ChicagoShopping.com - a website operated by the Chicago Tribune - announced a partnership today with Groupon

Full story in The Chicago Tribune here

The recently launched ChicagoShopping.com announced a partnership with Groupon, a shopping website that offers a daily deal on the best local goods, services and cultural events in more than 300 markets around the world.

ChicagoShopping.com, a product of the Chicago Tribune Media Group, will feature one new local deal each weekday on the site’s homepage.  The ChicagoShopping deal-of-the-day powered by Groupon is a unique offer exclusive to the Chicago Tribune Media Group. 

“If you like Groupon deals, you’ll now like them twice as much,” said Belinda Englman, General Manager of ChicagoShopping.com.  “By registering at ChicagoShopping.com, you’ll have the option to sign up to receive the exclusive Groupon offer in addition to the feature Groupon highlights on their website each day.  It’s the ultimate opportunity for Chicagoland deal-seekers.” 

"We're excited to offer something special to users of ChicagoShopping.com just in time for the holidays," said Sean Smyth, vice president of business development at Groupon. 

With ChicagoShopping.com, Chicagoans can enjoy fantastic value, flexibility and convenience with access to discounts on hundreds of offers from thousands of their favorite brands.

 “We’re connecting with Chicago deal seekers and shopping enthusiasts to help them find a smarter way to shop,” said Englman.  “For our advertisers, ChicagoShopping.com is yet another solution within Tribune Media Group’s portfolio to expand their reach in the local market.  Apart from providing our advertisers with a new vehicle to extend their current advertising offerings, ChicagoShopping.com also represents a unique opportunity for Chicagoland’s small businesses to reach relevant audiences at the hyperlocal level.”

In addition to ChicagoShopping.com’s Deal of the Day powered by Groupon ChicagoShopping.com lets you personalize your shopping experience and stay informed of exclusive VIP shopping events. Instead of presenting thousands of options with no search customization, once you sign-in, ChicagoShopping.com will find the best deals for you that fit your needs - from deep discounts on your favorite brands to limited time offers from thousands of stores and more. The site also features relevant editorial content focused on shopping tips and advice.

While it is always good to see people in print spending money, paying waitresses to expose themselves wasn't what we were thinking. 

Interesting article on what is going on at the Tribune Co. in the New York Times here. 

This is hard to understand. Makes you wonder what they needed to do to qualify for bonuses, breath?

From sfnblog.com. Full story here 

Tribune execs to receive $45.6 million in bonuses

Newspapers continue to search for new and innovative cost cutting measures. Too bad they are not nearly as aggressive in reinvigorating their core product. My main example is my experience with Mediabids. We have been around for 10 years, more than 8,500 publications use us, we have sold tens of thousands of ads for publications and yet, nearly everyday, we have conversations with publications who are skeptical about the idea of using a website to sell newspaper and magazine advertising. Just yesterday, I spoke to a large publishing company who has gone through layoffs, product closings and downsizing in the last year and yet, despite their dire financial situation, are nonchalant about the opportunity to sell ads to the 17,000 advertisers who use Mediabids to buy print ads. Many print publications are not in the state they are in by accident.

From The Chicago Tribune. Full story here

The Chicago Tribune and other Tribune Co. newspapers plan to utilize as little content from the Associated Press as practical during the week of Nov. 8.

The goal, as the papers review costs and needs, is to see whether severing ties with the news cooperative next fall is a viable option, the Chicago-based media company confirmed Monday.

The trial is scheduled to be conducted almost 13 months after Tribune Co. gave the AP a required two-year warning that it might drop the news service, effective Oct. 15, 2010. Tribune Co. said at the time that it was keeping its options open while weighing what role, if any, the AP would play in its future.

, a bimontly magazine, covers stories that are dedicated to notable professionals and industry which affect well lifestyles

(MB) Five years from now what role will publications like yours serve? For example, some people predict a complete migration to the web for many types of publications. Do you?
(CWM) My prediction would be that there will still be print media, not as much, but still in existence for publishers who work hard to provide quality and original content. Recycled news, newswire dumps and lack of creativity will define who survives and who does not, in addition to broadcast and web symmetry.

(MB) Looking forward to 2009, do you have any significant changes in store for the new year?
(CWM) Yes, added value for readership.

(MB) What was your most successful advertising initiative in the past 12 months? 
(CWM) Taking what I call, a Marketorial Approach© - serving my advertisers across multiple platforms, including them in any outside marketing opportunities and events we are involved in and more. Our job should be to serve our readership and our advertisers in the best way possible - always!

(MB) Do you have tips for other publications about the best way to integrate print and web sales?
(CWM) Ask yourself, what do my readers really want? And then implement it across as many platforms as possible.