In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, newspapers and publishers face a critical challenge. How can they adapt and thrive in an online content-dominated era? As readers turn to digital platforms, newspapers must find innovative ways to streamline their creative production processes while maintaining quality journalism.
The Shift to Digital
The advent of the internet has revolutionized news consumption. Traditional print newspapers now coexist with their digital counterparts, each vying for attention in a crowded marketplace. Media companies need to ensure consistency across platforms while optimizing for user experience. To navigate this transition, more and more publishers are outsourcing production.
Outsourcing Strategies
Outsourcing is a popular strategy for media companies and publishers looking to streamline their processes, reduce costs, and improve quality. In the digital era, outsourcing is an essential tool for newspapers and media companies looking to adapt to the changing landscape. It has a role to play in the following areas:
Design and Layout
- Engage designers to create appealing layouts for both print and digital formats.
- Outsource elements of creative production work such as print ad design, magazine layout, and editorials.
- Use an outsourcing provider for artwork and resizing.
- Use an outsourcing provider to help build ads.
At EKCS, publishers use MediaFerry SmartDesign, an automated ad builder tool that simplifies digital banner creation. It enables simultaneous changes to ad text, CTA, images, and logos across multiple ad sizes. This saves time and resources, and it streamlines campaign production to ensure brand consistency.
Digital Publishing Platforms
- Partner with tech-savvy companies to develop user-friendly websites and mobile apps.
- Invest in responsive design to cater to readers accessing content on various devices.
- Look at advertising options such as dynamic creative optimization (DCO) and eVouchering.
Social Media Management
- Outsource social media management to experts who understand audience engagement.
- Use X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram to promote articles and engage with readers.
- Look at social media-targeted advertising.
Data Analytics and SEO
- Collaborate with data analysts to track user behavior and preferences.
- Optimize content for search engines to improve visibility and reach.
- Get up-to-date reporting.
At EKCS, MediaFerry provides comprehensive campaign performance reports. This enables decision-makers to gain insights into the ROI of their ad campaigns. Tracking progress is easy, and reports can be shared with stakeholders. This all helps with transparency and informed decision-making.
Benefits of Outsourcing
Outsourcing production can streamline operations and reduce costs for newspapers. Benefits include:
Cost-Effectiveness
- Outsourcing enables newspapers and publishing companies to focus on core competencies while reducing operational costs.
- Access specialized skills and scale up and down work when needed.
Flexibility
- Adapt quickly to changing market demands by using external expertise that can work around the clock to deliver.
- Scale resources up or down based on project requirements.
Quality Control (QC) and Enhancement
- Partnering with experts ensures high-quality output.
- Streamlined processes lead to better content and improved reader satisfaction.
- Systems can be centralized for tracking, proofing, approvals, and management of creative campaigns and assets.
Real-life examples
US publishing powerhouse McClatchy was able to revolutionize their ad production and pre-flight workflow. By working with EKCS and MediaFerry, this integration improved the efficiency of their copy-chasing and approval processes. It also enhanced the delivery of final files, resulting in a more streamlined and productive workflow for the team.
Moving forward
As newspapers continue to navigate the digital era, creative production outsourcing is one strategic solution that media companies can take. By collaborating with skilled professionals, newspapers can maintain their journalistic integrity. And embrace the efficiencies and opportunities of the digital age.
With the offshore model, media companies and publishers can expand their operations. They can enhance flexibility and maintain exceptional quality standards. Discover how partnering with EKCS can empower your existing teams to streamline creative production and achieve optimal efficiency.
