The Wall Blog » Mark Rock

I wouldn’t invest in Facebook. Would you?

Mark Rock — Fri, 18 May 2012 07:30:25 +0000

It’s the question on everyone’s lips today – would you invest in Facebook? As the company finalises its IPO price ahead of its market debut on Friday, the general consensus is a positive one – early reports show a huge amount of interest in owning a tiny piece of Facebook’s 900-million-user success story. Predictions suggest that the share price could push valuation up to $104bn – according to the Telegraph, this makes it more ‘valuable’ than both Disney and Ford.

Social Media and the fall of the Murdoch Empire

Mark Rock — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:20:58 +0000

As the Leveson inquiry rattles on, every day seems to uncover a new angle to what can truly be called a scandal (today whether Rupert Murdoch is a fit and proper owner for BSkyB)- proving once again that sometimes truth really is more bizarre than fiction. Headline-writers had a field day when it emerged that the Met Police had ‘loaned’ ex-News International chief executive, Rebekah Brooks, a horse. In the midst of allegations of bribery, corruption and inappropriate relations between the media empire and the police force, this slightly surreal turn of events did nothing to stem the rising tide of evidence against News International.

Publishing and social media – a match made in heaven?

Mark Rock — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:49:43 +0000

You’ve already heard my views on the subtle ways that realtime media, user-generated content and networks are fundamentally changing the world of journalism. As digital technology weaves its way into every part of our lives, it’s also starting to drastically change consumer behaviour – and with it, the industries and products around us.

Social media isn’t killing journalism – it is fundamentally changing the system

Mark Rock — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:58:24 +0000

Gordon MacMillan started the debate last month with a piece about the strongly conflicting views of views of two journalists on the role of social media. The piece itself and the ensuing comments raised an interesting paradox.

Facebook Timeline – a game changer for social media?

Mark Rock — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:56:54 +0000

Several years ago I grudgingly set up a Facebook account, joining an online community that now has over 800 million users across the world. I’ve never been Facebook’s number one fan – I use it minimally and mainly to not-so-subtly spy on my 16 year old son, to make sure he’s behaving himself as much as possible.