Read this piece about the move from The Washington Post to its new headquarters at 1301 K Street, NW last week, and you will see that the Post continues to charter into interesting territory at a much faster pace than so many other newspapers. Whether this is a direct result of its new owner, Jeff Bezos, is anyone's guess, but the proof is in how quickly the Post is turning its operation around, including a remarkable 78% rise in digital readership over the past year. Add to that the fact that some 40% of those readers are in the 18-35 age bracket.
From what I read, the new Post building should be the place to visit for those taking a look at what the newsroom of the future should be. The new facilities include the type of environment where there is more than reporters typing stories into their computers. Here is a visual way to show that audio, video and live coverage are part of the modern newsroom.
While I have not yet visited the Post's new building (would love to), here are some highlights of it that I think are worth noting:
--The new newsroom features an advanced 24/7 newsroom, where tech and journalists will work seamlessly together in an open, two-floor space designed to encourage greater collaboration. It includes a 24/7 hub that accommodates more than 20 people, and it is ringed by more than 20 monitors showing Post video, major news channels and Post metrics
--The new newsroom includes video studios, audio booths and plenty of screens. "The company says reporters and editors are joined by embedded videographers, photographers, designers, engineers and social media editors. "
--The newsroom also features 4 liveshots – a newsroom set and three additional cameras throughout the two floors. Reporters can also conduct radio interviews in one of two radio studios, in addition to a sound recording booth. The Washington Post Live Center on the 4thfloor is the ideal location for high-end events, sit-down dinners, panel discussions and galas
Leaving the glorious past behind
From Publisher Fred Ryan:
"The Post has moved from a building that was designed five decades ago with the goal of supporting a great newspaper. History was made in that building. Today, we are operating in new headquarters for an enterprise that has evolved to become a media and technology company."
From Owner Jeff Bezos (who passed on the opportunity to buy the old Washington Post building):
“There was a lot of nostalgia and history in that place, but it was better to move…. Too much glamorizing of the past can be paralyzing.”
