Great Big Story could possibly become the greatest source for news for young, curious people, using alluring headlines, captivating images and lots of video to deliver serious news that explores angles that larger outlets ignore.
Great Big Story is actually backed by CNN. This fact seems surprising at first, but in fact, makes perfect sense for the mega-media player. CNN wants a way to market to millennials, but it doesn't want to compromise its identity as a serious, conventional purveyor of news.
Great Big Story positions itself as a competitor to Buzzfeed and Vice, covering topics that are important to millennials with a journalistic eye, while aiming to entertain and garner social media attention as well. Its ads cheekily point out its competitors' already-established reputations with slogans like "Say goodbye to lists of grilled cheese sandwiches that look like U.S. presidents."
Millennial-Targeting News Sites
Great Big Story Delivers Digestible, Shareable News Content
Trend Themes
1. Millennial-targeting News Sites - The rise of news sites targeting young, curious readers could lead to improved news coverage for ignored angles and untold stories
2. Video-first News Delivery - News organizations that prioritize video content could meet the demand of younger generations for engaging, shareable news
3. Social Media-driven News Consumption - News sites that prioritize social media sharing could gain wider reach and engagement with millennial audiences
Industry Implications
1. Media and Publishing - Traditional news outlets and new startups could invest in creating innovative news sites that cater to millennial interests
2. Social Media Platforms - Social media companies could partner with news sites to create content that is specifically designed for social media sharing
3. Advertising and Marketing - Brands could partner with millennial-targeting news sites to engage with younger audiences through native advertising and sponsored content