The need for video content

Thanks to one of ZDNet UK's readers, filthylooker, for his/her reply to my last blog post.

For those who missed it, I expressed surprise at the response by BlackBerry manufacturer RIM to our request to carry video coverage of the interview with its EMEA vice president Charmaine Eggberry.

Filthylooker responded to suggest it would have been polite to give RIM decent notice that we wished to conduct the interview using video.

And I do agree. We had actually given RIM eight days notice that we were bringing our cameraman - a fact which the company had accepted prior to the day in question. So we were somewhat surprised when, on the day of the interview - we were met by so many bewildered RIM staff.

The point I want to make is that many companies have been slow to react to the changes in the way individuals and companies choose to consume news. When I worked for a print publication, IT suppliers were taken aback when we published on the web. Now I work for a website, IT suppliers are amazed that readers are demanding, and we are producing, video content.

For an industry which moves faster than almost any other, I'm just staggered that some people move so slowly.

In response to filthylooker's other two points. We're not rude to interviewees - we don't think that's appropriate, or professional - and you'll see that in the RIM video.

We also understand that some people don't wish to watch video, or can't because of corporate HR or IT policies. For those people, a transcript of the conversation would be ideal. However, providing a transcript does take considerable time - and in most circumstances currently, we would prefer to spend that time investing in producing further breaking news stories.

Having said that, we're always looking to respond to our readers with the information they are demanding. So if you have any further feedback for us on our video coverage, do let us know by posting a comment.