KODAK Stream Inkjet Technology Helps News UK Increase Reader Engagement

By: Toni McQuilken News UK (formerly News International) installed a new KODAK PROSPER S30 Imprinting System, bringing the total to 22 PROSPER S30s installed by the British newspaper publisher, a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corp.   The current publisher of The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun mounted the high-speed digital printing heads inline on its offset presses, located at three UK print sites in Broxbourne, Knowsley and Eurocentral, while others have been placed on presses at contract sites in Kells (Ireland) and Belfast.   “Newspapers all around the world are facing changing business models as readers increasingly look online for the latest news and content,” noted Will Mansfield, director of marketing, Inkjet Printing Solutions, Kodak. “With high-speed inline digital printing solutions, Kodak is helping newspaper publishers shift from a paper-dependent retail model to one of blended print and digital content via subscriptions.” To offset decreasing subscription and print advertising revenues, publishers are moving expanded content online and selling subscriptions to that content. Variable-data printing allows publishers to promote the online content and provide a variety of incentives for readers to engage with both platforms.   Beginning in August, readers of The Sun could collect special codes printed on papers daily using the PROSPER S30. These unique printed codes unlock one month’s worth of access to The Sun’s digital content. This program began just as the popular soccer season kicked off, and online content included enhanced soccer coverage, such as near-live videos of every Barclays Premier League goal on the go—hours before televised soccer round-up programs started. Moving forward, readers can collect five codes each week for continuous access to The Sun’s digital content and perks.   Sun editor David Dinsmore said, “The strong bond between The Sun and its millions of customers is behind its enduring success over many decades. However, we are never complacent and continue striving to deliver greater choice and value, which is why we’ve invested millions in this solution to ensure every one of our loyal readers can get their hands on the huge benefits of Sun+ membership.”