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Topic: Memos Sent to Romenesko
Date/Time: 6/30/2005 6:59:12 PM
Title: Boston Globe editor announces Sidekick tabloid
Posted By: Jim Romenesko
 
Memo from Boston Globe editor Martin Baron

To all:

We'll be launching a new tabloid section on July 11 in an effort to make our paper more appealing to those who read us only occasionally.

Many of these readers know and respect our news coverage, but they especially value information that has practical benefit in their daily lives. And they look for some relief from the hard, more sober news coverage that they already expect from The Boston Globe.

Our hope is that these readers will buy our paper more often -- and stick with us, maybe buying us every day.

As we'll declare on its cover page, "Sidekick" will be the readers' "guide to a better day."

The section, to be published Monday through Saturday, will offer readers
daily tips on entertainment, shopping, dining, and anything people might do as a refreshing break from their ordinary routine. Sidekick also will have an enhanced guide to what's on television, accompanied by expanded primetime TV listings that include many cable channels that we currently do not publish.

No longer will readers have to search for the TV listings, comics, and puzzles that migrate from one section to the next under our current production system. They will all be collected in one section.

We'll be carrying additional comic strips, a popular new puzzle, and a
couple of poker columns.

In Sidekick, too, you will see the product of an intriguing collaboration
between Boston.com and the Globe. Among the most popular features on Boston.com are reader-submitted photos. Sidekick will publish the best of those photos every day. Also highly popular on Boston.com are reader message boards on everything from the hot news topic of the day to the best places to eat and shop. Selections from those comments will appear in Sidekick.

These features represent an effort on our part to incorporate the most
alluring interactive elements of the Web into the Boston Globe.

One new feature is going to require the help of all of you, and I urge you
to give every possible assistance to our Sidekick staff. We haven't settled on a name yet, but one column will invite readers to ask a question of the Globe's experts (meaning all of you). Questions like: Can you recommend some romantic dining spots? Where can I find high-quality, moderately priced furniture for a small apartment? What are the best places for having a drink at sunset?

In focus groups, readers have made clear they put high value on the advice of knowledgeable Globe staffers. We can capitalize on that, and the Sidekick staff and I will be looking to you for help. While contributing to this column should not take much time, department heads are being asked to make allowances for your efforts on behalf of Sidekick.

Finally, this is a good occasion to introduce those primarily responsible
for producing Sidekick: James Reed, who has written for Go!, Calendar, and Living, will be its editor. Tito Bottitta will be its designer. Tito first
distinguished himself here as an intern and quickly became someone we
couldn't do without. And Adrienne Lavidor-Berman will be spearheading our collaboration with Boston.com, where she works as a product manager.

Thanks in advance for helping them as they launch this major initiative.

Marty

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