Former Editor Transitions from Local News to Lifestyle: Discover the Launch of 14 Exciting New Titles!

Marc Astley, a former regional newspaper editor, is now thriving in the digital world with 14 online titles. After leaving local news, he found a new passion in lifestyle content.

Astley’s story is unique. He left school at 16 to pursue a career as a semi-professional speedway rider. However, after losing friends in the sport, he switched gears and joined a band, The Sinatras. The band had moderate success, opening for well-known acts, but it eventually disbanded. This pushed Astley back to education, where he earned O-Levels and began A-Levels. A chance work experience at a local paper led to a job at the Leicester Mercury.

Over the years, Astley climbed the ranks in journalism, moving from reporter to editor at the Exeter-based Express & Echo. However, by 2011, he saw the decline of local journalism, with staff numbers plummeting. He promised himself he’d leave when it stopped being enjoyable. So, he ventured into PR but soon returned to journalism by launching the Exeter Daily in 2012, a site aimed at innovative local news that included user-generated content.

While Astley was able to sustain Exeter Daily and its sister, Devon Daily, attempts to replicate this success in other regions faltered. Inspiration struck again when a friend asked for help creating a lifestyle blog. This venture, The Lifestyle Daily, proved successful, leading to a rapid expansion into 14 niche sites covering various interests—everything from home education to pets.

Astley’s latest site, The Boating Daily, stands out because it’s run by someone with a journalism background. The other sites are mostly managed by partners who bring passion and knowledge, even without formal training. Astley builds and maintains their websites for free while they share profits after reaching a certain threshold.

The financial model for these sites relies heavily on sponsored and affiliate content, which brings in approximately 95% of their revenue. Astley’s approach straddles the line between traditional journalism and modern influencer culture. He believes that local newspapers often lose touch with their communities and that engaging passionate writers can help fill that gap.

Looking ahead, Astley aims to grow his portfolio to 30 sites in the next five years. This reflects a broader trend in media, where traditional models are adapting to reach audiences in new ways. Astley’s experience highlights the importance of community engagement and flexibility in today’s journalism landscape.

As journalism evolves, so does the audience. A recent survey by the Pew Research Center shows that over 50% of Americans get their news from social media, a stark contrast to the reliance on newspapers in previous decades. This shift emphasizes the need for journalists to stay connected and relevant.

Astley’s journey shows that with creativity and resilience, journalists can find new pathways in a changing world. His story is a reminder that passion and community connection can drive success, even in challenging times.

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