DigBoston
| Type | Alternative weekly |
|---|---|
| Format | Tabloid |
| Owner(s) | Dig Publishing, LLC |
| Publisher | Jeff Lawrence[1] |
| Editor | Dan McCarthy |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Language | English |
| Headquarters | 242 East Berkeley Street 5th Floor Boston, MA 02118  United States |
| Circulation | 39,000 (AS OF JUNE 2014) [2] |
| Website | digboston |
DigBoston formerly known as the Weekly Dig or even just the Dig is a free alternative newsweekly found in Boston, Massachusetts. It offers commentary on local news, music, arts, politics, technology, film, sex, food, drink and more, as well as local bar, entertainment and club listings. It is distributed Wednesday, free of charge, in self-serve newspaper dispensers located throughout the city, as well as local businesses, and maintains a blog, DigBoston.com, that is updated daily. In addition to the contributions of the full-time edit staff, content is also created by freelance writers & columnists.
History
The Weekly Dig was founded in September 1999, by Jeff Lawrence. Previously, Lawrence had published a monthly magazine called Shovel founded in 1997. Shovel discontinued publishing in the Spring of 2000, where it had become an insert to the Weekly Dig.
In September 2003, Lawrence moved to change the editorial direction by dismissing founding Editor, Joe Bonni. Assistant Editor (and junior partner) Seth McM. Donlin was named interim Editor; Joe Keohane was appointed the replacement Editor later in 2003.
In October 2004, Boston magazine publisher Metrocorp announced that it bought a majority stake in the Weekly Dig. Metrocorp, which has operated Boston magazine since 1971, also publishes Elegant Wedding, Concierge, Home & Garden and New England Travel and Life. It also has operated Philadelphia since 1946.
Three months later, in January 2005, the paper went through a relaunch that offered a new, updated design and broader content. Since then, its circulation has more than doubled to about 70,000 copies distributed weekly.
In May, 2007, Lawrence announced that he had purchased the paper back from Metrocorp in what both sides called "an amicable divorce".[3]
In 2009, A+E Editor David Day was made Editor-in-Chief. Shortly thereafter, the name Weekly Dig was dropped, and the organization was re-branded as DigBoston, featuring a completely overhauled website, DigBoston.com. Day left in 2012, and the new Editor was former Managing Editor, J. Patrick Brown.[1]
When the Boston Phoenix folded in March 2013[4], DigBoston became the area's only remaining alt-weekly publication. A new staff was installed, including Editor Dan McCarthy, News and Features Editor Chris Faraone, Arts and Entertainment Editor Susanna Jackson, Associate Film Editor Kris Jenson, Staff Writer Sean Maloney, and Associate Publisher Marc Shepard.
References
- ^ a b "Masthead". boston.com. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
- ^ "DigBoston". Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
- ^ Noyes, Jesse (2 May 2007). "Dig founder to buy back alternative weekly". Boston Herald. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
- ^ Kahn, Joseph P. (15 March 2013). "Boston Phoenix to close; Portland, Providence papers remain open". Boston.com. Retrieved 1 September 2015.