Archant is preparing to begin an overhaul of more its regional newspaper web sites that will introduce localisation features based on geotagging.
The company will begin rolling out its updated web sites in May 2008 and plans to have more than 100 sites relaunched within three months. The first websites to be launched will be the West Suffolk Mercury and the Evening Star in Ipswich.
In addition to improved audio, video and interactive functions, the new sites will introduce a geotagging system that will allow users to priortise content by geography and subject.
The Norwich-based group’s strategy has been to develop ‘channel-neutral’brands across print and online.
Archant will be working with content management software from SDL Tridion and web technology and design firm Amaze as it begins revamping the titles in its portfolio.
The SDL Tridion CMS will be the basic editorial system for Archant’s papers both in print and online. Existing editorial staff will be responsible for uploading and updating all content.
Ian Davies, director of business development at Archant, said: ‘Our aim is to provide more content, greater user accessibility and interactivity and greater depth to the content that we do provide. We want to have a much higher level of consumer engagement and be able to provide blogs, feedback forums and videos – all the functionality people demand from a Web site today.”
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