Looking forward to the future of journalism

Hearst execs meet with Express-News staff, discuss future of news biz

Hearst meeting in San Antonio

I had the day off today, but with all the tweets coming out of an Express-News staff meeting this morning, it almost felt like I was there.

Executives from Hearst Corp., which owns the San Antonio Express-News, met with staff and answered questions about the future of the paper. Here’s an outline of what was said, courtesy of Storify:

Storify by
John Tedesco
7 years ago

Hearst execs visit the San Antonio Express-News, discuss future of journalism

Interesting questions and answers today at an Express-News staff meeting with our corporate overlords from Hearst , Frank Bennack and Steve Swartz.

Several journalists tweeted the conversation. Among the highlights: Express-News readers with a 7-day subscription will get free access to an iPad app., and the Express-News could consolidate copy desks with the Houston Chronicle.

  1. Nice to see everyone in there Sunday best. At town hall w/ Hearst Execs…you can hear a pin drop…
  2. @EvaRuth Pre-pin drop, at Express-News town hall mtg.  http://twitpic.com/3g6ey8

    @EvaRuth Pre-pin drop, at Express-News town hall mtg. twitpic.com/3g6ey8

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    7 years ago

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  3. at the Hearst meeting: No icebergs in sight

    7 years ago

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  4. @richardcoliver is already snoring. you can hear it all over the room. props to the bldg for great acoustics
  5. Hearst CEO Frank Bennack in San Antonio today: 2009 difficult for newspapers but prompted changes in business model.
  6. Bennack: The role newspapers play in society and commerce is an indispensable role.
  7. Hearst Execs say we have a chance in 2011 to grow profits once again. #optimistic
  8. This qtr, Netflix delivered more content via web than anything else. “we’re reaching a tipping pt” to deliver products digitally, Swartz sez
  9. Steve Swartz: Two versions of Express-News on future IPad app: classic & premium versions.
  10. “we remain, as ever, fully committed to print” and giving readers digital choice too. Swartz talking a lot abt cross marketing (bundles)
  11. Hey 7-day print EN subscribers, you’ll automatically get premium iPad version of paper. -Steve Swartz, Hearst newspapers prez

    7 years ago

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  12. EN Reporter Colin McDonald asks how will the way journalists work/longform journalism be affected by iPad/digital focus #GoodQuestion

    7 years ago

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  13. The bigger the screen, the bigger the attention span. Hearst’s Steve Swartz says tablet favors long-form & investigative journalism.
  14. Steve Swartz, Hearst newspaper prez, says people don’t go to website for long journalism. They go for quick hits.

    7 years ago

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  15. Sooo…are we gonna get raises again? E-N pub says not yet. “we don’t want to act on suspected growth” but the future is bright.
  16. EN reporter J.MacCormack asks about our 2-year wage freeze. Publisher says he can’t promise change in 2011; we’ve had less cuts than others
  17. Swartz: “there’s gonna be more innovation” but still cover breaking news, investigative stories, etc. Content remains mostly local decision

    7 years ago

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  18. Hearst newspaper prez Swartz: Express News & Houston Chron are nowhere near as profitable as they once were; SF Chron is “not profitable”
  19. @SAEN_Photo asks important question about why put all this focus on iPad/visual mediums, but yet not put as much focus on photos/multimedia
  20. It’s still looming RT @EvaRuth: Hou/SA copy desk consolidation won’t happen at least until 2012 because of capital, Hearst execs say.
  21. Sums the meeting up RT @etij: Hearst execs: The worst seems to be over and we’re hoping for growth in 2011. No layoffs, but no raises, yet
  22. Hearst mtg over. Execs have to go to community lunch. Great questions #optimistic