East Valley Tribune debuts tab size, free distribution

The East Valley Tribune this week will debut major changes to its content and business model -- namely free distribution.
On Wednesday, the daily paper will introduce a new format that "prioritizes local news coverage," by moving all of its local news to the front section, officials said in a press release to media outlets.
Four local editions will be offered, as new editions for Gilbert and the SanTan region join the current East Valley and Scottsdale editions.
The Tribune also will be converting its front local news section to a compact size and offering it free in selected areas.
Paid subscribers will continue to get the full newspaper content, which also includes national and world news, sports, classifieds and the many weekly features in a premium package.
East Valley Tribune Publisher and Chief Executive Julie Moreno said the publication expanded its distribution to better serve readers and advertisers.
"Part of this process involves creating separate editions of the paper for the specific geographic areas we serve. That way we can bring you local news and advertising specific to where you live," she said.
Only the front local news section will be zoned, with the rest of the paper remaining the same. The full implementation of this zoning program will take several months and be launched in phases, officials said.
Executive Editor Jim Ripley emphasizes that the East Valley Tribune's commitment to local news is not changing, just it's presentation.
He said local business news, local government news, local lifestyle and entertainment news, and the local opinions and columns will be brought together in this new front section.
"Hyper-local" has been a common trait used among some daily newspapers around the country, as they face shrinking circulation and advertising revenue.
"The Tribune is one newspaper that is changing with the times by focusing on reader convenience and cleanly packing news close to home in a single section," Ripley said.
The most visible changes will be switching the front local news section to a compact size and making it available through free distribution five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday.
Officials said the compact size was chosen because it works best with the production requirements for multiple editions, and it is easy to handle and carry, and saves newsprint.
The switch will be phased in with Scottsdale on Oct. 17, followed by the Gilbert and SanTan editions Oct. 24.
The East Valley edition will continue in its broadsheet format and be converted at a later date. The free distribution will be done primarily through a network of street racks, and a list of locations will be available on the newspaper Web site, www.eastvalleytribune.com.
Arizona State University journalism professor Tim McGuire said it is a "fascinating approach," but it will have production and advertising issues.
"It's going to be really a challenge. There's going to have two different business, free and distribution. So this a very different model," said McGuire, the Frank Russell Chair for the Business of Journalism at ASU's Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
In March, the East Valley Tribune's competitor, The Arizona Republic, underwent a major restructuring that resulted in key personnel departures and content changes to lure a younger demographics in the 24/7 multimedia news environment.
Among the changes: The Monday issue consolidated business, opinion and local items into its front-page section, however, that later was expanded back to two sections. It also included advertising on Page 1 and on the front page of the sports section, while combining classifieds and auto sales ads into a single section.
McGuire's biggest gripe is that newspapers aren't making changes, as they continue to lose readership and relevance in an increasingly digital age. He applauds the Tribune's move, but isn't guaranteeing success.
"It's really a bold move, he said. "If they pull it off without hiccups or burps, I'll be shocked."
credited by: bizjournals.com