It's been a long time coming. But it's here. The first local website to become a local print publication that I've heard about. Why has this been so hard to see? Targeted print publications have always had the same DNA as websites, so why hasn't this happened many times before. Why have the creation of websites from print publications come in droves, in millions, in billions, in zillions, before a local print publication from a website. It should have been a two-way street from the beginning, but I guess the construction crews arbitrarily -- or rather the culture police arbitrarily -- decided it was a one way street.
To see the full story visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/organgrinder/2010/sep/16/hyperlocal-blog-hu17-beverley-paul-smith-print
Or here it is:
Hyperlocal blogger expands into print publishing
Website publisher launches full colour weekly
A hyperlocal news site owner has launched into print with a low cost advertising weekly for Beverley.
Paul Smith is known to many bloggers for campaigning to clear his name after the Hull Daily Mail accused him of activity in the porn industry and questioned his fitness to run the website HU17.net in high-profile coverage in the area.
But several stressful months on – and with a partially upheld PCC complaint against the paper behind him – Smith has stepped up his local publishing venture by launching in their backyard.
He told me how the new venture was progressing:
"The first edition was just sport with no other editorial, it was more as a promotional idea though has evolved since then. Now it is 28 pages in full colour on A4 pages.
"It is for everyone in the town though it seems to appeal to those who are out and about – ie who use the shops, bars and or play sport in the area".
Competition
The newspaper competes for its readers, and advertisers, with the Johnston Press's Beverley Guardian as well as the Hull Daily Mail's own Beverley Advertiser.
Cover Photograph: Paul Smith/guardian.co.uk
What Smith calls his "magic formula'' is a mixture of pictures capturing local events under the strapline 'it's all about Beverley' and low cost advertising - £5 per week for a good sized advert.
"I am told people like to see who is in it, I think it also helps that the content is exclusive and very niche. Having an established web site has helped, people know the brand too."
The print version hits the streets each Tuesday and is distributed to drop off places in Beverley such as bars, barbers and social clubs.
"Local shops have been very supportive with many signing up to advertising package that is realistic and very affordable, something that was certainly needed in the area.
"We still only make a limited number up to 100 copies but each one gets seen by lots of people."
HU17 can also be accessed online at HU17.net and on Facebook.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The beat goes on
Individual news venture
debuts at SXSW
As reported this morning by News and Tech at
http://www.newsandtech.com/whats_new/article_44b9118e-35dd-11df-9c6d-001cc4c002e0.html:
London-based startup Newspaper Club brought its concept of individually produced newspapers to the United States last week when its backers created newspaper prototypes at a SXSW new media seminar in Austin, Texas.
The firm, whose Arthr software allows anyone to create up to a 12-page newspaper, handed out papers that were printed by the Austin American-Statesman, according to a blog posted by Fast Company magazine.
Once the papers were handed out to seminar attendees, Fast Company wrote that Twitter user @mattb reported, “The newspapers are passed out and the quiet sound of typing sounds to the white noise of paper rustling.”
Newspaper Club is currently only available in the United Kingdom, where users can generate their own newspapers, either in color or black-and-white, or have Newspaper Club produce one for them. Prices range around $500 for 300 black-and-white editions to $2,200 for 5,000 full-color copies.
debuts at SXSW
As reported this morning by News and Tech at
http://www.newsandtech.com/whats_new/article_44b9118e-35dd-11df-9c6d-001cc4c002e0.html:
London-based startup Newspaper Club brought its concept of individually produced newspapers to the United States last week when its backers created newspaper prototypes at a SXSW new media seminar in Austin, Texas.
The firm, whose Arthr software allows anyone to create up to a 12-page newspaper, handed out papers that were printed by the Austin American-Statesman, according to a blog posted by Fast Company magazine.
Once the papers were handed out to seminar attendees, Fast Company wrote that Twitter user @mattb reported, “The newspapers are passed out and the quiet sound of typing sounds to the white noise of paper rustling.”
Newspaper Club is currently only available in the United Kingdom, where users can generate their own newspapers, either in color or black-and-white, or have Newspaper Club produce one for them. Prices range around $500 for 300 black-and-white editions to $2,200 for 5,000 full-color copies.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Forrester Research presentation at paidContent 2010
Here's the one point I want to make before you check out this SlideShare Presentation. The newspaper subscription used to pay for access to the content, so the theory is consistent, that people don't pay for content they pay for access:
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
INMA in tune
Richard Hall of Digital Technology International gave a presentation at the International Newspaper Marketing Association convention in Copenhagen which is pure personal newspaper. Check the powerpoint out and enjoy.
If that link doesn't work here is the URL: http://www.slideshare.net/TomCorbett/richard-hall-3102448
If that link doesn't work here is the URL: http://www.slideshare.net/TomCorbett/richard-hall-3102448
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Numbers and more numbers
I could get dizzy following the numbers on print-online newspaper audience, but this post seems to have the weight of reality under it.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Fidler in the rough
Roger Fidler, who first imagined the now arriving (2010) tablet newspaper in 1992 when he convinced the Knight Ridder Co. to underwrite the Information Design Lab in Boulder, Co., has always looked at the future of the newspaper business as primarily a production, manufacturing and distribution challenge.
But the biggest change is the fact that news must become personal, which is why I have since 1999 argued for the personal newspaper, a clunker of a term, no doubt.
Anyway, check out the video on this site to get a fascinating view on the history of the evolution/transition of newspapers in the 21st Century.
Like a diamond in the rough, Roger Fidler is a superstar.
But the biggest change is the fact that news must become personal, which is why I have since 1999 argued for the personal newspaper, a clunker of a term, no doubt.
Anyway, check out the video on this site to get a fascinating view on the history of the evolution/transition of newspapers in the 21st Century.
Like a diamond in the rough, Roger Fidler is a superstar.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Post-Kindle
So we are now post-Kindle. Here come the digitized magazines WITH advertisemnts. Can newspapers be far behind? Hoorah. Last month Conde Nast demonstrated its concept of a digitized magazine tablet. Now it’s Time Inc.’s turn: The publisher is demo-ing an iteration of Sports Illustrated compatible with the "upcoming" Apple tablet and/or other tablets. Both publishers will offer add-ons like multimedia and links into the web. But it's the replica aspect here that may make the digitized business model work. Circ-based advertising sales will still work, we hope. And let's hope the magazines are beautiful en tablet.
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