Lianhe Wanbao goes digital as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations

Yesterday, Lianhe Wanbao launched a free iOS app on Apple iTunes store in conjunction with the newspaper’s 30th anniversary this year.

The Chinese language app, “晚报真情30”, (Wanbao – 30 Years of Dedication) features repackaged and optimised content from a special 30th anniversary print supplement of the same title. The supplement was distributed with copies of Lianhe Wanbao a month ago, with enthusiastic responses from both old and new readers alike.

By releasing a digital version, the app can now reach out to a wider audience who might have missed the print supplement, as well as overseas readers. The shelf life of the supplement is also extended, providing a digital record for future reading.

Content highlights for the Wanbao – 30 Years of Dedication app include the recap of breaking news events in Singapore over the past 30 years and in-depth interviews with past and present editors, as well as journalists. Users will also be able to view videos and picture gallery from the news.

Chua Chim Kang, Editor, Lianhe Wanbao and omy.sg cum Senior Vice President, Business Development, Chinese Newspapers Division, Singapore Press Holdings, said: “As Lianhe Wanbao crosses the 30-year mark of news reporting, we have always been mindful of changing and evolving reading habits. Launching this app is another step in Lianhe Wanbao’s overall direction to innovate and grow with our readers, both young and old, as well as new and loyal ones.”

This is the second digital project jointly developed and launched by Lianhe Wanbao and bilingual news and entertainment portal, omy.sg. The first project, an e-book on Apple iBooks, was launched to commemorate singing legend Fong Fei Fei in 2012, following news of her sudden death. The e-book was well received by both local and overseas audiences, garnering over 20,000 downloads within a month of its launch.

In line with the newspaper’s strong history of close collaboration with local commerce, the app is produced with the kind support of four eminent local companies – Novena Foundation Pte Ltd, Moneymax Group Pte Ltd, Merdeka Audio Private Limited and Teo Heng Trading Pte Ltd.

The app can be downloaded for free from now till 31 May 2013. Starting 1 June 2013, it will cost USD2.99 per download.

Visit http://project.omy.sg/ipad/wanbao-30 for more information on the app and download instructions.