Specifically designed for the growing number of people now accessing local news and information from smartphones it provides quick and easy access to the content they’re looking for. The roll-out also includes a new suite of smartphone-friendly display advertising opportunities.
Managing Director of Newsquest Digital Media, Mark Smith, said: “Like all publishers we’ve seen an enormous increase in smartphone usage, traffic’s more than doubled in a year and now accounts for more than a third of all our users. This latest Newsquest release makes sure that we’re giving them and our advertisers the best possible experience. Trials in the South of England showed that users not only like it but they read more articles as well.”
The new platform was designed and built in-house and uses Newsquest’s existing proprietary Content Management System. Alongside the latest local news, sport and traffic and travel information, users can also search for local jobs. Advertisers will now be able to choose from a range of products including joint desktop and mobile packages or mobile only.
The launch is part of an accelerated programme of digital development which Newsquest will be rolling out in 2014 including a refresh of the desktop site, further upgrades to the mobile platform and enhanced targeting opportunities for advertisers.
Mark Smith said: “Digital is a key part of Newsquest’s future and we’re going to be constantly updating and innovating to make sure we provide our users with the best platforms, and our advertisers with the most relevant audiences and market-leading solutions.”
Newsquest titles include 17 dailies such as The Northern Echo (Darlington), Telegraph & Argus (Bradford), Southern Daily Echo (Southampton), Swindon Advertiser, Lancashire Telegraph (Blackburn) The Argus (Brighton), The Herald* (Glasgow), The Press (York), Oxford Mail, Worcester News and South Wales Argus (Newport) and weekly publications including The Hereford Times, Somerset County Gazette, Watford Observer, Salisbury Journal and the Bucks Free Press.
*The Herald mobile platform is not part of the rollout announced today.
