CARBONEAR, N.L. — Changes are coming to The Compass, the newspaper and website based in Conception Bay North.
Regional president Lizzie Cramm announced last week that The Compass, which is owned by the Atlantic Canadian company SaltWire Network Inc., is adopting a new model of newspaper delivery.
Beginning with its July 4 edition, the Compass will shift from a subscription-based publication to a free, total market newspaper.
“This will achieve a significant increase in circulation,” Cramm said, “delivering the Compass into 10,000 households every single week.
“As the newspaper industry shifts,” she said, “we are evolving our own business model to focus on becoming more engaged with our communities and giving our journalists and our advertisers a chance to reach a much larger audience.”
The change will mean the closure of the Compass office on Water Street and, regrettably, the loss of one job at that location.
However, Cramm noted that editorial and advertising sales teams remain in place, continuing to cover the news and events in the area, and providing a strong advertising platform for local businesses.
“The closing of the physical location,” said Cramm, “is merely the result of changing technologies that allow our sales and editorial teams to be more mobile in our communities.”
The Compass will also continue to maintain its website (www.cbncompass.ca) and social media platforms to offer up news content and provide a means for the community to connect with the Compass sales and editorial staff.
She assured the Compass will maintain its high standards of journalism, and SaltWire Network Inc. remains committed to strong local coverage and editorial content.
“With this shift we will welcome more local content, providing space in The Compass for local groups and communities to share their messages with a wider audience.”
Just last week the Compass earned a Newspapers Atlantic Award for General Excellence, the latest of many accolades collected by the news team over the years.
SaltWire remains dedicated to strong journalism and coverage of local communities, said Cramm.
The editorial staff will be mobile, and will continue to be visible in the community as they cover local events and issues.
Overall, she said, it’s a positive move for this well-established local newspaper, a move that ensures the local community will continue to have a medium for local news and information.
“We’re spreading the community message, making sure your stories and your ads will be seen by more people.”
