Dan Caccavaro Managing Editor Monday, August 04, 2003; Noon ET
Free dailies are popping up across the country and have proven popular with busy people who otherwise might not find the time to pick up a regular newspaper. Today, the Washington Post launched Express, a free Monday through Friday paper geared toward busy commuters. It provides a quick and sometimes quirky summary of the day's news; is distributed by hawkers; and available in bright yellow news boxes at Metro stops and other high-trafficked areas. Why did the Post launch Express? What can readers expect? Dan Caccavaro, the managing editor, was online Monday, Aug. 4 at Noon ET, to talk about the Express and what people can expect from the new daily. In the still-fledgling field of free dailies, Caccavaro is a relative veteran. Before coming to Washington, D.C. he was the founding editor of Boston Metro, one of the first free commuter dailies in the U.S. A transcript follows. Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
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washingtonpost.com:
Dan Caccavaro, welcome to washingtonpost.com. So there's a new yellow newspaper box at the Metro stations and other places around the area. And people are handing them out. What is Express and why did The Washington Post decide to put out a free daily?
Dan Caccavaro:
Good morning, everyone. Hope you’ve all had a chance to read our debut issue. I’m sure a lot of people have been wondering about this – why would the Post start a new newspaper?
The answer is that even in a region served by a paper as good as the Post, there is a huge segment of the population who just don’t find the time to read a paper every day but who still want to know what’s happening in the world. Express is meant to serve that need.
We’re not trying to be a paper of record – we don’t intend to do investigative work or offer the kind of thoughtful analysis people expect from the Post. But we intend to deliver and intelligent, though brief, summary of the news. I think people will soon find it an indispensable part of their morning ritual.
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Dupont, Washington, D.C.: I love the Post for it's great coverage, tight writing, insightful editorials, and thoughtful features. Although I liked the format, ease and availability of Express, the AP fodder was more "Yahoo News" and less "Washington Post". Any chance you could run a portion of the real articles instead of just the wire chatter?
Dan Caccavaro: The Post and Express serve very different purposes. Express is meant to offer a quick recap to get people up to speed in the morning and hopefully entertain them a bit.
We’re not trying to be an abbreviated version of the Post. In fact, trying to boil down the Post’s investigative work, editorials and features would undercut what makes the Post so valuable.
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Washington, D.C.: What do you think of your new competition, "Espresso"?
Dan Caccavaro: Well, I expected the City Paper to sneer – sneering is what alternative weeklies do. I just didn’t expect the result to be so boring. It seems like an awful lot of money and effort for a very weak punch line.
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Washington, D.C.:
Got the Express today, more of a curiousity as I generally buy the Post. Just two kudos to you:
1. Thanks for a different crossword than the Post.
2. Thanks for stapling it.
Dan Caccavaro: It's those little things ...
Thanks for the kudos. I hope you'll keep reading (you could always read both).
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Mt. Lebanon, Pa.: Will your latte edition have some business/stock news or is it too apres tres chic for that sordid stuff? Thanks much.
Dan Caccavaro: Latte sounds good right about now. Yes, our paper will have (abbreviated) stock information Tuesdays through Fridays.
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Washington, D.C.:
You know, I saw "the Express" hawkers near the Metro this morning -- but I thought they were a religious group so I politely declined a paper.
Maybe if the hawkers had said something like "Washington Post -- free paper!" I would have taken one this morning.
If they are still around this afternoon I will take a look.
Dan Caccavaro: We do hope people will take to the paper, but no, it's not a religion. I'll pass along the advice to our distribution crew. Let us know what you think after you pick one up.
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Washington, D.C.: I don't see why anyone would prefer a brief newspaper like the Exprss over a full paper like the Post. If I don't want to read a full article in the Post, I just read a few sentences or paragraphs. But if a story in the Express intrigues me, I'm out of luck, the story is over in a few paragraphs.
Dan Caccavaro: One thing we're planning to do -- and to do more and more effectively as we evolve -- is to include references to additional material for those who want to read more about a story they see in Express. If we do a short piece on homeland security, for instance, we''ll point you to a comprehensive Post package online. You'll see more and more of this.
But for those who just want to be up to speed by the time they get to work, a paper packed full of short items can be just right.
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Washington, D.C.: In Boston, there is a daily paper similar to Express, called the Metro. It is often left on the subway cars once people are finished reading it. Has the Post spoken with the D.C. MTA to work out potential problems with litter on subway trains?
Dan Caccavaro: I know Boston Metro well, having been the founding editor. In Boston, the T resisted efforts to collaborate with us to establish a recycling program.
