What happened to the Today newspaper?

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

The newspaper industry has been through a rough time in the past three years and most of it is down to failures of simple practices. Struggles to match the demand for online content, combined with the phone-hacking scandal of 2011 has seen sales drop and the appeal to win people’s attention decrease. Indeed, in my case now, I am only likely to buy a newspaper when I’m on holiday out of the UK. The market just doesn’t seem to be there anymore, which is perhaps a good thing, considering the behaviour of some journalists and newspaper editors in recent times.

Phone-hacking came back into the public sphere in the summer when former news editor of the News of the World, Andy Coulson was jailed for his role in hacking the phones of celebrities. Another chief news editor of the defunct newspaper, Rebekah Brooks, was cleared on all charges. The News of the World isn’t the only paper though that has ceased to exist.

In fact, British newspapers do come and go. Whilst the red-top tabloids still dominate circulation figures, broadsheets are still around and provide a more accurate approach in comparison to some of the sensationalized reporting you’d often find in the Daily Mirror and the Daily Star. One paper that did revolutionise the British newspaper industry was Today.

It didn’t last a decade, but made its mark. So, whatever happened to the Today newspaper (logo pictured below)?

The Today newspaper made a short impact on journalism in the 1980s

Early struggles

Launching on 4^th March 1986, Today was seen as the honest tabloid, a newspaper that was a balance in the middle between left-wing and right-wing competitors. Seen as competing in the same market as the Daily Express and the Daily Mail, Today pioneered newspaper technology in the mid-1980s, by becoming the UK’s first complete colour newspaper. It was a time where computer photo-typesetting was still a new technology and many other papers stuck to the tried and trusted Linotype machines.

Eddy Shah was the original owner of the paper. A Manchester-based businessman, Shah believed he could take on the might of Rupert Murdoch and Robert Maxwell, the two most dominating media moguls of the 1980s. It wasn’t long though before Today ran into financial difficulties.

Shah, who also owned six local newspapers, took on the trade unions well before the launch of Today. He was the first person to take on Margaret Thatcher’s anti-union laws and anyone who did that to the prime minister would often lose in those days. Within two years of setting up Today, he was gone, selling his empire and moving off into television production instead.

The paper changed ownership twice in its early inception. Tiny Rowland’s Lonrho bought the paper in the summer of 1986 and in 1987; it was eventually sold to Murdoch’s powerful News International brand. Once in Murdoch’s hands, he could control it and despite Today’s change in the way newspapers were printed, there were already signs that it was the beginning of the end.

Cancellations

Alongside the weekday version, a Sunday Today edition was launched but didn’t last long. It was closed early in 1987 as a cost-saving measure. At the same time, Today began an unsuccessful sponsorship of the English Football League. A three-year deal signed at the start of the 1986/87 season lasted just one campaign. For the record, Everton were the only winners of Today Football League Division One!

Murdoch kept Today going, but channelled most of his efforts into his other newspapers, including The Times and the new BSkyB venture, as he tried to turn Sky News into a creditable source of television news journalism. Despite years of decline, the paper survived until 1995 when it ceased publication. Murdoch was concerned that more intelligent people were still interested in the reporting in Today than in the other newspapers he owned.

A sour ending

Today’s most embarrassing story came in its final year. On 19^th April 1995, 168 people were killed in a domestic terrorist bomb attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. In the aftermath, Today made a huge blunder.

The front page of the paper the next day showed a picture of a fireman carrying the body of a young girl with the headline printed “IN THE NAME OF ALLAH”. The editor, Richard Stott and his team believed Muslim terrorists were behind this atrocity. It later turned out that the perpetrators were American survivalists Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols. It left the senior executives quite red-faced.

Today became the first long-running daily newspaper in the UK to close down since the Daily Sketch fell in 1971. The final headline on Friday, 17 November 1995 was “GOODBYE, IT’S BEEN GREAT TO KNOW YOU.”

Today made a short impact and changed the way newspapers were printed in the 1980s. It had its audience, but too many changes in editors and owners meant it wasn’t to become a sustainable threat. 

Categories: 1986, 1995, Colour, Eddy Shah, Newspapers, Online, Ownership, Rupert Murdoch, Today, UK

Can Tesco compete in the competitive tablet market?

