Bill Keller

Today, the New York Times unveiled it’s narrower format—as reported here. But there’s more: Foreign correspondents are being asked not to be so wordy, according to new guidelines obtained by The Observer.  read more »

Today, a Times internal memo outlined some of the changes taking place this August, when newspaper will be 1.5 inches narrower. See below for more on that reduced news hole coming soon. No worries though, since there's plenty of space in the brand new City Room.

To: Newsroom
From: John MacLeod, Terry Schwadron
Subject: Narrowing the size of the newspaper page

The editions of The Times for Monday, Aug. 6 will be the first with new, narrower page dimensions. The printed page will be the same depth, but an inch and a half narrower.

To account for the changes, those in Design and News Technology have been working with colleagues in Advertising, Ad Makeup, Systems, those involved in page transmission and the printing plants to align all of the intent and coding necessary. Basically, a large number of press mechanics will changeover prepared presses at College Point, Edison and national plants on Sunday to be able to print at the new size.

There are few design changes that will be obvious to the reader, except for the overall page dimensions. There are the same number of columns per page with the exception of a slight adjustment to body type, for example. At other papers that have changed size, readers seem to have reacted positively.

Over the next weeks, page designers in the individual sections will be working with departments to produce trial pages that will give editors a feel for any adjustments. The new coding is all available in CCI.

Narrower columns mean either slightly smaller or slightly squarer photos, but for most readers. For editors, the main change will be fewer words per column and slightly tight one-column headlines are tighter. One consequence is somewhat shorter dress page runs.

A dress page column now with headline and blurb might be 720 words; without a jump, the equivalent column will be about 50-60 words shorter. While Bill Keller has been asking overall for shorter stories, the start of the narrow-measure paper will reduce specific news holes.

Page designers are working out samples to share with individual sections. Merrill Perlman is working with News Technology on a guidance sheet for copy editors.

With the start of this project looming, it seems a good time to ask all to think anew about how the measures may alter story lengths or layouts.

Feel free to ask John or Terry for details.  read more »

From: Bill Keller
Subject: Welcome, Thanks, More Thanks, and a Small Plea

To the Staff:

Welcome.
Now that the entire news department has made the move to our new temple of 21st-century journalism, let us give thanks. For the building itself -- for the open spaces and flood of natural light, for the glorious new cafeteria, for the implicit faith in our future -- the thanks go first to the Great Upstairs. For the fact that the orange crates arrived mostly in the right places, for the phones and computers that work, for the personal attention to the ergonomics of your personal spaces -- in short, for the most successful landing since Normandy -- we have many, many others to thank. Hussain Ali-Kahn and his teams head the list, but many of the newsroom's own deserve special gratitude.
Start with Peter Putrimas, who never lost his sense of humor.
A shout-out to Terry Schadron, because the technology moved so smoothly that we kept putting out great papers with hardly a hiccup. And let's not forget Joe Caramanico, who got the printers printing, and Katie O'Brien, who oversaw the connection of countless telephones.
And, heroes all:
The move coordinators for all the desks -- too numerous to mention, but you know who you are, and so do the beneficiaries of your efficiency.
Charlotte Evans
Merrill Perlman
Erika Sommer
Grace Wong
Kathleen McElroy

Finally, please, a little patience. We know there are lots of details needing attention. They are all on somebody's list, and we will get to them with the same determination that went into the larger relocation. But maybe not right away.
Cheers,

Bill

Several New York Times staffers have already headed over to the Tower at 620 8th Avenue, including the Editorial page. And the newsroom moves in the next week! (It's got to be all done by June 18th).

Today, a memo went out with the list of departments by floor, so reporters won't get confused in that shiny new building.

2nd floor: Business, Database Reporting, Escapes/Travel, Graphics, Investigative, News Surveys, Science, Sports, Week in Review

3rd floor: City Weekly, Clerical, Continuous News, Education, Foreign, Metro, National, News Admin, News Design, News Desk, News Executives, Obits, Regional Editions

4th floor: Arts & Leisure, Culture, Dining/Home, Picture Desk, Politics, Real Estate, Special Sections, Style, TV Studio

5th floor: Book Review, Library/Research, News Technology

6th floor: Magazine

7th floor: Magazine, News Art

Editorial was not mentioned in the email, but they'll be upstairs, on 13. And then farther up is Arthur Sulzberger Jr. himself, on the 16th floor.

   read more »

So it's the waning days at 229 West 43rd Street and Times folk are finally ready to party! Last night, executive editor Bill Keller sent out an email to the newsroom regarding the farewell event at the old headquarters.

The final bash will take place on June 21 at 7 p.m., on the building's 3rd floor. "Music, beer and soft drinks provided," according to the invite. However, it's strictly BYO when it comes to food and wine, it read.

And since staffers are allowed one guest, the Media Mob will now happily entertain plus one offers.  read more »