How AJC covered the US Airways offer for Delta

Public editor Angela Tuck of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote Saturday about how the paper stayed ahead of the story when US Airways made a hostile offer for local company Delta Airlines.

Tuck wrote that business editor Mark Braykovich had to wake up some of his staff after he heard the news at 6 a.m.

Tuck wrote, “Airline reporters Russell Grantham and Dave Hirschman went to work on the main story as Braykovich and deputy business editor Henry Unger worked with others in the newsroom to coordinate coverage. A decision was made early on to send reporter Matt Kempner to Tempe, Ariz., the headquarters of US Airways.

“A blog about the bid and a Flash graphic comparing the two airlines quickly engaged online readers, showing how many employees each airline had, numbers of flights, destinations and hubs. As government officials and Delta leaders and employees were interviewed, their comments were posted so people could learn what they were thinking.

“‘It takes your coverage to a whole new level,’ said Braykovich. ‘At one point Wednesday morning, we had nine different items related to the Delta takeover attempt online. We were answering consumer questions, such has how frequent flier miles would be affected.’

“Chris Kraft, who manages the daily operation of ajc.com, said the Delta story is a great example of how the newsroom has changed over the past several months, to post a complete online report much more quickly.

“By early afternoon, the newspaper’s focus shifted to planning for the print edition, as well as the following day’s ajc.com offerings, which included an irreverent commentary piece from Kempner describing his flight into enemy territory on a US Airways jet.”

Read more here. Disclosure: Unger and Kempner are friends from my days at the AJC.