Scout London to beef up site after Time Out free mag plan
Scout London is to introduce a raft of new features to its website, a move that follows the title’s decision to suspend production of its print edition following TIme Out’s decision to go free later this year.
The site, which is presented in a blog-style format, will add new sections on hotels and television as well as more activity around its Facebook and Twitter communities in a bid to encourage readers to submit their own recommendations and reviews to the site.
A spokesman for owners Scout Media says it decided to bolster its online format in response to Time Out’s recent move.
He adds: “Scout London is concentrating on its digital offering as we watch Time Out’s decisions and developments with interest. The print edition is on hiatus whilst we review Time Out’s offering.
“Time Out’s plans add credence to Scout London’s business model, but in terms of content and proposition, Scout London and Time Out are very different magazines. Scout London is positively populist about London’s social life, while Time Out defines itself as a critical guide”.
Scout London, which lauched in April, saw its fifth issue delayed by a month to June following meetings with media agencies by the title’s publisher Scout Media. Twelve copies of the magazine have been produced.
Time Out’s imminent move into the free magazine sector could have a knock on effect on freesheet titles such as City AM and Stylist develop their content strategies Both titles have welcomed the increased competition but warned that the publisher will need to be committed to attracting a younger audience if it is to attract advertisers.