We do plan to work with Metro to make sure Express readers have easy access to recycling bins. It's something we take very seriously.
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Washington, D.C.: I noticed you had excerpts of past live discussions like this one in the Express. How about a listing of things to come?
Dan Caccavaro: On our Playback page (page 17 in today's edition) we include a lineup of what's scheduled for Live Online. I hope that's how some of you found out about this discussion.
As we hit our stride, we'll be including more of these references throughout the paper adjacent to relevant articles.
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Crystal City, Va.: Will it always be free?
Dan Caccavaro: Yes. Our plan is to keep the paper free.
The goal is to make it quick and easy to grab a copy. Chicago has two free dailies that have tried to switch to charging a quarter without success.
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Washington, D.C.: How bout having a section on things to do today and tommorow and cool events around town?
Dan Caccavaro: Our daily entertainment section includes a section called Top Stops -- a handful of events going on today and tonight that we think our readers will find interesting. On Thursdays we're going to do a fairly extensive local entertainment section -- a combination of previews, interviews and tips on what to do over the weekend.
Keep us posted -- let us know what else you' d like to see.
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Washington, D.C.: How do I get a media kit?
Dan Caccavaro: Check out washingtonpost.com/express. You should find one there.
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Washington, D.C.:
What was missing from the Post offerings that Express is designed for? Seems like a lot of money and effort spent on what must be essentially a style section. Will the paper also have advertising for continuing education and related services?
Dan Caccavaro: Express didn't evolve out of any sense that the Post was lacking something. It is a response to an industry-wide trend -- fewer and fewer young people are developing a daily newspaper habit.
Even in a region with a paper as well-read as the Post, there is a huge audience of people who don't read a newspaper each day but who do want to be informed. Express is meant to fit that need.
Yes, Express will have continuing ed advertising.
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Downtown D.C.: If you could list your mission statement in ten words or less, what would it be?
Dan Caccavaro: Ten words, huh? Even for a paper full of briefs, that's a tough one.
How about this: Express provides a quick, comprehensive and entertaining summary of the day's news in an intelligent, easily accessible and attractively designed package.
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Bethesda, Md.: I hope you will take my question, even if it's not all that praiseworthy. Let me add that I congratulate you for the first effort -- it must be a ton of work to get that going.
But I have to say, I did not know quite what to make of what I saw today -- a lot of short takes, some news items, etc. But not all that much that was what I would call original content. How does it fit into my diet of publications?
Dan Caccavaro: It's a good question. I'm sure you're not alone. If people pick up Express expecting to see the Post, they'll be a bit baffled too.
Truth is we aren't planning to do a lot of original content (though you should check out our Thursday Weekend Pass entertainment section -- that will be all original).
Our goal isn't to replace the Post or any of the other publications people already read. We're just aiming to give busy people a reliable source of information they can scan quickly on their way to work or school or wherever else they're headed in a hurry.
Having edited a paper like this in Boston and seen the public's reaction, I can tell you that a lot of people will find it very useful and enjoyable.
Hope you'll keep reading.
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Capitol Hill: Please explain the economics of this newspaper. Papers have been going out of business across the nation. Presumably you see enough advertisers for another paper, and a free one at that. Are advertisers excited about your paper? Is there any anticipation this will decrease readership in the Washington Post or the Times? Would you be too upset if the numbers of Times readers declines?
Dan Caccavaro: The economics are solidly behind a paper like Express. Newspapers are going out of business -- or at least struggling -- in much of the country in part because they're losing young readers -- excatly the demographic that will make up the bulk of Express's readership.
I'm not a sales guy -- just the editor, but yes, I expect advertisers will be excited to be in Express.
Stealing readers from the Times wasn't really a consideration. We are hoping to attract readers to Express -- if they continue to read other papers too, that's fine.
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Silver Spring, Md.: I guess I fit what you're looking for: I take the Post sports section with me on the train, leave the rest for the family, read the sports and then either read something else or doze off. Today, I lost 20 minutes of sleep because of The Express! I enjoyed it and look forward to picking it up again tomorrow.
Dan Caccavaro: Glad to hear it. Sorry (sort of) for keeping you awake.
And on that positive note, I've got to go put out a paper. Thanks for all your questions. We're just getting this thing started and it's very much a work in progress. Please keep us posted -- let us know what we're doing right and -- more important -- what we could do better.
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washingtonpost.com: Stay with washingtonpost.com. Coming Up: A discussion with The Post's new Sunday Source staff at 1 p.m. Sunday Source Discussion Link
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washingtonpost.com: That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.
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