38minutes inspires Hungarian spin-off
38minutes, the social network I manage, has inspired a spin-off site for European entrepreneurs.
EU-funded business magazine Creative Growth has run a special feature on the importance of collaboration and networks, with 38minutes featuring as a key success story.
The article reports that 38minutes inspired Jozsef Gonda, MD of marketing business Forensys Communication, to create a network for entrepreneurs. After hearing about the success of 38 in Scotland, Jozsef decided to develop a website with useful information regarding tenders, EU funds, development opportunities, creative sector trends and opportunities for collaboration. “We wanted to emphasize to other entrepreneurs that cooperation brings opportunities,” he says.
38minutes also inspired the EU cinema network Support Your Local Cinema. Rachael Castell modelled the site on 38minutes after a recommendation from GFT’s Jen Davies that 38 was not to be missed. Jen has used the site for everything from marketing and recruitment to inspiration and blogging.
It’s great to hear that our small but ambitious network is attracting international attention!
Superinjunction v Freedom of speech
Ah, in even the busiest week there’s always time for a wee rant about press freedom and the cult of celebrity.
Here’s a taster:
Is it just me, or has the 21st century been a tough old time for journalism?
First, the rise of digital media has in many ways undermined its status as the Great Conveyor of Knowledge. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for digital democracy and I tweet with the best of ‘em, but I take a very strong position on one of 38minutes’ oldest and most hotly contested debates: is journalism dying? The answer, to me, is a firm no.
Journalism simply needs to move with the times. Digital media feeds us an exhuasting array of information, not all of it reliable, and any professional journalist will apply their critical eye to the source and act as a filter through which only the truth will out. Well, in theory at least.
And how they report that truth has rightly moved on to new platforms and acquired an interactive edge. Again, a welcome development. But there has certainly been a ‘settling in’ period where the industry had a bit of a wobble: if every Tom, Dick and Harry can self-publish, where does professional journalism fit in?
Read it in full here on 38minutes.
