Friday, April 17, 2009

Two dozen folks show up for AnnArbor.com

If attendance is any indication, there isn't a lot of interest so far in advising the start-up, Ann Arbor News replacement - AnnArbor.com.

Last night's forum drew 27 people interested in the new site. You can read the entire coverage at the Ann Arbor News.

There's also results from an online AnnArbor.com survey that drew 400 (including me once) responses. Right at the top of what people want in the new venture - breaking news coverage - there's a big duuuh.

They also want police and court coverage, local political and government coverage and pretty much everything they already get in their delivered at home version.

But yet, they are going to do a more "scientific" study. That is what really bothers me about these new age bosses. They refuse to believe or accept that what people want, what they have always wanted in their newspapers (online or dead tree) is simply "news."

Sure, they don't mind the fluff and features that come with it, but what they really want is their daily fix for news, sports and business.

How's that Sudoku and Crossword puzzle going to work on the online version?

2 comments:

inky said...

So Tony Dearing will conduct scientific research to confirm that people want news on their news website ... wow, Bob Woodward doesn't have anything on this guy.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone truly think that the powers that be want any public input? They say they do...but in all honesty if what the public wants goes against what the management has deemed is in the best interest of the public (or themselves) they will do exactly as they want. It is shameful to ask peoples opinion and then completely ignore it, but then again, that is the Newhouse way!