Consolidated Editing Centers

Why Centralize? To preserve and

strengthen news gathering resources, we needed to find efficiencies in how we created news pages

Allows maximum story and page flow with a larger talent pool of copy editors and page designers

Why Centralize, 2

Produce pages once for multiple newspapers Be more nimble in reacting to publication

cycles Ensure consistent design standards Eliminate redundant functions Outsource solution for non-MG print

products

Guiding Principles

Story play decisions are made at the local level.

The philosophy of each newspaper, on page A1 and section fronts, remains a local decision.

Communication between editors at the local paper and the editing center is crucial and is everyone’s responsibility.

Every story will get at least one line edit at the home newsroom, one copy edit and one proof edit at the CEC.

Local editors will have access to and final approval of all pages.

Media General StructureThree CECs – Hickory, Lynchburg and the metro

virtual center (Richmond & Tampa)Community newspapers are edited in Hickory or

LynchburgMetro newspapers are virtual edited between

Richmond and TampaLeaders at each center have specific

responsibilities for a group of newspapers or for special content areas, i.e., sports, features

The managing editors report to the Vice President, Content

What We’ve Learned

“Forcing us to reconsider how we do things and it seems to be working.”

“Editors who found no common ground with their peers are actively seeking to share and collaborate on content.”

“Newsrooms have freed up time for more content generation.”

“Ideas spread quickly across the CEC. Designers are learning by watching others.”

What We’ve Learned

“Forcing us to reconsider how we do things and it seems to be working.”

“Editors who found no common ground with their peers are actively seeking to share and collaborate on content.”

“Newsrooms have freed up time for more content generation.”

“Ideas spread quickly across the CEC. Designers are learning by watching others.”