He was quoted by Fairfax competitor SMH: "There is no doubt that the traditional newspaper model has to change... classified revenues are undoubtedly migrating to the web, probably not to return."

The reason classified revenue is migrating to the web is because that is where the audience prefers to read your newspapers Mr. Murdoch. And why the web? Ummmm... maybe because it is a very accessible source... Part of its accessible allure is that internet news is free!

Murdoch is further quoted by SMH as using the success of The Wall Street Journal as reasoning that charging a 'subscription' for online content could work.

"That it is possible to charge for content on the web is obvious from the Journal's experience...," says the News Limited dynamo.

He is obviously not as stupid as he sounds, but Mr. Murdoch must surely be aware that the content of The Wall Street Journal, and even Australia's Crikey.com.au for that matter, is very different from the diatribe in his newspaper offerings like The Daily Telegraph and the Herald Sun.

The Journal and Crikey offer original content - essays and commentary that is different to 'this happened and this was said' news.

If Murdoch goes down this path, he will most definitely add this online investment to News Limited's 'failed' list. It will be met with opposition from internet enthusiasts, while his competitors over at Fairfax will become the ultimate beneficiaries.

Driving to work listening to ABC Newsradio, I heard that U.S President Barack Obama delivered a speech at the White House Correspondents Dinner that had the audience in stitches. ABC provided a snippet of the address, where Obama pokes fun at life in Washington.

As I arrived in work, I opened up YouTube and searched Obama, and it came up with the video of the entire speech in two very funny parts.

OBAMA PART 1/2

OBAMA PART 2/2

While watching these, I saw on the right 'RELATED VIDEOS' section that one of my favourite stand-up comics - Wanda Sykes - also had an outing at the same dinner. I clicked through and watched something even funnier than what Obama himself managed to produce!

WANDA SYKES PART 1/2

WANDA SYKES PART 2/2

Other speakers will naturally try and do their best to plug themselves, while providing some worthwhile information to the CEOs, Marketing Chiefs, etc who are attending to get their annual dosage of what's the best way to get traction online.

Last year was all about Social Media Optimisation - focus on blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc - while speakers also covered search, and how search engine optimisation had changed in 2007-08.

This year - 2009 - will also look at search in an even newer light. The conference should also be rich on mobile innovations, including using iPhone or Blackberry applications to promote, mobile search, etc.

I also believe Twitter has made the biggest wave on the social media scene over the last 12 months, and will be covered at length.

I am looking forward to attending with KayWeb Business Analyst Mark Simon - it will be his first time at the Conference.

You type swine flu in a Google Maps search, and you will be presented with a map in whatever locality you select with markings. You click a marking and Google will tell you how many confirmed or suspected cases of swine flu there are there.

An amazing tool. Most impressive is that it was released a day after the potential pandemic known as the swine flu broke!

What does Google gain from this fantastic service?

As with any page on any Google Search, the swine flu search does also allow space for sponsored links. Among the advertisers for that keyphrase in Australia is 'Big Pond News' a risk assessment company called 'Pandemic Planning'.

Needless to say, swine flu is currently among the most popular keyphrases to search on the internet.

The business of the internet is a cause of much fascination for me. The internet industry is truly one with limitless potential. Part of its appeal is that it is an industry of business that can attract any make of proprietor – I have clients who are single mothers, are corporates, are teenagers and are government agencies. I consult entrepreneurs, as well as curious individuals.

It is an outstanding industry to be in and I intend to share my experience, knowledge and thoughts with you through the Haig Kayserian blog.

This blog is designed to be diverse! Being my own, I can cover any number of topics that interest me, but the focus will be on what is new on THE WEB - trends, web marketing, etc. And I will also share tips and inspirational or uninspiring stories about INTERNET BUSINESSES that I have researched and/or consulted.

I am happy to respond to anybody wishing to comment, and my services as an internet business consultant are available via a simple phone call - 1300-793-646 (Australia).

To learn more about me, please visit my About Haig Kayserian page by clicking here.