Dive summary:
- According to anonymous sources, the New York Times is considering allowing more brands to publish sponsored articles on the site in an effort to mimic the potentially lucrative business models of popular startups like BuzzFeed.
- The decision is a result of the paper's declining revenue for the past ten straight quarters; the increase in sponsored content will help to make up for huge cuts the paper has suffered in recent years.
- The Times will make clear which stories are sponsored so as to keep the credibility with the readership it has built in its 161-year run.
From the article:
"Part of the strategy is avoiding controversial sponsors. The Atlantic magazine drew criticism earlier this year for a sponsored online post from the Church of Scientology, which carried the headline, 'David Miscavige Leads Scientology to Milestone Year.' The magazine took down the post and apologized to its readers in a mea culpa that started, 'We screwed up.'”