Independent returns to set business news agenda

Media statement
4 June, 2008

The Independent returns to set the business news agenda

Fairfax Media strengthens The Independent with business magazine flair and significant content change

There will be an obvious gap in the newsstands today as Fairfax Media prepares for the debut of its revitalised business paper, The Independent, which appears for the first time on Thursday, its new publishing day.

The Independent has undergone a transformation, retaining the edge and personality for which it is renowned and at the same time, evolving with the changing needs of the business world to deliver leading business content in a fresh, modern format.

Editor Nick Stride says there are significant aesthetic improvements to The Independent which has moved beyond the newspaper format of old, to a more modern appeal. “The changes to The Independent allow it to really pack the punch the business news market needs,” says Stride.

“Editorially, the Indy is stronger than ever and we’re determined to set the business agenda for the week with our content. Over three clear sections there will be a greater volume of news and opinion. We will have boosted editorial content in the News section, Investor Insight will cover key investment news and information, and The Agenda offers comment and analysis from our leading team of opinionated columnists. There will also be our continued focus on investigative journalism, breaking the important business stories including material from Jenni McManus.”

Jenni McManus, one of New Zealand’s pre-eminent business journalists is once again contributing to The Independent’s editorial team. Her return to writing for The Independent is part of her new role at Fairfax Business which sees her reporting and breaking business news across the range of Fairfax’s print and online business channels.

Stride says Jenni’s return to The Independent allows her to wield her proven investigative skills.

“Jenni’s great strength is her ability to focus on an issue and see it through to a conclusion with formidable energy. Her return will be welcome news to many of our core readers.”

Jenni McManus says it’s good to be returning to The Independent, and to the heart of its investigative roots.

“The Indy has always been a different beast to what is in the rest of the market, and being part of its new focus is certainly appealing.”

Stride says Jenni joins an impressive line up of new columnists such as Vernon Small, Political Editor of the Dominion Post, and David Hargreaves of Business Day.

“We still carry the much-revered opinion of Chris Trotter and our old mate Chalkie. There are some things you just don’t tamper with.”

David Gadd, Fairfax Managing Editor – Business, says The Independent will have a totally different look when it hits the newsstands tomorrow.

“One of the most successful business publications in the world is The Economist, and we’re responding to our own customer research which tells us there is a distinct lack of edge and personality in the business magazine market here.

“The front page will be dominated by a graphic relevant to the lead story inside the paper. Its purpose is to capture attention and reflect the agenda set by the editorial inside. Our review of The Independent is timely and allows us to take the successful elements of The Economist’s look and tailor it to the local market here. When you combine this with Nick Stride driving The Independent’s editorial direction, supported by the best bench of journalists in the country, I think our readers are going to respond well to the improvements made,” says Gadd.

The Independent is New Zealand’s fastest growing paper, and goes on sale tomorrow.

Ends

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