The site also allows visitors to comment on news and opinion pieces posted on the site, creating the opportunity for a statewide conversation.

New "Capital Soup" Web site dishes up news and opinions "straight from the source"

March 11, 2010

TALLAHASSEE - A new Web site - capitalsoup.com -- dishes up a daily 'serving' of news and opinion directly from all of Florida's newsmakers, including elected officials, government agencies, political campaigns, statewide associations and business interests.

The site provides a single location featuring all the news and opinions issued from Florida's capital city each day, as well as a listing of upcoming news events. CapitalSoup.com will post news releases and opinion editorials free of charge. Additional services, such as video news releases, video of news conferences, featured positioning and advertising, are available for a fee.

The site was created by Ron Sachs and Michelle Ubben, partners in the Tallahassee-based public relations firm Ron Sachs Communications.

"This town generates a wealth of statewide-focused news every day," Ubben said. "In this era of seismic shifts within the news industry, having a site that aggregates information and news exactly as it's issued by the sources and newsmakers is unique and valuable."

The site also allows visitors to comment on news and opinion pieces posted on the site, creating the opportunity for a statewide conversation.

Sachs said the site doesn't compete with traditional media, but rather provides an additional venue to get news out.

"We think this site fills a real need," Sachs said. "Clearly, traditional news media are more challenged than ever to cover the wide range of news and events happening daily in the capital city. This site will enable elected leaders, government agencies, statewide associations, corporations and other legitimate entities to get their messages out to key audiences in another important way."

The site hopes to build a particular following among state leaders, lawmakers, opinion leaders and leaders of industry groups.