MEDIA KIT SEPTEMBER 2019

95+ YEARS OF CLIENT STORYTELLING.

SMARTER MARKETING.

LOCAL PRESENCE. NATIONAL REACH.

MLive Media Group www.mlivemediagroup.com [email protected] 800.878.1400 20190911 Table Of Contents

ABOUT US...... 3 NATIONAL REACH...... 4 MARKETING STRATEGISTS...... 5 CAPABILITIES...... 6 DIGITAL SOLUTIONS...... 8 TECH STACK ...... 9 MLIVE.COM...... 10 PRINT SOLUTIONS...... 11 PRINT ADVERTISING...... 12 INSERT ADVERTISING...... 13 NEWSPAPER DISTRIBUTION MAP...... 14 MICHIGAN’S BEST...... 15 CLIENTS RECEIVE...... 17 TESTIMONIALS...... 18 OUR CLIENTS...... 19 DIGITAL SPECIFICATIONS...... 20 PRINT SPECIFICATIONS...... 23

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 2 ABOUT US

MLive Media Group offers state-of-the-art marketing solutions. Our team consists of the sharpest minds in media, focused on delivering integrated, multi- channel marketing programs in all shapes and sizes, tailored to meet customer needs through a sophisticated suite of creative, digital, print, marketing, analytics, and other products and services. From planning and strategy, to creation and development, to implementation and campaign management, MLive Media Group is involved in all aspects of the marketing process. We deliver these campaigns and projects for thousands of clients in almost all industries including tourism, politics, education, financial, travel, gaming, entertainment, sports, automotive, retail, restaurants, non-profits, festivals and more.

MLive Media Group is the sister company to MLive, with ten local newsrooms, eight publications and Michigan’s number one news and information site MLive.com. For almost 200 years our journalists have provided the residents of Michigan with locally relevant news, sports and entertainment coverage. Whether investigating crucial stories or finding the best that Michigan has to offer, we strive to be both an observer and advocate for our local communities.

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 3 PART OF A GLOBAL COMPANY

MLive Media Group (MMG) is a division of Advance  9th largest publisher in Local, a leading national media company comprising the nation 11 news and information websites that rank #1 among  Network of ten local media local media in their respective markets and 9th groups – each of them holds largest news organization nationally. Advance Local is the #1 position in their market part of Advance Publications, along with Condé Nast  52,000,000 monthly and American City Business Journals. Our national unique visitors in-house marketing agency is known as Advance 360.  11,000,000 social fans and followers  700+ awards for journalism excellence

National Connections with Extensive Reach

43 business journals 24 publications/websites in the American City Business Journal Network of the Condé Nast family of products

330 Million 112 Million 52 Million 16 Million Monthly users Unique Visitors Unique Visitors Unique Visitors

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 4 MARKETING STRATEGISTS

MLive Media Group offers direct-buy media placements within our newspapers and world class news and information website. But our relationship with our clients goes well beyond ad placement. We generate content for social media campaigns. We target audiences using unparalleled targeting technologies. We provide insights into the data you may already collect, and help you to create actionable marketing efforts based on what that data tells you.

WE TIE EVERY MARKETING ACTION TO A MEASURABLE GOAL FOR YOUR BUSINESS, AND REPORT ON PROGRESS REGULARLY.

ADVERTISING ON MLIVE- OWNED MEDIA AND BEYOND The advertising world is filled with choices. We can help you determine what you really need.

YOUR BRAND STORY TOLD VISUALLY Exceptional content and creative.

USING DATA TO YOUR ADVANTAGE Make decisions based on data, not your gut.

MARKETING CONSULTATION: MAKING YOUR OWN TEAM BETTER Not every business needs a marketing agency.

