<blockquote>[In 2011], the Seattle Post-Intelligencer published <a href="http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=45&amp;aid=160232" target="_blank">its last print edition</a> and became <a href="http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=160220" target="_blank">an online-only publication</a>. As news organizations experiment with new business models, Hearst’s experience in Seattle may offer lessons.

In <a href="http://www.seattlepi.com/business/403794_newseattlepi.com16.html" target="_blank">a piece last year about the change</a>, SeattlePI.com Executive Producer Michelle Nicolosi asked, “Is it possible to run an online-only local news site that serves a city’s readers well while turning a profit?”

Linda Thomas of KIRO-FM spoke with Hearst Seattle Media General Manager Pat Balles and reported that <a href="http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=646&amp;sid=299137%20" target="_blank">the site is not yet profitable</a>:

“[Balles] says they’re on track to make a profit, though he won’t say when. Hearst Corporation is a privately-held company, and [Balles] says stock holders will be the first to know when they’ve turned the corner...

“We are optimistic with the progress made,” Balles told me, “and encouraged by the feedback we are getting from clients on how we are meeting/exceeding expectations with their online campaigns on the SeattlePI, Yahoo, Facebook, Zillow and Search Engine Marketing.” <strong>Source</strong>: <a href="http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/top-stories/101465/how-is-seattle-p-i-doing-one-year-later/ " target="_blank">Poynter.org </a></blockquote>