Press release, 28 February 2012"It's so good that it's almost insane! This really shakes up my idea of what a newspaper is"- A READER'S COMMENT ON THE TEST TABLOIDHelsingin Sanomat is planning a significant design change for the start of 2013. As a result, the entire HS media family will have improved usability, better content and a new look. At the same time, the printed edition of Helsingin Sanomat will become a more compact tabloid and it will have more pages.Helsingin Sanomat has actively followed the developments in the international media sector, and analysed the changes in how people use media. The renewal being prepared is based on years of research and development, as well as substantial testing. The managements of Helsingin Sanomat and the Sanoma Group have approved the main outlines of the paper's re-design, and the final decision will be made by the Board of Sanoma in June."Helsingin Sanomat has always boldly addressed modern challenges. This is the right time to build a newspaper of the future to correspond with the changing life styles and media use of people. At the same time, we will create a next-generation newspaper unlike anything else seen before in Finland," says Mikael Pentikäinen, Publisher and Senior Editor-in-Chief of Helsingin Sanomat.According to surveys and tests conducted by Helsingin Sanomat, readers find the compact size considerably more practical than the existing size. A smaller paper is easier to handle, carry and read. It takes up less space and the staples keep the paper neat. Readers can continue to split the paper in sections if preferred. Ease of use is important for people's busier, more mobile life styles. Especially young people expect the "interface" to be flexible and handy. The most long-term readers also found that tabloid easier to handle and read."We believe in the future of printed newspapers. With improved usability, the relationship with readers will be even stronger, and HS will also get new readers. We will continue to stick to our strengths: in-depth journalism, appealing narrative and uncompromised quality. The basic sections that our readers deem important will remain in the paper, although we will introduce new content elements," says Riikka Venäläinen, Editor-in-Chief of Helsingin Sanomat.The new format of the printed paper will bring reading experiences in different channels closer to each other and make it easier to develop new services. The renewal is part of the more extensive Helsingin Sanomat research project that applies to all printed and digital channels of the paper. In future, readers may situation-specifically and more flexibly select the most suitable way of reading Helsingin Sanomat. The goal is to provide readers with the best reading experience through all channels, be it on the computer, a phone, tablet or paper.The renewal has been tested for several years with readers and advertisers, who have all given important feedback for the development work. Helsingin Sanomat will compile partner and reader preferences and feedback during this year to support the implementation. The final decision will be made in June. The initial plan says that the new look and size of the paper will be launched at the start of 2013.Feedback on the new design may be submitted by e-mail: uusi.hs@hs.fi."It is easier to approach, but still has the same content." - AN ADVERTISER'S COMMENT ON THE TEST TABLOIDAdditional information:Mikael Pentikäinen, Senior Editor-in-Chief, tel. +358 9 122 2310, e-mail: mikael.pentikainen@hs.fiRiikka Venäläinen, Editor-in-Chief, tel. +358 9 122 2330, e-mail: riikka.venalainen@hs.fiHelsingin Sanomat reaches 1.9 million Finns through different channels every week. In addition to the daily paper, Helsingin Sanomat includes HS.fi, the Nyt-liite supplement, the Kuukausiliite monthly supplement and Radio Helsinki. The paper is also available for computers, phones and tablets, including the iPad.