When the Nevada Appeal debuts in its new tabloid size on Wednesday, readers will be greeted with a newspaper that is more colorful and easier to read, with a stronger focus on local news.
The new shape and design are more in tune with the times, aimed at busy readers who need to find the information they need quickly and efficiently.
"One of the best things about the new format is the consistency in where you find information each time," managing editor Peggy Santoro said. "It'll make it easier to find your favorite features, and the content will be grouped in a way that makes sense for readers."
The Nevada Appeal will continue to produce award-winning journalism and aggressively cover local news, Santoro said. "No other media outlet comes close to matching the Appeal in the resources we dedicate to covering Carson City."
This will not be the first time the Nevada Appeal was a tabloid. Between 1951 and 1961, the newspaper was printed in the tabloid format, before back to the broadsheet size.
"The Nevada Appeal has been flexible over time, and we are constantly changing to meet customer and reader needs," said Publisher Niki Gladys.
Another reason for the change is a necessary cost savings. During the past year, the cost of paper has increased 47 percent and poor economic conditions have impacted advertising revenue for all media.
"Converting to tab allows us to run the newspaper more efficiently on the presses. It saves paper, and we are also using recycled paper, so it's good for the environment as well," Gladys said.
Prototypes of the new Appeal were presented to multiple groups who offered feedback to make adjustments to the final product.
"I'm really looking forward to the rest of the community seeing what we've worked so hard on, and letting me know what they think," Santoro said. "The best part of this job is hearing from our readers " they really are the secret ingredient that makes this, I think, the best little newspaper in the state.
"Having all of those eyes and ears out there in the community, letting us know what's going on, what they think, keeping us on our toes " it's just a huge part of our success."
Gladys said that response from the local business community to the first edition has been very good, and it will have more than 60 advertisements.
"The response has been overwhelming supporting the change," Gladys said.