Wind chill and bitter cold were the final hurdles this morning as The Printed Blog, an experiment in mixing old and new media, was unveiled to Chicago. Three 'El' stops on the city North and Northwest Sides were distribution points for the free issue web zine. Featuring a bondage photo in the top fold, a heavy paper stock and high quality color photo reproduction, the blog is denying its roots in the world of newspapers.
There are two photos in the Written Blog which could be journalism type news photos, the remainder being studio or posed photos. Even those two photos of election night in Chicago are outside the journalism tradition, as the event pictured is more than two months old. But what a great collection of photos. On the back page alone, eight photos. Again, this is not a product that is competing with newspapers for fresh news.
Two ads, each the size of two business cards decorate the first page. Twelve more ads in the remaining eight pages. And like a blog, the ads were placed between editorial copy in one case. This is a low ad ratio, but the effect of coming on an ad in the midst of the copy is pleasant. And again, what appears to be a full color run combined with the high quality printing is giving color advertisers good impact.
Arleta Pawlow distributes the first edition of the Printed Blog at the Southport Brown Line station. Temperatures in Chicago, 8 F. / By Patrick Kissane
Michelle Doellman, who was coordinating the distribution at the Southport Brown Line stop said the bitter cold was the biggest problem they were facing Tuesday. A student at Columbia University in journalism, she said she was excited by the opportunity to be on the Printed Blog's staff. “I've written some blogs myself and hope to submit some for inclusion in future editions,” she said. Doellman said the next issue of the print edition will be distributed on Tuesday next week. PDF versions of the issue will be available later today at the web site.
Brianna Wheeler approaches CTA customers with the first issue of the Printed Blog / By Patrick Kissane
Motto: Tagline would actually be nice here.
Discuss
LOU GRANT, 02-05-2009
Jeffery,
A couple of questions. First, my understanding is that there is a release from each person whose blog appears. The authors and photographers are submitting their material for consideration.
The second question relates to how we get our news. I don't know the answer to what the future could be.
Lou
JEFFERY MCNARY, 01-30-2009
Aren't there some legal issues around this? I approached these guys when they posted on craig's list. There was no follow-up. Wired magazine mentioned them, but there are unaddressed copywrite issues, yes?
And by the way, won't most folk who garnner their news via the net see this as a step backwards?
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