While we don’t discuss international media startups often here on LR, even though we know there are interesting things happening outside of our own borders, it’s good to take a look once in a while. Today I’d like to introduce you to Newzglobe.com.
Newzglobe launched in Sweden 2005, so it has been around for a while. In March the site expanded to include coverage of the Middle East and Asia.
Meraj Syed started the site as an online business and lifestyle magazine in Sweden because the lack of coverage in the marketplace. The site does more than 2 million pageviews per month.
“The mission of the site is to deliver hardhittnig, bold, entertaining business and lifestyle news everyday,” Syed told me via email. “The markets we serve currently are in need of more business news like we write because the common business man is very busy and do not have the time to read long articles. Our articles are interesting, short and informative.”
Mixing business and lifestyle content is an interesting recipe for audience, and one that would seem to have potential in the U.S. as well.
Recently, I spoke on a panel in Dubai with Nabila Usman, who is a reporter/writer/blogger for Newzglobe. She described the content as “quirky” and “edgy” and apparently stirred up quite a controversy recently when she tried to attend a media forum at a bar while wearing her hajib (which is not allowed under UAE law). She and a few others were turned away, which she reported, and caused quite an uproar judging from the comments.
Usman offered several “edgy” comments during the panel discussion, including a prediction that print newspapers would go away in the next 10 years and that she would be taking her children to see copies of them in a museum. My 9-year-old son, who is addicted to the morning sports page, will not be impressed.