Our first lunch of 2008 will focus on "Old and New: What they're publishing and what they're buying" -- a panel discussion on how existing outlets are transitioning to the new media landscape.

Peter Corbett, CEO of iStrategylabs, will introduce the discussion and offer his insights on how social media is affecting media consumption habits.

Shopping is a personal experience, even if you have a friend, loved one or random person in the dressing room's opinion. The buying decision should come down to what you like and what you want, even if you're purchasing a gift. Sometimes there's a voice in our head that wants to know..."what did other buyers think?", "are other buyers happy with this same purchase?", "is this item going to last, even beyond the warranty period?".

Our Media Future Now group focuses a lot of attention on the heart of our businesses: content. Our "work-life" content is comprised of ideas, innovations, pursuits, research, insight and analysis, all in the form of words, images, video, audio or even multi-media presentations. I'd like to take a moment to bring some attention to our personal content, mainly in the form of our personal health information.

The New York Times profiled the band Radiohead this Sunday, an interesting take on the problems of digital rights management affecting the music industry. Seems that Radiohead decided to self-distribute its most recent album, called "In Rainbows" (which by the way got rave reviews by the same Times music critic, Jon Pareles). But not just getting around the record industry "man" was at stake. No no, there's more to it.

... until the next Media Future Now lunch. If you haven't RSVP-ed but plan to come, please let us know -- details on the location and speakers are below.Tuesday, Dec. 4 -- 12:15 to 1:45 pmGibson Dunn & Crutcher1050 Connecticut Ave. NW, 2nd Floor(corner of Connecticut & L, at Farragut North Metro) Jeffrey Litvack, Associated Press' Global Director of New Media, based in New York, will discuss licensing and syndication issues and opportunities in a digital world, and how the AP is addressing the issue of content mobility and micro-syndication.

Digital paper exists in the world of wizards and Harry PotterTM , why not here and now?Fujistu has developed a product called Flepia: a portable, electronic "receiver and reader" that (if the price ever comes down) will group Amazon's KindleTM and Sony's eReaderTM into the "nice try" category, just as the iPodTM did to all of its competition.Fujistu's product features a type of plastic that is malleable, thin, and capable of displaying colors; additionally, th

A quick reminder that the next Media Future Now lunch discussion is fast approaching: Tuesday, Dec. 4 -- 12:15 to 1:45 pmGibson Dunn & Crutcher1050 Connecticut Ave. NW, 2nd Floor(corner of Connecticut & L, at Farragut North Metro)Speakers on Dec. 4 will include:

1. Jeffrey Litvack, the Associated Press' Global Director of New Media, discussing the AP's ideas for "micro-syndication."
2. Peter Greenberger, Google's Director of Elections & Issue Advocacy, discussing online advertising for Campaign 2008

A few quick posts and updates that might be of interest to the group...

At last Tuesday's Digital Media Lunch Group gathering, I gave a presentation about companies that are not limiting their thinking, approach and execution for advertising campaigns. I put the challenge back to our group, asking our members to think about how we can be the leaders and innovators, here in DC.

Has everyone forgotten that copyright exists primarily to encourage the public good that can come from intellectual property? That helping to compensate the content creator is a means for getting good ideas out there, not an end unto itself?

The Wall Street Journal reports today that a coalition of "Internet, media and technology companies" is set to announce... a set of guidelines they have agreed on aimed at protecting copyrights online."