Today we're unveiling a really big new vision for Quartz that's rooted in our amazing community of smart, worldly readers. Here's the overview: qz.com/1461359
There are two major components of this vision, both of which are launching today:
1) An app for our community to add their perspectives and expertise to the news qz.com/app
2) A membership program that’s an education in the global economy qz.com/become-a-membe…
1) An app for our community to add their perspectives and expertise to the news qz.com/app
2) A membership program that’s an education in the global economy qz.com/become-a-membe…
About the new Quartz app...
The core experience is commenting. Pick a story, and optionally add a comment to add value to that story. We think there's an opportunity to create a better space for discussion of the news than, umm, :looks around awkwardly:
The core experience is commenting. Pick a story, and optionally add a comment to add value to that story. We think there's an opportunity to create a better space for discussion of the news than, umm, :looks around awkwardly:
One of the greatest promises of digital journalism is involving readers in a way that improves the journalism itself. "Quartz readers, collectively, know more about this new global economy than we do," we said back in 2012. This app is our biggest attempt to make good on that.
We've also recruited a stellar lineup of Quartz Pros, who are leading experts in their field, to add their comments, too. People like Kai-Fu Lee, Kristalina Georgieva, Reshma Saujani, Sallie Krawcheck, Beth Comstock, and lots more. A really Quartzy bunch. Find them in the app.
The vision for this app begins in Japan, where our parent company Uzabase started NewsPicks five years ago and built it into a big and vibrant business-news community. We've learned a lot from them and are now launching under the Quartz brand to take this vision worldwide.
The app is iOS-only for now. Android version is coming shortly. You can download the iOS app here: itunes.apple.com/us/app/quartz/…
OK, now, about the membership program...
It's an education product. Each week, we take a key company, industry, or other force of importance to the global economy, and give you a master class on the topic, with new stories published every day for members only.
It's an education product. Each week, we take a key company, industry, or other force of importance to the global economy, and give you a master class on the topic, with new stories published every day for members only.
For instance, this week, in our first guide, we are providing an education in the death of cash. Here's the first piece in that guide: qz.com/1456649
We're calling it a membership. Become a member of Quartz. Of course, there is large transactional element: Give us some money ($14.99 a month or $99.99 for the first year), and you get really useful, essential guides to the global economy, and other premium stories. But also...
We want to make good on what it means to be a "member." (Many smart people — @membershippzzle, etc. — have great thoughts on this.) For us, it means a deeper, two-way relationship. So we'll interact with members via email, in-person events, conference calls, and more to come.
Anyway, we offer a 30-day free trial, so just try it out yourself. qz.com/become-a-membe…
So, to summarize, we are building a new community for thoughtful discussion of business news. It's an app qz.com/app (iOS-only, Android soon). And you can upgrade to become a member within the app or on QZ.com.
(If you are wondering, “What about that app with the texting and whatnot?” Still going strong. Last month we renamed it to Quartz Brief qz.com/quartz-brief/ and think of it as key way to become loyal to Quartz, along with our free emails.)
