Dear Valued Subscriber:
Today marks a significant moment in the 162-year history of the Savannah Morning News.
Founded as the Daily Morning News on January 15, 1850, the Savannah Morning News has published nearly 60,000 editions chronicling the history of the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry.
The newspaper’s birth proceeded major historical events including the Civil War (began at Fort Sumter, S.C., in April 1861), the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, the assembly of the first Ford Model T in 1908 and the tragic sinking in the North Atlantic of the Titanic in 1912.
For our first 145 years, we focused on one information delivery platform – the printed newspaper. But, as media consumption has changed we have changed too. Today, we publish news and information all the time on many platforms – desktops, tablets, smartphones and on paper. We are constantly changing and growing to meet your needs.
We are also changing our core business model. As our loyal subscriber, you will benefit from the changes we are announcing today. Beginning immediately, you will receive several enhancements to your subscription to the Savannah Morning News as part of a package called All-Access Membership.
The improved package includes a modest price increase of 85 cents per week upon subscription renewal, however, the benefits of All Access Membership and other tangible added-value initiatives are designed to provide you with more value than ever before.
The All-Access Membership enhancements include:
· Unlimited and exclusive access to all of our premium digital content on all the delivery platforms we provide in addition to your ongoing print subscription including our popular iPad edition, e-edition for desktops and laptops, our new smartphone apps for iPhone and Android devices as well as savannahnow.com. And, up to four people in your household can activate access for the digital information delivery platforms.
· More news, commentary and pages in our Sunday newspaper including the expansion of Sunday Viewpoints and Opinion.
· More in-depth and investigative reporting on the issues most important to you, including your local government, public safety, the courts, the environment, area economic development and the continuing issues related to poverty.
· More coverage of local news and events chronicling the history and vitality of our community.
· The addition of a new Readers Rewards program where All-Access members can redeem valuable discounts and deals from over 50 local restaurants and other merchants, including Ruth’s Chris, Blowin’ Smoke BBQ, Blue Turtle Bistro and Belford’s just to name a few. Over time, we expect the Reader Rewards program to grow to include more and more of your favorites bringing more and more value to your membership.
We are changing, adapting and evolving.
Technology has greatly changed the information landscape with content conveniently found through many devices, channels and the touch of a button. And, news and information isn’t just found on the traditional content channels as social media plays a bigger role in our lives.
For us, the new digital economy has ignited an enormous period of change as we work to transform ourselves into a 21st century media company with advanced digital and print solutions. This change includes the acknowledgement that our heavy long-time reliance on advertising revenues to fund our journalism must be adjusted to include a larger share from our delivery platforms.
We are working to rapidly transform our organization to meet the digital challenge. And, we are doing this to meet your needs.
We have also been working with our staff to develop new skill sets to deliver information in more efficient and effective ways including the use of mobile devices for video and breaking news. All of this is an effort to delivery news and information to you faster and accurately.
We are the area’s top media company
The Savannah Morning News and its sister properties – digital and print – make us the top media company in the market.
· YOU have made us the #1 locally produced digital news and information website in the region with savannahnow.com. Our audience has grown by over 50 percent this year with page views reaching over 6.6 million in one month. We also have large followings on Facebook and Twitter where we also share information linked to savannahnow.com.
· The Savannah Morning News devotes the time and attention needed to address the most serious issues in our community, whether popular or not. If not for the reporting of the Savannah Morning News, the recent reporting on the management of the city of Savannah would not have been exposed. We broke the story and continue to be the lead reporting source on city government – period.
· We give generously to our community as the sponsor and supporter of many organizations. We believe it is our social responsibility to be involved and we do this with our time and our treasure. The list of organizations that we support is enormous and we are proud to be involved in our community and its causes.
All-Access Membership changes the paradigm
Today: Your home delivery print subscription will transform into an All Access Membership. We will no longer sell print only subscriptions.
You will have immediate access to all of our digital content and platforms along with print delivery. In the addition to the print newspaper, your membership will include:
· The e-newspaper edition: A digital replica of the daily newspaper viewable through an Internet browser on most computers. Review and read your newspaper on your laptop, desktop and have access to print out articles.
· Unfettered access to all content posted on savannahnow.com, the most comprehensive and the top locally produced digital news and information website in the market. Join in on conversations with our commenting feature and interact with us on our amazing databases, blogs, videos and commentaries.
· Access all the latest headlines and news stories on our brand new mobile platform either for the iPhone or Android or through our mobile Web site, all easily accessible on any smartphone. It’s news that’s portable and ready to go whenever or wherever you need it.
· Unlimited use of the Savannah Morning News iPad app, an enhanced newspaper embedded with interactive features and multimedia. Search and share stories on Facebook and more.
· Access to our upcoming apps as they are developed for new devices.
The price is going up, but it is worth it. Non-subscribers and non-members simply won’t get all the features and benefits of the All Access Membership program.
Activate Today!
You can start benefitting from the digital portion of your subscription/membership by registering at www.savannahnow.com/allaccess/activate. It’s simple, easy and required to get your account set up and ready to enjoy. There is also a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section there to help you with any questions you might have about the registration process or technical support. You can also reach our customer service representatives at 912-236-0271 or toll free in Georgia at 1-866-542-8331 or in South Carolina at 1-800-241-0029.
We look forward to serving your needs and we thank you for your support.
Michael C. Traynor, publisher, Savannah Morning News