How Newspapers Could Have Saved Themselves and How Some Still Can
Researchers at a Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute conference have identified a variety of innovative tools and perspectives to help newspapers position themselves to grow revenues and profits, adapt to online and digital venues, and cut costs in more fruitful ways.
Esther Thorson, director of research at the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri, convened the forum of newspaper executives and experts in news research. The purpose was to explore research designs aimed at solving the industry's urgent problems using advanced analytic tools with practical applications.
Stories
"Fee vs. Free: Demystifying the Economic Nature of Online Newspapers"
- Hsiang Iris Chyi, assistant professor, University of Texas at Austin
Read more about the "Fee vs. Free: Demystifying the Economic Nature of Online Newspapers" project »
"Just a Couple of Questions Before the Museum Closes"
- Frank Denton, editor, The Florida Times-Union / jacksonville.com,; vice president for Journalism, Morris Communications
Read more about the "Just a Couple of Questions Before the Museum Closes" project »
"Is The Sky Really Falling for Newspaper Companies?"
- Gary Kromer, former director of Research, Fort Worth Star-Telegram; past president, Newspaper Association of American Research Federation
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"Interactions Between Cost And Revenues Structures And The Challenges of Transitioning from Markets with Less Competition to Markets with More Competition"
- Hugh Martin, associate professor, Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Georgia
"Saving Newspapers: Ideas from Marketing"
- Murali Mantrala, Sam W. Walton Distinguished Professor of Marketing, University of Missouri
Read more about the "Saving Newspapers: Ideas from Marketing" project »
"What Philip Meyer's Influence Model Suggests Newspapers Should Do Right Now"
- Philip Meyer, Professor Emeritus, University of North Carolina
"Newspaper Budgeting and Allocating: An Econometric Approach"
- Shrihari (Hari) Sridhar, assistant professor, Michigan State University; Murali Mantrala, Sam W. Walton Distinguished Professor of Marketing, University of Missouri; Esther Thorson, associate dean for Graduate Studies and Research, Missouri School of Journalism
Read more about the "Newspaper Budgeting and Allocating: An Econometric Approach" project »
"It's the Economy Stupid . . . and the Technology, and the Audience, and the Advertisers, and . . . Solving Them All with No Time and No Money"
- Jim Smith, vice president of Research, Morris Communications
"E-Papers: Changing Markets, Changing Content"
- George Sylvie, associate professor, Journalism Department, University of Texas at Austin
Read more about the "E-Papers: Changing Markets, Changing Content" project »
"Are There Big Ideas That Can Save Newspapers?"
- Esther Thorson, associate dean the Graduate Studies and Research, Missouri School of Journalism
Read more about the "Are There Big Ideas That Can Save Newspapers?" project »
Forum Leader
Esther Thorson
Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research, Missouri School of Journalism
In addition to her role at MU, Esther Thorson serves as the director of research for the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute. Thorson has published more than 100 scholarly pieces on news effects and has headed grant and research contracts totaling nearly $3 million. She is the recipient of the American Advertising Federation’s Distinguished Advertising Education Award, the American Academy of Advertising’s Outstanding Contribution to Research Award and the Missouri Curator’s Award for Scholarly Excellence.