Area business publication MiBiz moves to paid subscription, enhances news coverage
Grand Rapids, Mich. (PRWEB) December 03, 2015 -- After 28 years as a free publication, regional business newspaper MiBiz will begin charging an annual subscription fee in 2016 to help fund the growth of its news and advertising operations.
The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based business fortnightly said it plans to invest in expanded editorial coverage, as well as new digital products, reader events and marketing programs that will benefit readers and advertisers. MiBiz, which is mailed to 10,400 business readers every other week, will begin charging an annual subscription fee of $59 in January 2016.
As part of the move to paid circulation, MiBiz plans to reduce the amount of free content it shares on its MiBiz.com website. Instead, MiBiz intends to give subscribers “ahead of the curve” access to breaking news and in-depth reporting, analysis and data on the industry sectors that drive the West Michigan region’s economy. The publication also plans to launch an upgraded website in 2016 that will provide subscribers with exclusive access to a variety of proprietary databases and business intelligence tools.
“Our goal is to be a subscriber-first publication,” MiBiz Publisher Brian Edwards said. “We intend to give our paid subscribers an edge by providing them valuable business information ahead of the curve as well as exclusive research and data they won’t find elsewhere.”
Edwards said MiBiz plans to expand its editorial staff and research capabilities so it can offer subscribers:
- More in-depth reporting, analysis and data on the industry sectors driving the region’s economy.
- Expanded business coverage in Southwest and Central Michigan, including Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, St. - Joseph, Lansing, Jackson and the Greater Tri-Cities area (i.e., Flint, Saginaw, Bay City).
- Increased coverage and analysis of local, state and federal government policy that impacts the business sector.
- Exclusive “ahead of the curve” access to breaking news and analysis.
- Exclusive subscriber-only access to our database listings of companies, real estate developments, M&A activity, capital formation and more.
- Special subscriber-only networking and best practices events.
MiBiz also plans to accelerate development of a comprehensive business intelligence website that will provide subscribers with proprietary news, data and information on the region’s businesses and economy. The new site will launch in late 2016, though features of it will become available beginning in the first quarter of the year.
The investments in expanded editorial, business intelligence and programs for advertisers will help the company drive additional circulation of its print newspaper as well as its digital properties, Edwards said. The publication’s goal is to double its print circulation to 20,000 subscribers by 2018. The company also intends to significantly increase the reach and engagement of its digital properties, including the MiBiz.com website, targeted e-newsletters, social media sites and business intelligence site.
“We have made considerable investments since we acquired MiBiz in 2011,” Edwards said. “Now, we are asking readers to help us take things to the next level with broader, deeper editorial coverage and expanded business intelligence that will help them make money, save money or find money to grow their business.”
About MiBiz
Since 1988, MiBiz has been the West Michigan region’s source for business news and intelligence. The publication reaches more than 75,000 business readers each month, including the region’s C-suite executives, business owners, professional advisers and policy makers. For more information or to subscribe, visit http://www.mibiz.com.
MiBiz is a division of Revue Holding Company Inc., a Grand Rapids-based media and consulting firm. The company also owns Revue West Michigan, a monthly entertainment guide, and Engine, a consulting firm that provides web development, digital strategy and marketing communications. For more information, visit http://www.revueholding.com.
Matthew Gryczan, Engine, +1 (616) 916-8158, [email protected]
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