By Marcelo Duran
Associate Editor
LAS VEGAS - The online arm of the newspaper industry is beginning to flex its muscles as a concerted effort is under way to make Web sites more profitable.
The number of people attending this year’s NAA Marketing Conference reflected the industry’s need to adapt - and quickly - to new Web technology.
More than 2,500 industry participants traveled to Nevada in an effort to answer one of the industry’s thorniest questions: how to redesign a product whose print version is losing market traction but whose online popularity is soaring (see related story, page 20).
More than 120 vendors were on hand to exhibit their wares, ranging from new media applications to syndication services.
For some exhibitors, the conference provided a chance to introduce their products to newspapers.
Topix.net, for example, said it would power Tribune Interactive’s online classifieds for general merchandise advertising. The co-branded classifieds were expected to roll out last month at baltimoresun.com and will be available across all 12 TI newspaper sites by June.
The vendor also forged agreements with newspapers such as The Indianapolis Star to underpin the comments section of the paper’s online stories.
For others like AdPay Inc., the conference gave it a chance to reconnect with its customer base.
“About 80 percent of our clients are attending the show, so this gives us a chance to see how they are doing,” said Mike Heene, AdPay’s founder and president of strategic ventures.
A more personal Web
Still, the main action in Las Vegas concerned how newspapers can exploit the myriad changes transforming new media.
Case in point: the integration of Web 2.0 services to woo visitors and advertisers alike. The standard refers to an Internet that will deliver a full range of Web applications to users, altering the current model of individual Web sites.
That will transform how newspapers currently view the interaction between readers, advertisers and themselves into one where dailies must support more of a one-on-one relationship, speakers said.
“Consumers want and need transparency and empowerment. It enables them to declare their intentions,” said Edward Kost, division manager for Trib Total Media.
TTM, which publishes the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and a host of other daily and weekly publications, recently launched MyPghLIVE.com, a site that sends customized and tailored information to users based on their preferences.
The site uses a device called memes to determine the type of content recommended to readers, who also see why the page made the suggestion. Memes, a scientific theory that gained stature in the ‘80s, essentially attempts to describe why some terms and cultural phenomena gain popularity, while others don’t.
“The consumer is empowered to declare their intentions, the advertisers can engage consumers at a one-on-one level and the publisher can deliver individualized content and ads,” Kost said, describing the site’s use of the technology.
But papers aren’t the only news-generating organizations out there trolling for eyeballs. There are plenty of sites competing with newspapers to attract readers and advertisers, including traditional and non-traditional media organizations.
One potential new competitor is Wikia, which plans to launch local community sites that will give anyone the ability to post and edit news in an open-source environment similar to Wikipedia.
The company is initially planning to offer “hyper-local” news sites covering specific regions, cities or ZIP codes, said Gil Penchina, Wikia’s chief executive officer.
Penchina said that users looking over the site’s content would handle issues like false news stories or derogatory posts.
Focusing on strengths
Still, even as competitive pressures build, newspapers retain a formidable competitive advantage - one that shouldn’t be ignored.
Kelly Dyer Fry, director of multimedia at The Oklahoman’s NewsOk.com, said a newspaper’s brick and mortar existence gives it an important community presence.
Its archives, meantime, houses a bastion of content that can be repurposed several different ways.
“Gathering and presenting information is the only trick pony we have left,” she said.
User-generated content is an important part of the mix, she said, citing NewsOk.com’s photo feature, which lets users post and share images online.
The Oklahoman’s Web site uses software from Inform Technologies that relies on a series of algorithms, natural language processing and other analytical mechanisms to tag and score each component, ranging from industry and topic to organization and people mentioned (see Newspapers & Technology, September 2006.)
Bottom line, said Fry and other newspaper representatives: Don’t be afraid to experiment with new online services. Testing pages online is much cheaper than testing them in print.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Times Leader taps CityXpress for classifieds
N&T Staff Report
The Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., recently upgraded its existing classified site with CityXpress Corp.’s eMarketplaceXpress software to increase its foothold in the local online market.
The app allows the newspaper to create stand-alone classified marketplaces with features that include multiple photos, enhanced displays, forums and a comparison-shopping feature based on RSS feeds from other classified providers.
“We needed a simple, easy-to-use classified Web site for our readers and one that would enable us to grow by offering different packages both paid and free,” said Kathy Schwartz, vice president of audience and new product development for Wilkes-Barre Publishing.
Making the move
Last November, Schwartz began looking to move the former Knight Ridder paper from Knight Ridder Digital’s Catalyst software to an easier-to-use classified system.
