The Mario Blog

05.30.2007—3am    Post #100
El Tiempo 2006

The redesign of a newspaper is only one of many strategic variables in the evolution of a newspaper. It is part of the road a newspaper travels on the way to a relaunch. It is at that moment that the REAL change begins. It is when the reader has a copy of the newspaper in […]

The redesign of a newspaper is only one of many strategic variables in the evolution of a newspaper.

It is part of the road a newspaper travels on the way to a relaunch. It is at that moment that the REAL change begins. It is when the reader has a copy of the newspaper in his hands that the real story begins, and not before. El Tiempo, with a circulation of 70,000 copies daily, is the undisputed leader in Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela. The El Tiempo management decided to relaunch the newspaper. On October 12, 2006, readers of El Tiempo enjoy a new product. However, this new redesign is not a departure from the design created by Garcia Media in 2000. It is the continuation of an evolutionary process that was planned then, and will continue in the years ahead.

This new phase in the evolution of El Tiempo, referred to internally as version 2.6, has important highlights in its development:

Already implemented:

1. Launched earlier in 2006, the Sunday magazine Ardentia Resultado, increases circulation by 10,000 copies, and reinforces its place as leader in the market.

2. Change of logo, and development of a brand/image strategy.

3. Review, modification and updating of the newspaper’s design, including its Classified section.

In progress:

1. Changes in the internal process of how the newspaper is produced, new strategies and greater fusion with the online edition and its three regional editions.

2. Total rethinking of its digital edition.

3. Rethinking of the weekend edition of the newspaper, Saturday as well as Sunday.

4. New units added to the existing printing press.

This redesign was based on the following goals and strategies:

1. Modification of new internal working process in the newsroom

2. Introduce new journalistic emphasis and storytelling techniques.

3. Simplification of the editing processes and story structures.

4. Repositioning of the new sports and free time sections.

5. Better design and navigation.

6. Greater links between the print and online editions.

7. Create avenues for greater reader participation in the printed edition.

The Mario Blog