A belated reminder for a panel discussion I'm moderating tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb. 26) at Google's DC offices.

A quick summary and list of the panelists follows. It looks to be a full house, but last-minute attendees are welcome.

Much like their mass-market cousins, publishers that target DC decision-makers are scrambling to adapt to a rapidly changing digital landscape - trying to capitalize on "web 2.0" trends while also protecting their existing reader bases and business models.

The Beltway market, however, is different. High-priced subscriptions and password protected content make it difficult to cater to the blogosphere and otherwise embrace the more social and open aspects of today's web. The barriers to active reader engagement include everything from ethics rules to Washington's "off-the-record" culture. And a whole host of non-traditional publishers - ranging from individual bloggers to think tanks and trade associations - are trying to forge their own online relationships with D.C. influentials.

So is there a way to successfully combine the "walled garden" and the "read-write web" in Washington? Is it instead a matter of finding ways to play in the mass-market spaces without diluting the insider audience and the influence that comes with it? Or does the challenge of being a must-read in Washington for 2008 and beyond require a different strategy entirely?

It's a simmering question for the traditional DC insider publications, but also one for associations, advertisers, new media upstarts and anyone else hoping to keep their message or content in front of Washington's political influentials. Our panelists will include:

  • Charlie Mitchell, Editor, Roll Call
  • Michael Petruzzello, Partner, Qorvis Communications
  • Jack Quinn, Founder and Co-Chairman, Quinn Gillespie and Associates
  • Alan Rosenblatt, Associate Director of Online Advocacy, Center for American Progress and Founder, Internet Advocacy Roundtable
  • Nancy Wright, Senior Vice President, TenCapitol

TUESDAY, FEB. 26 - 12:15 - 1:45
Google Washington Offices
1101 New York Avenue, NW, 2nd Floor
RSVP to andy@mirskylegal.com