“The classified ad manager and sales representatives all told me the Catalyst system was too hard to use for both readers and advertisers,” she said.
The biggest complaint she received was that advertisers could not manage ads placed online and had less local control over the system. The new app allows the paper to be meet advertisers’ real-time demands.
Competitive advantage
The new classified system from CityXpress will help the paper compete against three local broadcast stations, another daily paper, Craigslist and eBay.
The paper uses a ppi front-end classified system and additional software from Gabriels Technology Solutions for its automotive listings.
In three weeks of operation after its Jan. 2 launch, the Times Leader posted about 717 ads from 94 registered users, Schwartz said.
“In the first eight days, we had nearly 40 people register and place ads,” she said.
Schwartz said that eMarketplaceXpress’ menu of self-service features will help the paper boost its online ad revenues.
“We think the revenue will increase over time as our volume grows and more readers use the service to shop locally,” she said.
The Yorkshire Post of Leeds, England, also upgraded its classified system with eMarketplaceXpress. The paper markets its BuyandSellToday.co.uk as an extension of its print classifieds.
The Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., recently upgraded its existing classified site with CityXpress Corp.’s eMarketplaceXpress software to increase its foothold in the local online market.
The app allows the newspaper to create stand-alone classified marketplaces with features that include multiple photos, enhanced displays, forums and a comparison-shopping feature based on RSS feeds from other classified providers.
“We needed a simple, easy-to-use classified Web site for our readers and one that would enable us to grow by offering different packages both paid and free,” said Kathy Schwartz, vice president of audience and new product development for Wilkes-Barre Publishing.
Making the move
Last November, Schwartz began looking to move the former Knight Ridder paper from Knight Ridder Digital’s Catalyst software to an easier-to-use classified system.
“The classified ad manager and sales representatives all told me the Catalyst system was too hard to use for both readers and advertisers,” she said.
The biggest complaint she received was that advertisers could not manage ads placed online and had less local control over the system. The new app allows the paper to be meet advertisers’ real-time demands.
Competitive advantage
The new classified system from CityXpress will help the paper compete against three local broadcast stations, another daily paper, Craigslist and eBay.
The paper uses a ppi front-end classified system and additional software from Gabriels Technology Solutions for its automotive listings.
In three weeks of operation after its Jan. 2 launch, the Times Leader posted about 717 ads from 94 registered users, Schwartz said.
“In the first eight days, we had nearly 40 people register and place ads,” she said.
Schwartz said that eMarketplaceXpress’ menu of self-service features will help the paper boost its online ad revenues.
“We think the revenue will increase over time as our volume grows and more readers use the service to shop locally,” she said.
The Yorkshire Post of Leeds, England, also upgraded its classified system with eMarketplaceXpress. The paper markets its BuyandSellToday.co.uk as an extension of its print classifieds.
Palm Beach Post goes shopping, in a big way
By Marcelo Duran
Associate Editor
The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post is offering its customers a shopping experience that won’t wear out their shoes.
And it appears to be working, with the newspaper reporting it has more than 6 million items from hundreds of retailers on its shopping channel.
The shopping site uses HarvestInfo’s ShopMountain platform, which allows consumers to search and purchase products from various online retailers.
“Creating this powerful integrated search environment gives us a competitive edge,” said Gina C. Wilcox, director of online development at The Post, adding that the site is also accessible via cell phone and PDA.
The Palm Beach Post’s HarvestInfo-powered shopping site has
more than 6 million items on display.
In addition to the online inventory, about 20,000 items from hundreds of local business and private-party sellers are displayed in classified liners and display ads supported by the database.
The shopping channel is consistently in the top eight most popular areas of the paper’s Web site and sees tens of thousands of unique visitors each month, Wilcox said.
Kiosks complement the mobile service, which lets cell phone and PDA users access the site, Wilcox said.
Versatile formats
“We’re serving up information in the format consumers want to receive it,” she said. “More people today have mobile devices than access to the Internet on a PC.”
The Post first used kiosks five years ago. They now number 60, sprinkled across six counties.
In 2006, 300,000 people, accounting for more than 2.5 million page views, used the kiosks.
Users can search, apply for jobs, make print outs and e-mail listings to a friend. They can also contact sellers, Realtors and car dealers through the kiosks.
Newspapers are beginning to realize that publishing print ads online is not enough to create a compelling shopping experience, Wilcox said.
