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TheBusinessDesk.com launches North West edition and looks to rapid expansion | Print |  Email to a friend
Tuesday, 09 September 2008

Those with a voracious appetite for business stories in the region will be licking their lips this week, with the news that TheBusinessDesk.com has launched into the marketplace… only a matter of weeks after bosses informed How-Do that it was “a bit early” to discuss their plans.
Those with a voracious appetite for business stories in the region will be licking their lips this week, with the news that TheBusinessDesk.com has launched into the marketplace… only a matter of weeks after bosses informed How-Do that it was “a bit early” to discuss their plans.

The new launch means that this already competitive sector has just got even more crowded, as a third daily email news alert (alongside Crains’ and Insider’s) begins beaming out to business inboxes.

It was only back at the tail end of July that David Parkin, the man behind TheBusinessDesk brand, denied that plans were advanced to expand the web-only service out of its Yorkshire home.

However, it appears as though Parkin’s coyness was probably down to the fact that he didn’t want another business website scooping his own on the launch story, as the ‘desk’ officially opened for business yesterday.

Parkin has set up shop in new offices on King Street in Manchester and taken on three established business journalists to help drive the site forward.

They are: former MEN business editor Sheryl Moore, former Yorkshire Post deputy business editor James Graham; and author and journalist Anastasia Weiner.

Image
The team drink to the launch
For the time being Parkin himself has taken the reins of editor, although he expects to relinquish these duties in the very near future.

“The launch of the North West site was accelerated,” he explained, “partly by the success of the Yorkshire site and partly due to the fact that we wanted to establish ourselves here quickly.

“Ideally it would have been great to have an editor in place, but we’re looking to recruit one, alongside a deputy editor and another journalist, quickly. We’re serious about investing and expanding here.”

Parkin seemed unfazed by the competition that already exists in the region, acknowledging that there is “a lot of great media here already” but adding that TheBusinessDesk would be different as “we’re purely online and free - we’re just concentrating our efforts and resources on the one product, which is a strength.”

So far TheBusinessDesk Yorkshire has been well received. It currently has 7,500 registered users and attracts over 14,000 business people a month, all acquired since its launch last November.

Parkin believes that, given the greater concentration of businesses in the North West, the new operation will exceed those audience/subscriber figures in a similar timeframe.

One feature that may help it achieve that is the fact that the site claims to the only player in the market that sends out daily alerts by text as well as email (if requested), with the updates arriving before 9am.

At the moment it’s also the only site that is handing out hundreds of free cups of coffee, from BusinessDesk branded vans, in Manchester city centre every morning (this week only folks!).

It seems like Parkin and co want to satisfy their users' thirsts as well as their hunger for news.

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/

 

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  Comments (8)
RSS comments
 1 By AReader, on 09-09-2008 07:12
Well done – but can anyone explain how on earth thebusinessdesk.com’s business model stacks up? Its Yorkshire site employs three journalists (plus other staff) yet surely the handful of ads on the site can’t possibly sustain that never mind fund expansion unless I'm missing something.
 2 By CanCan, on 09-09-2008 08:09
I welcome the arrival of what looks like another quality news source for the NW, but I do feel there's a hell of a lot of overlap between all the major players. 
Crain's, MEN and now the Business Desk (early days I know) all seem to offer the same stories, only slightly repackaged. 
What we need is differentiation and specialism in specific sectors. 
If they don't do that the ones with the deepest pockets will eventually be the only ones left standing. Its a recipe for future consolidation.
 3 By Mr Sock, on 10-09-2008 14:28
Booooooooooooooooring. I will be sticking to Insider for my reads. Does anyone think that Crains is getting tired already?
 4 By Tim T, on 10-09-2008 14:51
I have to agree a little Mr Sock. I also don't think the new website helps at all - desperately needs fine tuning.
 5 By Matt website, on 11-09-2008 09:51
At the MEN we're like an oil tanker...slow to change direction but once on course untouchable! Bring it on.
 6 By Dick Dastardly, on 12-09-2008 12:15
Do I win a prize for spotting that only one of the three established business journos actually lives in the region? Or doesn't that matter in these day's of t'internet and wireless jock straps?
 7 By martin howell, on 17-09-2008 21:17
Sorry I'm late. Areader, concerned about the businessdesk's model? Have you seen Crain's recently? The only thing they can advertise is themselves! Insider, Mr Sock? Not bad if you don't mind your news a month (often more) out of date and heavily influenced by PRs. I think there is room for all at the moment. The next couple of months will be interesting....
 8 By martin howell, on 17-09-2008 21:21
I'm more worried about Crain's business model. The only think they can advertise is themselves. Insider, Mr Sock? Not bad if you don't mind your news a month out of date and heavily influences by PRs. If this new site makes Insider, MEN and Crains lift their game then it's a good thing.

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