The Future of the Newspaper Industry - David Boardman of the Seattle Times (GNSEA)

July 16, 2009, 6:00pm

Summary:

For years people have been predicting the downfall of the newspaper business and for the most part newspapers have been able to survive because of their ability to adapt. Now more than ever newspapers need to find new and innovative ways to deliver their service to customers.

Detail:

With the recent closure of the Seattle Post Intelligencer the city of Seattle is now left with only one major newspaper publication, the Seattle Times.  Gen Next was proud to host Executive Editor of the Seattle Times David Boardman for a discussion on the viability of the entire newspaper industry.

At the recently opened El Gaucho Steakhouse in Bellevue, Boardman talked about the many papers around the country that are on the verge of bankruptcy including the NY Times and San Francisco Chronicle.  San Francisco might become one of the the first major US city’s not to have a major newspaper publication.

While the Seattle Times is not in danger of shutting its doors Members and guests were left with the impression that the newspaper business is in a state of flux. Newspaper subscriptions are down across the country and the once very profitable classified section has been replaced by the free service of Craigslist. Those in attendance expressed their growing interest in getting news online and as of right now very few newspapers have figured out a way to make online readership profitable.