The new, tabloid-size student newspaper was part of the effor to make a more reader-friendly product.
As part of the paper’s redesign, the Skiff shifted from a traditional broadsheet format to the more contemporary tabloid. The move to the tabloid was part of an effort to modernize the printed Skiff and create a more portable, easier-to-read product.
Robert Bohler, student publications director, said the changes are also driven by similar moves in the newspaper industry to develop more reader-friendly printed products.
“The student editorial, design and advertising staffs have been working extremely hard to develop the new strategies and to make the transition to the tab format,” he said.
The redesign of the printed Skiff was conducted by Schieffer School students and was advised by faculty member Broc Sears, who has led newspaper redesigns at several large metropolitan newspapers.
The changes to the printed Skiff and to DailySkiff.com were also shaped by research conducted by students in the Schieffer School of Journalism’s strategic communications program. “We’ve got several objectives with these changes,” Bohler said. “We’re wanting to get better reader penetration on campus by expanding the distribution and we think the tab format is going to make the paper more accessible to readers.”
The new Skiff will be available at almost 50 locations, many of which are new distribution points for the fall semester. The distribution was altered in response to feedback from focus groups, said Bitsy Faulk, the Skiff’s business manager. Image Magazine will also be distributed on the new racks. “The Skiff will now be easier to find in convenient locations on campus and in the surrounding community,” Faulk said.
University-area businesses where the Skiff will be available are:
- Potbelly’s
- Red Cactus
- Buffalo Brothers
- Dutch’s
- Einstein’s
- Bank of America
