The Anderson (S.C.) Independent-Mail last week debuted a new format that transformed the former broadsheet to a size slightly larger than a tab but smaller than a Berliner.

The result, a paper 15.5 inches high and 11.5 inches wide, is made possible by running a 31-inch wide web on its Goss International Corp. singlewide Urbanite press and then folding it in half, said Jim Lasley, vice president of operations. The paper formerly measured 21.75 inches high by 11.5 inches wide.

“The rationale in making the conversion was reducing newsprint,” he said, adding that the Independent-Mail hopes to realize as much as $400,000 in savings from making the move.

The modification also boosted color placement, allowing the Independent-Mail to produce color throughout its 32-page press run.

A pull-out sports section lets readers separate the section from the rest of the paper.

 

Look for more information on the Independent-Mail’s new format in the June issue of Newspapers & Technology.

Circulation continues to tumble

The average paid circulation for U.S. newspapers continued its steady decline, according to statistics released today by the Audit Bureau of Circulations.

ABC’s Fas-Fax, covering the six-month period ended March 31, found circ falling by more than 3 percent daily and 4 percent Sunday, Reuters said.

There were some bright spots, albeit minor. Both USA Today and the Wall Street Journal’s circ grew, by 0.27 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively, to 2.28 million and just over 2 million, ABC said.

But the nation’s other top papers all reported declines, with the New York Times losing almost 4 percent of its daily readers, to 1,077,256, and the Los Angeles Times dropping 5 percent, to 773,884.

The (New York) Daily News’ circ fell 2.1 percent, to 703,137. Its archrival New York Post lost 3.1 percent of its readers, to 702,488.

The biggest loser was The Dallas Morning News, which shed more than 10 percent of its circ, to 368,313.

Meantime, the second installment of Audience Fax, also released today, had equally sobering news. The joint initiative from ABC, Scarborough Research and the Newspaper Association of America, wasn’t accompanied by as much fanfare as its initial release last November.

The report indicated that the combined print and online reach of some newspapers has leveled off and that in some cases, penetration has declined.

The Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle, for example, the newspaper that boasted the highest penetration within its DMA, registered an 80.5 percent reach, according to today’s Audience Fax, down from the 83 percent penetration it notched last November.

Look for more information about Audience Fax and Fas-Fax in the June issue.

Utica step closer to new plant?

The Observer-Dispatch in Utica, N.Y., is evaluating whether or not to build a new production facility, according to a publisher’s column posted on the paper’s Web site April 26. “We’re … reviewing architects’ proposals to explore the possibility of a new production facility,” wrote President and Publisher Donna M. Donovan. Donovan told Newspapers & Technology that the GateHouse Media Inc.-owned daily wasn’t ready yet to provide any details, and that planning is still in the very early stages.

GateHouse purchased the Observer-Dispatch from Gannett Co. Inc. last year. The paper is one of a handful in the United States still being produced on a letterpress press.

Union-Tribune launches community site

The San Diego Union-Tribune rolled out a community journalism Web site that lets users post stories, photos and videos.

The site, sdBackyard.com, will be complemented by weekly printed publications beginning in June, the paper said.

The Union-Tribune is using software from Austin, Texas-based Small World Labs to create and manage the site.

“sdBackyard.com embraces the growing trends of user-generated content, social networking, citizen journalism and social media by giving users the tools to create and share content online, with the added benefit of reverse publishing some content into a print product,” said George Bonaros, The Union-Tribune’s marketing director.

The first print zone will cover the communities of Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, Poway and Scripps Ranch. Other printed editions will follow later in the year.

AP partners with Verve for mobile initiative

The Associated Press chose Verve Wireless Inc. to provide the technology for its forthcoming AP Mobile News Network, the advertising-supported, multimedia news service tailored to smart phone users.

MNN, set to debut this quarter, provides mobile users with a single point of access to local, national and international news. It's the first product released by AP's Digital Cooperative, an initiative designed to find new digital outlets for the news and information produced by its members.

Financial Times adds Middle East edition

The Financial Times will launch a Middle East edition tomorrow in a bid to serve growing demand for business news in the Gulf states and other parts of the region, the publisher said.

The paper, which will be FT’s fifth edition, is part of Pearson PLC's international expansion strategy for the Times.

“We have identified a strong and growing demand for high quality, global independent news and analysis across the Gulf region," said FT Editor Lionel Barber. "This demand reflects how the Gulf has quickly become a financial and business powerhouse and our new edition will cement the region’s place in the global economy.”

The editorial staff for the English-language edition will be based in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. The paper will be produced in London and printed in Dubai.

FT publishes editions in Britain, Asia, the United States and continental Europe. The publisher is also launching a Chinese-language magazine this year.

PrintCity releases resource book

The PrintCity Alliance released its Value Added Printing of Newspapers Resource Book, detailing results of the group’s VAPoN study that concluded this year.

PrintCity members MAN Roland, Sun Chemical, UPM, Megtec, Eltex, MacDermid and Oce participated in the VAPoN study, which began in 2006. The research examined economic, production and operational factors involved in value-added newspaper production, including the use of specialty inks and paper.

Those interested can obtain a free copy of the guide by e-mailing a request to webline@printcity.de.

In Brief

Graphic Web Systems said it is supplying a reconditioned MAN Roland MediaMAN press to Egyptian newspaper publisher Al Masry Al Youm. The press will be in operation later this summer.

www.gws.nl

Segre newspaper in Lleida, Spain, said it will launch a digital edition in July or August, choosing Protec’s Milemium E-Paper app.

The app, which works within Milenium, allows journalists to decide whether content is to be published in print, Web, e-paper format, or all three.

www.protec.es

The Enid (Okla.) News & Eagle signed on with Legacy.com, becoming the 650^th affiliate newspaper to use the online obituary company’s services.

www.legacy.com