WAN 2008: Stop fixating on young readers, O’Reilly tells newspaper industry

The newspaper industry should not be fixated with young audiences, Gavin O’Reilly, president of the World Association of Newspapers (WAN), said at the organisation’s annual conference today.

The chief information officer of Independent News and Media said publishers should be looking to serve all generations with their print and online products.

The focus on youth is largely driven by the advertising industry, which is ‘transfixed’ by the youth market, he said.

“There’s always been an unnecessary fixation on youth. We need to capture them first.

“We need to market the newspaper for all generations and we also need to explain to the young that while the net is overwhelming in content it is pretty underwhelming in reliability.”

Tags: advertising industry, Gavin O'Reilly, online products, WAN, World Association of Newspapers

Press Gazette: Telegraph technology lab created for online innovation

In an attempt to break down the divide between technology and editorial sections of the newsroom, the Telegraph has introduced a newsroom lab for all members of staff to develop new online products, and ‘take some of the culture [of the lab] back out onto the floor’.

Tags: online innovation, online products, technology lab