iPad Paragraph Shorts, US Army Strong Content, Podcasting Gets Louder

The Strategist picks the day’s most relevant and interesting stories about the world of content from around the web. Here’s what you should be reading today:

Paragraph Shorts for iPad

Paragraph, a startup that offers digital author services such as apps, introduced the first issue of its short story iPaid magazine, Paragraph Shorts, according to Paid Content.

The program, available as a free iPad app, uses editors to curate short stories — in video, audio or text format.

Editor of The Paris Review Lorin Stein said, “By curating the best short stories, and offering them to people who might not have known they existed, Paragraph will create a link between great literary magazines and readers who are eager to kill fifteen minutes in a quality manner.”

The Army’s Digital Marketing Campaign

Lisa Lacy of ClickZ reports on the U.S. Army’s Army Strong campaign. There is a TV ad and YouTube video called “A Mentality” that focuses on the African-American community, along with “Badges,” which targets Hispanics.

Rich media ads that expand to video and/or graphics are appearing on sites like Vibe and BET. The Army also has a blog called Army Strong Stories that includes more than 5,900 posts.

Podcasting Going Strong

According to Small Biz Trends and eMarketer, podcast audiences will grow in 2013.

A predicted 37.6 million people are going to be downloading podcasts every month, which is more than double the 2008 statistic. All types of brands are podcasting- from Rachel Ray, to NPR, and ESPN. Deborah Shane writes that they are so popular to produce and listen to because they’re easy to make and they strengthen a brand.

“Podcasting as a content marketing vehicle can brand you for who you are and what you want to be known for in a very personal way,” she said. “It’s you speaking to and about things you are knowledgeable and passionate about.”

Gawker Editor Leaving

Just after announcing it was heading to India, Gawker has lost editor A.J. Daulerio, reports the New York Times.

He will be replaced by John Cook, a writer at the blog. In an internal memo to the staff, owner of Gawker Nick Denton said that AJ heralded the introduction of unemployment stories, Trayvon Martin coverage, and an honest discussion of gaydom, making him the most successful editor on the site.

Press Releases vs. Content

Sally Yates, blogger and PR professional, writes about how content is going up against the traditional press release. 

She says that press releases survive because people can easily produce them and journalists know what to read in them. However, she says, “There are so many more exciting ways to get out your content and 2013 should surely be the year where we intelligently choose the best channel — social channels have fundamentally changed the way your audience consume information and how we push out news and views needs to reflect that.”

The Social Network for Kids

Media Bistro reports on Grom Social, the site created by a preteen for kids.

This social network is for kids under the age of 16 and lets them connect with friends, access free video games, entertainment and sports news, and tips on health. It has its own apps that allows users to post Instagram photos and tweets as well. For parents that want to keep tabs on their kids, there is the option to create an account.

New Show “Banshee” Made its Own GIFS

According to Mashable, GIFs have been released by the marketers behind the new show “Banshee” before its premiere.

GIFs from the first episode of the Cinemax show are available on BuzzFeed as well as the site’s Tumblr blog. Viewers can use them as “OMG,” “LOL,” and “WTF” reactions.