Case Studies | Tortoise
As one of the fastest growing news platforms in the UK, Tortoise is powered end to end by Pugpig Bolt and Pugpig Site and launched just three months from kickoff.
Tortoise is on a mission to create journalism that lasts and a different type of newsroom for slower, wiser news. They’re interested in the best stories – or the best angles on them, and cutting out the noise we’ve become so accustomed to. Rather than chasing after breaking news, Tortoise is taking time to see the bigger picture and investigating what’s unseen.
At Tortoise, their award-winning journalism is more than just the written word. The app showcases a range of content from podcasts and audio to beautiful photography, impactful infographics and live streamed events.
When Tortoise members said they prefer listening over reading, we made audio journalism and podcasts a standout functionality of the app. Audio has become their single biggest subscriber driver and has also attracted younger audiences.
Thanks to the app’s integration with audience intelligence software platform Piano, everything from member onboarding to subscriptions and audience segmentation is fully taken care of and used to inform marketing efforts.
We became an integral part of the Tortoise team, acting as their technology advisors as well as designing, developing, maintaining and supporting all their tech platforms to help bring their business to life.
Both the Tortoise app and website were launched just three months from the initial kickoff to an extremely vocal and happy group of founder members. We’re super proud of this tight turnaround given the scope of work.
Tortoise’s decision to put more focus on audio content certainly paid off – their audio listeners tripled and they attracted a new type of audience. The average age of podcast listeners is 10 years younger than the average Tortoise member.
The Tortoise app has been selected as Apple’s app of the day three times, with UI design, usability and overall quality being key factors. They also secured a Google Digital News Initiative grant for the ThinkIn Network.
Pugpig are an excellent partner – they are a true extension to our team. They act as our CTO and trusted advisor on all things tech and beyond.
Katie Vanneck-Smith
Co-Founder and Publisher, Tortoise
Team Pugpig worked extensively with this iconic news journal to beautifully replicate the look and feel of its premium magazine into their app. As well as digital editions, the app showcases podcasts and editorially-curated content in true The Spectator style.
12 monthly sessions per user, on average
4.8/5 rating on App Store
In the top 25 apps in ‘Magazines’ in App Store
The US business publisher is investing in apps to build a better user experience for their most loyal readers. Using our brand new Pugpig App Manager tool, we were able to build and submit all 40 apps in record time.
Seamless integration with Pushly40 apps built in four monthsThe largest publisher of metropolitan business newsweeklies in the US
Euromoney’s BCA Research app is a great example of the incredible range of customisation possible on the Bolt platform. From highly curated dynamic timelines to optimising their research reports for mobile, the work of our Professional Services team has been instrumental in improving the Bolt product as a whole, with some of these features now available for all Bolt customers.
Pugpig’s dmg media portfolio also includes The Knowledge and New Scientist. All three titles use the Bolt platform to deliver highly engaging, trusted content to thousands of loyal customers around the globe, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.