Comments on: Local Papers Try to Adapt http://www.stepaheadinc.com/2008/06/local-papers-try-to-adapt/ Step Ahead Inc Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:51:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2 By: Lyn Mettler http://www.stepaheadinc.com/2008/06/local-papers-try-to-adapt/comment-page-1/#comment-16 Lyn Mettler Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:01:00 +0000 http://stepaheadinc.com/?p=66#comment-16 A <a HREF="http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A47108" REL="nofollow">funny commentary</a> on the new "downsizing" of the Post & Courier from the Charleston City Paper. A funny commentary on the new “downsizing” of the Post & Courier from the Charleston City Paper.

]]> By: Ken Hawkins http://www.stepaheadinc.com/2008/06/local-papers-try-to-adapt/comment-page-1/#comment-15 Ken Hawkins Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:59:00 +0000 http://stepaheadinc.com/?p=66#comment-15 Yes, I checked it out earlier. I have one question, do you produce any original content or do you just organize what's already out there? I love the 100% local concept. Look forward to meeting you Wed.<br/><br/>The primary goal is to have an organized way to access the news people need in the community. So, at first, it will mainly be to get our fingers wrapped around what's already being published and then (once we know what is missing) we'll start producing our own content.<br/><br/>There's an obvious value in it for readers later on, but in the initial stages it offers a way for readers to get comprehensive local reporting with links to all media sources without having to read The Post and Courier, Charleston City Paper, Charleston Magazine, and watch Live 5 News, News 4, News 2.... etc.<br/><br/>Plus, let's face it, the news web sites in town are appalling and do a horrible job at linking to reporting done by other publications, resource web sites, blogs, etc.<br/><br/>On a side note, things are pretty bad at papers these days (Ii'm a former P&C and McClatchy employee). It's downright depressing in newsrooms these days. Yes, I checked it out earlier. I have one question, do you produce any original content or do you just organize what’s already out there? I love the 100% local concept. Look forward to meeting you Wed.

The primary goal is to have an organized way to access the news people need in the community. So, at first, it will mainly be to get our fingers wrapped around what’s already being published and then (once we know what is missing) we’ll start producing our own content.

There’s an obvious value in it for readers later on, but in the initial stages it offers a way for readers to get comprehensive local reporting with links to all media sources without having to read The Post and Courier, Charleston City Paper, Charleston Magazine, and watch Live 5 News, News 4, News 2…. etc.

Plus, let’s face it, the news web sites in town are appalling and do a horrible job at linking to reporting done by other publications, resource web sites, blogs, etc.

On a side note, things are pretty bad at papers these days (Ii’m a former P&C and McClatchy employee). It’s downright depressing in newsrooms these days.

]]> By: Lyn Mettler http://www.stepaheadinc.com/2008/06/local-papers-try-to-adapt/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Lyn Mettler Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:57:00 +0000 http://stepaheadinc.com/?p=66#comment-14 Also, I saw a notice today in the Wall Street Journal on this very topic regarding the Dallas Morning News. Apparently, they had the biggest drop in circulation of 500 daily newspapers, according to the latest numbers from the Audit Bureau of Circulation. So they plan to create what they call a "quick read" newspaper that is delivered daily to nonsubscribers for free in an attempt to increase readership and ad dollars.<br/><br/>From the <a HREF="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121311805230061117.html" REL="nofollow">Wall Street Journal</a>:<br/>"Briefing is designed for consumers who are engaged and interested in the world around them but who are not able to fit the traditional newspaper into their busy lifestyles," said John McKeon, president and general manager of the News. "They told us they wanted the most important stories of the day in an easy-to-read format, and that's what Briefing delivers." Also, I saw a notice today in the Wall Street Journal on this very topic regarding the Dallas Morning News. Apparently, they had the biggest drop in circulation of 500 daily newspapers, according to the latest numbers from the Audit Bureau of Circulation. So they plan to create what they call a “quick read” newspaper that is delivered daily to nonsubscribers for free in an attempt to increase readership and ad dollars.

From the Wall Street Journal:
“Briefing is designed for consumers who are engaged and interested in the world around them but who are not able to fit the traditional newspaper into their busy lifestyles,” said John McKeon, president and general manager of the News. “They told us they wanted the most important stories of the day in an easy-to-read format, and that’s what Briefing delivers.”

]]> By: Lyn Mettler http://www.stepaheadinc.com/2008/06/local-papers-try-to-adapt/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Lyn Mettler Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:51:00 +0000 http://stepaheadinc.com/?p=66#comment-13 Hi Kenneth-<br/>Yes, I checked it out earlier. I have one question, do you produce any original content or do you just organize what's already out there? I love the 100% local concept. Look forward to meeting you Wed. Hi Kenneth-
Yes, I checked it out earlier. I have one question, do you produce any original content or do you just organize what’s already out there? I love the 100% local concept. Look forward to meeting you Wed.

]]> By: khawk http://www.stepaheadinc.com/2008/06/local-papers-try-to-adapt/comment-page-1/#comment-12 khawk Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:30:00 +0000 http://stepaheadinc.com/?p=66#comment-12 Hi, Lyn. Stumbled on this post while subscribing to Wednesday's event.<br/><br/>I think you've already seen the Web site we're doing (TheDigitel.com) but it, too, is an attempt to answer the shift to online news and tries to fill the needs of local readers through specialization, organization and information design.<br/><br/>We focus solely on things happening in, or affecting, Charleston (there are many better places online to get information on blockbuster movie reviews, China earthquakes and Washington politics).<br/><br/>And instead of adding more information chaos (such as The Post and Courier creating it's version of Charleston City Paper's blotter) we'll gladly yield the ground and do what the Web does best and hyperlink to what's already been done well.<br/><br/>"Easy. Local. Complete." it's our tag line as well as mission.<br/><br/>We're just getting started to so we'd love to hear your critiques as well as content suggestions. Hi, Lyn. Stumbled on this post while subscribing to Wednesday’s event.

I think you’ve already seen the Web site we’re doing (TheDigitel.com) but it, too, is an attempt to answer the shift to online news and tries to fill the needs of local readers through specialization, organization and information design.

We focus solely on things happening in, or affecting, Charleston (there are many better places online to get information on blockbuster movie reviews, China earthquakes and Washington politics).

And instead of adding more information chaos (such as The Post and Courier creating it’s version of Charleston City Paper’s blotter) we’ll gladly yield the ground and do what the Web does best and hyperlink to what’s already been done well.

“Easy. Local. Complete.” it’s our tag line as well as mission.

We’re just getting started to so we’d love to hear your critiques as well as content suggestions.

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