Executive Media
Public Affairs Public Relations
Indy Star: Now it's easier to read on the subway
02/27/08 08:50 AM Filed in: Media
The bigger body type and smaller page size of the
Indianapolis Star, introduced Feb. 27, means
one thing to the managers of the newspaper and
something else to the readers. To be sure, it means a
lot to our clients and anyone else who wants to be
recognized by media.
To the managers, it means less newsprint and ink consumed, less freight weight, less space to fill by fewer workers. To readers, it means an increasing reliance on the Star's website and the editors' judgment. For many years, one measure of a newspaper's breadth of appeal was the story count on the front page, especially the local story count. More stories meant a show of effort by the editorial staff and the ability to attract readers of varying interests. The Feb. 27 front page had two stories, one big picture and four "refers," which are nuggets that direct a reader to a story inside the paper. Both stories and the picture were local.
One message is inescapable: the Star editors believed no national or international story was as interesting to its readers as property tax reform in the Indiana General Assembly, the Indiana statistics from a national health-insurance study and the beginning of boys' high school basketball sectionals. Another is clear as well: the editors believe the print version of the Star is not the main source of international, national and business news to their readers.
At Executive Media, we understand that less space and bigger type does not necessarily mean a less valuable product. Tight editing and wise story choices can more than compensate for fewer words. We also know, however, that the story-count issue is one that can affect anyone who is trying to bring an issue or idea to the public. That's why working with someone who understands how media works is becoming more important. Our job is to make your story not only well written, but well conceived and well placed.
To the managers, it means less newsprint and ink consumed, less freight weight, less space to fill by fewer workers. To readers, it means an increasing reliance on the Star's website and the editors' judgment. For many years, one measure of a newspaper's breadth of appeal was the story count on the front page, especially the local story count. More stories meant a show of effort by the editorial staff and the ability to attract readers of varying interests. The Feb. 27 front page had two stories, one big picture and four "refers," which are nuggets that direct a reader to a story inside the paper. Both stories and the picture were local.
One message is inescapable: the Star editors believed no national or international story was as interesting to its readers as property tax reform in the Indiana General Assembly, the Indiana statistics from a national health-insurance study and the beginning of boys' high school basketball sectionals. Another is clear as well: the editors believe the print version of the Star is not the main source of international, national and business news to their readers.
At Executive Media, we understand that less space and bigger type does not necessarily mean a less valuable product. Tight editing and wise story choices can more than compensate for fewer words. We also know, however, that the story-count issue is one that can affect anyone who is trying to bring an issue or idea to the public. That's why working with someone who understands how media works is becoming more important. Our job is to make your story not only well written, but well conceived and well placed.