Two versions of a BBC TakeAway tool to match news to user habits won the Editors Lab Hackdays for the UK broadcaster.
Outcome of the New York event – judged by the Global Editors Network – followed two days of intense competition and creativity.
The BBC were one of seven news teams who used Cxense analytics and content toolsto develop solutions to optimize reader loyalty on their sites. The BBC have now earned a spot in the Editors Lab Hackdays Final in Barcelona, Spain, where 17 of the world’s best news organisations will compete for top honours.
The BBC team created two variations of their BBC TakeAway tool based on different user profiles – the regular BBC user, coming in from the home page, and the casual user, being referred by social media such as Facebook.
Team McClatchy was named the ‘Audience Choice’ winner for its advertising-focused solution also using Cxense technology. Users who stay longer on the site see fewer ads, but the ads they see are highly targeted, therefore selling at a premium.
Other publishers are already putting their teams’ hard-work to good use: Team Deseret went live on their site with content recommendations and immediately saw strong click through rates. Teams from Financial Times, Reuters, Florida Times Union and Montclair also participated in the competition
“It was extremely rewarding to see our technology utilised in so many inventive ways by such a talented and motivated group of competitors,” says Rob Wescott, Cxense’s senior vice president of business development, who also served on the Hackdays judging panel.
“We want to extend our congratulations to the BBC, McClatchy, and all the teams who participated, and special thanks to GEN and Reuters for an inspiring event.”