Consolidation of content
—-More newspaper editors and publishers worldwide took a good, hard look at how they present information, and considered different ways of merging related content, and, in some instances removing sections and departments no longer viable economically, or as a result of online coverage.
Specifics that come to mind:
*Stock listings—-in some instances, four pages of these numbers were brought down to two.
*Classifieds—this is one area where many newspapers studied the section to eliminate categories, or extend offerings through online.]
*Mixing of sections—-it is not unusual these days to combine sports and business, for example. With proper guidance, readers don’t seem to mind when changes in the “flow of the book” are made.
—Change of page format
—-While European newspapers continue to turn to the compact formats to facilitate use of the newspaper, while saving money, several newspapers in the United States, including The Oklahoman, adopted the narrower 44” web. More traditionally broadsheet newspapers worldwide also switched to “tabloid” format for supplements inserted in the newspaper.
—More attention to navigation
—-If there was one issue that all newspapers turned their attention to was how to make the reader’s trip through the newspaper easier. Editors everywhere asked us for the ultimate navigational tools, not only on page one, but also through the entire newspaper.
—Integrating print/online
—-What was basically a matter of choice only two years ago, the idea of fusing print and online operations has become a must. I am happy to say that every one of our clients is keenly interested in establishing the type of newsroom where news is seen as protagonist on a multiplatform stage.
—Storytelling strategies
—-This was a peak year for editors everywhere to rethink how their reporters and editors tell stories. More attention has been paid to creating strategies that allow for better utilization of secondary readings, brief items, photo galleries and info graphics as part of the storytelling process.
—Advertising innovations
—-Perhaps it was the dismal economy that ruled the day in this area, but I had never seen so much experimentation with various advertising sizes and configurations by newspapers everywhere. From wrap around ads, to island ads, to silent ads, and, of course, page one ads in various sizes, all made a safe landing in 2008. I predict we will see more of this in 2009.
—Mobile telephone platforms
—-We have only seen the very early start of mobile telephones as part of the multiplatform environment of the newsroom. However, newspapers of all sizes are looking at mobile phones for breaking news. 2009 should be a prime year for the continuation of this trend. The iPhone and the newly revamped Blackberry pave the way. One tip: make text on mobile phone units short, and let the images flow in!
—Online editions: ready for 2.1?
—-This has been an area of tremendous growth in 2008, but the next year should see newspaper operations turning their attention to how they can best explore the potential of online editions beyond the “news” component, and more into aggregate sites, interactive modules, multi media packages and advertising experimentation.
A pensar,
LM
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