Deseret News to offer more information for and about Mormons
Newspaper introduces section about LDS beliefs, culture and membersPosted 04/24/2008
Take a cursory glance at the most-viewed stories on local news Web sites. Chances are, articles dealing with religion — specifically Utah’s predominant faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints — are hovering around the top.
Beginning when LDS settlers founded Utah more than 150 years ago, the Mormon religion has been the focal point of conversations for members and non-members alike in the Beehive State. The church’s unique doctrine and family-focused culture are central to the lives of its members and generate plenty of interest and curiosity from those who aren’t of the faith.
In fact, readers of the Deseret News have told the newspaper they want more information on the LDS church and its members. In response, the state’s second-largest daily newspaper on Jan. 10 began printing Mormon Times, a weekly section for and about the LDS faith.
“Mormon Times every week will contain articles that will inform and edify Latter-day Saints and others who are interested in LDS religionand culture,” wrote Joe Cannon, editor of the Deseret News, in a column printed when the section launched. “It will include news stories and features about the church and its members.”
Mormon Times is aimed at church members and anyone interested in information about the LDS faith and culture, but it is not a basic primer on the religion. In addition to news and information, the printed section will include columns by Orson Scott Card and Jerry Johnston, a calendar of local events and “helpful ideas and tips for dealing with many of the aspects of our time,” Cannon said.
Mormon Times will soon be incorporated into a new element on the newspaper’s Web site, DeseretNews.com. The online version of MormonTimes will be “more robust than the printed section,” Cannon said, and will include updates, additional content, more out-of-Utah coverage and interactive features.
The Deseret News, which is owned by the LDS church, will continue to publish the Church News, an official publication of the church that is distributed around the world. The Deseret News will also continue to publish its Religion and Ethics section each Saturday and will cover breaking news on religion and the LDS church as part of the newspaper’s general coverage.
Cannon hopes Mormon Times becomes a valuable resource that members of all faiths can turn to as an accurate and relevant source of information about the LDS faith and culture. Initial feedback to Cannon’s column seems to validate the notion that Utahns are seeking this kind of information.
“I look forward to reading (Mormon Times),” a reader, under the username Fredd, posted as a comment to Cannon’s column at DeseretNews.com. “I’m not LDS and I don’t believe the theology. But my in-laws are and I like to be informed.”
Cannon said Mormon Times is also part of a tradition that dates back to the Deseret News’ mission in 19th-century Utah.
“In a certain respect, this new section harkens back to the early history of the Deseret News,” he said. “Virtually all of the early editors, typesetters and other employees were trained at an earlier LDS church publication called the Times and Seasons. An essential element of theT imes and Seasons was to inform and edify its readers. This is our aim in this new section of the newspaper.”
###
MediaOne of Utah gains a magazine for women
Media Organization aquires local publicationPosted 01/18/2008
MediaOne of Utah has acquired Wasatch Woman magazine.
The bimonthly magazine was started by three Utah women two years ago. It has grown from a 32-page freely distributed magazine in 2005 to an 80-page magazine.
MediaOne takes over the magazine's advertising, production and content. Ganel-Lyn Condie will remain as associate publisher.
Formerly the Newspaper Agency Corp., MediaOne of Utah handles the advertising, printing and distribution for the Deseret Morning News and The Salt Lake Tribune.
###
Newspaper Agency is Now MediaOne
Media Company announces name changePosted 02/09/2007
Newspaper Agency Corp. is changing its name to MediaOne of Utah, a Newspaper Agency Company to more accurately reflect our growing line of products
MediaOne, formed in 1952, as the NAC, handles advertising sales, printing and distribution for the Deseret Morning News and The Salt Lake Tribune.
The daily papers will always remain our flagship vehicles, as the ability of newspapers to reach mass audiences is still unmatched. The company, however, is no longer exclusively a newspaper agency, and our name ought to embody an evolving identity.
MediaOne's products include magazines, direct mail and online content, in addition to our role with the newspapers. The name change will occur over the course of 2007 without a large campaign.
###
