Change always accompanies a New Year, and 2010 will be no different.  Join us again in January as we analyze new trends, reveal new methodologies, and examine the overlapping worlds of technology and communications.

All of us at Eastwick wish you a happy, healthy 2010!

Anyone who’s written for an audience can attest to the humbling experience of having one’s work edited. A Ragan.com feature titled “Black and white and red all over” is an assortment of communicators’ recollections about the first time they experienced the wrath of the red pen.

The advice ranges from the stylistic, like avoiding Gonzo journalism and questionable metaphors, to the emotional - not falling in love with your own words.

That may be the toughest advice to take, as that love can be as enduring as your very first crush. (In my case, “baseball Brad.”) Painful as it may be, though, it is still vital instruction to follow in order to communicate effectively with your audience by using language that is meaningful to them rather than your ego.

This leads us to another item of interest: Americans are consuming more information overall.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Peacock is switching owners. GE has agreed to sell Comcast a 51 percent stake in NBC Universal, creating a joint media venture that will be managed by Comcast.

The move is significant since GE has owned NBC for 23 years, not counting that period in the 1920s. It’s also indicative of the broadcast media shift that has been gaining momentum over the last few years.

Read the rest of this entry »

The wave of acquisition and consolidation continues, this time in the world of research.

Gartner and AMR both announced today that Gartner, Inc. has agreed to purchase AMR Research for $64 million in cash, Lord willing and the creek don’t rise.

Bruce Richardson, Chief Research Officer for AMR, offered an explanation of what it might mean for its clients and analysts.

He also noted some key assets Gartner has to offer, including a bigger audience, global reach, presence in more vertical markets, access to many more research resources, and a focus on quality writing.

I’m curious to see what this will mean not only for these firms but for the competitive landscape as well.