A PHONE application developed by two Scottish Sun production journalists – which they believe to be the world’s first personalised newspaper and magazine phone application – has been downloaded more than 6,000 times since its launch two weeks ago.
Developed by assistant features editor, James McIvor, and features designer, Tommy Brown, the app – known as ‘apparazzi’ and available to download for free from iTunes and the app store – allows users to put their face on the front page of a spoof newspaper or celebrity magazine.
James said: “Apparazzi is great fun to use. We have developed a ‘pub range’ where the front page says you have the worst hairdo in Britain, worst shirt, biggest belly and so on.”
James was formerly chief sub-editor at The Scottish Sun before leaving to set up his own company, Scooped! Spoof Newspapers, which produces personalised spoof front pages of newspapers, aimed at the gifts market, including as birthday and retirement presents.
He has since returned to the paper’s features department and revealed the app is an extension of his printed front pages.
But he added: “With apparazzi we’re not restricting it to newspapers and magazines, it can be used as an ecard for Christmas or as a party invite. A football range – allowing you to ‘sign’ for your favourite’ team – will be available in the next few days.
“You can use the app as many times as you want and you can send the front page or cover directly to Facebook, Twitter or to an email address.
“Apparazzi is available on the iPhone for now but will be introduced to other ‘androids’ in next couple of weeks and there will be a Facebook version before the end of the month.
“An introductory pack – showcasing our templates – is available to download for free now. Subsequent packs with sports themes, celebrity magazine theme, Christmas theme and so on will be charged at 79p.”
James and Tommy are already lining up key media partners. Tommy said: “We have developed a range for The Scottish Sun and are speaking to Real Radio and STV.
“It is an exciting project and we’re confident it will do well.”
AMS readers looking to have a printed, spoof front page of a newspaper can take advantage of a 25 per cent discount, by going to www.makingthenews.co.uk and, at the checkout entering the code, ‘SCOOPAMS’. The price then becomes £7.49.
