It is useful to note the distinction between local and global
newsletters. For a number of organisations either local content is
added into the global newsletter to tailor it for audiences (as well
as translations into local languages) or the global newsletter
accompanies a separate local or function-specific publication. Where
local newsletters are produced, there are generally processes in place
to ensure consistency in content, format and style.
One further, more anecdotal point, came out from this section
of the interviews. Some respondents stated that the newsletter/
magazine was under review or about to be relaunched. Four out
of ten organisations mentioned this, with changes underway from
scrapping print editions, to tabloid, glossy style relaunches. There
is acknowledgment by one or two organisations that they feel
newsletters to be a bit ‘old hat’ and these reviews/ relaunches may be
a reflection of the need to keep the format up-to-date and relevant.
Company newsletters are usually linked to intranet sites. Either
newsletters are placed wholesale on intranet sites using a pdf version,
or articles are recycled between the intranet and the newsletters.