Back Bay Update - October 10, 2007

Keynote Speaker: Steven Ainsley, Publisher, The Boston Globe

Members of the Back Bay Association arrived at the Fairmount Copley Place Hotel on October 10th, 2007 for the most recent installment of "The Back Bay Update." It was a chance for members of the Back Bay Association to gather together for an elegant breakfast in one of the area's finest hotels. Traditional bagels and muffins were offered on one table, while another displayed an assortment of sweet pastries and croissants. Guests were also treated to smoothies, arranged in small glasses of various fruits.

Meg Mainzer-Cohen, president of the Back Bay Association, took to the stage once everyone was settled. She was pleased to announce that the Back Bay Association is stronger than ever.

"Membership to this organization has been growing continually," she said, "and it is because of the support of current members that the Back Bay Association continues to thrive as this neighborhood's principle advocate for business." Ms. Mainzer-Cohen when on to inform members of the current issues affecting business in the Back Bay. She first acknowledged that there is an increasing demand for office space in the Back Bay.

"In order to support the growth of business, it is important that they feel welcome here in the Back Bay. We do this by supporting initiatives to provide adequate office space for people to carry out their business." She next spoke about the importance of protecting The Park Plaza. Finally, she explained the necessity to keep Storrow Drive open to ensure that people can do their work in the Back Bay.

Next Bryan Koop, Chairman of the Back Bay Association, came to the stage. He introduced Steven Ainsley, publisher of the Boston Globe and the morning's featured speaker. Mr. Ainsley began by remarking on his personal affinity with the city's unique character.

"It is a glorious circumstance that we have such a patchwork of neighborhoods linked to Boston. It is also an honor to be here before you in the Back Bay: America's Most Dynamic Neighborhood."

Mr. Ainsley spoke about the Boston Globe and its status in the newspaper industry. He described the new form that news media is taking as the industry adjusts to the integration of the Internet into the way people get their news and the rest of their media.

"This is an industry in flux," he explained. He spoke of the need to "make a new financial model" that will account for the changing media environment.

To account for the change in media, the Boston Globe has unveiled a completely redesigned website that features a more user-friendly interface, greater access from mobile phones, and tools that will encourage readers to become more interactive with the newspaper. He explained how people have become accustomed to using their browser's search tool to find content they want. The new website offers a highly functional search option that will give users greater access to content.

"We're not trying to 'Out-Google Google'," he said about the new search feature. "We are trying to 'Out-Boston Google." In this way, The Globe will be able to compete more effectively on the internet by offering its own, Boston-centric search feature.

Mr. Ainsley elaborated on the fact that it is the Globe's commitment to local coverage that makes it one of the nation's most-read newspapers.

"If we don't win in Boston, then we don't win. To this end, we won't do anything to minimize local coverage."

Now that the new website is up, Bostonian's can expect to find more of what they're looking for in digital form at www.boston.com.