips for the Digital section of CNN.
B. Daily News
Remote Links Use remote links to get out of the studio (I
am not talking about stand ups). What is one
thing that the internet is still struggling with? Good quality live video from across the nation and the world.
(The camera needs to be moving a lot, not just a reporter standing in front of the camera). For example:
A reporter is in downtown Chicago reporting about how
the housing market is becoming even more
expensive. If this is a topic that “sells” why not instead of
having a standup of the reporter, the viewer
could watch him/her touring live inside an apartment
where it’s price raised 15% in 2 years. He can talk
with the owner and the landlord and at the same time
have an inside view of what a $1 million downtown
estate looks like. It will be even better to compare live
more than one location.
I feel the same news stories are repeating again and
again. It is understandable as new viewers are
coming in all the time, but in today’s technological
world, most news aficionados already know all the top
stories by lunch time (I am not talking about Breaking
News or Big stories). I would love to see a more
fast pace section, where new stories that are about to
become big would be reported.
Have the mentality to broadcast news and stories that
are about to get big instead yesterday’s news. If
the viewers get the sense that they will be the first to
know, they will stick, come back, and become loyal.
How about Tech news? If you want to embrace new
viewers and a younger audience, you should
incorporate a fast paced tech news section (might range
from the new iPhone application that just came
out to a business tech related story).
Everything is very static. I am not saying become Fox
News (that’s on the totally other side), but I
believe the visuals need to be enhanced a bit. Some
sound effects, new innovative maps (there are
shows that go live to 3 different continents and no one
can even tell), more infographics. We never get to
see a long shot of the studio any more (unless you are
building new ones). The hosts sit all the time.
There isn’t any action whatsoever. News equals action!
Embrace Technology in any way possible. Be more Interactive. Here is an example: Live Polls on an
important subject/matter, where we can see the viewers’
opinion live on the screen. CNN’s App could
incorporate something like this or use 2n Screen social
apps, as Zeebox does. (CNN’s App is awesome!)
It is important that the visual identity of the network remain the same throughout every different show. I
notice big differences; for example between how reporters and TV Hosts are dressed. Of course there
could not be a budget for everyone to be styled properly, but some generic guidelines could be given.
Use the world Live more. Live from Atlanta, Live from
New York, LIVE LIVE LIVE. It is the only way to
compete with the Internet. People might find out about a
story on Twitter but will go to CNN to find the
details and see the live picture.

3. C. CNN News & Stories
A Primetime zone needs to be created. (It is just not right
for a top News network to repeat the same
news show at 9 and 10pm) Have the viewers’ voices
be heard more. AC Town-Hall is a great idea and
can be enhanced even more. (Italian TV through the
years incorporated amazing news related primetime
talk-shows). All the other TV Networks have only experts
talking about the issues. Imagine a full stadium
(or something even more unexpected, amazing outdoors
spaces throughout the U.S.A) once a week
across the country talking about important topics. Imagine if technology is incorporated during these
shows. Remote Links across the nation, Twitter Questionnaire, Zeebox Live polls etc.
I will insist with live. It is the only way to face the frenemy called Internet. Live events from places where
no one has broadcasted before. Take people to places
they never seen before. Live from Google’s
amazing infrastructure to and old tradition farm in the
middle of America. Imagine going live from a village
in Africa, I have an amazing idea of comparing places
and situations around the world at the same time.
Make the viewers decide through Twitter what places
and people they want to see next!
More investigative journalism. It can be done in various
ways visually to differentiate from what has been
done before. A primetime talk-show with investigative
reports can be created. *A few days ago everyone
online was talking about the video of a FedEx employee
throwing packages around like garbage. Another
story that captivated the internet was how Naked Juices
use preservatives and synthetic fiber. Hire a
team. Take them to go undercover inside companies (the
marketing department needs to be involved)
that have suspicious activities. Show me what’s happening from inside. - TV is about the visuals. Many
times producers forget about this. Many topics can be
included. Cosmetics, Wedding Industry, and even
dry-cleaners, depending on your demographics. People
are usually shocked when they find
something incredible or unexpected.
More human stories. “Inside Man” is a great choice! The
most stories shared online (beside lazy cats)
are human related stories. Army personnel coming back
from Iraq meeting their family for the very first
time, or a child that after a surgery hearing from the very
first time etc. Real human stories always sell.
Reporters and producers need to be part of the News in
a more effective way. Use reporters and
producers in a way in which they become part of almost
every broadcast and interact with the
viewers. For example: when there is breaking news.
What is the latest on a topic that is being discussed?
What do people talk about on the internet? Is there an
amazing iPhone app that is coming out? Have
them tested and in a video report their opinion about it. I
can give you lots of examples, Keeping CNN
employees more engaged will make the viewers feel
closer to the network.
Digital (Haven’t gone in detail about the digital section
of CNN yet, Overall the Digital team does a great
job. Here are just a couple of thoughts)
Create Video News channels on Instagram and Vine!
(Vine can be just breaking since it’s only for few
seconds) - Incorporate any new technology fast and first
(e.g Chromecast)!
It seems to me there is a gap between CNN TV and
Digital.
I’ve been watching CNN all day and I didn’t
hear -not even once- the news hosts mention anything
about the digital part of the network. Does this
happen for a reason? Close the gap! Make the viewers
use tablets or monitors as their 2nd screen. Point
them there often. If you do then they will also come back
on their TV.
Top 20 things we need to know Create a newsletter
with the Top 10 or 20 news we need to know. Send
it early in the morning. Include different categories and
have users choose. What are the top things I need
to know today if I am a business man, if I am tech geek,
if I am a mother etc.
Live Special News Events Online Exclusive. Find what
the internet community cares about and
broadcast Live, making it a huge event. Imagine what
happens if CNN International broadcasts Live for
the very first time from a small village in the country of
Burundi, Africa where children starve and the life
expectancy rate is 23 years old.

4. ...to be updated
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