Although more near-term focused than other entries in this blog, an article in the Orange Country Register describes that newspaper’s strategic direction as articulated by new publisher Terry Horne. The strategy acknowledges that the traditional print product is now a niche product serving a distinct segment and that the path to growth is through more targeted print and digital products. According to the article,
Terry Horne, the new publisher of The Orange County Register, is betting on free community newspapers, expanded Web offerings and a smaller Register newspaper to help the company weather falling ad revenue and declining circulation….
Horne believes the combination of offerings will fill gaps for both readers and advertisers. The subscription-based Register will include premium content targeted at a mostly older readership. Free community weeklies go to a broader base with a hyper-local focus. OCregister.com will provide free content to a younger audience. Local advertisers will have a similar choice to get their message out on any or all of these platforms….
Other changes on the horizon include:
- A narrower paper, with the width of each page shrinking by 1 inch in late summer or fall.
- Joining a consortium with other companies, to be announced soon, that will share advertising and news content.
- Considering the expansion of the free Irvine World News/OC Post tabloid to five days a week from three and possibly rolling out the concept in other communities.
- A new Web site, www.OrangeCounty.com, which will be a destination portal for people around the world planning to visit or move here.
To read the full article, click here.
