AP Finally Wakes Up to the Internet Opportunity

The Associated Press is a venerable, old, old, old media institution that still plays an incredibly important role in the media, communications and the Internet. But up til now, they've approached the Internet in about as conservative and unimaginative way possible, essentially continuing to file their stories and providing that content to their members (major newspapers) or selling it (to CNN, for example).

Finally, finally, the AP is waking up and maybe making a baby step toward embracing the Internet opportunity. From Poytner Online:

The Associated Press aims to be the "news" button on your next mobile device, right next to e-mail and weather. Jeff Litvack, the wire service's general manager for mobile and emerging products, insists the AP and its more than 1,400 members deserve that placement. And more to the point, without the combined clout of the news industry behind its efforts, that coveted spot could end up going to Yahoo or Google.

"We need to be there first. The data supports the fact that news is an important category" on mobile devices, said Litvack during a phone interview last week. "We believe this is on the rise."

Litvack, a founder of AP's mobile efforts, is now the product development lead in the newly created Gateway business division. CEO Tom Curley announced the unit's creation last month; its mission is to pursue new opportunities for the AP on digital platforms such as the iPad and other mobile devices.