Thad McIlroy - The Future of Publishing

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Steve Ballmer Forecasts the Death of Print Media

Sunday, June 15, 2008
 Category: Newspapers, Magazines

I am still reeling from Steve Ballmer’s atrociously ill-considered remarks to The Washington Post  (Ballmer, as most recall, is CEO of Microsoft, when Bill G. is not at home) that “there will be no media consumption left in 10 years that is not delivered over an IP network. There will be no newspapers, no magazines that are delivered in paper form. Everything gets delivered in an electronic form.”

My retort: “in 10 years there will be no software that Microsoft will be able to profit from either in operating systems or as shrink-wrapped software.”

I am willing to meet him for a duel at dawn.

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posted by Thad at 2:39 AM Permalink | Read Comments: (4) | Post Comment

Comments

I commend your proposal and both ideas. I would be privileged to be your second in the dual with Ballmer.
Bo
-30-

posted by BoSacks on June 15, 2008 2:17 PM (Reply)

It's a deal, Bo! Thanks.

Thad

posted by Thad McIlroy on June 15, 2008 3:21 PM (Reply)

Thad, I don't know if you know Cap'n BoSox, but he and I walked the plank together way, way back...why...when I was still childless! I'll join you in this clash of the titans, gladly!
-32.4-

posted by Joel Friedman on June 16, 2008 9:26 AM (Reply)

My comment is that Steve Ballmer is a remarkable executive. Few other managers can get away with making absurd, blowhard statements like Ballmer and keep their jobs. Corporate America is remarkably sensitive to PR, often using the vaguest, most watered-down language to say anything. For example, firings of incompetents are explained as “a difference in philosophies” or “John left to pursue other interests. We wish him the best”. For Ballmer to predict the death of an industry in bold terms is exceptional. Except Ballmer has done it before. His career, particularly in recent years, is riddled with bombastic statements that never pan out yet he is never punished. I’m not sure how he gets away with it but he does. He explains to us the future of the Internet, where software development is going, and when Vista will be released and he does sold in bold, NY Post-style, declarative headlines. Yet he is not fired or disciplined. Here also is the man who managed to blow the Yahoo deal (though plenty of credit can go to Jerry Yang).

posted by Tony Freeman on June 22, 2008 2:39 PM (Reply)

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