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 5 FULL SERVICE CAPABILITIES

MLIVE MEDIA GROUP IS A FULL SERVICE AGENCY OFFERING:

MARKETING STRATEGY, RESEARCH STRATEGIC SYMBIOTIC & CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIPS • Understand the business through the Extending the services and capabilities we utilize consumer’s eyes, their path to decision. internally and are able to offer our clients, we work (White-board meetings, Basecamp, with several partners: Collaborative planning sessions) • Developing Partner Programs between • Use our extensive proprietary 1st & 3rd party our Client and their Membership or Partner data set to establish Interest & Intent Businesses • With the understanding that the only • App development to track end-user constant is change, we utilize regular experiences in retail inside specific meetings, predetermined benchmarks and geographies regular communication to anticipate and • Perk/Incentive Programs for Target Audiences embrace change situations

DATA – CONSUMER INTEREST & TRADITIONAL MEDIA PLACEMENT, INTENT PURCHASING & MANAGEMENT • Reach a relevant audience at the moment We have staff dedicated to acquiring and when they are primed to receive, remember negotiating media buys. We act as billing entity and act on the message and media contact. As with all our services, we • 1st party data representing approximately monitor pacing and cost to ensure quick and 50% of the US population (through our easy optimizations to more effective media affiliated 12 local media group properties, 22 placements. Condé Nast publications/sites and Advance Local) • 3rd party data available through our many BRANDING technology partners • Stakeholder focus groups and trainings • Brand research and strategy • Audits to determine all impacted touch DIGITAL MEDIA points, media, etc. • Using insights forged from our proprietary 1st • Collaborative development and 3rd party data, we craft campaigns that • Renaming consultation and facilitation provide an effective actionable roadmap to • Style Guides – logos, iconography, font and the intended results. palette determinations • SEO, SEM & AdWords, Targeting & Retargeting • Communication plans (internal, external) (IP, Geo, Behavioral, etc.) • Mobile Marketing & Location-based Services CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT & EXECUTION An in-house creative team of 50+ people with skills ranging from visionary/brand identity specialists to videography and photography specialists to traditional content creators to fulfillment designers.

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 6 GOAL DEVELOPMENT, WEB DEVELOPMENT REPORTING & OPTIMIZATION • Discovery meeting and audits to develop a Our investment in enhanced reporting complete understanding of the needs of the technologies enables us to better analyze user, and functional and visual requirements performance – we monitor via custom-built • Custom/template sites operational tracking systems (D.I.H., MOAT, • Responsive Site Builds etc.). Statuses and learnings are communicated • Custom/purchased CMS consistently in a predetermined pace and utilized to optimize individual messages, • SSL/HTTPS secure connections creative, media and campaigns. Our teams are • Multiple hosting & maintenance options also Google Analytics certified, enabling us to • Content creation monitor metrics from the client side. • Reporting

CONTENT MARKETING SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION Telling relevant and engaging stories that matter We understand that SEO is not just about to your customer and you, using any effective keywords or rankings. It’s about Organic traffic channel and medium (photo slideshows, video, and all the solutions that work together to achieve podcasts, infographics, sponsored articles, it. SEO is about getting in front of the right website copy, social media posts and more). people, and gaining qualified leads that turn into • 50+ content creators customers. Our SEO campaigns focus on getting more of the right people to your website, and to your business. SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING From paid placements, to sponsored posts, to earned/organic trafficked posts. Utilizing only SEARCH ENGINE MARKETING the channels that make sense for your brand No matter the size of business, we provide + the campaign + KPIs. We take the content remarkable paid search services. Our process to where your target audience is, with the is simple. First, we identify your objectives and understanding that this is an amplification outline goals to build a campaign centered on tool, not a standalone piece. achieving those goals. Campaigns are built and managed on an individual basis providing you a custom solution and ensuring optimization to produce results. Our team will report out each month on the performance of the account to ensure transparency and satisfaction.

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 7 DIGITAL SOLUTIONS

Target exactly who you need to reach, anytime, anywhere. We connect brands to people through world-class advertising solutions, local expertise and premium brands.

ieo creation ONLINE ISPLA AERTISING • Advertising • Direct sold MLive.com digital placement • Publishing • Programmatic ad-buy management • Mobile Geo-fencing ieo SPONSORSHIP • Video and Rich Media • Michigan’s Best • Graphic Design • Photography

OR A HERE our loo content aretin our custo content ere • Sponsored Content • Content Creation • Content Strategy

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EMAIL HERE Ad

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EMAIL MARETING SOCIAL MEIA SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIATION SEO • Data Appends • Management SEARCH ENGINE MARETING SEM • List Rental • Optimization • Display Retargeting • Advertising WORPRESS WEBSITE EELOPMENT

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 8 POWERFUL TECH STACK

A powerful and sophisticated tech stack is necessary to fuel the science behind an effective audience targeting strategy. However, the people add the art. Great audience targeting is only achieved through cutting-edge technology and smart, experienced people who truly know how to use it. At MLive Media Group we have and use both to execute industry-leading audience targeting strategies. The Advance family of companies elevated to Google Premier SMB Partner status at the start ofOWNED its new program in 2015, has been a Preferred AdWords Partner since 2012. Additionally, our team members are experts in this field with most, if not all, Google AdWords and Analytics certified.

