Seem to me that our basic strategy for a common design framework is very different from the one you posted: “A standard template ensures the brand identity is managed effectively ”

Our strategy is simply to ensure that local papers with limited recourses are enabled to keep up with the digital development.

Here’s an example of an integration with coveritlive:
http://moss-avis.no/section/SPORT12/1379

All article with article comments is also an example of integration with open-source, mixing editorial content deliverd by Saxotech with a custom made article comment solution, example: http://dt.no/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090114/NYHET/477376901/1063/NYHET

Another example: this one with an embedded video from our custom made web-tv publishing system (and comments)http://tb.no/article/20090114/NYHETER/35333771/1011/NYHETER

My point wasn’t that the opensource Vs commercial is a problem. A well run commercial operation is just that. It works because it is open and well designed for the purpose.

My point was that the motivation and strategy for corporate templating (different from a corporate system) is, in many cases, so broken and at odds with efforts made in other parts of organisations that and open or semi-open strategy is the only option for quick improvement.

If you train journalists to engage with open or community ware source -dipity, cover it live. Then you should not be surprised when your staff want to mirror some or that activity.

It sounds like you have a good balance there. A common starting point with flexible stuff for those who want the next step.

I’d be interested in knowing a bit more about the model.

If a common design framwork leave little place for local adjustments its sad. That can be done in Drupal as well as in Escenic, Fatwire, Polopoly or other systems.

I manage a departement that runs 35 titles on a common design and technical framework. We use both commercial licenses and opensource software (see ex: http://www.dt.no and http://www.f-b.no)

Our main reasons for a common design framework is to enable small papers to move fast. A good concept in one city is probably a good concept in another city as well. But some concepts run in one city only.