Michael Curran, the publisher of the Ottawa Business Journal, writes about its strategy as it celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Curran writes, “It was a strategy to create tighter relationships with OBJ’s exclusive readers, double-down on premium local business journalism (a neverending battle) and launch a subscription program for the first time in a quarter-century. OBJ Insider was born. We recognized that many longtime readers might be unhappy at the prospect of paying to access local business news that had always been free. We needed to balance the subscription paywall and sustain traffic, a very tricky balancing act managed by OBJ editor Anne Howland. There were many risks, but the status quo posed a greater threat. After three years, the strategy continues to evolve, but we’re very satisfied.
“At a high level, that is the business story behind OBJ. Of course, it’s written from my first-person perspective. Others might have different memories and different takes on OBJ’s three-decade long battle to survive and thrive.
“My final words must go to all those whom I have not mentioned. More than 100 people have played a part in OBJ’s story and they are not forgotten here. Like any business, a few occupy leadership positions and get acknowledgement, but there is zero success without a talented and committed team of people striving to make an impact. They deserve full credit.”
Read more here.
