New look for The New Paper

SINGAPORE - On 3 October, a revamped, revitalised, refreshed newspaper, still appropriately called The New Paper (TNP), will hit newsstands. Its design style will be more "urban chic", and its focus will be on relating to readers, especially in the way it projects and packages its stories.

In a sentence, it will be more local, more vocal, more social.

This year marks TNP's 25th anniversary, and this is the first major revamp of TNP since 2007. The new look TNP will present a seamless flow of news from cover to back, with a daily sports pullout and a weekly entertainment section that will improve the reader's experience.

LOCAL - TNP prides itself on serving its readers by featuring what's most relevant to their lives and interests. It will focus on issues and stories that resonate with readers. With its strong focus on local news, TNP is the paper for anyone who wants to have a simpler take on the issues that matter to Singaporeans.

VOCAL - TNP will also be about attitude. Its writers will be more opinionated, more controversial, more robust in its streetwise analysis, for readers to relate to, or even hate.

SOCIAL - Besides providing its own street-smart analysis on hot topics, TNP will let readers know what ordinary Singaporeans as well as experts think by aggregating snapshots from popular blogs and contributions from readers via email, Facebook or Twitter. There will be greater synergy between the print and online versions of TNP. The paper aims to be the platform for its readers' views.

New features

M - Movies, Music, Makan and More!

The New Paper will bring readers the latest and best in Movies, Music, Makan...and More with its new mid-week 12-to-16-page magazine called M. To be published in the The New Paper every Wednesday, M is the quintessential guide to lifestyle topics which are closest to Singaporeans' hearts. It replaces the weekly magazines in the past, namely First which carries news on entertainment and movies, and Loudwhich focuses on music.

New sports pullout section

TNP is known for its strong sports pages, with its insightful analysis of popular sports, football being top of the list. Fans read TNP for its in-depth stories that are still easy to read, complete with arresting visuals and interesting infographics. To improve reader experience, the sports section will now be a daily pullout which would be convenient for both sports fans and non-sports fans, since the paper can now be more easily shared.

Mr Ken Jalleh Jr, who oversaw the revamp, said: "The process began late last year and involved the most extensive qualitative survey we've ever done, involving three big focus groups over six months. The one big question they helped us answer: What do today's readers want? Their views helped us shape a whole new approach to story-telling through packaging. The key is really the way compelling content is projected; the thrust is to relate rather than intimidate, to communicate, not decorate."

Mr Dominic Nathan, Editor, The New Paper, said: "The New Paper has always strived to be different. The refreshed TNP will be even more different, with its hyper-local approach, its robust voice, and its interaction with readers."

The New Paper Revamp Trade Launch

On 18 September, more than 200 partners and advertisers will get an exclusive preview of the revamped TNP at a trade launch to be held at Bacchanalia. Besides getting to know the new features of the paper as well as the people behind the paper, guests will be entertained by host Chua Enlai and local rapper Shigga Shay, who is most known for his song "Lim Peh".

No TNP event is complete without The New Paper New Face girls. This year's TNP New Face finalists will be on hand to help guests send their well wishes via Twitter and to post their photos on TNP's Instagram page.

All guests will also walk away with a goodie-bag that will have a TNP New Face calendar and an attractive TNP universal charger in it.