US: Tierney unsure about digital paper

Posted by Jean Yves Chainon on October 15, 2007 at 11:29 AM

In an interview with Tactics PR, Brian Tierney, who heads the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News, gives his predictions about the future e-paper – which he doesn’t see as replacing the print edition anytime soon.

Since Tierney and his fellow investors acquired the papers last year, the Inquirer’s circulation has actually increased – for the first time since 2004. So what does the business man have to say about the future of the newspaper?

“I think that the printed product will be around 10 years from now. It may be that instead of being 50 cents a day, it’ll be $2.50 a day because I think the price of the product is very low,” said Tierney.

He doesn’t seem to believe in the craze about e-paper and digital alternatives to the print edition (Les Echos launched its e-paper subscription, predicted success of e-paper), primarily due to lack of practicality.

“The thought of someone holding a device with a 4-inch by 3-inch screen and reading a long editorial in The New York Times — I don’t see that happening,” said Tierney.

At least with those over 35 or 40 years of age, he adds. At the same time, Tierney is open to the possibility of e-paper, if it does turn out to be the success it is expected to be.

In the end, the “key for us is, in this market, to be the No. 1 source of news information.”

Source: Public Relations Society of America through Poynter Romenesko

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