[techdemic]

White-label software products--comprised of daily deals and social gaming--might boost a newspaper's online ad sales temporarily, but at what cost to the identity of the local publisher?

I feel fortunate enough to live in a small, quirky, University town in which the residents still value (and support) its 65-year-old weekly print newspaper. In fact, the paper does a terrific job engaging the community in local government and has a strong presence at local events.

I'm not sure if the technical solution to saving local media is turning readers into online gamers and shoppers, but rather developing a unique online forum for engaging residents in the beat of local issues and interests.

I suppose every community is different, and that's exactly the point I'm trying to make, but I hope local businesses will continue to support local media (so long as the editorial voice is there).

[jeremymims]

The key to remaining relevant to the business community in a small town is to provide the online services that they need to buy anyway. If the newspaper doesn't help local businesses make the transition online, someone else will.