In case you haven't heard, we've relaunched the National Underwriter Web site under a new URL–www.Property-Casualty.com–complete with enhanced, multimedia options designed to give readers more opportunities to access our content and offer feedback on the news of the day.
Click over, check it out and let us know what you think!
The new URL used to serve as the home of my blog. Rest assured, you can still catch my views online and talk back via my own redesigned site, now residing at www.NUSamSoapbox.com.
Our home page is still anchored by NU's most popular Web feature–the NU Online News Service–with multiple breaking stories posted throughout the day. (Readers are encouraged to sign up for NU's daily e-newsletter on our home page, which provides links to the prior day's news stories. An RSS feed is available as well.)
However, there are a number of additional features and functions designed to enhance the reader's experience, including:
o Two new blogs–Assistant Managing Editor Caroline McDonald's "No Risk Zone," at www.noriskzone.com, targeted at the risk management and alternative risk-transfer community, along with "Agent For Change," by Laura Mazzuca Toops, Editor of NU's sister publication, American Agent & Broker, at www.agent-for-change.com.
o A weekly poll will be posted online to gauge reader sentiment on critical issues challenging the industry.
o "Most Read Stories" are highlighted so that readers know what news their colleagues are most interested in that particular day, and to alert you to important developments you may have missed.
o A series of podcasts will be regularly posted, featuring interviews with industry leaders by the staff of NU and American Agent & Broker, as well as audio commentaries from NU's editors, including yours truly.
o Links to recent webinars on hot industry topics are also provided.
o Readers may comment on all NU articles posted on the Web site for the first time, and can share the articles with their friends on Facebook and a host of other social networking sites.
o Niche content targeted to specific markets and readerships is also posted on individual "Channels" on the Web site, under the headings: Agent/Broker, Commercial Insurance/Reinsurance, E&S/Specialty Markets, International, Personal Insurance, Risk Management, Regulation/Legislation and Technology.
o A series of "NU Exclusives" is provided, offering access to a number of proprietary reports–including risk manager compensation and the top stories of the year, as well as profiles of NU award-winning commercial insurance agencies, workers' comp risk management programs and agency technology leaders.
o An extensive Industry Calendar is offered, where readers can check on the leading conferences, conventions and seminars, as well as post their own events.
We're especially excited about the new opportunities to allow greater interaction with readers via our relaunched Web site, and we urge all of you to tell us what's on your minds.
Our publisher, Chris Luke, said that "it was time for an updated look and feel to our online brand." He added that the new site "remains focused on delivering news and putting industry developments into perspective in a timely way, while also embracing the latest technology tools."
"We've added more places for our readers to interact with our team of editors, and our advertisers will benefit from the new sponsorship opportunities designed to give each more exposure than ever before," Mr. Luke added.
So, what are you waiting for? Check out NU's new Web site at www.Property-Casualty.com and send me your critique. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sam Friedman is NU's Editor In Chief. To respond to his column, e-mail sfriedman@nuco.com, or go to his blog at www.NUSamSoapbox.com.
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.