


The Orlando Sentinel debuted its redesign this morning. Charles Apple’s got images and thoughts.
The Wall Street Journal weighs in with a piece in Monday’s edition. (Tip: if you’re not a WSJ subscriber, go through Digg).
Past experience shows newspaper makeovers don’t necessarily translate into financial success. After the Bakersfield Californian underwent a drastic redesign two years ago, the 60,000-circulation paper in California’s Central Valley saw a small initial jolt to circulation and revenue, sparked by the brighter look and expanded coverage of hot topics like immigration. But the gains have been erased as the area economy struggles. Bakersfield Californian Chief Executive Richard Beene says the steps were necessary to keep the paper relevant, but he has advice for others considering a similar redesign: “Don’t expect it to turn around circulation or revenue overnight. It’s not a magic bullet.”
Consultant Alan Jacobson launched a broadside against the redesign Friday, saying it needed to “concentrate on content rather than cosmetics.”
In these troubled times for newspapers, it’s important to note that “readership” and “revenue” are conspicuous by their absence from virtually all the words that have been published about Orlando’s redesign. Instead, much has been made of the cosmetic changes to come.
And, of course, it wouldn’t be a redesign if somebody didn’t compare it to USA Today.
Update: And Mario Garcia writes about the black reverse nameplate.
I've never understood pre-launch criticism.
Wait until you actually see it.
Posted by: Steve Cavendish at June 23, 2008 10:03 AMFrom the images I've seen, the redesign seems like an improvement from what they used to have, but I still am not sure if I like it.
Posted by: Allison at June 24, 2008 4:37 PMI have only found two reviews from people who live in Orlando and have. actually, held, the real, entire paper in their hands before forming an opinion:
One of them is surprisingly, now wait for it . . . is NOT a journalist!
We got yesterdays Sentinel and todays copy, looked at both. Like it so much we are going to subscribe. Easy to find features They have a strong Lake County section.Neighbor who takes the Sentinel said that yesterday she wasn't too
sure if she liked the new look. Told me today she has changed
her mind, she likes it.
Your Folks
The other is Ken Carpenter, a former Sentinel sports journalist who has filed a couple of reviews on his blog.
Also of note, none of these critics are having to reverse claims about how much their client's readership and revenue numbers have grown after their redesign. (Remember the boasting about Bakersfield . . .? Today's quote from that paper's publisher is interesting, indeed.)
