The odds are good that as you're reading this, you're holding in your hands a printed copy of NU. And if you're anything like me, you still get a small but real thrill when one of your favorite magazines arrives in the mail.

There's a lot of pleasure to be had from a publication as physical object—the flipping of pages which can lead to serendipitous discoveries; the big, glossy images that invite lingering looks; the shelf full of saved copies which serve as a smile-inducing reminder of just how long you've been a fan of this subject—whether it's sports, gardening or the P&C industry.

As someone who has been a journalist for over half my years—and a magazine lover all my life—it's hard to imagine a world where the “analog” versions of my favorite titles no longer exist. Happily, I think we're still at least some time away from an entirely paper-free publishing universe.

But I've also been deeply involved with the digital side of journalism for more than decade now—and I'm a full-fledged believer in the many decided advantages of the bits-and-bytes approach to delivering content offers.

Speed is one critical upside. We “close” every issue of NU late on the Thursday afternoon before the date you see on the publication—in the case of this June 27 issue, we finish it on June 23. Due to the whims and vagaries of the U.S. Postal Service, some of you may not receive the print edition until a few days after the publication date.

But those of you who are digital-only subscribers—or those of you who are enjoying the best of both worlds as digital and print subscribers—know that you receive the electronic version of the magazine in your inboxes the same day as the issue date. So some of you are reading this message on your computer screen, smartphone or tablet on June 27—and getting our news and analysis just a few days ahead of the competition.

Another important benefit to the (keyword-searchable) digital edition are all the extras we can embed in it—more sidebars, additional charts, slideshows and video. In this digital edition, in fact, you can play on page 16 a video featuring an exclusive interview with a Joplin, Mo.-based State Farm agent.

And if you're a person who can forego entirely the manifold positives of the print experience—maybe you're a Millennial who never got hooked on paper in the first place, or you're a long-serving veteran whose office is already close to bursting at the seams—then another plus of the digital approach is a green one: No trees are harmed in its production.

For me, whenever the opportunity presents itself, I tend to be a have-my-cake-and-eat-it-too kind of guy—so I'll gladly stick to both options. (And if you're ever in Hoboken, stop by my office, and you'll see my love of paper is no joke—sometimes my iPad is buried under old NU issues.)

If you're a print reader who would like to start receiving our digital editions, please call 800-458-1734 or email your request to propertyandcasualty@halldata.com. If you would like to start a subscription, please call 800-458-1734 or visit our online form at www.PropertyCasualty360.com/PCsubscribe.

Bryant Rousseau

Editor in Chief

Special Reports /

The Best Of Both Worlds: Print & Digital Editions of NU

Related Stories

Recommended For You