E-publishing in the Newspaper Industry
Transcription
E-publishing in the Newspaper Industry
visiolink.com E-publishing in the Newspaper Industry Visiolink Bjoernholms Allé 20 8260 Viby J Denmark 03 05 Intro 03 Ekstra Bladet 05 Visiolink plays a main role in the distribution strategy of Ekstra Bladet 07 Jydske Vestkysten 07 The combination of the visions of Jydske Vestkysten and the technology of Visiolink can make the newspaper a leading pioneer on the Danish digital market 09 Lokal-Bladet Budstikken 09 The E-pages solution has both eased the workload for Lokal-Bladet Budstikken and lifted the reading experience 11 Politikens Lokalaviser 11 Visiolink’s system makes it possible to control the publishing of 65 digital local newspapers from the main office 13 Adresseavisen 13 Visiolink’s system that consist in advanced technology does not in any way stress the IT department of Adresseavisen 14 Device Independent Content Distribution 14 15 Visiolink in short 15 visiolink.com Intro Intro Visiolink is a leading software provider when it comes to develop and distribute E-publishing solutions. With more than 5 years of experience and over 300 newspapers clients in 13 countries we create Device Independent Content Distribution that contributes Nontraditional Revenue Streams to the media companies. We call it “Any Device – Any Time – Anywhere. Read more about our clients’ success stories here! newspapers 03 Visiolink ensures that we are where the readers are... “ Ekstra Bladet The strategy Every week over one million people visit ekstrabladet.dk, Denmark’s largest news portal. On this site the readers have the possibility to buy and read eBladet, the digital version of the newspaper Ekstra Bladet, which is a full version of the printed paper. Availability and simplicity are the keywords when it comes to a daily distributed product as the newspaper Ekstra Bladet that has more than 400.000 daily readers. This is where the E-pages technology comes in handy. Not only does it assure the availability of the newspaper it also works as part of Ekstra Bladet’s considerations of expanding their activities to mobile platforms. “Visiolink’s technology plays a main role in our distribution strategy. This is accentuated by the fact that our activities concerning E-pages organizationally speaking is placed under the sales department and not the IT and digital media department as it might usually be, explains Ole Sloth, Editorial chief of Ekstra Bladet. He points to the fact that Ekstra Bladet as a single copy paper is dependent on a fine meshed web of outlets – in other words the vending places where the people are. “E-pages helps us doing this by working as a sort of newspaper stand that makes Ekstra Bladet available all over the world. We are very happy to have eBladet,” he explains. The solution The E-pages solution of Ekstra Bladet automatically converts all the printed files, transmits the content to eBladet and makes sure that texts and images are placed correctly in the layout. Ekstra Bladet also takes advantage of E-pages for their historical newspaper archives that contains newspapers dating back to the first issue from 1904. Ole Sloth describes E-pages as an easy, intuitive and secure solution that is easy to run and gives an attractive reading experience. “E-pages brings eBladet very close to the printed edition, which is one of our goals. You can turn pages and seek for words – without having to click, close and open constantly,” says Ole Sloth. The Cooperation In relations to the cooperation with Visiolink Ole Sloth points to the fact that it is of great importance that Visiolink is a Danish company, given the good reputation of Danish technology companies. Geographic proximity and quick response is important to Ekstra Bladet. Ole Sloth’s experience is that Visiolink reacts quickly and is very flexible in terms of meeting their demands. “I have the feeling that it is as important to Visiolink as it is to us that eBladet runs perfectly. In other words they care about our product and our customers – the readers. The employees at Visiolink deserve compliments for being very attentive. Many of our demands has now become a part of the standard solution offered by Visiolink. On these grounds we are looking forward to the possibility of expanding the cooperation,” concludes Ole Sloth. visiolink.com Do you want to know more about Visiolink’s Archive solutions, please contact Visiolink at +45 70233544 or visit www.visiolink.com The Danish national newspaper Ekstra Bladet was founded in 1904 381.000 (on weekdays) 431.000 (on Sundays) Circulation: 83.899 (on weekdays) 113.203 (on Sundays) With a simple calender function you can find the exact newspaper you are looking for in the archive. Source: www.jppol.dk Number of readers: fact box “ Visiolink’s technology plays a main role in our distribution strategy. This is accentuated by the fact that our activities concerning E-pages organizationally speaking is placed under the sales department and not the IT and digital media department as it might usually be. Ole Sloth, Ekstra Bladet. In the search function you can seek for specific words after which they will be highlighted directly in the text. newspapers 05 