Most newspapers reacted to sea change by cutting costs that included getting rid of talent and disregarding quality. Failure to realize the value of client relationships didn’t help matters, nor did one-sided online partnerships. Every move seemed to be tactical, not strategic.
Instead of extolling the virtues of web width reductions and eliminating delivery areas, papers should have conceded the loss of younger readers and enhanced the product in an effort to retain the boomer audience.
Four-page sports sections?
Seriously?
Loyal newspaper readers would likely have paid more for a higher quality product while new ideas were developed for the hand-held device crowd. Thinking that sports fans would wait until Wednesday to read an abbreviated account of a game played Monday night is delusional. ESPN will have video highlights, a recap, stats, etc. 30 minutes after the game is over.
And speaking of game over …