DNAinfo - manhattan local news

What is DNAinfo?

• DNAinfo is a digital news service covering stories vital to Manhattan’s local communities. Our professional journalists produce and publish concise, objective multimedia stories. We combine original content with the best aggregation to bring our audience all the news from the neighborhoods. In the future, we will also publish top-notch freelance writers and bloggers who are fully immersed in their communities. We will deliver all of this across web and mobile platforms.
• DNAinfo is guided by the following beliefs:
• News stories should be told by journalists who rely on facts, not spin.
• News reporting should be useful, fun, and fearless.
• A nimble news operation available across all digital platforms can attract viewers and make money.

What does DNAinfo cover?

• DNAinfo covers neighborhood and local news in Manhattan.
• In addition to street-level coverage, DNAinfo also focuses on larger issues; e.g. the economy, politics, education, crime, the courts, transportation and technology.

Why Manhattan?

• New York City is the media capital of the world, but that hasn’t translated into adequate coverage of Manhattan’s communities. Traditional news outlets are cutting their local staffs, if they’re not shutting down entirely, giving DNAinfo the opening to cultivate this niche.

Isn’t this space already really crowded?

• Yes, but New York City media is undergoing a major shift, with every traditional outlet looking to capitalize on the Internet revolution. The world-class team assembled at DNAinfo is already well-versed in the latest multimedia technologies. So, while everyone else is trying to figure out how to survive the digital revolution, we will be executing with compelling multimedia content on mobile and Web platforms.

Who is behind DNAinfo?

• The inspiration, funding, and strategic vision for DNAinfo come from entrepreneur and Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts. A pioneer in the use of technology to reinvent a decades-old system in the financial services sector, Ricketts believes there’s a solid business proposition in providing digital local news.

What’s with the name DNAinfo?

• DNA stands for Digital Network Associates.

What is the site’s revenue model?

• DNAinfo is a for-profit business, and intends to monetize its content with both traditional and newer revenue strategies.

Will there be advertising?

• Not in the beginning.

Why will DNAinfo succeed?

• The upheaval facing traditional media provides a great opportunity for DNAinfo. Now is the right time to experiment with new ways of storytelling, content delivery, and revenue generation.

Does DNAinfo plan to expand to other cities in the future?

• Currently the focus will be on Manhattan.