“We’ve had to shift our thinking to embrace change and react quickly to consumer trends in order to stay competitive,” she said. “The key to being able to make this shift rests in having support for it throughout your organization.”
Associate Editor
The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post is offering its customers a shopping experience that won’t wear out their shoes.
And it appears to be working, with the newspaper reporting it has more than 6 million items from hundreds of retailers on its shopping channel.
The shopping site uses HarvestInfo’s ShopMountain platform, which allows consumers to search and purchase products from various online retailers.
“Creating this powerful integrated search environment gives us a competitive edge,” said Gina C. Wilcox, director of online development at The Post, adding that the site is also accessible via cell phone and PDA.
The Palm Beach Post’s HarvestInfo-powered shopping site has
more than 6 million items on display.
In addition to the online inventory, about 20,000 items from hundreds of local business and private-party sellers are displayed in classified liners and display ads supported by the database.
The shopping channel is consistently in the top eight most popular areas of the paper’s Web site and sees tens of thousands of unique visitors each month, Wilcox said.
Kiosks complement the mobile service, which lets cell phone and PDA users access the site, Wilcox said.
Versatile formats
“We’re serving up information in the format consumers want to receive it,” she said. “More people today have mobile devices than access to the Internet on a PC.”
The Post first used kiosks five years ago. They now number 60, sprinkled across six counties.
In 2006, 300,000 people, accounting for more than 2.5 million page views, used the kiosks.
Users can search, apply for jobs, make print outs and e-mail listings to a friend. They can also contact sellers, Realtors and car dealers through the kiosks.
Newspapers are beginning to realize that publishing print ads online is not enough to create a compelling shopping experience, Wilcox said.
“We’ve had to shift our thinking to embrace change and react quickly to consumer trends in order to stay competitive,” she said. “The key to being able to make this shift rests in having support for it throughout your organization.”
New products, deals galore
LAS VEGAS - This year’s NAA Marketing conference attracted more than 2,500 newspaper industry participants to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, eclipsing the 2006 conference.
Among the major announcements:
*Shoom Inc. said Gannett Co. Inc. will deploy its eTearSheets hosted ad management application across all of its 90 U.S. dailies.
*AdStar Inc. and Kaango Inc. announced a long-term marketing agreement that lets Kaango integrate AdStar’s Web-based Ad Sales app into its software. MediaNews Group is the first media organization to offer the integrated platform on its newspapers’ Web sites, with a launch set for the first quarter of 2007, the companies said.
*Morris DigitalWorks released mdTransit 2.2, a new version of its online automotive advertising app. Some new features in the software include a new-car-configurator, improved search options, a “most popular” module and printer-friendly style sheets, Morris said.
*AdMission Corp. announced the availability of video ads on its AdMission platform. Two types of video ads are available to advertisers across a range of ad formats, the company said.
Meantime, AdMission released Spotlight Ads 2.0, which includes five additional ad sizes, larger branding areas, tagged data feed imports and ad performance tracking, AdMission said.
*Legacy.com launched Gadzoo.com, a new service that provides newspapers an online classified advertising engine geared for pet enthusiasts.
Next year’s Marketing conference will be Feb. 24-27 at the Orlando, Fla., World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center.
Among the major announcements:
*Shoom Inc. said Gannett Co. Inc. will deploy its eTearSheets hosted ad management application across all of its 90 U.S. dailies.
*AdStar Inc. and Kaango Inc. announced a long-term marketing agreement that lets Kaango integrate AdStar’s Web-based Ad Sales app into its software. MediaNews Group is the first media organization to offer the integrated platform on its newspapers’ Web sites, with a launch set for the first quarter of 2007, the companies said.
*Morris DigitalWorks released mdTransit 2.2, a new version of its online automotive advertising app. Some new features in the software include a new-car-configurator, improved search options, a “most popular” module and printer-friendly style sheets, Morris said.
*AdMission Corp. announced the availability of video ads on its AdMission platform. Two types of video ads are available to advertisers across a range of ad formats, the company said.
Meantime, AdMission released Spotlight Ads 2.0, which includes five additional ad sizes, larger branding areas, tagged data feed imports and ad performance tracking, AdMission said.
*Legacy.com launched Gadzoo.com, a new service that provides newspapers an online classified advertising engine geared for pet enthusiasts.
Next year’s Marketing conference will be Feb. 24-27 at the Orlando, Fla., World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center.
AP sets deal with citizen network
The Associated Press and participatory news network NowPublic.com said they will work together to bring citizen content into AP’s newsgathering efforts.