Jydske Vestkysten is on their way into the world with Visiolink “ Jydske Vestkysten The Assignment How do we take the next step from internet publishing to mobile publishing using eReaders and iPhones – in order to give the readers the possibility to bring our newspaper wherever they go independent of the PC? Which digital publishing technology can bring us ahead of time now and in the future? These were the questions that were on the top of the agenda at Jydske Vestkysten - a Danish newspaper. Visiolink provided the answers. “Today Jydske Vestkysten and Visiolink are testing the user-experience together with 50 people testing eReaders and 100 people testing iPhones”, says Peter Gram, who is a member of the Editorial Chief of Stab at Syddanske Medier, the media of Southern Denmark and in charge of Electronic and Digital Media. “The technological focal point for the activity is Visiolink E-publisher that automatically convert the daily newspapers into files that can be downloaded on eReaders and iPhones. With regard to iPhone, Visiolink has developed a special iPhone App. E-publisher automatically assures that it is the right test-persons who download the newspaper. Regarding the payment systems Peter Gram points out the flexibility in the fact that Jydske Vestkysten can choose between implementing Visiolink’s payment system or integrate the Visiolink solution with other payment systems. The Cooperation Jydske Vestkysten already cooperate with Visiolink concerning E-pages. Therefore is was only natural for Peter Gram to continue the cooperation developing publishing platforms for eReader and iPhones. Regarding the cooperation he says: “I see Visiolink as a partner in the true sense of the word. They have a great understanding of both the media and the technology and they know exactly how to create a excellent digital reading experience – without expecting the reader to be an engineer.” “The thoroughly tested technology of Visiolink provides us with a publishing platform that has an integrated security assurance that we are able to publish Jydske Vestkysten in the way our clients need it, now and in the future – regardless of which technological possibilities tomorrow will bring,” establish Peter Gram. The Result “Right now we are testing the possibilities. But there is no doubt that the combination of our visions and the technology of Visiolink can makes us become pioneers in the digital newspaper market. Nevertheless we don’t have any ambitions on moving further into the market than our own geographic area where we are currently standing strong. However we will have the opportunity of creating new possibilities for our core costumers and for new costumers.” “The readers will have the chance to bring their newspaper on their travels all over the planet. Although we don’t have deliverymen in Kuala Lumpur, Visiolink ensure that the quality and the delivery there will be exactly the same as in Denmark,” says Peter Gram. “The project concerning publishing on eReaders and iPhones provided by Visiolink is ultimately preparing our business for the future.” says Peter Gram. visiolink.com Do you want to know more about Device Independent Content Distribution, please contact Visiolink at +45 70233544 or visit www.visiolink.com The Danish newspaper Jydske Vestkysten was founded in 1991 after a merger between Jydske Tidende Number of readers: 425.000 a week Circulation: 365.000 a week Source: www.jv.dk and Vestkysten. fact box Visiolink provides E-pages solutions for both computers, Smartphones, Mobile Internet Devices and eReaders “ Visiolink’s thoroughly tested technology provides us with a publishing platform with an integrated security assurance that we are able to publish Jydske Vestkysten in the way our clients needs it, now and in the future – regardless of which technological possibilities tomorrow will bring. Peter Gram, Jydske Vestkysten. newspapers 07 An impressive online presentation. Dynamic and user-friendly “ Lokal-Bladet Budstikken The Requirement Lokal-Bladet Budstikken is a Danish weekly newspaper group that publishes 12 local newspapers with a total circulation of 365,000. The group decided to find an alternative to a pdf-based digital newspaper solution – and chose Visiolink E-pages. “We wanted a solution that was more user-friendly and dynamic for our requirements and which at the same time presented our digital newspapers in a much more exciting way,” explains Executive Editor Jan Hjortlund Hansen, Lokal-Bladet Budstikken. The Solution The time-consuming and difficult pdf-procedures have now been replaced by Visiolink E-pages’ automatic upload processes which save time for both employees and readers. “Visiolink E-pages simply makes us look more elegant and exciting on the Internet. Previously, for example, you couldn’t turn over the pages in our digital newspapers. That’s where Visiolink really comes into its own,” evaluates Jan Hjortlund Hansen.He points to the fact that Visiolink was selected from among several players. “Because Visiolink’s overall product suited Lokal-Bladet Budstikken’s requirements so well,” emphasizes Jan Hjortlund Hansen. He highlights a number of features that in his opinion differentiate Visiolink