Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Mondo Times editors    Boulder, Colorado USA

Posted at 1:33pm on Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette launched PG+, a members-only website, on September 1, 2009.

Sally Kalson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote this story:

"At 12:01 this morning, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette launched PG+, a members-only Web site with interactive features and exclusive content by Post-Gazette staffers above and beyond what the Post-Gazette already provides in its daily print and online versions.

PG+ will not replace post-gazette.com, which will continue to offer the same breaking news, features and multimedia content as always. Instead, it allows subscribers access to a new stream of exclusive blogs, videos, live chats and behind-the-scenes looks at the news of the day.

The new site, hosted by a team of PG bloggers, emphasizes user interaction, with commenting throughout the site. Members also will be able to create a social networking profile to keep the conversation going.

Content is being provided by some of the Post-Gazette's best-known personalities, including Ed Bouchette, Mackenzie Carpenter, Doug Oster, Reg Henry, Jack Kelly and Gene Collier.

Longtime Post-Gazette editor/producer Katy Buchanan is the site's editorial coordinator.

PG+ members also gain access to special Post-Gazette events, along with deals and discounts for sports, retail and entertainment venues.

The PG+ address is www.post-gazette.com/plus, which can now be accessed for an introductory tour.

The annual membership fee is $36, and monthly memberships are $3.99. For a limited time, those who sign up for an annual membership will receive a free copy of "Super Six," a book by the Post-Gazette chronicling the Steelers' most recent Super Bowl victory, a $14.95 value.

PG+ is not only new for the Post-Gazette; it's also a new, if not unique, approach to the online pay model for the news industry. Most news organizations that are contemplating charging for content are thinking of using "micro-charges," billing a small amount for clicks on individual stories. PG+, on the other hand, does not put any existing content behind a pay wall. Rather, it offers members access to a full array of all-new material while continuing the regular offerings as before."

The full story:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09244/994560-96.stm

Mondo Times editors    Boulder, Colorado USA

Posted at 12:06am on Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

Erich Schwartzel has been named business reporter at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Previously he was a correspondent and editorial assistant at The Boston Globe.

Eric Kallgren    Boulder, Colorado USA

Posted at 3:31pm on Thursday, February 12th, 2009

February 10, 2009: Editor & Publisher magazine reported that the top Pittsburgh and Philadelphia daily newspapers are sharing content:

"The Philadelphia Inquirer and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette have been quietly sharing content for nearly two weeks, exchanging daily budgets and trading even the most high-profile stories.

Inquirer Editor William Marimow and Post-Gazette Editor David Shribman confirmed that they have been swapping daily budgets since Jan. 29, the latest example of the ever-growing trend of newspapers with no common ownership or JOA trading news.

"We exchange budgets and except for the most highly-competitive stories, we will be sharing," said Marimow. "You will see more Pittsburgh Post-Gazette bylines and photos in the Inquirer."

Shribman said the sharing of content is not a major competitive issue because the papers are so far apart, about 300 miles from each other. The Post-Gazette, owned by Block Communications of Toledo, Ohio, and the Inquirer, owned by Philadelphia Media Holdings, are also the state's largest daily papers."