WardsAuto and Automotive Dive will become a single publication and website this October, as part of a move to unify Informa TechTarget's automotive journalism portfolio.
As of Oct. 6, readers will be able to access the two publications' work via a newly-designed WardsAuto.com. Subscribers to the publications' free email newsletters will continue to receive daily and weekly updates, but through a redesigned offering. Ultimately, we expect the combination will improve the quality of our product, while giving our journalists more space to pursue the most impactful news and trends affecting the automotive industry.
Our editorial, business and technology teams have been working hard to ensure readers and advertisers are not significantly impacted by the combination. To help manage this transition, we've put together answers to questions we anticipate you may have. Take a look below.
If you have further questions, don't hesitate to reach out via email to [email protected] — one of our editors will respond to your inquiry.
Q: Why is this happening?
Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed that WardsAuto and Automotive Dive had started to collaborate more closely over the past few months. Since January, some of our top stories have appeared on both websites and newsletters, as the two publications have been part of the same newsroom since Informa TechTarget's creation.
In combining publications, our goal is to allow our journalists to continue telling the stories that matter most to automotive industry leaders, while improving the overall product in three ways:
- A single unified website will allow readers to consistently access both publications' past and future coverage with fewer clicks.
- A redesigned newsletter offering will simplify our product offerings for both readers and advertisers, and help our audience access more industry news per edition.
- A combined portfolio will help advertisers work with fewer points of contact to achieve their marketing goals.
Throughout the combination, InformaTech Target's automotive journalists will continue covering the most insightful news and trends for automakers and dealers, with a focus on vehicles, regulations, technology and operations.
Q: What will happen to the Automotive Dive website?
Automotive Dive's website will no longer be updated after Oct. 1, but all of the site's content will move to the redesigned WardsAuto.com. Any links or bookmarks to the existing Automotive Dive pages will automatically redirect to their new home on WardsAuto.
Q: I am currently subscribed to one of Automotive Dive and WardsAuto's free newsletters. Will I keep receiving these editions?
Subscribers to the publications' free newsletters will continue to receive daily and weekly updates via email, but through a redesigned offering (which can be adjusted through your subscription preferences in those emails.)
Going forward, subscribers will receive one of two options:
- WardsAuto Daily Edition: A single daily edition sent 6 times a week (weekdays + a weekender on Saturdays). All existing Automotive Dive and WardsAuto subscribers will receive this edition, which will include news relevant to all automotive industry leaders.
- WardsAuto Dealer Weekly: A dealer-focused newsletter, sent weekly on Wednesdays. Readers currently subscribed to WardsAuto's Dealer 5, Dealer Edition, Dealer Fixed Ops or Dealer F&I will receive this newsletter.
Due to the redesigned offering, we will stop publishing the following products as of October: Automotive Dive's Daily Dive and Weekender newsletters; and WardsAuto's Dealer 5, Dealer Edition, Dealer Fixed Ops, Dealer F&I, and Engine & Propulsion Tech Update newsletters.
Not subscribed yet and want to make sure you get the new WardsAuto newsletters in October? You can still subscribe to WardsAuto or Automotive Dive today, and your subscription will be updated automatically.
Q: I have news, a tip or feedback I would like to share with the journalists with the combined team. Who do I reach out to?
If you are looking to reach all our journalists at once, email wards.auto.editors@industrydive. While we can't reply to every news pitch, this will ensure the full team receives it.
If you are looking to reach individual journalists, see the guide below:
- Jim Irwin ([email protected]) will be the publication's editor, overseeing all stories.
- Eric Walz ([email protected]) will lead automaker coverage as a reporter.
- Nancy Dunham ([email protected]) will lead dealer coverage as a reporter.
- Christie Schweinsberg ([email protected]) will continue to lead WardsAuto's 10 Best awards programs, and cover some stories for WardsAuto.
- Edwin Lopez ([email protected]) will support the publication's operations as the managing editor.
We will also continue to work with various trusted contributors worldwide, such as Paul Myles ([email protected]) in Europe, for their insightful automotive coverage.
Q: Who do I reach out to for advertising questions?
Contact [email protected] for all advertising questions, including web or newsletter advertising, reprint requests, custom content marketing or direct press release publishing, and your inquiry will be routed to the person who can best support your needs.
Editor's note: This FAQ story may be updated as we receive more questions from readers.
