
Wow, was USA Today ever precient? When Gannett started publishing "The Nation's Newspaper" back in 1982, many in the journalistic community rolled their eyes. They could barely contain their contempt.
Yet, today, it's clear that USA Today was really setting the stage for the way most of us now get our news online.
Yet, today, it's clear that USA Today was really setting the stage for the way most of us now get our news online.
I read an issue while at a hotel this week. Here's just some of what USA Today does so well:
Numerous interesting and provocative photos and graphics
Colorful front and section pages
A front page "cover story" that tackles a unique (niche) issue
Lots of short stories that do not "jump" to another page
Table of contents on front page
Editorials that include an "opposing view"
Snippets of interesting information that get people talking and sharing (social)
Most surviving newspapers across the country have tried to copy USA Today's layout and strategy with varying degrees of success. Say what you want about shallow news coverage, the fact remains that USA Today was way ahead of its time.
How about you? How do you think USA Today has affected today's news coverage?
Numerous interesting and provocative photos and graphics
Colorful front and section pages
A front page "cover story" that tackles a unique (niche) issue
Lots of short stories that do not "jump" to another page
Table of contents on front page
Editorials that include an "opposing view"
Snippets of interesting information that get people talking and sharing (social)
Most surviving newspapers across the country have tried to copy USA Today's layout and strategy with varying degrees of success. Say what you want about shallow news coverage, the fact remains that USA Today was way ahead of its time.
How about you? How do you think USA Today has affected today's news coverage?