Bolder and better: 'The Standard' launches new design

The Standard newspaper and website launched new designs on April 8, 2021. [Standard]

‘The Standard’ newspaper and website www.standardmedia.co.ke relaunched on Thursday, April 8, promising a better feel and in-depth content.

The new-look newspaper goes into circulation beginning Friday, April 9, whereas the website’s new feel is already live.

Presiding over the relaunch at Standard Group Headquarters on Mombasa Road, ICT Cabinet Secretary, Joe Mucheru, who was the chief guest, said ‘The Standard’ has, over the years, offered credible news service to Kenyans.

“It is my hope the Standard Group PLC will remain a source of truthful news, and will continue to be bold in providing credible and cutting-edge information. Remember, we are living in the era of fake news,” he said.

Mucheru’s sentiments were echoed by Standard Group PLC’s Board Chairperson, Robin Sewell, who lauded the news organisation’s digital-first mindset.

“The Standard Group PLC is now a digitally-fronted media house in East and Central Africa. The company has broken off from traditional reporting to a brand that embraces reflective and analytical journalism,” he said.

Sewell promised readers more authoritative, in-depth and balanced stories on the two ‘Standard’ platforms.

“Standard has the richest history among media organisations in Kenya. It has been around since the colonial times to now, when readers can access information on their mobile phones,” he said.

“The new look only adds to what ‘The Standard’ is known for: maturity, boldness and appeal to all age groups.”

Sewell’s remarks were reiterated by Julius Kipng’etich, a Non-Executive Director of the Group.

“We are placing the customer at the centre of our operations; we will continue being customer-driven and customer-focused,” said Kipng’etich.

Standard Group PLC CEO, Orlando Lyomu, said the media company had converged its news-gathering departments with the goal of delivering fast and accurate information to consumers.

“Under the Project Eagle, and with our ultra-modern integrated converged newsroom, we have brought together the tectonic plates of our different archipelagos under one roof bound by consolidation of different talents of managerial and leadership skills,” said Lyomu.

The CEO promised consumers would see and experience the difference, almost immediately.

On his part, Standard Group’s Editor-in-Chief, Ochieng’ Rapuro said the new design, which he likened to soup, will satisfy subscribers’ appetite for well-told stories.

Meet the team that heads our newsroom's convergence#SettingTheStandard pic.twitter.com/Bej05Ymlur

— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) April 8, 2021

“The [Standard] redesign is partly informed by the fact that in the predominantly digital environment, consumers are overly visual.

“This being the reality, I must emphasise that the new design is only but the soup that we want to serve our audiences,” he added.

The colourful event was attended by editorial leads of different sections, including newspaper, television, radio and digital.