AOL Gets Into the News

During a phone interview today, Marty Moe of AOL outlined the “structural advantages” AOL enjoys over newspapers, magazines, and television networks selling news. These companies have been letting many talented journalists go over the past 18 months. These journalists are increasingly showing up on AOL’s payroll. Moe explains that AOL has none of the legacy costs associated with producing print publications such as printing presses or delivery trucks.

Taking great advantage of this opportunity, AOL has began hiring up all these talented journalists, with some 1,500 on board already – a number it expects to double or even triple over the coming year. Some of them have been hired as full-time employees, while the greater majority work as freelancers.

In light of Rupert Murdoch’s recent decision to put all of his internet publications behind a paywall, AOL might be taking these next steps at the most beneficial time possible. Courtesy of industry.bnet.com