The Tart
| Type | Fortnightly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Format | Compact (Tabloid) |
| Owner(s) | TartMedia Group |
| Editor | Ben Cooper |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters | London |
| Website | thetartpaper.com |
The Tart is London's only free satirical newspaper and is published every two weeks. Since its first publication in September 2007,[1] the newspaper has been distributed to nine UK Universities, two law colleges and to commuters in London. From January, the newspaper will be distributed within the Square Mile of the City of London, solely to commuters.
History
The precursor of The Tart was a Bristol University newspaper edited by Tobes Kelly in the first six months of 2007. After graduating, Kelly set up The Tart, then the only National Student Satirical Newspaper, with Ben Cooper (Editor), Miri Katz (Design Editor), Joe Duggan (News Editor), Alex Walters (Entertainment Editor), David Kanter (Science Editor), Becca Hutson (Style Editor), and Gary Fullerlove (Sport Editor). A website was established in August 2007. Jonathan Cherry was appointed as Online Editor.
The Tart was set up as a response to a perceived lack of variety in the student newspaper market, and Kelly's desire to revive student satire through enabling and encoraging students to collaborate regardless of university campus borders[2]. After receiving a positive response from trial distributions to London commuters, the decision was taken to move out of the student market and focus on a demographic that was more informed, culturally aware and active than the student campus. With funding put in place by Kelly, The Tart will be launched for London commuters in January 2008.
Tone
The Tart's tone is satirical, and has been described as "tolerant, witty and parodying the folly of those in the public eye".[3] It is designed to be read as a 'five-minute flick', with bold, magazine-style layouts and short articles.
Layout and style
The Tart is designed chiefly by Miri Katz, also a Bristol University graduate and an award-winning animator[4]. Initially, The Tart was produced as a tabloid style red-top. In November 2007, The Tart's logo was re-designed in black in response to reader feedback. The newspaper has retained the tabloid style in shape, font choice and format.
Regular Columns
Sister Coleen, Women of God
A parody on the life of a WAG
Team America
Reporting on global events through the inspiration of the film[5]
Alex Ferguson
A parody of the thoughts and actions of Manchester United's acclaimed manager of twenty-three years
Sections
The Tart newspaper is divided into four sections - News, Sport, Entertainment and Science. A Style section was included in Issues Three and Five.
Ownership
The newspaper is part of TartMedia Group, which is owned by Tobes Kelly.
Other Media Outlets
TartMedia Group is also set to launch a fortnightly radio show, TartRadio, which is currently in production. The Tart is one of the main sponsors of Screentest[6], the national student film festival.
Notes and references
- ^ http://www.epigram.org.uk/view.php?id=1822
- ^ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/student/how_to_get_a_job/article2812463.ece
- ^ http://cherwell.larrytech.com/index.php?news=1884
- ^ http://www.screentestfest.org.uk/submissions/awards-and-categories/
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372588/
- ^ http://www.screentestfest.org.uk