The Wall Street Journal's new managing editor Robert Thomson took another step toward remaking the paper in the image of his former employer the Financial Times, hiking the cover price 50 cents to match the FT at $2 per copy. But another directive, reported by Jeff Bercovici at Portfolio, seems to have been borrowed from the Journal's News Corp. sister, the Post:

"The paper's editors are being urged to think more about how they can use the front page to boost newsstand sales — not something that has traditionally been a major focus."

Those instructions conjure visions of the parody tabloid Journal published in April (pictured), which included a topless dot-drawing of Anne Coulter and a garish, Post-style promotion for NYSE lotto. Today's front page story on the dramatic suicide of a "flamboyant" real estate developer could certainly be given the tabloid treatment, although the headline, "Real-Estate Financier's Death Hints At Trouble for Lenders," would need to be sexed up (possibly with ALL CAPS and a slammer!).

As if orders to tart up the paper weren't disorienting enough, staffers are also on edge about 50 job cuts at the South Brunswick New Jersey offices, reports Keith Kelly at the Post.

It could be worse, Journal-ites: At least you're not getting paid by the page view (yet)!