Chutian was developed by the Hubei Daily Group, the
biggest newspaper group in Hubei Province. Managers and editors
were given free rein to run the paper, taking responsibility for
the paper's profit-and-loss management. The group provided economic
backing only for the first three years.
The paper made no profit in 1997, earned 18 million yuan
(US$2.25 million) in the second year, and a whopping 30 million
yuan (US$3.74 million) by the third year. In 2005, it raked in
about 80 million yuan (US$9.98 million).
Its phenomenal progress guaranteed its position as the pillar
department of the group.
When it first started operations, employee salaries were low and
they had no formal office. Cai Huadong, the former chief editor of
Chutian, said that its team of editors and reporters has
grown from 38 to more than 220.
They enforced strict editorial guidelines, keeping editorial
staff very separate from advertising sales and marketing.
Bonuses were and are performance-based, judged according to six
criteria including timeliness and writing style.
And unlike many other newspapers that frequently change their
slogans, Chutian's has always been: "Everything for the
citizen". This is reflected in their news coverage that features
every day news items from weather reports to forecasts of power
cuts. So much so that the paper has become an indispensable part of
their readers' lives.?
Annual seminars are held every year for editors and reporters to
keep them up to date with the latest developments in relevant
subjects such as reporting skills and branding. Participants are
required to do the necessary research before attending these yearly
seminars.
In addition to ensuring and maintaining quality standards, the
paper prides itself as being socially and morally responsible,
providing financial aid to impoverished college students, for
example.
The paper has a current daily circulation of 1.2 million copies.
It is published in a 32-page quarto format.
Hubei's cultural industry
Shen Haining, the vice director of the provincial Culture
Department, said that the main task of the cultural industry reform
was to differentiate between the needs of public non-profit
institutions and other corporations that had the ability to
generate income.
Financial support was not cut for public institutions such as
museums, libraries and galleries. Those that could generate income,
including newspapers, TV stations and publishing houses were
encouraged to restructure.
Hubei is now home to 13 publishing houses. With over 100
newspapers and over 400 periodicals, an extensive publishing
industry network has taken shape. The major media companies include
Hubei Daily Group, Hubei Broadcasting and TV Group, Zhiyin Group
and Changjiang Daily Group.
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Chen Lin, May 14, 2006)