McDonalds stores in Hong Kong are being used as distribution points for a free daily newspaper. Check out the orange stand in this photo.
Distribution is key for free daily newspapers as recent experience in London shows. That this publisher in Hong Kong is using McDonalds says something about their target demographic and the need for free daily newspapers to use distribution channels different to traditional newspaper channels.
While as a newspaper retailer I don’t like seeing newspaper product available through another retailer, I accept that it is a consequence of the challenges facing newspaper publishers. These free daily newspapers are critical to their revenue model – just look at the success of MX.