Case Studies | The Independent
Fierce and uncompromising, The Independent is solely powered by Pugpig, with their daily edition and live news offering available in one well-rounded mobile app. Since revamping in 2022, readers spend an average of 19 minutes per session in the app.
The Independent is a prestigious, politically independent news media brand that needs no introduction. Back in 2016 they decided to take the plunge and scrap print altogether to become the UK’s first digital-only broadsheet, relying on Pugpig to do so.
Since then, we’ve been working together closely on a truly sleek, super engaging mobile app. In fact, in the summer of 2022 we revamped and relaunched the app with a focus on audio and video amongst other things. Here’s a little more about how it went…
Video content is a huge engagement driver and revenue generator for The Independent. With this in mind, we built an elegant video player to provide on-demand content. The video hub categorises videos and uses autoplay for a seamless user experience and to increase time spent in the app.
Thanks to a sleek integration with Amazon Polly’s text-to-speech software, all in-app articles and content pieces are available as audio as well as text. This plays into The Independent’s focus on video and audio while appealing to readers who like to consume news on the go.
We implemented brand new custom styling and card designs for all content timelines. This makes it even easier for The Independent readers to differentiate between different content types, whether that’s live update news stories, feature-led pieces, premium content or standard articles.
To encourage new subscriptions and provide added value for existing subscribers, the app places more attention on their growing premium-only offering. Now, premium customers enjoy a whole host of extras, from subscriber-only content and events to entirely new logo, icon and toolbar styling.
The app continues to see impressive engagement, with users spending an average of 19 minutes per session in the app. Besides their high quality journalism, this is no doubt bolstered by the in app on-demand video hub and audio listening functionality for every article.
The Independent readers visit the app over twice a week. The intuitive navigation, enhanced styling and design and introduction of premium-only content are paramount in keeping readers engaged and coming back to the app time and time again.
With thousands of five star reviews in the App Store, The Independent app continues to see impressive success and remains a go-to destination for breaking news and the latest stories. Currently, it also sits within the top 20 apps in the Newspapers & Magazines App Store category.
We’ve worked with Pugpig as a core app development partner since going digital-only in 2016. Their multi-platform, SaaS approach has helped us to efficiently achieve our commercial goals to deliver Independent journalism globally, and drive subscriptions in user friendly, reliable mobile products.
Zach Leonard
Chief Executive, Independent Digital News & Media
News media
Team Pugpig worked extensively with this iconic news journal to beautifully replicate the look and feel of its premium magazine into their app. As well as digital editions, the app showcases podcasts and editorially-curated content in true The Spectator style.
Lowered their tech spend
4.8/5 rating on App Store
In the top 25 apps in ‘Magazines’ in App Store
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Pugpig’s dmg media portfolio also includes The Knowledge and New Scientist. All three titles use the Bolt platform to deliver highly engaging, trusted content to thousands of loyal customers around the globe, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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