PageSuite releases new voucher code feature

Drive subscriptions with complete ‘cross-platform’ promotions

PageSuite have developed a smart new voucher code feature that enables publishers to offer readers a percentage off when they purchase a subscription or edition.

The new feature has been released as an extension of PageSuite’s existing voucher code tool, which currently allows publishers to generate promotional ‘money-off’ codes and manage them alongside publication payment settings.

Percentage voucher codes will equip publishers with the flexibility to offer complete ‘cross-platform’ promotions across digital and HTLM5 editions as well as mobile and tablet apps – perfect for enticing new subscribers for the new year ahead.

Contact your account manager for further information or speak to our sales team for more strategic solutions.

New iPad, Android and Kindle Fire apps for Johnston Press

PageSuite develops custom tablet apps across 18 Johnston Press titles.

Johnston press has announced the release of 10 new iPad apps to the Apple App Store including titles such as the Sheffield Star and the Sunderland Echo. In addition, 18 apps have also been released to Google Play and the Amazon Appstore, which means titles such as The Yorkshire Post and The Boston Standard will now be available to devices such as the new Amazon Kindle Fire, the Google Nexus 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab.

All custom apps feature the latest digital content from each title, as well as full print-replica versions of the newspaper and print supplements. The app is enhanced with social sharing and a 'download' feature that gives readers the opportunity to download content to read later offline too.

The apps include a 30-day free trial and then require a monthly subscription, however, Johnston Press is offering newspaper subcribers in each of the locations free access to one of their local apps as part of a bundled subscription package.

For more information on getting your publication onto the iTunes App Store, Google Play or Amazon Appstore, please contact our sales team today.

Newsquest First Regional News Group With Apps for Amazon’s Kindle Fire Tablet

The Northern Echo, Oxford Times and Brighton Argus available now for Amazon’s new Kindle Fire tablet.

Owners of the Kindle Fire and the Fire HD can download digital replica editions of some of the UK’s most iconic newspaper brands.

Newsquest is the first regional newspaper group in the UK to make available its titles as apps on the Fire family, which Amazon launched in the UK last week.

“Having seen success with iPhone and iPad newspaper apps, our Kindle Fire apps follow the same publishing work-flow to deliver a consistent reader experience on this important new platform,” said Roger Green, managing director of Newsquest Digital Media.

He added: “Launching this soon after the Fire’s UK debut ensures that readers can enjoy our titles on the new Amazon devices from the word go, and so generate good subscription and advertising interest during the Christmas season.”

Subscribers can view full-colour digital replicas of each of the Newsquest titles from early on the day of publication in a bright, crisp format, taking full advantage of the Amazon devices’ display quality and screen dimensions to deliver the best possible experience.

Newsquest has partnered with PageSuite to develop the apps for the 10 titles that are available now on the Kindle Newsstand: The Brighton Argus, The Oxford Times, The Northern Echo, Hampshire Sports Pink, Sutton Guardian, Worcester News, Stourbridge News, Colchester Daily Gazette, The Swindon Advertiser and the Southend, Basildon and Castlepoint Echo.

Ross Murphy, managing director of PageSuite said “We are proud to be Newsquest’s mobile and tablet app development partner. We believe that the Kindle Fire will be an exciting opportunity for many Newsquest brands and their readers.”

Subscription costs for Newsquest’s Kindle Fire apps follow existing price plans for the group’s iPad and iPhone apps, which include a mixture of free and paid-for packages, starting from £4.99 per month.

Northern and Shell Windows 8 and RT apps ready – 5 titles launch PC, mobile and tablet newspapers

Daily Express, Daily Star, OK! Magazine, Star Magazine and New! Magazine lead Windows 8 publishing

Northern and Shell applications will be available to download on any Windows 8 compatible device, and feature intuitive touch-screen replica editions, plus search, social, share, download / offline and zoom functionality.

Each publisher branded Windows 8 and RT app is centred on PageSuite’s interactive magazine and newspaper replica edition, with daily content populated from a consistent PDF feed, which is already used cross-platform for Northern and Shell’s digital publishing, Android and chart-topping iPhone and iPad apps. Robert Avery said “PageSuite’s Windows 8 and RT apps help bring our print edition to life and offer us enhanced opportunities for user engagement.”

Northern and Shell applications will be available to download for free, including a seven-day free trial, from the Windows 8 Store on compatible devices, before rolling onto a reoccurring time-based paid subscription.

“Our strategy is to publish cross-platform, so everyone will be able to subscribe to the Daily and Sunday Express, Daily Star and Daily Star Sunday, OK! Magazine, Star Magazine and New! Magazine.”

Speaking about Northern & Shell’s strategy and current Newsstand applications, Robert Avery said “Our seven-day free trial has proved hugely popular across all platforms and we look forward to sharing this with Windows 8 users.”

Close design and development partnership with Microsoft and PageSuite

Northern and Shell developed strong relationships with Microsoft and developer PageSuite to ensure delivery of two daily newspapers and three magazines brands ready for forthcoming launch.  Robert Avery, Enterprise & Operations Director at N&S said “We have worked closely with both PageSuite and Microsoft to develop a brilliant Windows 8 and RT application for launch.” He added “Windows 8 and RT apps are the perfect opportunity for us to publish across Microsoft tablet and touch-screen PC devices”

PageSuite Managing Director Ross Murphy said “PageSuite worked with Microsoft and Northern & Shell to make sure the design and development of the Windows 8 Apps delivered a great experience on regular and touch screen PCs as well as tablet devices. What’s also exciting about Windows 8 is the intuitive new interface where publishers can sell subscriptions and push content direct to the consumer,  who will be able to upgrade on a large number of existing desktops and devices.”

PageSuite are ready for UK Kindle Fire release

US experience provides the best position for UK launch

The wait is almost over for the UK release of the Kindle Fire and predictions are suggesting that Amazons’ tablet is set to have similar success in the UK as it has in the US. Kindle Fire now accounts for over half the Android smartphone and tablet market in the US, making the upcoming UK launch one of the most exciting technology releases for mobile and tablet app publishers.

“It has a good price point, in a competitive market, and that’s exciting. It’ll be an important device for the UK. For publishers, the key question is what investment they put behind new emerging products like the Kindle Fire? Dynamic Apps are a lower resource and investment commitment, whilst Custom Apps focus on unique features but a higher app development cost.” Ross Murphy, Managing Director.

Making experience work across platforms

PageSuite already offer Dynamic Apps on the Kindle Fire, as well as developing Custom Apps for several newspaper and magazine clients in North America. MSG Varsity and Newsday Kindle Fire Apps offer readers the chance to enjoy replica editions of publishers’ content, which has proven results for magazines and newspapers across iOS, Android and digital editions.

Existing success brings excitement for new platform

PageSuite’s UK clients are ready for launch and are hoping to add to their existing mobile and tablet strategy with Kindle Fire Dynamic Apps. Publishers are utilising PageSuite’s digital publishing software to tailor each application in development, with complete control via our online software. Having already seen success for hundreds of titles across iPhone and iPad newspaper applications, publishers are confident that the Kindle Fire apps will also be a success.

Many are excited to take their publisher branded applications to the next level and publish across another platform. The Kindle Fire apps are the next logical step for publishers to continue growing their tablet publishing presence.

PageSuite can create newspaper and magazine Kindle Fire apps to ensure publishers’ pricing strategies will be exactly the same as across their iPad and iPhone news and magazine apps. Publisher tablet apps are expected to offer a mixture of free and paid-for content, having already seen that these pricing structures work across various publications and brands.