MORE THAN MORE THAN WE OWN WE CONTROL WE SERVE COMSCORE 55 360 60 3.4 38 #1 MILLION MILLION MILLION BILLION BILLION RANKED MONTHLY UNIQUE MONTHLY PAGE 1ST PARTY 3RD PARTY DIGITAL ADS LOCAL NEWS VISITORS* VIEWS* COOKIES COOKIES ANNUALLY PUBLISHER BRAND*

PREFERREDPREFERRED PARTNERS PARTNERS

TECH STACK TECH STACK

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* Sources: Lotame Dec 2018, comScore Key Measures October 2018 (ranking, Dec. 2018)

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 9 #1 RANKING NEWS PUBLISHER IN MICHIGAN MLIVE.COM HAS MI COVERED

MLive, with ten local newsrooms, eight publications DIGITAL SOLUTIONS and Michigan’s number one news and information • Digital Display Ads site MLive.com – for almost 200 years our journalists have provided the residents of Michigan with locally relevant news, • Rich Media sports and entertainment coverage. Whether investigating • Geo, Contextual and crucial stories or finding the best that Michigan has to offer, Behavioral Targeting we strive to be both an observer and advocate for our local • Re-Messaging communities. • Sponsored Articles BENEFITS • Video Allows you to capture users that are more engaged with • Social Media content that matters, making MLive.com the ideal local • Special platforms for: job audience for your campaign. listings, auto listings, obituaries, Keeps your brand across multiple devices, on local news that celebrations and for sale ads. our community is consuming most. Over 20 million monthly sessions. • 70% driven by mobile device, spending over 1:50 sec on site • 30% driven by desktop, spending 4 minutes on average Award-winning news means compelling content with a loyal and engaged audience. • 99 Michigan Press Association awards • 51 Associated Press awards MONTHLY INSIGHTS

15,500,000+ 6,900,000+ 4,900,000+ 1,400,000+ 30 MOBILE DESKTOP STATEWIDE UNIQUE USERS IMPRESSIONS SESSIONS SESSIONS VISITORS 14% SERVED PER POPULATION USER, 0.12% REACH* AVERAGE CTR

AUDIENCE PROFILE

42 63% 72% $77K 71% MEDIAN ARE ATTENDED AVERAGE ARE AGE BETWEEN SOME HOUSEHOLD HOMEOWNERS 18–49 COLLEGE INCOME * Sources: comScore 2018, Scarborough 2019 Rel. 1

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 10 PRINT SOLUTIONS We own Michigan’s News Our journalists report Michigan’s News, in communities across our Great Lakes State. Advertise alongside these well-read news articles, and reach your audience using print. As part of a well- rounded marketing campaign, print advertising (especially when positioned alongside trusted news content) can make for a healthy mix.

69% OF CONSUMERS 78% RETENTION RATE 943,000 READERS WEEKLY PAY MORE ATTENTION TO WHEN PRINT IS USED GAIN INFLUENCE WITH THE ADS FROM SOURCES THEY AMONG A 3+ CHANNEL MLIVE AUDIENCE KNOW AND TRUST CAMPAIGN

EIGHT LOCAL NEWSPAPERS MICHIGAN’S BEST

to share Stories we MLiveMIBest For delivery concerns or to stop receiving this publication please call 800.804.5788, email [email protected], or go to http://michigans-best.com. SPONSORED BY