By Simon Wright - Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

This article is also available on TheRankTank

The tablet market is one of the most keenly anticipated battles in the technology world. It has taken on a new scope with some of the major retailers joining the race to win buyers with Christmas just two months away.

With Apple’s iPad the best tablet around but also the most complicated and expensive, consumers will want the best deal. That means a combination of excellent battery life, a wealth of applications and performance levels that are so good, you won’t worry about needing an upgrade every five minutes.

Tesco Hudl's new tablet can make an impact in a competitive market

Earlier last week, Argos entered the tablet market with the MyTablet, costing under £100. It is too early to say if this will be a successful move but it follows the latest trend which was recently triggered by Tesco’s competitive move with the introduction of the Tesco Hudl (pictured).

At £119, the tablet is in the price range for many members of the everyday public and there are plenty of positives about the Hudl. Tesco have made it available in four different colours. While the standard black colour is available, those with a creative feel will appreciate the choice of red, purple and blue colours.

The design is slick and smooth and appearance levels are crucial to attract buyers. When a customer enters a store or goes searching online, they will be instantly put off by something that has a lack of care and attention in its design. The Hudl shouldn’t provide any complaints and with a seven inch screen, is big enough to read e-books, listen to the latest chart hits and stream quality movies in stunning HD.

For any tablet to be successful, they need an easy-to-find store with hundreds of applications. That isn’t just the standard apps either. Tesco’s Hudl doesn’t disappoint with access to the successful Google Play store as it runs Android operating technology. Therefore, there shouldn’t be any hassle catching up on TV with BBC iPlayer or staying in touch through video calling on Skype – both available in the store. At 16GB in internal storage, tablet space is fantastic. There is the ability to purchase a Micro-SD card separately to extend memory space to 48GB, keeping the user very happy.

There are bugbears of course. The battery life is not the best and the 3MP camera is a huge disappointment. Tesco shouldn’t invest in this and need to look at other avenues if they were to launch a second edition.

So can Tesco take on the likes of Amazon and Samsung, both viable competitors in the tablet market? It will probably struggle to match them on sales but it has the ability to cause some headaches for these companies. The tablet market is not easy to crack. HP pulled their tablet from the shelves after poor sales while the BlackBerry Playbook was so bad, it made watching an episode of Antiques Roadshow more appealing.

The Hudl sold out in its first two days on the market and this is a great start for Tesco. If you are flushed with cash, stick with the more powerful Samsung tablets but if you are sticking to a budget in the festive season, a Tesco Hudl would be the ideal winter gift.

Categories: Amazon, Android, Apple, Argos, BBC iPlayer, Christmas, Colour, HD, Hudl, iPad, Samsung, Tablet, Technology, Tesco, TV

The UK's best selling male grooming products

By Simon Wright - Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88

All articles are available and were written on TheRankTank.com

Earlier in the summer, I wrote some retail pieces for the website TheRankTank.com.  The Rank Tank is a site that promotes the best selling products for a variety of companies, and it is the job of the writers like myself to produce detailed and informative content about the various sectors assigned to us.

There are areas on the site for a whole range of products.  This ranges from toys and games to computing and entertainment segments.  I was set the task of researching the top five male grooming products.  

Below is the top five, led by V05 Extreme Style Matt Clay

V05 EXTREME STYLE MATT CLAY

BEST PRICE: £2.50 at Amazon

Using V05 Extreme Style will give many men the good look

Most men want to look good, whether that is for an important business meeting or looking to impress the ladies on a night out in the town.  So you need to get the right hairstyle, and this won’t be a problem with use of V05 Extreme Style Matt Clay.  Its job is to create a choppy look to your hair, making you feel amazing without having to work hard to get the ideal look.

This product is ideal for those looking to create definition with a matte finish and at its current low price, is an absolute bargain.  The product was winner at the FHM Fashion & Grooming Awards in 2007 so it is unlikely users will be disappointed with the final result.  To use, simply apply a very small content onto dry hair, work a small amount of clay between your fingers, run through your hair and create the choppy look you dreamt of.  The unique formula of V05 Extreme Style Matt Clay (pictured) also means it washes out extremely easily without needing to worry about any effects afterwards.  So if you’re looking to create an intriguing look without shine, Matt Clay will do the job required.

