Coconuts Media gets new website and editor-in-chief in pivot to global publisher
Coconuts Media has revamped its website and scored a new editor-in-chief in its pivot from separate city websites to a global publisher.
Coconuts revamp website and score new editor-in-chief
The new website, Coconuts.co now features top stories across Asia, replacing the corporate landing page. The new editor-in-chief, Chad Williams, the former editor-in-chief of the Phnom Penh Post, will be taking up the post on 3 April. He will be based out of the Hong Kong office, leading editorial strategy, staff and news decision-making.
Williams’ résumé includes 16 awards from the Society of Publishers in Asia and WAN-IFRA during his six year tenure at Phnom Penh Post, as well as a stint at The Hollywood Reporter.
"I’m incredibly excited to be joining one of Asia’s premiere, up-and-coming news outlets. Coconuts’ team of editors has done a brilliant job of creating a relationship with readers in some of the world’s most vibrant cities, and over the coming months we’re confident that impact will only grow, both in reach and quality," said Williams.
Coconuts Media will also refocus to publish more substantive news stories, looking to wean off viral traffic from Facebook, while retaining its distinctive style with Williams’ addition.
“Online publishers hit peak Facebook engagement addiction in 2016. The election of Donald Trump in the US and the rise of fake news proved something that I think we as online editors innately know: That the most sensational stories will always be the most popular on social media, whether they are true or not,” said Byron Perry, founder and chief executive officer, Coconuts Media.
“I believe there will be movement to return to authenticity, to return to truth, and a craving for trustworthy and higher quality news from responsible publishers. I want to both advocate for this movement and position Coconuts Media to benefit from it. At the same time, we’re never going to lose the eye for the absurd that is our calling card,” he added.
Along with the new website, new advertising products also on offer, with new display and native ads available on the site. Branded content has also gotten a redesign along with the site, and each city section has been divided into four categories, News, Food & Drink, Lifestyle, and Features.
As non-traditional news websites grow in creditability, such pivots into hard news reporting should no longer be unexpected. Retooling products to better cater to both viewers and brands wary of ad fatigue is inevitable as content advertising is set to grow into a billion dollar industry by 2020.