UK: Piers Morgan launches children’s newspaper
Posted by Diana Epstein on May 2, 2006 at 12:26 PM
Launching a children’s tabloid called First News, Piers Morgan is hoping to attract young new readers and help regenerate the press industry and create a new audience for print.
First News, aimed at children ages 9 to 12, will be a 24-page tabloid intended to be an "authentic primer for grown-up papers, combining fun and games with concise explanations of issues such as global warming and terrorism,” said The Independent.
"This has never been done before, and it's a really clever idea. It wasn't mine but I think it's a good idea," said Morgan.
The paper will also feature celebrity columnists like Jamie Oliver, who will write on food, suggesting easy recipes for children. Other celebrities include Sir Richard Branson to encourage tomorrow's entrepreneurs and David Beckham will contribute to the sports pages.
"Almost every single person we've spoken to has said yes," Morgan says. "Everyone says immediately, 'What a great idea.' It's obviously also a massively safe and appealing environment for celebrities, public figures and advertisers to appear in."
Morgan also hopes to pick up readers of the cartoon strips especially those of the Funday Times section of The Sunday Times.
"This is a very good thing for the industry. If we can persuade people of nine, 10, 11, 12 to get into the habit of buying a newspaper that has to be good for the health of the industry when we all know there's a massive problem in getting young people to buy newspapers. It's got to be good for further sales of newspapers, it has to be."
Associated Newspapers has agreed to distribute First News, although it will have no editorial involvement.
Source: The Independent [Through the Ifra Executive News Service]
"This has never been done before, and it's a really clever idea. It wasn't mine but I think it's a good idea," said Morgan.
The paper will also feature celebrity columnists like Jamie Oliver, who will write on food, suggesting easy recipes for children. Other celebrities include Sir Richard Branson to encourage tomorrow's entrepreneurs and David Beckham will contribute to the sports pages.
"Almost every single person we've spoken to has said yes," Morgan says. "Everyone says immediately, 'What a great idea.' It's obviously also a massively safe and appealing environment for celebrities, public figures and advertisers to appear in."
Morgan also hopes to pick up readers of the cartoon strips especially those of the Funday Times section of The Sunday Times.
The paper will mostly be funded by sales revenue, with Google already taking out a full page ad.
"The biggest challenge facing newspapers is how you properly integrate print and online versions. We believe the two have to work hand-in-hand and promote each other. But the actual fun for kids will be to have their own newspaper.""This is a very good thing for the industry. If we can persuade people of nine, 10, 11, 12 to get into the habit of buying a newspaper that has to be good for the health of the industry when we all know there's a massive problem in getting young people to buy newspapers. It's got to be good for further sales of newspapers, it has to be."
Associated Newspapers has agreed to distribute First News, although it will have no editorial involvement.
Source: The Independent [Through the Ifra Executive News Service]
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Hi,
I've just been listening to Piers Morgan on Morning TV talking about the launch of First News. I think its a fantastic idea to aim factual information at the age group advertised. I see that there are numerous celebrities contributing by way of writing columns; I would like to know if you have anyone writing a column in which readers can write to re: issues, difficulties they are experiencing, etc.with a view to replying to them. I have 3 children of my own, a 16 year old daughter & 10 year old twins, who do read the sports pages of my newspaper. I finished working for Social Services in March 06' and am also an NLP Master Practitioner trained by Paul McKenna and Dr Richard Bandler (creator of NLP).My role as S/S involved working closely with children aged 8-16 who presented challenging & difficult behaviour and required me to build rapport & trust to work with them to find a solution to their 'issues'. I also worked closely with their parents in order to co-ordinate the whole process. I am currently writing a book titled 'How to Guide Your Teenager Through Difficult Times- Successfully'. A book in which parents & Young People can use & refer to when/if difficulties arise in families. I would like to know if you have anyone writing a column in which Young People & parents alike can write to for advice or problem solving 'tips'. I have a vast knowledge of working with Young People & have certificates of training courses attended whilst employed by S/Services coupled with being a n NLP Master Practitioner, which focuses on how to communicate effectively, rapport building, getting rid of unwanted behaviours etc. I would gladly write a column free for a months period (to moniter response) with the view to it being successful.
I would like to ask a question to piers please, he says the kids news paper was not his idea but its a good one. Well whos idea was it then?
Can children write articles in the paper. If they can, I would be very interested?
Can anyone tell me where to buy it? I've looked in shops in south and central London, but there's no sign of it.
I volunteer and used to be a member at a young persons charity that promotes and encourages young people to write articles, create radio broadcasts and film documentaries and short films. This organisation has been in operation for the past ten or so years, originally steming from New York then to London, Blackburn, Plymouth, Newcastle, Sheffield, Belfast and newly created Derry, plus we have offices in Tokyo. It would be advisable to have a young persons for young people column. Either hard-hitting or light-hearted to express how we feel about the society around us.
Get your facts right Morgan! It HAS been done before - very sucessfully:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Children's_Newspaper
I want to contact Daily Mirror Editor Piers Morgan. because I also am publishing children's newspaper in my country. Thank you for your cooperation.