Topix .net gives 75% investment to the newspapers.

[Chicago]

Tribune Co., Knight Ridder Digital and Gannett Co. adds Topix.net to its portfolio that already includes Classified Ventures, CareerBuilder, ShopLocal, Apartments.com, Cars.com and many more - a 75% majority stake.

Many say the newspapers are dead. We need to go beyond that simple statement.

Can we start to differentiate now between *print publishing* and *publishing companies*. The former may be dying, but the later is starting to rule the internet publishing roost.

[MoneyMan]

Print publishing is just one outlet of the publishing or media companies. The differentiation is that print is a mechanism, just like the Internet or tv/radio is a mechanism for these companies.

I don't think print is dying, just changing.

People will continue to read their daily paper, and a local magazine, and that will continue to have monetization associated with it. There will no doubt be a shift (already is), but I look at it as more marketing real estate to sell for these publishing companies. Not just one replacing the other.

These publishing companies are poised to take a large stake in the local search market. They have access to the local markets already through existing sales channels and they have mechanisms to create local content better than anyone else. The savvy ones like the Tribune company will create a cohesive strategy and purchase or create complimentary Internet vehicles in attempt to dominate a niche both on and offline. The not-so-savvy ones will continue to struggle by focusing on pushing a medium rather recognizing the mediums as different but complimentary methods for meeting the needs of their geographic market.