Sunday Specials
2026 Finalist
Media associated with this campaign
Overview of this campaign
The main objective of Sunday Specials was to reassert the relevance and value of print amid sustained decline, providing Philadelphia Inquirer subscribers with a premium, must-read experience intended to surprise and delight.
Rather than relegating print as an afterthought, The Inquirer set out to use it boldly and creatively, producing monthly special sections that readers would anticipate, engage with, and keep. Each Sunday Special, including the top-rated Shore Guide, Fall Arts Guide, and 250th in Philly preview, is designed around a timely audience moment, whether it be seasonal planning, cultural exploration, or foodie pride. The goal was to meet readers where their curiosity already existed and elevate that interest through features journalism, service-oriented content, and standout photography, illustrations and design.
A second objective was to strengthen reader loyalty and slow print attrition by reinforcing the value of the Sunday paper. Sunday Specials were conceived to feel intentional and collectible, rewarding time spent with the newspaper and giving subscribers something they could not replicate through daily digital consumption alone.
From a business standpoint, Sunday Specials were also designed to create new revenue opportunities and advertiser value. By offering a premium, brand-safe editorial environment with high reader engagement, these sections aimed to attract advertisers seeking deeper connection with local audiences.
Finally, integration across platforms was a core objective. While print anchors the experience, each Sunday Special is supported by digital extensions, Inquirer.com visibility, newsletters, and social promotion, ensuring that print serves as both a destination and a launchpad.
Results for this campaign
Sunday Specials — launched in May 2025 — have delivered tangible editorial, audience, and business results, demonstrating the continued power of print when used creatively and strategically.
From an audience standpoint, reader response has been overwhelmingly positive. Subscriber feedback across our 2025 Sunday Specials averaged over 3.5 out of 5 stars, with comments frequently citing the sections as “worth keeping on my coffee table,” “beautifully written and elegantly designed,” and “a reason to keep my Sunday subscription.” Readers praise the usefulness of the content as well as the elevated presentation, validating the strategy of treating print as a premium, immersive experience. Internally, these sections have become a key tool in reinforcing the value of Sunday subscriptions and stemming the rate of print erosion.
Engagement with the sections extends beyond the printed page. Stories and guides from Sunday Specials consistently performed strongly when repackaged across digital platforms, including newsletters, social channels, and e-Editions, helping to drive traffic back to Inquirer.com. This integration amplified reach and reinforced brand cohesion across platforms.
From a revenue perspective, Sunday Specials created a differentiated advertising environment that attracted strong participation from local and regional partners aligned with the themes of each section. Advertisers benefited from adjacency to trusted journalism, high dwell time, and service-oriented content that naturally supported calls to action. Several sections generated incremental revenue and sponsorship interest beyond standard inventory, demonstrating print’s continued commercial viability when thoughtfully executed.
Equally important, Sunday Specials have fostered deep interdepartmental collaboration across editorial, design, sales, consumer marketing, finance, and production teams, resulting in cohesive products that balance storytelling and business goals.
Collectively, these results affirm that print — when bold, intentional, and integrated — remains a powerful platform to inspire readers, engage advertisers, and drive measurable impact within a modern media ecosystem.
