The South London Press is launching its new masthead with this week’s edition.

The new-look banner sees the word ‘Press’ relegated to the end of the title to give ‘South London’ a greater and bolder emphasis to the eye.

Editor Hannah Walker said: “We’ve gone onto the newsstands with our new masthead which puts the emphasis firmly on to south London.

“This launches a whole new era for the paper and we’re looking forward to a great year ensuring we shout out more than ever about things that matter on our patch.

“Things are moving on fast and we’ve been looking at our website development because that’s next for a big change.

“We haven’t developed the complete look yet and we’re still testing what we can and can’t do but everyone has loads of ideas so it’s exciting stuff.”

Out with the old…..

…..and in with the new

Comments

Ron Dereks (07/03/2008 10:41:07)
I think that Hannah Walker seems to have missed the point. It is my understanding that this is her second masthead change since she joined the paper.
Isn’t the fact that the paper is based in South London reason enough for the paper to focus on the local community?
The company must have spent a fortune when it did away with the italic masthead, now they are wasting even more money which could be spent… perhaps on their staff?

Paul Lagan (07/03/2008 11:37:52)
I think an editor has the right to decide the best way forward for their newspaper.
The two new mastsheads reflect the bi-weekly nature of the paper and will, hopefully allow readers to realise that a new paper is on the stands during the week.
I think it’s innovative and reflects the company’s understanding of it’s marketplace and its a real attempt to increase circulation.
Many locals refer to the paper as the ‘South London’ so the reduction in the Press type simply reflects this.

If it takes many more changes to give readers the newspaper they want, then so be it.
It’s better to do things to improve the paper than to sit back and be critical of them.

Ron Dereks (07/03/2008 13:27:36)
Paul makes some fair points, yes of course it is the right of every editor to do what they believe to be the best way forward for their paper – that’s their job.
Indeed having the two different mastheads to refelect a seperate identity for the midweek and weekend editions is something I am surprised wasn’t previously tried.
And I have heard that many locals do refer to the paper as the South London.
My point is that I do not believe that simply changing the look of a paper will make up for shortfalls in the content. I do not doubt that with the new look you will see an increase in sales, but if you don’t back it up by improved content then the newly acquired readers are unlikely to stay faithful.

Paul Lagan (07/03/2008 15:35:52)
Ron,
Thanks for the kind words regarding my post.
In regard to the content of the paper and your belief that the content comes up short, all I would say is discuss this direct with the editor or news editor.
Any progerssive newsdesk welcomes the input of informed readers and your concerns/values would no doubt be taken on board.
Surely what all people want – journalists and readers alike is a newpaper that reflects the area it operates in.
That way it’s a win/win situation (apologies for the 1990s expression).
The masthead changes, I’m sure, are just a part of a raft of changes which the editor noted in her original piece.
Let’s all buy the paper and see for ourselves.