FIND MORE MI BEST CONTENT @ MLIVE.COM/MIBEST GRAND RAPIDS | KALAMAZOO | MUSKEGON | 3.10.19

unusual 17spots you didn’t know you could spend the night in Michigan

Photo courtesy of AirBnB

ant to level up your next Solarium Suite, on www.airbnb. Check out School Bus Livin’ Michigan trip? Consider com. at Dragonfly Dunes, on www. scheduling a stay at someplace airbnb.com. extra special -- like an up IN A CABOOSE north “hobbit house,” for There are countless lodging IN A HOBBIT HOUSE winstance, or a Frank Lloyd options in and around Sleeping Sleep in a fairy-tale cottage just Wright home, or even a Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, steps from Lake Michigan in caboose tucked away in but this restored historic one of Charlevoix’s “mushroom Sleeping Bear Dunes. caboose might be one of the houses” -- 30 quirky stone Read on for a list of cool, most unique. There’s room for homes designed and built by unusual lodging options two here, with a galley kitchen, architect Earl Young in the early

| [email protected] around the state. wireless internet, a gas grill 20th century. These structures

outside, and the Sleeping Bear feature cedar-shake roofs IN A SOLARIUM Heritage Trail just steps away. and curved lines that blend in Guests who rated this sweet Check out Historic, Restored seamlessly with the northern St. Ignace AirBnB -- a private Caboose at the Base of the landscape around them, lending solarium suite attached to Sleeping Bear Dunes, on www. them to be called things like

BY EMILY BINGHAM EMILY BY a resident’s home -- raved vrbo.com. “hobbit houses” or “mushroom about its cozy vibe, its water houses.” Photo courtesy of AirBnB views and its proximity to IN A BUS There are nearly a half dozen downtown. The solarium is full Like a tiny home but on wheels, hobbit houses that can be of plants and tons of natural this funky-cool converted bus rented as vacation lodging, but light (as solariums tend to be), has A/C *and* heat, allowing it know that reservations fill up but there’s also a bathroom, to offer year-round alternative sometimes a year in advance. bedroom, living room and a lodging for folks looking for Alternately, you can stop in kitchenette. Private entrance, a place to stay in Marquette. at the Charlevoix Chamber a fire pit out back, and well- Summertime bonus: It’s across of Commerce for details on a behaved pups are welcome. the street from a sandy public walking tour of the homes. Check out Moran Bay View beach on Lake Superior. Continued | 2 & 3

SPONSORED BY to share Stories we MLiveMIBest MICHIGAN’S BEST | 3.10.19 | 1

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 11 PRINT ADVERTISING Advertising in Print Reaches an Engaged Audience We have all sorts of options for print ads that appear in our paper and subscribers can access daily digital editions for all eight newspapers (exact replicas of the printed paper), as well as online at MLive.com. After all, we have been providing Michigan’s trusted, consistent and award-winning news and information content for 180+ years. Our newspapers reach an engaged audience that give newspapers their attention and actively consume content. It’s the ideal environment for advertising to influence brand choice and direct response.

At MLive, we focus on creating compelling advertising and messaging for our advertisers, as well as making sure clients understand the value of our dedicated audience. As a result, MLive Media Group has cultivated a long list of satisfied and trusting clients using our newspapers for their messages.

PUBLISH DAYS The Bay City Times, The Flint Journal, The Grand Rapids Press, Jackson Citizen Patriot, Kalamazoo Gazette, Muskegon Chronicle, The Saginaw News are published every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. The Ann Arbor News is published every Sunday and Thursday.

Expanded distribution coverage is available to non-subscribers each Sunday in Michigan’s Best.

READ THE PAPER TOTAL PRINT & MLIVE.COM NEWSPAPER/DMA AT LEAST 1X WEEK REACH AT LEAST 1X WEEK The Ann Arbor News/Detroit DMA 96,000 1,162,691 Muskegon Chronicle 74,763 748,123 Kalamazoo Gazette 117,925 776,227 Jackson Citizen Patriot 41,103 287,011 The Grand Rapids Press 287,512 918,156 Flint DMA* 250,780 558,403

*The Flint Journal, The Saginaw News, The Bay City Times

PRINT SOLUTIONS • In-Paper Advertising • Inserts - Preprints • Inserts - Print & Deliver • High Impact Print Advertising • Special Interest Sections

Sources: Nielsen Scarborough 2018 R1, 2018 Google Analytics

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 12 INSERT ADVERTISING

Reach thousands of engaged readers in any of our eight newspapers with a variety of targeting options for free standing insert/preprint advertisers. We offer a wide variety of options to target your message, including geo-targeting by zip code.

