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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
So many experts have buried newspapers.. So many people have talked about how the newspaper is a dead vehicle.... But don't tell that to Clark Gilbert and Paul Edwards of Deseret News...
Deseret News is growing, in digital and print.. In fact, last year they were the second fastest growing newspaper in the country...The growth is dramatic for newspaper, in such a challenged industry. They recently launched a national edition of the paper as well as versions for Logan and St. George.
Editor Paul Edwards says Deseret News concentrates on one very basic idea — to speak on what matters to Utah families.... He thinks one of the big challenges newspapers in this country face is when newsrooms don't reflect values of the community — but that doesn't happen with Deseret News...
This is the paper that focuses on six issues that matter to Utah families — family, care for the poor, values in the media, financial responsibility, education and faith... For example, a major issue in the Legislature this year was children with autism...Deseret News looked at what it meant to people in the community, and their coverage focused on a specific example of a family with an autistic child. The response was outstanding.
They handle fast-breaking national news through the wires initially and have developed a national network of thousands of writers through Deseret Connect which gives capability for them to move fast to get additional insight and to flesh out what's happening.
The Deseret News formula for in-depth enterprise journalism and digital readership growth has attracted attention from other major newspapers across the nation.
Publisher Clark Gilbert says perspective, insight, context and analysis are all part of their formula for success.... You've got to be the best at what you do in a crowded and noisy media world...This makes Deseret News unique nationwide and has struck a chord with their readers... They want to be known for family the way the Washington Post is known for politics, and they're building a national reputation in these areas of focus that other news organizations may not be addressing.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Deseret News 55 N. 300 West Salt Lake City, UT 84110 801-237-2100; www.desnews.com
