Chicago Tribune Launches New Business Website

Posted on September 4, 1997

The Chicago Tribune's financial news and Digital Publishing staffs have launched a new, interactive business news site on the World Wide Web, offering immediate access to breaking news and continually updated stock reports and analysis, and a daily preview of the next morning's Tribune business section. The site can be accessed through an icon on the Chicago Tribune website at chicagotribune.com.

The Tribune, winner of the Newspaper Association of America's 1997 Digital Edge Award for Best Online Newspaper, has focused its business site on giving today's readers a jump on tomorrow's headlines. Each day at 4:30 p.m. (Central time), the Tribune's business desk produces a "first edition" of the following day's printed Business section, featuring staff reports and selected updates from the business wires.

For example, columnist Bill Barnhart, who currently previews his next day's column each evening on CLTV News, a 24-hour Chicagoland all-news cable station, now delivers an overview to Web users as part of the new daily on-line report.

"The late afternoon is a peak time for Internet use, and by previewing our printed business section at 4:30 p.m. each day, we now provide serious information searchers compelling content -- not just up-to-date business, market and stock information, but the expert analysis of Tribune writers and editors," said Owen Youngman, director of interactive media for the Chicago Tribune. "Rather than just reprinting wire-service stories, we offer fresh stories written by our staff reporters who know and cover Chicago and Midwest business daily. Naturally, we also will cover breaking national stories that will interest our general business readers as well."

Users will also find updates by the paper's other business columnists, close-of-market stock and commodity information, and other online features including "Midwest Ticker," which reports on breaking news involving local companies, and "Industry Insider," which includes staff reports on market segments including finance, retailing, manufacturing, technology, marketing, the workplace and travel.

"Getting a first look at what will be reported on in the newspaper the next day and what people will be talking about and reacting to is a great advantage for those who follow the business world. We are giving our readers the chance to get ahead of the news," Youngman said.

The Chicago Tribune has been on the World Wide Web since 1996, and was one of the first newspapers available electronically through America Online.