The move is designed to encourage readers of The Sun to share their thoughts online and extend the digital reach of Sun stories.
Each day the newspaper will publish a selection of hashtags, which will accompany specific stories and ask readers to add their voices to the news of the day. The initiative will provide a simple mechanic to connect offline and online conversations amongst Sun print readers, digital subscribers and social media followers.
David Dinsmore, Editor of The Sun, said: “The Sun has always powered the nation’s conversation, but by printing hashtags alongside our news we are making it easy for readers to share their opinions and continue the story online. In an increasingly digital world, it will also help a whole new generation discover Sun content and our unique brand of journalism.”
The cross platform idea follows the recruitment of a dedicated Sun social media team led by former Daily Telegraph journalist James Manning. Hashtags already printed by The Sun include #cordencameron, which accompanied guest editor James Corden’s interview with the Prime Minister for Sport Relief and #scrumbag accompanying an interview with Rugby League love cheat Andy Powell.
In recent weeks The Sun has reported exclusive stories including Cheryl Cole’s X Factor return, the Prime Minister backing Boris Jonson to run as an MP and Wayne Rooney signing a new Manchester United contract, all of which have become big talking points on social media platforms.
According to the publishers, The Sun is Britain’s best-selling newspaper and has one of the biggest online newsbrand communities with over five million followers on Twitter and over a million Facebook fans.
