Our interest in Quartz has always been in how it tell stories, how it breaks away from traditional news allocation patterns, opting, instead, for “obsessions” as the main navigator.
We have been fans of Quartz---the innovative news provider---since its inception. As you may remember, we blogged about it here, stating that:
"Advertisers like Quartz. We do too, and so seem to be those users who like news that is presented in a non traditional way and in a clean, easy to follow design."
Now comes the news that Quartz, Atlantic Media’s digital global business news brand, has launched Quartz India, providing both both global and India-specific business news coverage and features targeted native advertising.
Not only is the approach to storytelling innovative, but the design of the site is also attractive and functional. And, how can one resist the fact that topics here become "defining obsessions"?
I talked to Emily Passer, director of communications, about the expansion into India:
Mario:
Why expand into India?
Emily:
There is a VERY large English speaking population in India and the number of internet users is growing rapidly in the region, with a growing focus on digital/mobile for consumption of news. In addition, Quartz has seen strong growth in readership in the region already and this launch is a first mover advantage for a digitally-native publication - local business publishers remain focused on print and pre-mobile display advertising - providing the opportunity to capture market shares as the platform shifts. We also recognize growing consumption of business news from India.
Mario:
What other countries is Quartz consider expanding into?
Emily:
We don't know, but we're constantly looking for new ways to explore and innovate at Quartz and expansion of our global coverage will certainly continue.
“We're deeply committed to providing sophisticated coverage of India to our readers there and around the world,” says Kevin J. Delaney, President and Editor-in-Chief of Quartz. “And we're very optimistic that through Quartz India, more Indian business people will come to value Quartz's creative, digital, visual, data-rich approach to covering the region and the global economy."
We will keep an eye on Quartz and how it continues to bring its innovative type of storytelling worldwide.
With 205 million internet users and more than one billion mobile phones, India offers tons of obsessions for Quartz to explore in its new venture.
Quartz and new career opportunities
Coincidentally, one of my top students at Columbia University's School of Journalism this Spring semester,
Devjyot Ghoshal, is currently working with Quartz as an editorial intern, working primarily with the Quartz India team.
I believe that Dev is especially prepared for this challenge, after completing his work at Columbia and excelling in my course, Multiplatform Design & Storytelling.
I was curious about the nature of his job at Quartz.
"My job is a mix of three functions. I write stories, both for Quartz India and Quartz (global), working with a team of editors and writers in New York and India. Along with this team, I also help ideate stories—across the range of formats that Quartz offers, with an emphasis on data wherever possible. And lastly, I assist with social media, primarily on Twitter, and currently also help curate Quartz India's Flipboard magazine."
What would make him and other recent graduates seek a job with a media outfit like Quartz?
"After working for over four years in India's profitable-but-staid newspapers, the ten months I spent at Columbia Journalism School pointed me a one direction: The future is high-quality online journalism based on a new (and evolving) business model.
Quartz, in that sense, is part of the future. Their journalism is refreshing and sharp, curated on a well-designed platform; and their business model, something we were encouraged to look into at Columbia, involves embracing the open web, keeping content free and building on innovative digital advertising.But the big trigger came in March, with the announcement of Quartz India, while I was running a small single-subject website on the Indian elections—The 545—with some classmates at Columbia J-School. At the 545, we were experimenting with story formats similar to Quartz, using a lot of data, charts, etc. and the response had been unexpectedly good.
Therefore, when I eventually got the chance to help with Quartz India, I jumped on it. As a journalist, I'm interested in India, sharp reporting that integrates data, clean design and learning from a team of talented editors and reporters. Quartz India has all that.
Of related interest
Why Quartz is launching an Indian edition
://www.journalism.co.uk/news/why-quartz-is-launching-an-indian-edition/s2/a556208/
Quartz is on to something: let’s pay attention
http://www.garciamedia.com/blog/quartz_is_on_to_something_lets_pay_attention
For more information:
Quartz is automatically accessible for users in India at http://qz.com, or at http://qz.com/india for readers outside the country.