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The Genesee Country Express in Dansville, N.Y., recently launched a new design as part of the GateHouse News & Interactive incubator program. News & Interactive worked with publisher Kelly Schecter and editor Les Bowen on the project. Below, Kelly answers a few questions about the project, and check out a photo gallery of the launch here.
| Why did you decide to redesign your newspaper? |
With a new publisher and editor in the past six months, we decided we wanted something different. The Express has looked the same for as long as anyone can remember. We wanted something that was more appealing to our readers. With many new staff members everyone was ready for a change. We also launched our website in May and we wanted our looks to jibe better. |
| What can you tell us about your community? |
Small rural area. Agriculture focused area. Our paper serves several small communities. We circulate to about 2,500 readers. |
| What changes did you make as part of your redesign? |
Almost everything. We have a new name plate, new fonts and styles throughout. More pictures. We have a lot more color now to add to the attractiveness. The News Cube and Web Cube styles have been implemented all through the paper. We also added a QR code for our technology savvy audience. |
| How have readers reacted to the redesign? |
We launched our redesign only a week ago, but we have an amazing response already. We have heard it looks more “grown up”, clean, attractive and fresh. |
| What advice do you have for papers considering a redesign? |
Work ahead. You can adapt different pieces of your paper prior to your launch, that way you don’t have to do it all at once. Our editor, Les Bowen, has a sign on his desk that reads, “ 'We have always done it that way' are the seven last words of any organization." That is our mindset, with all of the changes that have occurred for us. Just remember change is good. |