The weekly non-subscriber package (TMC) includes local grocery and shopping inserts that customers look forward to receiving – all in a welcoming design. The Michigan’s Best publication highlights reasons to celebrate everything great about our state: Food, Entertainment, Adventures, Business and Technology. This publication provides advertisers the ability – when combined with newspaper coverage – to attain optimum household penetration within targeted zip code coverage areas and expanded, non-duplicated Sunday home distribution of 585,000 homes weekly.

9 OUT OF 10 70% NEWSPAPER READERS TAKE OF ADULTS AGED 18 SPECIFIC ACTIONS AFTER AND OVER PREFER READING PRE-INSERT ADS. NEWSPAPER AS THE (INMA) SOURCE OF COUPONS. (MANSIMEDIA)

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 13 NEWSPAPER DISTRIBUTION MAP

MLive Media Group has an extensive reach in Michigan for preprinted inserts with over 230,000 circulation across 364 zip codes for Sunday Newspaper delivery plus core market distribution areas that offer extended market coverage with Michigan’s Best, which is delivered to over 585,000 non-subscriber homes every weekend.

CORE MARKET AREA DISTRIBUTION SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DISTRIBUTION

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 14 Michigan’s Stories We Love to Share STATS Michigan’s Best and ThisIsMIBest.com is a spot where foodies, travel As of September 1, 2019 lovers, tech fans and anyone curious about life in Michigan can find uplifting stories that might help them plan their next adventure – or just Followers: 13,519 put a smile on their face.

BE PART OF THE MOVEMENT! Likes: 1,051 Getting involved in Michigan’s Best means sharing your stories through platforms like video, social media, print and display. It means aligning Page Views: 3.6M* your brand with highly sharable, entertaining and uplifting content via vlogs, sponsorships and other media. Our most committed partners will Unique Users: be aligned in the brand and marketing of Michigan’s Best at a mass level. 1.45M* There are so many ways to be part of the movement.

MICHIGAN’S BEST CONTENT Video Views: 1.4M The content and articles that are part of Michigan’s Best are stories by reporters for MLive.com, and branded content from our advertising Social partners living side by side. Editorial content will originate on MLive.com Impressions: 7M and will be promoted through Michigan’s Best. Our partner’s paid content will originate on ThisIsMIBest.com. Printed Publication PROMOTING MICHIGAN’S BEST Reaches 585,000 Homes Weekly Michigan’s Best content is promoted using the power of the MLive Media Group audience. There’s intensive advertising for the Michigan’s Best brand living on MLive.com. Our stories are even more present in social 7 Elite Partnerships media, creating awareness and audience through the posts, comments and Growing and shares of our audience. Articles found on the Michigan’s Best site will be promoted through the power of social media, to generate the kind of *Number includes both movement and groundswell these great stories deserve. mlive.com/michigansbest and thisismibest.com

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 15 MICHIGAN’S BEST PRODUCTS

Added Value & Best Promotion!

TACTICS

to share Stories we • Brand Awareness MLiveMIBest For delivery concerns or to stop receiving this publication please call 800.804.5788, email [email protected], or go to http://michigans-best.com. SPONSORED BY

• Video WHERE TO FIND MICHIGAN’S BEST CONTENT GRAND RAPIDS | KALAMAZOO | MUSKEGON | 6.16.19

MLive | www.mlive.com/michigansbest Michigan’s Best | www.thisismibest.com [ Michigan’s Best ] Stories for foodies, adventurers, business men Facebook | facebook.com/MLiveMIBest Instagram | @mlivemibest and women, innovation that uplifts our communities, and the many things that make Michigan a remarkable place to live and thrive. • Sponsored Article on Print | every Sunday, around the state Twitter | @mlivemibest

ThisIsMIBest.com and/ World-famous muralist and 5 more “can’t miss” highlights at the 2019 Lakeshore or MLive.com • Social Media • Digital Impressions

