News, by definition, is something changing, something surprising, something informative, something unknown. Why then, we have to wonder, do newspapers often default to being static, to being predictable, to being immutable? In this era of rapid information, of flash and fancy, newspapers might learn a thing or two from the World Wide Web.
We hope we have. With this issue of Banker & Tradesman, we’ve begun a transformative process that will bring our readers the best of what print has to offer, as well as the benefits of the Internet. Readers this week will find their B&T undergoing an evolution – a change that does not begin and end this week, but keeps moving forward, keeps responding to our environment and reshaping the product.
The revamped Banker & Tradesman is filled with eye-catching and colorful graphics and charts. It also launches new features like “In Person,” a compelling question and answer article with industry leaders, and newly formatted columns written by experts who provide tips to help business executives navigate the complexities of their industries.
“With this redesign we are accentuating the fact that we are an independent newspaper offering the best and most complete coverage of the real estate, banking and insurance industries,” said Timothy Warren Jr., CEO of The Warren Group, which publishes Banker & Tradesman. “Readers have turned to Banker & Tradesman for its accurate and in-depth analysis of industry trends and news. We’re continuing that tradition but presenting news in a more engaging and edgier manner.”
While the newspaper is updating its look with more graphics and bolder use of color, it is also refining its news approach. We are honing our efforts to deliver the best insider information possible. We are no general business publication. Our concentration is looking into the executive suites, the conference rooms and the bargaining tables of the highest levels of finance, real estate and development in Massachusetts.
Additionally, B&T is putting greater emphasis on commentary and opinion, moving its editorial pages to the front of the newspaper. Our daily breaking news is now delivered over the Internet, yet we have plenty left to say in our print publication. One of our biggest strengths is to let our print newspaper show its community leadership by fostering thoughtful, and pointed, discussion.
The 136-year-old family-owned newspaper has retained some of its more popular sections like “The Teller”– a column with juicy insider tidbits like which sports stars and CEOs have recently purchased or sold multi-million dollar mansions — and “By the Numbers,” a page that highlights a different Bay State community every week.
The redesign comes as Banker & Tradesman prepares to launch a new Web site in upcoming weeks. The site will provide up-to-the-minute industry news, interactive maps, in-depth multimedia presentations, blogs and searchable records. In July, B&T launched its daily headlines email alert service, available at www.beta.bankerandtradesman.com. That email news service now reaches more than 10,000 subscribers a day.
These changes, though, are just the beginning. Because no information service that truly wants to be at the forefront for its customers can ever stay still. That’s just not the way news works.
Vincent Michael Valvo, Group Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