E-pages from other solutions on the market. “We are, for example, very impressed with Visiolink’s zoom and viewer features. The solution has a number of different and excellent zoom options and the viewer feature makes it quick and easy to upload and replace our weekly front page teasers which is a real advantage for us.” Jan Hjortlund Hansen also believes that the quality and speed of Visiolink E-pages are unsurpassed compared to similar products available on the market. “It is clear that Visiolink has both facilitated and lifted the reading experience. This is supported by what we’ve heard from our readers,” he says. The Cooperation In Jan Hjortlund Hansen’s opinion, Lokal-Bladet Budstikken has received expert help and support from the Visiolink team throughout the start-up phase. “This ensured that we were ready to go live with the new system very quickly. Now we know that Visiolink Epages – as expected – is running steadily and reliably, and that the solution has worked perfectly from day one.” visiolink.com The Danish weekly newspaper group LokalBladet Budstikken was founded in 1935. Number of readers: 425.000 a week Circulation: 365.000 a week Source: www.budstikken.com Do you want a user-friendly and dynamic E-pages solution, please contact Visiolink at +45 70233544 or visit www.visiolink.com fact box The current e-paper front pages are shown as teasers on budstikken.com With Visiolink’s statistic tool the publishers can follow the behavior of the readers. In this example the readers’ clicks are marked by red dots. “ The solution has a number of different and excellent zoom options and the viewer feature makes it quick and easy to upload and replace our weekly front page teasers which is a real advantage for us. Jan Hjortlund Hansen, Lokal-Bladet Budstikken newspapers 09 Visiolink increases online traffic and advertising revenue potential “ visiolink.com Politikens Lokalaviser The objective The objective for the Danish newspaper group, Politikens Lokalaviser was to generate increased online reader traffic. The means: Attractive, digital versions of the group’s various local newspapers published with 65 Visiolink E-pages solutions. Status: The objective has been achieved. Next objective: To convert the increased online traffic to business through advertising sales on E-pages. Status: On track The options Politikens Lokalaviser wanted to create a digital window that could attract readers to such an extent that it would become an appealing advertising medium for local businesses. “This has happened thanks to Visiolink E-pages – and the number of online readers is steadily growing,” states Digital Manager Thomas Hviid-Andersen with satisfaction. “Because,” as he says, “the number of visitors is our currency and the more readers of the digital version we have, the greater our earning potential.” “Visitor numbers show a clear, increased demand for the digital product we now offer with E-pages. So the readers are here. Now we need to discuss with advertisers how to supplement their advertising in print and on the Internet with more interactive advertising directly on E-pages. We believe that this has very interesting potential,” says Thomas Hviid-Andersen about the importance of E-pages for the future business development of Politikens Lokalaviser. The Solution The Visiolink solution makes it possible to manage publication of the 65 digital local newspapers centrally from the group’s head office. According to Thomas Hviid-Andersen, this ensures both uniform presentation and an excellent user experience across the group’s digital local newspapers. The system is fed with material from each local newspaper, and E-pages automatically keeps track of which material belongs to which of their newspapers. Each individual local newspaper has its own website where E-pages appears as a smart feature. The group also uses E-pages for its own digital publications, including municipal yearbooks, magazines, etc., he says. The Partnership Thomas Hviid-Andersen emphasizes that mature and thoroughly tested technology does not in itself generate success – the provider’s insight into the requirements of media companies is also vital “That is why we chose Visiolink. Visiolink has a great understanding of what it means to run a media business, and what a digital publication product needs to be able to do – and not least what it does not need to be able to do when applied to our products. Other providers usually concentrate on the technical side of things without necessarily having the media expertise that Visiolink offers. That is where Visiolink makes a big difference,” concludes Thomas Hviid-Andersen. Do you want to know more about Visiolink’s interactive advertising possibilities, please contact Visiolink at +45 70233544 or visit www.visiolink.com With E-pages the publishers can gain new revenue streams e.g. by placing banner ads inside their online newspaper. The newspaper group Politikens Lokalaviser that publishes 65 newspapers was founded in 1999. Number of readers: Approximately 1 million a week Circulation: Approximately Source: www.jppol.dk E-pages are Search Engine Optimized and can therefore improve your placing on e.g. Google. 