WSJ Europe enhances editorial products, as US edition in UK faces axe

In November, it is rolling out an improved newspaper providing its readers with more relevant and lively content coupled with a contemporary interface.

It is also launching a series of eight-page special reports designed to provide executives with detailed information and insight on topics and themes of European concern. The revised newspaper will include additional analysis, new columnists and a redesigned front-page. It will also have an easier navigation and simplified layout, the publisher said.

The new features and reports will be reflected and adapted online at the recently-launched website Europe.wsj.com, which will further extend its offering with additional online-only content, blogs and daily emails.

As part of this strategy, it has launched a conference strategy for Europe, which includes the Wall Street Journal Future of Finance Initiative; an event in December which will convene over 100 international financial experts and policy makers in the UK.

Patience Wheatcroft, editor-in-chief for The Wall Street Journal in Europe said: “We’re offering our time-pressed readers more trusted and authoritative content with essential analysis, but housed in a more impactful and accessible format across print and online. We’re leveraging our global resources to deliver our unique content in a way that is more in tune with our audience.”

The initiatives are the latest in a series of ongoing investments the company has made in Europe such as editorial and management expansion by appointing Wheatcroft as editor-in-chief for Europe and Andrew Langhoff as publisher; developing a website dedicated to content for Europe (Europe.wsj.com); launching mobile content delivery system via BlackBerry and iPhone devices; and the creation of integrated newsrooms in key European centres.

Alongside the introduction of the new European initiatives, the Journal will cease the printing and distribution of its US edition in London; an initiative launched in April last year. The final issue will be the one on November 16 and all subscribers will be offered replacement subscriptions to the European print and online editions.

Publisher Andrew Langhoff said, “We’re focusing all our efforts and investments on the European edition so it becomes the sole voice of The Wall Street Journal in Europe. The changes we’re making to our print and digital offering will have greater resonance among the large group of internationally-minded people living and working in Europe.”