Vancouver, B.C.-based NowPublic.com claims to be the world’s largest grassroots network, counting more than 60,000 contributors from 140 countries.
The companies said the goal of the effort is to expand the world’s access to news as it happens. In addition, it is designed to help NowPublic expand its rapidly growing network of worldwide contributors by exposing them to the opportunities they have to produce valuable news material.
“The Associated Press has a long tradition of pursuing citizen contributions in breaking news events worldwide,” said Jim Kennedy, AP’s vice president and director of strategic planning, in a statement. “This relationship will make that connection even stronger and result in more news and images from people who are in the right place at the right time.”
Contributions to the AP news report from NowPublic’s network of participants could take many forms over time, said AP Deputy Managing Editor for Multimedia Lou Ferrara. “They could range from simple eyewitness accounts to originally produced content.”
For now, selected AP bureaus will work with NowPublic communities to determine the best way to contribute regional news coverage. National AP news desks may also tap the network, AP said. NowPublic will also help AP extend its coverage of virtual communities, such as social networks and contributed content sites, Ferrara said.
Vancouver, B.C.-based NowPublic.com claims to be the world’s largest grassroots network, counting more than 60,000 contributors from 140 countries.
The companies said the goal of the effort is to expand the world’s access to news as it happens. In addition, it is designed to help NowPublic expand its rapidly growing network of worldwide contributors by exposing them to the opportunities they have to produce valuable news material.
“The Associated Press has a long tradition of pursuing citizen contributions in breaking news events worldwide,” said Jim Kennedy, AP’s vice president and director of strategic planning, in a statement. “This relationship will make that connection even stronger and result in more news and images from people who are in the right place at the right time.”
Contributions to the AP news report from NowPublic’s network of participants could take many forms over time, said AP Deputy Managing Editor for Multimedia Lou Ferrara. “They could range from simple eyewitness accounts to originally produced content.”
For now, selected AP bureaus will work with NowPublic communities to determine the best way to contribute regional news coverage. National AP news desks may also tap the network, AP said. NowPublic will also help AP extend its coverage of virtual communities, such as social networks and contributed content sites, Ferrara said.
NAA hands out Edgies
N&T Staff Report
LAS VEGAS - The Newspaper Association of America’s New Media Federation announced its annual Digital Edge Awards at this year’s Marketing conference.
This year’s winners were selected from 199 entries in nine categories including best overall news site, most innovative multimedia storytelling and best local guide or entertainment site.
The Naples (Fla.) Daily News, The Roanoke (Va.) Times and The Washington Post were awarded best overall news site in their respective circulation sizes.
Altogether, Edgies were handed out to 20 newspapers, while three papers received multiple awards. The Naples Daily News went home with four, the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune received three and the Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World got two.
In addition to awarding Edgies, New Media Federation members also presented the Online Innovator Award to Steve Yelvington, media strategist for Morris DigitalWorks.
Among the winners:
Best Overall News Site
Circulation less than 75,000
-Naplesnews.com, Naples Daily News
Circulation 75,000-250,000
-Roanoke.com,The Roanoke Times
Circulation Greater than 250,000
-washingtonpost.com, The Washington Post
Most Innovative Multimedia Storytelling
Circulation Less Than 75,000
-Studio 55 vodcast, Naples Daily News
Circulation 75,000-250,000
-John Muir Trail blog, The Fresno (Calif.) Bee
Circulation Greater than 250,000
-Chicagotribune.com, Chicago Tribune Interactive
Most Innovative Visitor Participation
Circulation Less Than 75,000
-Savannahnow.com / Savannah (Ga.) Morning News
Circulation Greater than 250,000
-Gasparilla, The Movie, TBO.com/Tampa (Fla.) Tribune
Best Design and Site Architecture
Circulation Less Than 75,000
-Lawrence.com, World Online, Lawrence Journal-World
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
-Statesman.com/austin360, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman
Circulation Greater than 250,000
-StarTribune.com, Star Tribune
Best Classified Innovation
Circulation Less Than 75,000
-Gainesville Sun online classifieds and www.GainesvilleList.com, The Gainesville (Fla.) Sun
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
-Hartford Courant Pets, The Hartford (Conn.) Courant
Circulation Greater than 250,000
-MiamiHerald.com, Pets Classifieds, The Miami Herald, www.buyit.miami.com/findit/ pets/index.htm
Best Use of Interactive Media
Circulation Less Than 75,000
-Pigskin Review, Amarillo.com/Amarillo (Texas) Globe-News
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
-RandomThis, The Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel
Circulation Greater than 250,000
-azcentral.com, The (Phoenix) Arizona Republic
Best Advertising Program
Circulation Less Than 75,000
-Latest News Expandable Ad, Prime Home Builders, Naples Daily News
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
-PalmBeachPost.com, Mobile Ad Services Program, Palm Beach (Fla.) Post
Circulation Greater than 250,000
-Tampa Bay Hooters Swimsuit Pageant & Beach Party, St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times
Best Local Guide or Entertainment Site
Circulation Less Than 75,000
-Lawrence.com, World Online, Lawrence Journal-World
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
-Spokane7.com, SpokesmanReview.com, The Spokesman Review, Spokane, Wash.
