New York is the spiritual home for Indian-American technology writer, Om Malik. Founder of Giga Omni Media, Inc and executive editor of technology blog GigaOM, Om defends his acquisition of ContextNext Media group that includes both the UK and US PaidContent sites, owned by Guardian News & Media.
Om says in his blog, "It's not an emotional tug that is driving us to this decision. New York is fast becoming a major technology hub."
It could be true as he has tasted the valley and now wants to spread its web to other geographical areas.
Eighteen years ago, he moved from New York, chasing the technology companies.
In 2001, he founded Giga Omni Media, Inc. In 2008, he acquired jkOnTheRune, a blog on mobile technology.
Later in 2008, he bought the Apple blog and now PaidContent, of which he has been an admirer, since it was founded by Rafat Ali in 2002.
Om Malik had worked for India Abroad newspaper before moving to Forbes. He is also is the co-founder of South Asian Journalist Association.
Very few South Asian journalists could have a vision like Om but he gives credit to luck.
Om Malik shares his experience in the media and technology business, the acquisition of PaidContent and the changing face of media, in an exclusive interview with Ritu Jha.
You have said this acquisition is part of a broader strategy for the growth of GigaOm. What does paidContent provide that GigaOm could not provide on its own - even with Rafat Ali on board?
GigaOM's core belief is that as connectivity becomes ubiquitous, it changes everything from business to society-at-large. From the beginning, paidContent has been built on the idea that connectedness is changing media.
The ethos of the two companies is in sync, so it just makes sense for us to join forces. Also, paidContent has the staff, infrastructure and credibility in New York city and the United Kingdom that we will allow us to bolster our presence in both places immediately.
These two markets are critical to our growth. We'll have an important ally in the Guardian as we expand into Europe, and having an established office in NYC will help us grow throughout the northeast corridor.
You mention the changing face of the media. Given your experience in it, are you merely hoping that the current chaos augurs better things in future?
Most media companies define themselves by the product they hawk, which I see as a problem. As long as media businesses define themselves that way, they are going to be unable to navigate the "democratisation of distribution." Media is and will always be a game of attention.
Broadband and wireless Internet have changed the dynamics of attention significantly. Media are no longer gatekeepers of attention.
The distribution democracy, accelerated by the emergence of wireless Internet and smartphones, is putting that capability in the hands of consumers and we are starting to see the disruptive impact of that in our society.
Beyond that, what do you tentatively predict could happen in the media in the next 10 years?
I have some thoughts but for now I am not convinced enough to publicly share those ideas.
Now that you are looking at the East Coast and Europe with the purchase of paidContent, where else do you plan to go in future?
Because technology and media are global endeavours, GigaOM needs to be in all the major markets. paidContent's New York offices will become "GigaOM East" of sorts. We have staff in Europe and will be opening an office there. Over time, we will increase our presence in Asia.
You have come a long way since your days at India Abroad. What are the biggest factors in your success?
It is hard to state the biggest factors in my success. I think luck has a lot to do with. Luck is what puts you at the right place at the right time and thus brings the right opportunity.
In addition, having great mentors and teachers has helped. And lastly just working really hard and being absolutely honest with myself about what I can and I cannot do.
Given that India is a huge market, one that you have some understanding of, would you be looking at heading there too? Would you have to modify content to address needs there?
I will have to spend time in India to comment intelligently about it.
What are your personal goals in the long term?
My personal goals are to try and do whatever I do at my very best capability. I don't try and won't try to change the world. I will however, try my best to be a better member of the society.
