Quartz plans to launch India site later this year

Quartz, the business and financial news site from The Atlantic, is planning an Indian site to launch later this year, reports Joe Pompeo of Capital New York.

Pompeo writes, “Capital has learned that Quartz is preparing an India channel to launch this spring or summer, possibly around the time of the country’s national elections in April and May. The site’s parent company, Atlantic Media, is expected to announce the project, which we’re told will consist of larger, India-specific features, as early as this week.

“A Quartz spokesperson confirmed the plans but wasn’t able to offer any further details other than to say there will be journalists devoted to the channel full time and that they are still deciding on a name. The spokesperson could not confirm whether or not there will be a local media partner but did say there will be a ‘major sponsor’ at launch.

“The move reflects a growing interest among Western outlets in the Indian media market.

“The New York Times has been publishing its India Ink blog since 2011. The Huffington Post recently announced plans to add India to its growing stable of international editions. And The Guardian is contemplating an Indian operation as well, according to a source with knowledge of its plans. (A Guardian rep said it was too early to comment on the specifics of its future international expansion plans, but chief executive Andrew Miller hinted at an India play last fall.)”

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