TONY & GUY MEN STYLING FIBRE

BEST PRICE: £6.95 at Amazon

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Tony & Guy with use of this product

The Styling Fibre for Men from the recognised brand Tony & Guy (pictured) will create a matte finish and some casual looks, although this product should only be used in moderation and not in large contents.

Established back in 1963, Tony & Guy are celebrating their 50^th anniversary of existence this year so why not take advantage of this milestone.  It is one product that once used for the first time; you will probably use it again.  Loosen the product between the palms of your hands and work delicately through dry hair for a hold that is bound to provide satisfaction.  Tony & Guy Men Styling Fibre will provide the opportunity to integrate creative looks with classic styles providing a slick and smooth finish.

L'OREAL EXPERT HYDRA ENERGETIC BLACK CHARCOAL FACE WASH

BEST PRICE: £5.10 at FeelUnique.com

Dullness and stickiness is a thing of the past with the use of L'Oreal

Some care more about hair and skin than others, and L’Oreal certainly fits into the former category.  No wonder this is the case when adverts in their established history on TV have included the likes of actor Gerard Butler and dashing former French footballer David Ginola.

Now L’Oreal has come up with a product that makes male skin look superb, especially in tough times.  For the first time ever, the Expert Hydra Energetic X-Treme introduces black charcoal – a purifying agent in a foaming wash.  The job is to eliminate the dirt and pollution that can crop up on the skin on a daily basis, an issue when working in the big UK cities.  The effects could mean your skin looks dull and has lost its shine edge.  This is when L’Oreal (product pictured) comes in to sort the problem out.

The product acts on skin and dethrones the dirt effect.  Not only that, but it helps fight five problems that can be caused by daily city grime.  Stickiness disappears; dullness is beaten and the shine in skin returns, alongside tackling blackheads and enlarged pores.  This is a cleansing innovation that must be tried.  L’Oreal continues to set the standard because you’re worth it!

VEET FOR MEN HAIR REMOVAL GEL CREAM

BEST PRICE: £7.15 at FeelUnique.com

Veet For Men Hair Removal is suitable for use on many areas

Those concerned about hair removal should fear no more, especially when using the Veet for Men Hair Removal Cream. For use in the shower, the many ingredients contained, including Magnesium Trisilicate, Propylene Glycol and Potassium Hydroxide will leave skin smoother for longer than you’d get from regular shaves and that often stubby regrowth of hair.

The cream is suitable for use on many areas of the male body, such as chest, back, shoulders and legs. Simply put the product on delicately, and rinse off for smooth skin in no more than four minutes. If that is a bit too quick, then try six minutes but no more than that, otherwise the excellent results can’t be guaranteed.

Before use for the first time, make sure to read the directions for use. It might sound tedious but to get the best skin comfort, then I recommend doing this before use. And don’t use on your face or in more private areas.

It might come with plenty of requirements, but Veet for Men have come up with a top product and have been vigilant to let people know of what could happen if not used properly. However use it correctly and you’ll wonder how you ever got by without it.

JUST FOR MEN HAIR COLOURANT

Best Price: £6.99 at 123 Hair & Beauty

Another pressing concern for many men who age is how grey our hair gets.  So don’t complain and do something about it. Use the Just for Men Hair Colourant product, and those worries will become a thing of the past. The shampoo-in hair colour targets 100 per cent of those grey hairs, and is the most traditional way to deal with a problem like this. Afterwards, your hair feels gentle, calm and good once again.

Just For Men eliminates the grey hair factor

Just for Men (pictured) have come up with a variety of different colours that range from sandy blond to ash brown. The above price on the website 123 Hair & Beauty is for the natural jet black colour. The cost can vary depending on hair colour at some outlets, but we aren’t talking vast differences.

What’s more, this isn’t a product you use for five minutes then you need to purchase more. One application should last the minimum of a month and if lucky, upto six weeks before needing further use. Grey disappears in just five minutes, often a shorter length than an average shave.

The instructions for use are simple. Apply, wait five minutes then rinse out. Just for Men Hair Colourant ensures grey hair drifts away in almost an instant.

Categories: 1963, 2007, Amazon, Colour, Cream, David Ginola, FHM, Gerard Butler, Hair, L'Oreal, Matt Clay, Men, Retail, UK, V05