Politico editor in chief John Harris sent out the following announcement on Thursday morning:
Team,
You have heard us, along with Robert Allbritton and Patrick Steel, talk consistently about POLITICO’s desire to take advantage of our growing global profile.
The latest example is being announced today. POLITICO Pro Canada is a response to vigorous interest we have heard on both sides of the border for journalism that illuminates the complex and consequential U.S.-Canada relationship and the vast cross-border economy. This new venture will have all the signatures of other Pro verticals: timely news, analysis, and intelligence on issues of vital importance to policy professionals.
In this case, growth builds on demonstrated success: We already have significant Canadian subscribers and our reputation in Ottawa, Toronto, and other centers of influence is strong. Our research interviews made clear this audience wants greater understanding of how the currents so dramatically buffeting U.S. politics and policy in recent years affect their interests. They also believe that the deeply informed journalism that is the essence of POLITICO can lead to greater understanding in the United States of Canadian perspectives.
A daily newsletter will report on key policy developments each day, giving succinct answers to the questions: What happened? What does it mean for Canada? What happens next?
We are attacking this new opportunity the way we always do — by enlisting the smartest people with the most passionate interest in the project. A large roster of people in the newsroom and across the business helped research and conceive this new offering, and our colleague Luiza Savage has played the indispensable role. A native of Canada, and a longtime writer for Toronto-based Maclean’s magazine before coming here, Luiza has long been trumpeting the possibilities for POLITICO with a Canadian audience. She is overseeing the launch as executive director of the Canada project.
Among her first moves was to recruit a powerful new voice to POLITICO. Alex Panetta is one of Canada’s most respected journalists, with extensive experience reporting in Washington from a Canadian perspective. He’s a veteran of the Canadian Press news service, fluent in French as well as English, and a regular presence on Canadian television and radio. He’ll be with us in the Washington newsroom soon, as will another reporter still to be hired for the Canada vertical. The news content of POLITICO Pro Canada will report up to Marty Kady, editorial director of POLITICO Pro.
Following the model that has been so successful in other parts of POLITICO, our Canada journalism will be supported by subscriptions, newsletter sponsorships, and a robust offering of events on the U.S.-Canada relationship.
The move to engage a Canadian audience makes sense on its own terms; It makes even more sense in context with the larger trajectory of POLITICO. One of our great advantages as this place charts its future is the ability to build editorial and business bridges connecting centers of influence around the world. Our strength in Europe reinforces our strength in Washington and the states, and vice versa. This same dynamic will play out regularly in other new arenas in the years ahead.
