You spoke; we listened — introducing the NEW DSN
We’re making big changes around here in 2011 — and we’re doing it because you told us to.
Whenever we ask one of our readers what they want from Drug Store News, inevitably, the answer always is: “Tell me something I don’t already know about.”
That’s the problem with most trade magazines today — by the time you get the issue, it’s all old news; often more than a month old by the time it lands on your desk.
And we know from talking to readers just like you that you don’t get your news that way anymore. You’re online. You’re WiFi-enabled. You read electronic newsletters like DSN A.M. every morning on your iPhones, iPads, Blackberries and Droids. You go to the Web because you want the latest breaking news. You read magazines for other reasons.
You told us that magazines are NOT for reporting the news any more. You told us that you think a magazine’s job is to provide deeper insight and perspective. A magazine’s job, you said, is not to tell you that something “happened.” A magazine’s job is to tell you what it means and why it’s important to you. A magazine’s job is to tell you what you DON’T ALREADY know about the things you THINK you already know.
That is the mission of the NEW DSN. And it begins on the cover of every issue. Our bold new format allows us to use the cover of DSN to make a statement that can’t be lost, glossed over or otherwise misconstrued. If we think it’s important, it isn’t going to be buried in a sea of tired, old headlines about stuff you already know about.
The changes we are making are based on extensive reader surveys and an independent survey of retail executives from leading national chains. It means exciting new departments that put a much clearer focus and broader emphasis on new store formats and products that you HAVE NOT already seen before.
And we’re not just changing the magazine. As this issue of DSN went to press, our Web editors were busy rolling out our vastly enhanced new website at DrugStoreNews.com. It’s now easier to navigate and incorporates some exciting, new content features beyond just the top headlines, including more store photos, more new products, deeper dives into the data and more.
And we’re still updating the site with the latest, breaking news more than 20 times a day. Want to make sure you don’t miss a single important headline? Make sure you’re signed up to receive the DSN electronic newsletters that you need to stay on top of your business.
You told us that today a trade magazine like Drug Store News HAS TO be more than just a collection of month-old headlines. We listened.
Enter the NEW DSN — coming in January 2011.
Be sure to let me know what you think at [email protected].