• Content Impressions Festival

SPONSORED MLive for Lakeshore Art Festival • Scheduled Appearances n April, muralist Kelsey Montague collaborated with The festival’s jury committee creates a marketplace Come for the art, and then let your taste buds take Taylor Swift to launch the pop sensation’s newest for unique fine art and handcrafted goods by jurying over during a culinary timeout from your shopping single. more than 450 artists who apply for entry. The team adventures. The streets are lined with vendors Come July, Montague, who has built an international then invites the art entrepreneurs to share their who offer everything from classic fair foods to tasty following with large scale winged mural pieces, will talents and one-of-a-kind wares in Hackley Park and sandwiches, BBQ, sirloin beef tips, desserts and much idrive excitement around the Lakeshore Art Festival, throughout the vibrant downtown surrounding streets. more. centered in Downtown Muskegon on July 5-6, by “You can find something for everyone here,” said “There’s African-style food, Mediterranean cuisine, creating a must-see piece for visitors to enjoy. Flanders. “It’s truly an artisan’s market with pieces you and of course festival food favorites like soft pretzels, “We are thrilled and elated that she is going to be won’t find anywhere else. We have a beautiful setting elephant ears and fresh squeezed lemonade. Really, • Print Ads in here and become a permanent part of our community,” with handcrafted art that is truly remarkable.” there is something for every foodie to enjoy,” Flanders said Carla Flanders, the art festival’s director. “We’ve There are more than 380 booths, with roughly 120 said. been so impressed with her work and how intentional fine art exhibitors creating art with distinctive styles Flanders doesn’t like to play favorites – and suggests and interactive it is. Her pieces are inspirational, and various mediums including handblown glass, that visitors follow their own cravings – but at least inclusive and uplifting. It’s a great message and a great paintings, sculptures, photography, fibers and more. once every year she’ll make her way to the Ice Box fit for the Lakeshore Art Festival and for Muskegon.” Wine and beer garden Brand Ice Cream Bars truck for a locally-made treat “The colorful mural and its intricate design will If shopping isn’t your top choice among things to do from the Whitehall-based business. MI Best Publication dominate the East side of the Frauenthal Center, – or you just need to drop off a partner where they’ll “They’re heavenly,” she said. becoming an attraction that continues Muskegon’s be entertained – the festival hosts a wine and beer Authors’ tent and interactive art metamorphosis and its thriving downtown,” Flanders garden in Hackley Park and it is the perfect place to Find Michigan’s next great writer among 20 Mitten- said. unwind. Visitors can grab a glass of wine or a craft centric authors who will be at the show in the Montague’s artwork will join only 77 other works brew and stroll through the fine art in the park or take Emerging Author’s tent. The authors are available for around the world, including one in Ann Arbor and a break from patrolling the booths and enjoy the stage one-on-one discussions and to provide signed copies another in Detroit. The pieces appeal to people looking entertainment. of their books that will likely be next on for bright art images and are a favorite of social media “It was a natural fit and a great your summer reading list. • Print Ads in 8 Statewide users. way to enhance the festival “This is a great chance for some “It’s really exciting to have Kelsey be a part of the experience,” Flanders said. “It’s exposure and to get the word out about Lakeshore Art Festival. Her butterfly-wing mural is such a beautiful setting that you their writings,” Flanders said. “We want not only breathtaking, but it is symbolic for the many can sit back, relax and enjoy to support creative expression of all changes our community has gone through and the everything that is going on around a picture is a poem kinds at our show.” beautiful downtown it is today” Flanders said. “This you.” The festival even gives visitors the new permanent piece, coupled with the hundreds of Children’s Lane without words chance to participate in creating their Newspapers artists at the Lakeshore Art Festival, sets the stage for The Lakeshore Arts Festival own art with Chalk The Walk and the another stellar year of artful engagement!” opens the door for children Community Interactive Art Project! The art festival is a summer tradition, drawing artists to experience beauty through On July 5 from 4-6pm chalk will be set and visitors from around the country, leading to it different visions and presents an out for guests to take sidewalk art to earning honors as the best contemporary and classic opportunity to expose them as the streets of Western Avenue. If chalk art show in Michigan and the 11th best in the nation budding artists through interactive isn’t your style, then the Community by Sunshine Artist Magazine. The weekend also serves activities. Interactive Art Project will allow you to create a as an economic engine for the Lakeshore community, Kids can watch a stage performance, make masterpiece of art with paint on canvas! Each year with research showing the festival has had a $5.6 personalized paintings and participate in theatrical thousands of people bring new excitement and their million impact since 2013. Annual attendance reaches games, all captivating, enriching and educational by own touch of creativity to the event. 60,000 people, Flanders said. nature. This year’s theme, the butterfly, is right in line “It’s always really cool to see what people come up “People are drawn here by the quality of art and with not only the new Kelsey Montague mural, but also with,” Flanders said. “Everyone from kids and their the hospitality of the community,” said Flanders. “It’s the butterfly scavenger hunt, butterfly educational parents, to art students and grandparents, get out there an honor when people are excited to come back and booth and butterfly interactive dance. and get creative.” spread the word about how incredible this festival is to “It’s everything artful and engaging and getting kids to Visit the Lakeshore Art Festival’s website, attend.” think outside of the box,” Flanders said. “Each area has lakeshoreartfestival.org, to discover more about the Here are five more must-see highlights for 2019: something new and interesting for children to do.” exciting weekend in Muskegon. C O N TAC T Shopper’s paradise The food

