Date: Tuesday 17 November 2009
Time: 12:45pm - 02:15pm
Title: The Newspaper Industry: Is the future free?
Geordie Greig, editor of the London Evening Standard, was our guest at a Power Lunch in Westminster this week.
He outlined the brave new business model at the Standard, which used to charge 50p but is now given away free on London's streets and at commuter stations. I don't think any newspaper makes money these days – most have found that advertising revenue has collapsed during the recession – but the new strategy has cut losses and greatly increased the circulation (and hence the attractiveness to advertisers) to 600,000 and rising, so the Standard hopes to be in profit within three years' time. And, of course, the Standard has seen off two other free papers, The London Paper (which Murdoch pulled the plug on last month) and London Lite (which closed last week).
The Standard is indeed an interesting model in these changing times. It is the latest example of what my colleague Dr Madsen Pirie has dubbed the 'free economy' where product is delivered to people free – think of all those radio stations, free magazines, advertising matches, and DVDs that come with the Sunday papers – but is paid for by advertising or other support further upstream. Many of these free offerings are of course of rather poor quality. Greig's mantra, however is 'quality, but free' and he hopes to maintain the mix that has kept the Standard going, against the competition, for many decades.
Date: Thursday 12 November 2009
Time: 12:45pm - 02:15pm
Title: The end of newspapers?
The Editors is a series of Power Lunches with the editors of the countries top newspapers. Inspired by a lunch with Lionel Barber towards the end of last year, we already have most of the top newspaper editors booked to discuss the newspaper industry and current events.
All power lunches take place from 12.45-2.15pm in our offices at 23 Great Smith Street, Westminster. These events are by invitation only, but if you are interested in attending please contact Philip at philip@adamsmith.org or on 020 7222 4995.
Date: Wednesday 4 November 2009
Time: 06:30pm - 08:30pm
Speakers: Richard Hay, Richard Teather and Geoff Cook.
Location: The Queenborough Room, St. Stephen’s Club, 34 Queen Anne’s Gate, London, SW1H 9AB
Title: “Tax Competition: Economic Freedom and National Sovereignty"
Date: Tuesday 3 November 2009
Time: 06:00pm - 08:00pm
Location: 23 Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BL
Title: New From Old: A Friendly Society.
Date: Monday 19 October 2009
Time: 06:30pm - 08:00pm
Location: The Garden Room, St. Stephen’s Club, 34 Queen Anne’s Gate, London, SW1H 9AB
Join us for the launch of Dr Madsen Pirie's latest work: 101 Great Philosophers.
events@adamsmith.org
020 7222 4995