A media outlet focused on international business and world affairs and a younger-skewing social application seem like strange bedfellows at first glance, but The Economist and Snapchat are making a go of it.
The Economist announced today that it will publish an edition on Snapchat Discover each weekend that will cover one theme or subject using at least 14 ?top snaps,? or animated cards, as well as reporting, analysis, charts, maps and videos from its editorial team worldwide.
The initial edition will seek to debunk fears about a jobless future, exploring the economy?s sluggish growth, the on-demand economy and the impact of robots.
The Economist said each Snapchat Discover edition will also contain four slots for Snapchat?s Snap Ads full-screen video ads with sound, and Goldman Sachs will be the exclusive advertiser for the debut edition. Snap Inc. vice president of content Nick Bell said in a release announcing the initiative:
The Economist is one of the most respected and thoughtful editorial voices in the world, and we’re thrilled that they’ll be introducing their content to the Snapchat community through in-depth coverage of some of the most important issues we face, from the future of our global economy to foreign policy and culture.
The Economist deputy editor Tom Standage added:
As the news environment becomes ever noisier, our expertise in providing provocative analysis of current affairs and in spotting trends helps our globally curious readers ...