The Mario Blog

10.31.2009—8am    Post #777
Presenting readers/users with preview of new Handelsblatt

TAKEAWAY: This weekend edition of the Handelsblatt is a collector’s item: the last to be published in the traditional broadsheet format. In addition, a complete guide to the new business format of the Handelsblatt is presented, page by page, with indications of where to find information, and what is new. The new Handelsblatt premieres Monday, Nov. 2 ALSO: Handelsblatt relaunch profiled in Tyler Brulé‘s Monocle Radio Sunday, Nov. 1, 12 noon CET.

TAKEAWAY: This weekend edition of the Handelsblatt is a collector’s item: the last to be published in the traditional broadsheet format. In addition, a complete guide to the new business format of the Handelsblatt is presented, page by page, with indications of where to find information, and what is new. The new Handelsblatt premieres Monday, Nov. 2 ALSO: Handelsblatt relaunch profiled in Tyler Brulé‘s Monocle Radio Sunday, Nov. 1, 12 noon CET.

Guide to the new Handelsblatt business format

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New front page: guide calls attention to new logo, black box with online highlights top right, and commentary at bottom of page

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Last page is a full summary of what’s in the newspaper that day: readers read page one, simply flip their newspaper, and get a full navigation to the news of the day. Notice “belt” ad positioning, in this case for Air Berlin

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Opinion pages: classic, elegant and based on the solid content foundation of Handelsblatt editorials and commentary

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Typical inside page treatments: in this case a People oriented page with short items and profiles of business people making news that day

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Explaining information architecture for new online design of www.handelsblatt.com

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How mobile phone applications will work in new relaunch; also notice (right) different and new advertising configurations available to advertisers

Handelsblatt relaunch on Monocle Radio Sunday, Nov. 1

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Shown here, opening pages of the Handelsblatt weekend section, yes, with that big H dominating at the top.

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The new front page of the “business format” Handelsblatt : notice placement of the online refer at bottom of lead story text

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Here is how we handle a double page opening of a new section: companies and markets, with navigation at the top for best stories within section.

Now we get ready for the final two miles of the marathon!

As a runner who has done 15 marathons, I can tell you that it is at that point, with just a little to go, that you start getting pumped up to see that finish line. That is where we are this Friday as we cross the t’s and dot the many i’s that are always part of introducing a new design. In this case, we have already taking care of the H, as you well know.

Nils Werner, art director of Handelsblatt, and I, will do a final review of styles, templates, training strategies, etc. today, then get ready to meet Sunday as we produce the first Handelsblatt in its new business format. It should be fun, it always is.

A lot rides on this relaunch: it is the first quality newspaper in Germany to go to a compact. I know that other publishers are watching, gauging and advertising reactions, and wondering if they should take a similar step. In my view, yes, why not? Germany is a country where free newspapers have simply not been able to survive. Unlike Spain, France or the Scandinavian countries, tabloid formats are reserved for the so called down market or boulevard newspapers. To break away from this stigma is not easy. Handelsblatt is doing it.

I think we will introduce a tabloid that immediately conveys the idea of seriousness, quality journalism, respectability——and, of course, the book concept in the daily newspaper. Let’s see how it goes.

Monocle radio interview

Tyler Brulé, editor of Monocle magazine, and host of Monocle Radio, has honored me with another invitation to appear in his show Sunday to discuss the design of Handelsblatt. Tyler, who is the guru of refinement, efficiency and chic, has given Handelsblatt a 10. He received one of the printed prototypes for review during his radio show.

Thanks, Tyler. This is comforting to me and the team as we approach the finish line.

The Monocle Radio show will air Sunday, Nov. 1, at 12:00 CET – from iTunes and also www.monocle.com. Another top story on the show is an update on the Economy of Abu Dhabi, pegged to the Formula 1 event there on Sunday, from the news anchor John Defterios, who presents CNN’s Marketplace Middle East.

Handelsblatt relaunch videos: Mario explains the new look, discusses design generally

Interested in the 2005 Handelsblatt redesign?

Go here:
http://www.newsdesigner.com/archives/002410.php

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Who is Jacky?

Jacky belongs to Frank Deville. The Luxembourg-based pooch is an “avid reader” of the German newspaper, Bild Am Sonntag. Every Sunday Jacky picks stories and interesting graphics in Bild Am Sonntag , the German newspaper.

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Follow me at www.twitter.com/tweetsbydesign

Follow the Marios

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Two Marios. Two Views.
Follow Mario Jr. and his blog about media analysis, web design and assorted topics related to the current state of our industry.
http://garciainteractive.com/
Visit Mario Sr. daily here, or through TweetsByDesign (www.twitter.com/tweetsbydesign)

In Spanish daily: The Rodrigo Fino blog

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To read TheRodrigoFino blog, in Spanish, go:
https://garciamedia.com/latinamerica/blog/

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