1 million a week fact box “ Visiolink has a great understanding of what it means to run a media business, and what a digital publication product needs to be able to do – and not least what it does not need to be able to do when applied to our products. Other providers usually concentrate on the technical side of things without necessarily having the media expertise that Visiolink offers. That is where Visiolink makes a big difference. Thomas Hviid-Andersen, Politikens Lokalaviser newspapers 11 Advanced SaaS technology that means cost savings “ Adresseavisen Focus On The Business Adresseavisen is the largest of the 25 newspapers published by the Norwegian group Polaris Media. The Norwegian regional newspaper’s Chief Technology Officer Asle Vestvik is one of those IT experts who has moved away from technology and is concentrating more on the business side of things. He is solution-oriented rather than technologyoriented, and he focuses on the value that a solution creates. The Solution “We chose Visiolink as a digital platform because Visiolink is a very solution-oriented development company that thinks holistically about business issues. Their basic product is advanced technology, but the E-pages solution in no way puts additional strain on our IT department – neither is it difficult for our readers to use. Servers, networks, etc. are located at Visiolink. It is clearly a very interesting concept seen from an IT perspective. “All we need to do is to supply the pdfs of the day’s newspaper – and Visiolink processes the files. The digital newspaper is ready early the next morning,” says Asle Vestvik. Operations In Asle Vestvik’s opinion, Visiolink is a solution that is super-simple to use and set up as well as extremely reliable. “The solution runs 24 hours a day, all year – and we don’t have to do anything. So Visiolink in no way stresses our IT resources. These resources can then be used for other, more business-oriented projects,” he says. The solution automatically keeps track of reader access to the newspaper on the Internet through integration with Adresseavisen’s circulation system Cost Savings In addition to creating value for both readers and the IT department, it is also anticipated that Visiolink will cause large cost savings. This is not least due to the fact that later delivery of newspapers that have failed to reach the reader can now be handled by giving readers access to the digital newspaper. E-pages will also be able to reduce the number of holiday cancellations. For example, approx. 1,000 readers brought Adresseavisen on holiday by using E-pages in 2009. In the future, Adresseavisen will be looking at the option of integrating Visiolink with its payment systems. The newspaper also aims to use Visiolink as a central tool for its loyalty activities. “Visiolink E-pages means that we can include various additional value-adding reader offers with our subscriptions. This is an option we very much want to pursue,” concludes Asle Vestvik. visiolink.com Norway’s oldest daily newspaper was founded in 1767 Number of readers: 220.000 on weekdays Circulation: 85.000 on weekdays Source: http://www.adressa.no If you wish to have a Saas-based solution, please contact Visiolink at +45 70233544 or visit www.visiolink.com fact box Visiolink gives the publishers the opportunity to implement subscription solutions without having to worry about the technical setup. “ Visiolink’s basic product is advanced technology, but the E-pages solution in no way puts additional strain on our IT department – neither is it difficult for our readers to use. Servers, networks, etc. are located at Visiolink. It’s clearly a very interesting concept seen from an IT perspective. Asle Vestvik, Adresseavisen. newspapers 13 Device Independent Content Distribution Any Device – Any Time – Anywhere As a top priority Visiolink focus on the unique ability to deliver the content of the newspapers at any time on any platform. As the readers become more mobile they require new methods of receiving news. Therefore Visiolink finds it important to keep up with the constant development and meet the requirements of today and of the future by supporting all the popular reading devices available on the market. We already support a large number of devices: Kindle DX iPhone/iPod/iPad Google Android iREX Reader Sony e-Reader Og mange flere… visiolink.com At Visiolink we are experiencing a massive demand on our competences and solutions. Many exciting things are happening at the moment and we are enjoying working with forward-looking solutions that can help the media companies safely into the future. We assure cost effective distribution on new digital platforms and thereby creates nontraditional revenue streams for the publishers. With Visiolink’s solution the newspaper content can be distributed to computers, Smartphones, eReaders, Mobile Internet Devices etc. so that the readers can subscribe for the payment content and subsequently read it on their preferred device. We call it: “Any Device – Any Time – Anywhere.” Jens Funder Berg CEO, Visiolink newspapers 15 Contact information W: www.visiolink.com T: +45 7023 3544 E: [email protected] A: Visiolink ApS › Bjoernholms Allé 20 › 8260 Viby J › Denmark