SPONSORED BY Discover how partnering with to share Stories we MLiveMIBest Michigan’s Best can amplify MICHIGAN’S BEST | 6.16.19 | 1 your business:

Jamie Dionne Printed TMC Publication 616-377-8728 [email protected]

Digital Ads www.ThisIsMIBest.com

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 16 OUR CLIENTS RECEIVE

Local, Personal Service

 Direct placement on Michigan’s #1 news site, MLive.com  Guaranteed Google ad network compliance  Google Adwords certified experts  Comprehensive digital reach capabilities  Transparent reporting  Ongoing optimization  World’s best data and technology partners  Fair, custom quotes based on individual needs

Our partnership with MLive is greatly valued on many levels. We feel confident in the strategies about our tourism product. Our account rep helps us fully understand our success analytics and makes necessary adjustments. We’ve worked with their creative staff on videos and blogs and feel the finished product is intriguing, professionally crafted and a true representation of our brand.

– Christy Walcott, Gaylord Area Convention & Tourism Bureau

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 17 TESTIMONIALS What our partners are saying...

A big thanks to our digital marketing team at We use MMG for all of our digital marketing...because MMG. Our hard work is paying off! [In response to of their expertise with Google Analytics reporting and Mackinac Island being named Number One Summer analysis. MMG also offers the Visitor Bureau a wide Destination by TripAdvisor in 2018] scope of influence as one of the largest publishers in – Tim Hygh, Mackinac Island Tourism the US. This helps distribute our message regionally, and in the state of Michigan. MLive brought to Grace’s rebranding exactly what we – Scott Beal, Silver Lake Sand Dunes-Hart had hoped. They accepted our initial data collection Visitors Bureau efforts and added to that body of data. They under- stand the dynamics brought by multiple layers of In a market that is very segmented it can be tough to institutional stakeholders and helped us gain buy-in. get the attention of potential and existing customers. The entire process had clear deliverables as well as a Eric [Hultgren, of MLive] helped us recognize the clear path to reach the end goal. need to focus on making our customer “the hero” in – Brian Sherstad, Grace Christian University our business scenarios for sustainable success. – Rick Vuyst, Flowerland The result was stunning — a look that was strong, professional, inclusive, inviting, and even a tad fun. The process for designing something as seemingly – Deanna Richeson, formerly of Check In Michigan simple as a logo is somewhat magical. Looking at what we had before and looking at what we have When we first began refreshing our brand identity now is an impressive difference. Our staff sees the we vetted a few local creative agencies for the difference and is excited and motivated to promote project. We were impressed by the professionalism and expand the brand. We love the guidelines, it will and strategic approach and we decided to jump into be a valuable tool in our marketing going forward. this crazy journey with their team leading the charge. – Teel Jewelers – Steve Volkers, Steve Volkers Group “We have run our own paid search marketing Eric [of MLive] can introduce new ideas and make program for several years with some solid results. them a realty within the hour. As media is ever- However, we knew there better options out there. changing in this fast-paced environment, Eric will When MLive approached us about having their team inform his audience of current industry trends and take over our campaigns, they promised results. how to implement those trends back in the office. And they delivered. Our conversion rates more than doubled and in most cases tripled what we had been – Anita Lindsay, Michigan Chamber of Commerce doing before – all within the same budget param- eters. Just as important was the customer service. Our Planning Commissioners loved [the videos] and They take a hands-on, proactive approach with our many want to visit these locations now. They’re very campaigns and truly provide solid advice and honest impressed with the high-quality of work MLive is feedback on what we are doing – or not doing. In producing. higher education marketing, providing return-on-in- – Jacob Maurer, Genesee County Metropolitan vestment results is no longer an option. With their Planning Commission weekly analytics and data, we can show our leader- ship how our marketing dollars are being spent – and what we are getting for those dollars. The only regret I have with MLive is that we didn’t approach them earlier.” – Director of Marketing and Communications, Higher Education Client

