The Daily Press implemented MoD 2.0 to focus resources on local reporting by outsourcing production of non-local content to Chicago. MoD now delivers 80% of pages directly to the press room, allowing the Daily Press to reduce copy desk and design roles while strengthening local breaking news coverage. Reader reaction identified areas for adjustment, such as restoring syndicated content and modifying business reporting, while costs savings were achieved without subscription cancellations tied to the changes.

1. MoD 2.0 at the Daily Press
Reversing the newsroom equation:
Moving production to Chicago adds
up to deeper savings

2. The philosophy
• Shifting decision-making on non-local content
allows Daily Press to focus on local content
• Non-local news, features and sports are
delivered at a high quality but low cost
• Daily Press strengthens its viability as a vibrant
voice and aggressive watchdog

3. How it works
• Media on Demand produces all non-local
pages
• MoD delivers 80 percent of all pages directly
to the Newport News press room
• Daily Press editors employ templates for most
local content
• Fluid local pages remain in sole control of
Newport News newsroom.

6. The content
• Local news dominates Page One and the first
part of the A section
• Nation & World news expands slightly, in
keeping with tested reader preferences
• Features and Sports pages become primarily
non-local Monday through Thursday
• Sunday is home to intensely local Features and
Sports components

24. Reader reaction
• Decrease in local Sports coverage felt most
profoundly—and addressed
• Syndicated material—Bridge and Car Talk,
e.g.,--restored to address complaints
• Complaints about minor structural changes,
such as moving weather
• MoD adjusting some material, e.g., Food
• No cancellations tied directly to MoD 2.0

25. Costs/Benefits
• Daily Press reduces copy desk, design and
some supervisory resources
• Local content gathering remains strong
• Some Daily Press reporting resources are
redirected to local breaking news
• Chicago Tribune provides all MOD content and
production work

26. Current initiatives/Next steps
• Aligning MoD Business report for DP, others
• Transferring all Business agate to MoD
• Reshaping ad stacks where possible to create
new modular editorial shapes
• Training new MoD/DP team members
• Adjusting MoD report to serve DP reader
tastes

27. Lessons learned
• Sitting in customer’s chair gives new
perspective
• Scheduling, messaging and delivery
undergoing standardization, improvement
• Small changes pay big dividends
• One size does not fit all … but it comes close