The new look T&T Guardian came off with a bang yesterday as commuters, motorists and other pedestrians traversing through City Gate in Port-of-Spain, Busy Corner in Chaguanas and Library Corner in San Fernando were eager to have a read.
At City Gate, Guardian Media Ltd personalities, Jason “JW” Williams and Ancil Blaze, also known as “Blaze” who chaired yesterday’s road show to promote the new paper, drew a favourable crowd as excited fans also stopped to pose for souvenir selfies.
Several people who perused the paper said what immediately struck them was the “magazine look and feel.”
Many also complimented the large photo of a smiling T&T Knight Riders on the front which they said displayed “positive news” as opposed to all the negativity currently taking place in the country.
At Busy Corner, Chaguanas, the new look T&T Guardian was the talk everywhere.
Though the promotional event got off to a late start because of the inclement weather members of the public were intent on getting their free copy as Sangeet 106.1 FM announcer Rashmie Singh and DJ Din (Dinesh Maharaj) and other members of staff handed out several copies to passers-by.
Member of the public were only to happy to get a copy of the T&T Guardian to see what story was on the new front page.
Students on their way to school also took a copies and raved about the new font used, picture and the design on the front page.
Several readers said they usually listened to Sangeet 106.1 FM. They were also happy to take “selfies” with Singh and Maharaj.
“I read more online. It is not clustered and you could see the report of the news,” said Max Davis of Chase Village, Chaguanas.
Matthew Bino, another reader said: “That better. I read what’s happening day to-day.”
When Sandra Sankar, of Chaguanas, and Reuben Augustine, of Five Rivers, looked at the new package they said: “Yes, I read it.”
Another reader, Sheila Morali, of Chaguanas asked if there were more promotions occurring saying she was an avid reader.
PC Keston Sobers and Sgt Love Maloney, of the Chaguanas Police Station, were also recipients of the Guardian.
In San Fernando, copies of the new look paper were going like hot bread
The GML team led by Vibe CT 105.1 FM announcer Natalie Morales brought excitement to commuters, motorists and students experienced the usual Monday blues of shaking off the weekend.
With music filling the air at Library Corner, several readers found excitement in the brand new look and immediately started reading on the pavement. Even the taxi drivers that got free copies sat in their cars and found numerous topics to discussed with their riders.
Even readers who were loyal to other newspapers found the change refreshing and were considering either changing their choice for news or adding it to their delivery.
“It looked interesting and I like the pictures in the paper. I think the front page has a wonderful picture but I will definitely keep the centre page picture of the cricketers in my room,” Mervyn Mayers said.
Parbatie Boodram said the new look made the paper seem more enticing to pick up at the stands.
“Sometimes I read the Guardian and other times I read the other papers but this is now more encouraging to look at. I like the new paper,” Boodram said.
Alvin Keane, who usually purchases the Newsday, said he would be checking out the Guardian more frequently now and it found the paper much improved.
By mid morning, hundreds of copies were in the hands of readers and the streets were filled with people reading the Guardian.
The launch continues today in Arima, City Gate and Busy Corner.
The T&T Guardian newspaper is celebrating 100 years this month.