Circulation Greater than 250,000
-Vita.mn, StarTribune.com, Star Tribunes
Best Local Shopping & Directory Strategy
Circulation Less Than 75,000
Naplesnews.com Restaurant Guide - Naples Daily News
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
Tri State Home Show - Evansville (Ind.) Courier
Circulation Greater than 250,000
ShopMinnesota - Star Tribune
LAS VEGAS - The Newspaper Association of America’s New Media Federation announced its annual Digital Edge Awards at this year’s Marketing conference.
This year’s winners were selected from 199 entries in nine categories including best overall news site, most innovative multimedia storytelling and best local guide or entertainment site.
The Naples (Fla.) Daily News, The Roanoke (Va.) Times and The Washington Post were awarded best overall news site in their respective circulation sizes.
Altogether, Edgies were handed out to 20 newspapers, while three papers received multiple awards. The Naples Daily News went home with four, the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune received three and the Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World got two.
In addition to awarding Edgies, New Media Federation members also presented the Online Innovator Award to Steve Yelvington, media strategist for Morris DigitalWorks.
Among the winners:
Best Overall News Site
Circulation less than 75,000
-Naplesnews.com, Naples Daily News
Circulation 75,000-250,000
-Roanoke.com,The Roanoke Times
Circulation Greater than 250,000
-washingtonpost.com, The Washington Post
Most Innovative Multimedia Storytelling
Circulation Less Than 75,000
-Studio 55 vodcast, Naples Daily News
Circulation 75,000-250,000
-John Muir Trail blog, The Fresno (Calif.) Bee
Circulation Greater than 250,000
-Chicagotribune.com, Chicago Tribune Interactive
Most Innovative Visitor Participation
Circulation Less Than 75,000
-Savannahnow.com / Savannah (Ga.) Morning News
Circulation Greater than 250,000
-Gasparilla, The Movie, TBO.com/Tampa (Fla.) Tribune
Best Design and Site Architecture
Circulation Less Than 75,000
-Lawrence.com, World Online, Lawrence Journal-World
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
-Statesman.com/austin360, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman
Circulation Greater than 250,000
-StarTribune.com, Star Tribune
Best Classified Innovation
Circulation Less Than 75,000
-Gainesville Sun online classifieds and www.GainesvilleList.com, The Gainesville (Fla.) Sun
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
-Hartford Courant Pets, The Hartford (Conn.) Courant
Circulation Greater than 250,000
-MiamiHerald.com, Pets Classifieds, The Miami Herald, www.buyit.miami.com/findit/ pets/index.htm
Best Use of Interactive Media
Circulation Less Than 75,000
-Pigskin Review, Amarillo.com/Amarillo (Texas) Globe-News
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
-RandomThis, The Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel
Circulation Greater than 250,000
-azcentral.com, The (Phoenix) Arizona Republic
Best Advertising Program
Circulation Less Than 75,000
-Latest News Expandable Ad, Prime Home Builders, Naples Daily News
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
-PalmBeachPost.com, Mobile Ad Services Program, Palm Beach (Fla.) Post
Circulation Greater than 250,000
-Tampa Bay Hooters Swimsuit Pageant & Beach Party, St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times
Best Local Guide or Entertainment Site
Circulation Less Than 75,000
-Lawrence.com, World Online, Lawrence Journal-World
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
-Spokane7.com, SpokesmanReview.com, The Spokesman Review, Spokane, Wash.
Circulation Greater than 250,000
-Vita.mn, StarTribune.com, Star Tribunes
Best Local Shopping & Directory Strategy
Circulation Less Than 75,000
Naplesnews.com Restaurant Guide - Naples Daily News
Circulation 75,000 to 250,000
Tri State Home Show - Evansville (Ind.) Courier
Circulation Greater than 250,000
ShopMinnesota - Star Tribune
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)