Tindle has joined forces with leading figures from across the news industry to look to the future of digital news as part of a national initiative.
Managing Director Scott Wood and Group Digital Editor Emily Woolfe represented Tindle Newspapers Ltd as one of nine regional publishers to take part in the Digital Revenue Launchpad programme, launched by FT Strategies, the subscriptions consultancy from leading international business news brand the Financial Times.
Funded by the Google News Initiative, the programme was set up for local news publishers to explore ways of monetising their audience. The cohort included large regional publishers and independent local news providers, such as Tindle, who are rooted in the communities where staff live and work.
Running from January until May, the programme saw the group meet regularly for structured discussions on the issues facing the industry, along with interactions with technology companies in the analytics and monetisation fields.
Emily Woolfe said: “It was fascinating to be involved in a working group made up of regional publishers in which we could explore the routes ahead of us and share experiences and successes.
“There were key learnings around engagement with readers and the importance of offering the content which audiences want. It was very useful to be able to make the connection with other local publishers as we embrace the opportunities ahead of us.”
Scott Wood said: “As our teams work to create compelling digital content which reaches more people than ever before, it was pleasing for Tindle to be part of such a forward-thinking programme.
“The FT Strategies sessions gave us much to consider as we ensure our trusted brands remain at the heart of all things local and our news and information engages with the communities we serve.”