Le Monde announces design overhaul

Posted by Helena Deards on January 22, 2009 at 2:40 PM

Le Monde announced yesterday that its readers will be seeing a different kind of paper as of Monday, due to its redesign. The French daily has been battling dropping circulation figures (sales were down 5.3% January to November 2008 compared to the previous year) and as a result is overhauling its layout.

Deputy editor Laurent Greilsamer said that the publication would be remaining in line with its 2005 revamp and that its two fundamental principals would not change, 'We give the essential news and we emphasise the most useful analyses and surveys'. However what will change is based around a need to embrace technology and readers needs.

Source : Le Monde

The monde.fr team will be working much more closely with the daily newspaper team, in an effort to maximise the effect of the two sides to publication. With regard to format, the changes will be largely within the paper, with photos and graphics playing a larger role - although Le Monde will still be structured in its traditional three parts.

The paper is also now catering more towards the needs of its readers, who it believes are increasingly busy during the week and dedicate more of their time at the weekend to leisurely browsing of the daily newspaper. As a result, the weekly papers will contain between 26 and 28 pages whilst its more in-depth weekend counterpart will boast 30.

By identifying its readers' lifestyle patterns and requirements, Le Monde is making a conscious effort to boost its flagging readership. The new look publication will be on sale from Monday, and its success will be seen in the movement of its sales figures over the coming months.