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The digital media industry continues to evolve, in part because of the people who have devoted their time and expertise to advancing the technology and the content that it powers. When we asked industry experts who they felt were the 1 5 most influential people in digital media, we expected to receive a range of responses. And that's what we got. These influencers have created opportunity for themselves and others within the digital media industry. Barry Graubart, author of the Content Matters blog, says that when he made his nominations, he "tried to identify people who are influencing behavior and changing the roles of digital media companies."
The top 1 5 digital media influencers we feature here represent all aspects of the space, from the technology that enables the media to the content providers who use the technology as a platform. We also recognize the educators, the researchers, and the innovators who continue to advance digital media through their knowledge and know-how.
STEVE JOBS, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO, APPLE
Society's use of digital content was undoubtedly boosted by the invention of devices such as the iPhone and the iPad, both of which enable users to access content wherever and whenever they need it. While Jobs died in 2011, his impact on the digital media space will have long-lasting effects. When people think of digital content, especially mobile digital content, they likely think of Jobs. "The iPhone remains the seminal product that defined how we view mobile content today," says John Blossom, president and senior analyst at Shore Communications, Inc. "Jobs made premium content attractive to consumers in the digital world on a widespread basis when others were still in the planning stages for better premium offerings. Media models may move on from online storefronts eventually, but for now Jobs' vision has enabled digital media to thrive in ways unimaginable a few years ago."
JEFF BEZOS, FOUNDER AND CEO, AMAZON
Ebooks have been a part of the digital media space for years. But it took a long time for them to truly become part of the cultural landscape. Blossom credits Bezos and the Kindle for making ebooks part of mainstream media and advancing digital media to previously unknown levels.
"Ebooks were nothing new when the Amazon Kindle...