Bridging the gap between
digital and print media
Swedish company Meganews introduces
print-on-demand newsstand kiosks
These days, what the newspaper and magazine publishers are exploring is new
concept to bridge the digital world and the world of tangible newspapers.
A noteworthy concept we found here is the way Swedish company Meganews develops
a print-on-demand newsstand kiosks that deliver magazines and newspapers directly to
customers. Get a sneak peek into this first ever innovation introduced in the industry.
By printing only the copies
that are actually bought
by readers, Meganews
is the world’s first publisher
of print-on-demand magazines
and newspapers printed in
kiosks installed at airports,
train stations, shopping malls
and luxury hotels. It not only
saves cost of production, but
also lowers the environmental
impact of newsprint. It also
thus reduces returned copies and
saves resources for publishers
and retailers. After years of
development, Meganews’
print-on-demand magazines
and newspapers will soon be
available in several hotels around
the world.
Concept development
The overall concept of Meganews
was generated by a former
journalist together with the
technology consultancy Sweco
and the industrial design company
LA+B. It is supported by several
Swedish publishing companies,
including Bonnier Group, and
international magazines, most
notably Time.
How does it serve?
The print-on-demand service
of Meganews focuses on
convenience: on a touch screen
in the four square-meter kiosk,
customers select the publication
they like and pay with a credit
or debit card. The magazine or
newspaper is printed inside the
kiosk and ready for the customer
in two minutes. The ultimate
goal is to increase newsstand
sales and the importance of
print media.
Publishers store PDF-files of
their magazines and newspapers
on a server that connects via
internet to the kiosk. One
advantage of this is that
publications from around the
world can be stored on the
server, allowing publishers to
reach customer groups that
were previously too far away
or geographically too dispersed.
Having a wide selection in
terms of languages and interests
is especially useful in places
frequented by international
travellers, such as hotels,
airports and train stations.
RICOH prints
While user’s experience during
the selection, printing and paying
stages of the process matter, and
quality of the printed product is
important as well. Meganews
has partnered with RICOH to
deliver high-quality print products
combined with a global service
network. RICOH has adapted its
Pro C751 print engine to fit inside
the kiosk unit. The difference
between a Meganews magazine
and one bought from the newsstand
will only be minimal.
A research study by the Swedish
institute Inventia, comparing the
life-cycle assessment (LCA) of
a Meganews magazine with the
LCA of a traditional magazine,
has shown that greenhouse
gas emissions and the overall
environmental impact of newsprint
products can be reduced by using
print-on-demand technology.
Successful test
In a test phase during 2013 and
2014, Meganews kiosks were
installed in several public places
across Sweden, such as shopping
malls and airports, including the
Göteborg Landvetter Airport.
Mathias Wåhlberg, CEO,
Meganews, asserted that it was
mainly done to test the concept
from a technical point of view.
After a successful test phase,
Meganews and the publishing
companies decided that the first
(Meganews) stands would be
established in hotels. In hotels,
it would be easiest to reach
the target group and to educate
customers about the service.
Other than in airports and train
stations, the Meganews stands
wouldn’t compete with existing
sales channels.
People still love prints
It has been observed that
international travellers in hotels
are often more interested in
reading printed magazines rather
than staring at their laptops or
tablets during breakfast or at
pools. It is also easier to inform
the visitors about Meganews
service: during the online booking
process, the guest could, for
example, choose what magazines
they would like to find in their
hotel room upon arrival. The
receptionist could also explain
the service to customers.
Expansion move
Meganews is currently in talk
with several hotels in Dubai,
a hotel in Mauritius, many in
Brazil, India and Italy. The
range of publications offered
in Meganews stands is also
likely to expand. “We are
talking with large publishers
in eight to nine international
markets,” mentioned Mathias
Wåhlberg. If the first kiosks prove
successful, Meganews plans to
install additional kiosks in other
locations. This could prove
beneficial for the publishing
industry as well as travellers who
can get their favourite magazines
in their native languages with
the touch of a button, no matter
where they are; anywhere across
the globe.
