Multimedia push, strong news content, seen as boosting The Canadian Press
- A strong focus on multimedia and exclusive online content will boost The Canadian Press in coming years, as it positions itself to continue as a national leader in digital news delivery, president Eric Morrison said Friday.
The 91-year-old co-operative news agency, which began a push to produce online video and other new services a year and a half ago, said its members have responded well to the products - whether video, photographs, graphics or special report packages.
"We have about 20 clients for video and it's getting good uptakes," Morrison said after the company's annual meeting.
"There's quite a range of how people who use it manage to monetize it."
Phillip Crawley, publisher of The Globe and Mail and chairman of the The Canadian Press, said the newspaper was surprised at how quickly video traffic levels rose on its website after their introduction.
"It was new to us and we had no idea just how popular it was going to be," Crawley said.
"We learned very rapidly it was something our readers and users were happy to access, as long as we made it easy and convenient to be able to find on the site."
Going forward, Crawley said, "the question for a lot of newspapers is going to be: How content are we going to be using material that's available to everybody, or do we invest in creating unique content?"
"At the moment, using CP, CTV, AP, appears to be very acceptable and very popular for a lot of people."
The focus on video came alongside a rebranding effort launched by The Canadian Press last year. The company is also promoting its strong national news content and exclusive coverage, as well as robust lifestyle reporting.
Among the news agency's newer products are multimedia packages on popular culture trends, such as the ultimate fighting craze, that include electronic and print stories married with original video and digital images.
Last year, The Canadian Press officially lost the membership of media conglomerate CanWest Global Communications (TSX:CGS), one of its largest members. CanWest owns 10 major daily papers including the National Post, Ottawa Citizen, Calgary Herald and Vancouver Sun.
Morrison has said all along the company would thrive despite the loss and he reiterated Friday that The Canadian Press is surviving and growing.
"We just move ahead," he said after the meeting.
"We're doing a lot of interesting work, a lot of good work... (that's) going to add value for people, and that's the important thing."
The Canadian Press delivers comprehensive news reporting from Canada and around the world in multiple formats, serving newspapers, broadcasters, websites, wireless carriers, magazines, government and corporate clients.
Copyright © 2008 Investor's Business Daily, All Rights Reserved.
COMMENT ON THE STORY
Please note by clicking on "Post Comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator. Send us your feedback.
Canada Forum
