The Information: Case Study

The Information is a digital media company known for its in-depth, investigative reporting on the technology industry. Since its launch in 2013, it has established a reputation for breaking major stories and delivering high-quality journalism to a dedicated subscriber base. With a focus on premium content, The Information provides deeply researched articles that uncover critical insights into the business of technology.

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Technologies & Services User

Tech Stack: React Native for iOS/Android, plus additional web-based enhancements for subscriber management.


Services Provided:

Sprint Zero


Sprint Zero (discovery, prototyping, branding)

Agile Mobile & Web Development


AI chatbots and personalization tools enhance digital interactions

Ongoing Support & Feature Iterations


AI-powered workflows reduce manual tasks and optimize internal processes

App Store & Google Play Submission


We prioritize security and ensure proprietary data is protected with human-in-the-loop oversight

The Challenge

The Information wanted to expand its offerings by creating a new mobile experience and introducing additional features that would better serve its loyal subscriber base. Specifically:

Subscription Models


They needed to launch a new subscription product (the “Tech Top 10” app) on a highly compressed timeline—just 10 weeks to get from concept to App Store/Google Play submission.

Increase User Engagement



They aimed to increase engagement by providing lower-priced access to their content and introducing community-focused features (like interest-based user connections).

Urgent Launch Date


They faced strict App Store approval requirements and an urgent launch at their annual conference.

Our Approach & Work

Sprint Zero (Rapid Discovery & Planning)

  • Design & Branding: Within the first month, we created the name “Tech Top 10,” branding elements, and initial designs.
  • Technical Roadmapping: We confirmed that React Native would allow a single codebase for both iOS and Android and mapped out the 10-week development schedule.

Agile Development

  • Weekly Sprints & Demos: We worked in short, iterative cycles, providing The Information’s team with frequent updates and live test builds.
  • QA & Testing: Each feature underwent continuous quality checks to ensure a smooth user experience. We also navigated the App Store submission hurdles, which The Information’s founder documented in-depth.
  • Community-Focused Enhancements: Post-launch, we expanded the app’s capabilities to include more content, interactive subscriber features, in-app notifications, and social functionality.

Ongoing Support

We continue to collaborate with The Information’s internal team, augmenting both web and mobile efforts, rolling out new features, and ensuring the platform remains stable and scalable.

The Results

On-Time Launch


Despite a demanding 10-week timeframe and a complex App Store review process, the Tech Top 10 app launched as scheduled for both iOS and Android.

Expanded Digital Offerings


Subscribers gained a mobile experience with timely tech briefings and social interactions—driving higher engagement and opening up new pricing tiers.

Continuous Growth


Over time, the app evolved to include all of The Information’s content and subscriber-focused communities, driving additional revenue and offering a richer user experience.

Testimonial

"Tanooki Labs tackled our aggressive timeline head-on, delivering our new mobile app in time for our annual conference. Their collaborative approach and ongoing support have been invaluable to our team."

Representative at The Information
CEO The Information

Key Takeaways

Rapid MVP Delivery


Effective planning and an iterative Agile approach made it possible to meet a tight deadline.]

Enhanced Engagement


The new mobile channel provided a lower-priced offering and community features that deepened reader loyalty.

Longterm Partnership


Tanooki Labs remains a core development partner for The Information, continuously improving their platform to meet evolving subscriber needs.

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