The landscape of media and content consumption has drastically changed, with a significant reduction in attention spans and a shift from long-form content to quick posts. Executives experienced in traditional media are finding it challenging to achieve the same level of engagement that long-form think pieces once provided. The decline of opinion sections in major publications, such as Gannett's rollbacks, reflects the changing expectations of audiences who now prefer concise information readily available across multiple platforms. Adapting to this dynamic environment is essential for continued thought leadership.
Executives who have been in their industries for decades will likely remember the days of long-form think pieces in prestigious publications. Those media mentions were the gold standard for showcasing thought leadership and building brand awareness.
Attention spans have decreased by more than 50% in the last two decades. People are inundated with posts across dozens of social media platforms, breaking news alerts in their notifications and targeted pop-up ads.
In 2022, major media company Gannett rolled back hundreds of opinion sections across its publications. It found that opinion pieces often performed poorly online, likely because readers can easily find a wider range of coverage on hot national issues elsewhere.
If you're an executive trying to get the same attention you once got from feature pieces, adapting to this quick content model is key. Here's why this shift is inevitable and, in many ways, mandatory.
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