The Sunday, February 21, print edition of The New York Times ran a prominent to to bottom graphic on the front page. The headline read: The Toll: America Approaches half a Million Covid Deaths. The decks below headline reminded readers of the significance of the anniversary: More Than 3 Wars, Empty Spaces in Cities, Towns, Restaurants, Homes and hearts.
It is one of those stories that combines numbers with the emotional side of what Covid19 deaths have meant to Americans.
The front page is impressive, with a graphic that is black and white, with numbers and markers in red:
Various markers point to important moments as Covid19 took its tragic journey across American cities and towns:
How story appeared on website:
It is curious that the large front page graphic was not repeated for digital publication of the story. Its impact is limited to print, where it works so well, in such dramatic fashion. The digital versions capitalize on photos, however, which were also utilized on a double page spread in print as we see below:
Here is how readers first viewed this story on the Times’ website homepage:
As we see above, the lead photo for the print double page spread has been maintained as such for the website presentation. The rest of the story flows in a linear way, with text leading to visual images as we see in this gallery:
The mobile version
Here is how the story appeared for mobile consumption:
As we see below, the same photo has been used as a lead visual element for all three versions of the story, something which is not always achievable, especially when the photo tends to be in a landscape mode:
A multiplatform display : This story is an excellent example of how good planning across platforms yields great results. Notice that most of the visual assets have been well utilized regardless of which version of the story you are reading.
Inquire about our mobile storytelling workshops!
Every week I bring my mobile storytelling workshop to a different newsroom around the world. I begin with a 90-minute presentation about the essentials of crafting/editing/designing stories for mobile consumption. Then I break the participants into groups and for two hours they produce a mobile story which they then present to the entire group for evaluation. It works all the time.
Another type of Garcia Media program is when we sign up for mobile storytelling coaching after completion of the first workshop. Once a week, or as planned, I work virtually with a team of reporters, editors, designers on actual stories that will be published as linear mobile stories. Let me know if you are interested in more information: mario@garciamedia.com
Professors: get your review version of The Story on time for fall classes
As an academic, I know the importance of having the right tools to advance our students, especially on the important subject of mobile storytelling. Please drop me an email if you would like to sample The Story in its digital edition: mario@garciamedia.com
Start writing or type / to choose a block
The full trilogy of The Story now available–3 books to guide you through a mobile first strategy. Whether you’re a reporter, editor, designer, publisher, corporate communicator, The Story is for you! https://amazon
TheMarioBlog post # 3280