The future is now for readers of The Augusta Chronicle -- bringing important and exciting changes to your newspaper.
The Chronicle enters the new year with a powerful commitment to expand our delivery of high-quality news and information in ways that are increasingly convenient for you.
WE HAVE LAUNCHED a new digital format for easy reading on the Apple iPad -- and will launch this service on other emerging tablet devices in the coming year.
You can turn the pages of the same edition that lands in your driveway just by swiping and touching the screen. Check out the "pluses" we've added by tapping stories, advertisements and photos.
Download the app from Apple's iTunes store and browse daily editions free for a limited time. Enjoy this trial period as we improve the app with your input. This spring, we will begin charging for the app.
Now, let's talk about our Web site for a minute.
In December we successfully test-launched a new digital subscription service on augustachronicle.com. Starting Monday, the trial period is over and much of what we call "premium content" will be available only via a paid subscription. Digital-only subscribers get unfettered access to our site for $6.95 per month. This subscription fee will include the iPad app as well. Current print subscribers pay a reduced rate of only $2.95 to add these services.
AS OUR EXECUTIVE EDITOR explained in a December column, these changes do not spell an end to free use of our digital products. Passers-by and casual readers still will have access to breaking news, video, photos and blogs. We also will allow all users access to 25 premium pages monthly as a sample.
We feel it's important and good business to offer ways to enjoy our works in progress and continue a model of public service. It's just not all free. Your subscription helps pay for the journalists and the services being provided, arming you with information that helps you save money and make decisions.
The iPad application combines the best of both worlds. It offers more of what we do at the touch of a finger: photo galleries, breaking news, active Internet links, videos and ways to share and engage. You can store past editions of The Chronicle for later reading at your convenience.
Fascinating opportunities for readers and local advertisers await in the iPad world we've created. Powerful and vivid ads with attached videos connect readers and advertisers in new ways. It's just amazing.
How, where and when you want to engage with the news is up to you. We expect many people will continue to enjoy the print edition in the traditional form for years to come. But increasingly, more are comfortable with a combination of digital and print -- or just digital -- for their news and advertising. Consequently, our business model has to change.
IF YOU HAVE AN iPad, please sample the new way to enjoy The Chronicle . Again, it will be free for a couple more months. We want and value your input. We promise to use that input to refine these new ventures to serve you better. I'll be reading this way, too, to keep up with you.
Your business means a great deal to us. We are committed to improving our customer service and being there for our readers, and the community at large. It is an honor and privilege to help lead one of this community's oldest trusts. It is our duty to ensure its future by adapting and changing.
As we begin our second 225 years of publishing, we expect to be available at the touch of a finger and ready to answer your call.
Thank you for reading us and for using our digital products, and of course for your loyalty and support during our transformation as a media company.
(The writer is publisher of The Augusta Chronicle, and chairman and chief executive officer of Morris Communications Co.)
Why do you cater to those having an ipad--there are many readers who don't own one and even some of those couldn't afford to purchase one. Digital is fine, but you go to far in serving only a certain segment of your readers.
I notice that Mr Williams S. Morris III did not include his email address or any link to his contact information. I'd be happy to provide feedback directly to the one with the (empty) purse strings.
I represent many readers who appreciate the Chronicle in the many ways it's packaged. For me the various online vessels are a fit. No one likes to pay, but for the information and entertainment I get in these electronic blips I'll help the cause.
I wonder if I could make a cardboard sign and stand on the road right beside the guy selling the Chronicle papers and ask motorists for donations to help me get the paper online? Some kind of dichotomy in that, but I can't figure it out.
I have paid digital subsciption. Now I don't have to walk out front observed by neighbors in my old and shabby fur coat to get the paper. Thanks for the service. Cabis
I appreciate the cutting edge technology, and only the ignorant will fail to see the value in the minimal charges.
Having said that...I bet 20 bucks Mr. Morris wouldn't know an iPad from a maxi-pad...
I don't know about Mr. Morris and his skill with an iPad, but I'm still having trouble working my cordless phone at home.
I have said for a while that a reasonable fee to read the newspaper is only right. I don't expect it to be provided to me free, good grief. And remember it is all day, 24 hours, breaking news, 7 days, all the time news. And we can can have great discussions with our fellow citizens about current events.
I don't actually know what an ipad is. Apparently I don't need one.
A couple of things. Maybe down the road we can opt to not see the ads like a lot of for-pay sites? And, also down the road, there might be a way to set preferences for what we want to display. The "were you spotted" hangs up my computer and annoys me for example. I wasn't and I don't care to see who was.
But, all in all, I am happy with the Chronicle on line. It almost makes up for the sad day we lost the Herald. I loved the Herald.
When I consider how much of the paper I really read and see how many times my in-laws and mother have read through it in a short amount of time (15minutes or less), I don't see the value. Austin, I don't think this makes me ignorant either. There are plenty of free news sources out their that include our local news. Cadence, as this model evolves and print goes away you will see more ads and more pop ups, that is how they generate revenue. They don't really make money off of subscribers, but they do need viewer/readers to be able to sell advertising. I asked the question about ads because I pay for other sites that remove those ads when you pay and was told no, they would always be there. Just not worth it to me, everyone is trying to nickel and dime you to death.
Austin he knows what a Ipad is he has one. So does Will and all the VP's at Morris.
...which is why Will probably should have written the letter. Nothing serious about that observation...just a chuckle.
...and galaxy girl...the value is there for us who value the news and information. You want the same stuff...you just want it for free.
Subscribers alone certainly can't support the cost of printing and delivering the paper to the metro area...but they can certainly support an electronically delivered product. THIS is the breakthrough the newspaper business has been waiting for. If you eliminated the cost of physical distribution, RARE would be the news group not turning a profit.
love my paper edition! WHEN I GET IT IN TIME TO READ IT BEFORE WORK or in time to bring it to work with me.
otherwise it sits in my driveway telling everyone i'm not home! like today.
Not sure, but from the information that I read in this article, it sounds like Morris is pushing the iPad use because the advertisers will have more of a forum to brain-wash us with their ads..."Powerful and vivid ads with attached videos connect readers and advertisers in new ways.". Now, doesn't that sound like it'd be more attractive to the advertisers than the readers?? Personally, I haven't bit the bullet yet and paid for the online subscription to go along with my "hard-copy" editions, but I might. But first, I might also check out the alternative sites that'll provide the local news I'm looking for.
$2.95 for a subscriber, or $6.95 for a non-subscriber. Pretty cheap.
It cost money to run the operation and less than 25 cents is pretty reasonable for those who want the information. If you can live without it, don't subscribe.
No, I don't work for the paper, but I'm glad that Morris Communications provides for hundreds of jobs here in the CSRA, as well as the many charitable efforts by the owner.
I think we should be thankful that Mr. Morris doesn't take some of the "pot-shots" personally as he could easily take his core operations to a city that would better appreciate his efforts.
Please print a list of this so called "premium content".
Just installed the app. It's much better than I expected. There are a few issues - such as linked multimedia content on the frontpage of Sunday's issue, but otherwise this is a really nice first crack.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
