Big Media is Investing in R&D;, But Will it Work?
I noticed this bit of news about the new Dow Jones R&D; group last week, and that the Times is looking for a "Creative Technologist" (which sounds like an awesome position). Could've sworn I read that CBS just launched a digital media R&D; group, but can't for the life of me find the reference.
Sounds like some big media companies are finally looking for people who are innovators and tasking them with thinking about the future of media and building products that will help these big companies lead the way there.
Of course, it's great on paper. The real question is how much disruptive havoc these R&D; guys will be allowed to wreak--because that's what a Creative Technologist does, right?--when their innovations will cannibalize existing businesses and step on toes without the appropriate political capital.