Start-up offers publishers high-quality, reasonably priced content

We want to engage the reader and bring the reader along on the journey. Take the reader with us and engage the reader so the reader comes back and wants to read more.”

Jonathan Spira, editorial editor

Accura Media Group offers a new source of automobile and travel content for newspaper publishers and their websites, recognizing that people like to read about places they may never visit and cars they may never be able to afford.

"We're here to give great content and have fun, and to help our subscribers on the publication side to make money," said Editorial Editor Jonathan Spira.

"We're also small enough to listen to publishers. If they want something, we can respond and listen and make changes on the fly."

Accura (www.accuramediagroup.com) is a New York City-based outgrowth of a research firm that studied how people interact with content and information. It began in 2012 but Spira said the company settled on content syndication as its business model only a year or so ago.

Accura targets three groups of clients: corporations such as IBM that employ thousands of frequent travelers, the travel industry including airlines and hotel groups, and traditional and online publishers. Publications include Frequent Business Traveler, The Diesel Driver (for the environmentally conscious motorist) and Frequent Business Travel Weekly.

Stories might include airline industry developments, weather delays, new hotel features and reviews, and travel destinations. For example, Frequent Business Traveler currently has posted content about the growth of American Airlines, a photo essay on Major League Baseball fields and a poll asking readers to rank their "pet peeves" about hotels.

Spira said that, so far, newspaper-oriented publishers are showing the most interest in car reviews and travel reviews because they can use that content to generate ad sales from local car dealers, travel agencies and the like.

"We're a little bit more on the high end, but in terms of the destination pieces and car reviews, it's all over the place," he said. For example, someone may only be able to pay for a $20,000 car but is still interested in reading about the $150,000 luxury model.

"People travel by reading, more so than by plane, train or automobile," he said.

Content is rigorously edited and fact-checked. All images are Accura's own work. Publishers are not restricted to what's currently posted; they may delve into the archives if they want to produce a special section on a particular topic.

"Our pricing for publishers is based on readers or subscribers, depending on what type of publication. We keep the cost very low so it's affordable," Spira said.

Spira said he's learning more about newspaper publishing since joining SNPA through interaction with staff members and association members.

"We want to engage the reader and bring the reader along on the journey. Take the reader with us and engage the reader so the reader comes back and wants to read more."

For more information, contact Jonathan Spira at jonathan.spira@accuramediagroup.com.

Jane Nicholes

Jane Nicholes, a regular contributor to the eBulletin, is a freelance writer and editor based in coastal Alabama. She is an award-winning veteran of more than 30 years in the newspaper business. Reach her at jbnicholes@att.net. Nominate your company for an associate member spotlight article!