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 18 OUR CLIENTS

MLIVE MEDIA GROUP HAS WORKED FOR THOUSANDS OF CLIENTS IN MANY DIVERSE INDUSTRIES SUCH AS: TOURISM, POLITICS, EDUCATION, FINANCIAL, TRAVEL, ENTERTAINMENT, B2B, SPORTS, HEALTHCARE, AUTOMOTIVE, RETAIL, RESTAURANTS, NON-PROFITS, FESTIVALS AND MORE.

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www.mlivemediagroup.com | 19 DIGITAL SPECIFICATIONS DESKTOP ADS

Leaderboard | Rectangle | Wallpaper | Dimensions: 728x90 Dimensions: 300x250 Dimensions: 1280-1680 wide x 800-1600 high File Size: 60 kb Max File Size: 60 kb Max Text-Safe Area: 140px (on each side) File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, ad tags File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, ad tags (1000px of white space in the center. Due to different Animation: GIF, HTML5, 15 sec max; IBV Animation: GIF, HTML5, 15 sec max; IBV monitor sizes, the full width may not be seen on all Expandable sizes: Expandable sizes: monitors; plan accordingly.) 728x90 > 728x270 300x250 > 600x250 File Size: 200 kb max, 100 kb optimal RRM and IBV available for desktop File Format: JPG Animation: None AREA AREA SAFE COPY SAFE COPY PX

Half Page | Adhesion | BACKGROUND 140

Dimensions: 300x600 Dimensions: 970x90 Text-safe File Size: 60 kb File Size: 60 kb Max File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, ad tags File Format: JPG, GIF Animation: GIF, HTML5, 15 sec max; IBV Animation: GIF, 15 sec max Expandable size: 300x600 > 560x600 This unit remains visible at the bottom of the browser window at all times. Billboard | Dimensions: 970x250 File Size: 200 kb Max File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, ad tags Animation: GIF, HTML5, 15 sec max; IBV

Wide Sky | Gmail Ad | Dimensions: 160x600 Dimensions: 650 wide x 300-1000 high File Size: 60 kb File Size: 800 kb Max File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, ad tags File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF Animation: GIF, HTML5, 15 sec max; IBV Animation: None Expandable sizes: This is a static unit that displays within Gmail. CTA Branded Footer | 160x600 > 320x600 Dimensions: 620 wide x up to 200 high File Size: 60 kb Max File Format: JPG, PNG Animation: None Must include a prominent call to action

Native Display | Dimensions: 1200x628 (build size) File Size: 1200 kb Max File Format: JPG, PNG, no tags Animation: None These ads are built at 1200x628, but will be displayed at smaller dimensions. HOMEPAGE

INTERIOR PAGE

EXTENDED REACH

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 20 DESKTOP PRODUCTS

Homepage Takeover Interior Page Takeover Homepage Roadblock

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1 Units Included: 1 1 | Leaderboard 2 | Pushdown or Billboard 3 | Wallpaper 4 | Rectangle of Half Page Units Included: 1 | Rectangle and/or Native Display, x3 Native Display Click-In Best practice: use a different layout for each 2* File Format: JPG, PNG, no tags rectangle Animation: None Served on Nativo; these ads appear on the 3* Sponsored Content article page Interior Roadblock Units Included: 1 1 | Rectangle x3, or Native Display 1 Click-Out + 2 rectangles 2 | Billboard 3 | Adhesion 4 | Leaderboard* 2 * For devices that can’t fit a 970px width, the Leaderboard is served. 2 Best practice: use a different layout for each rectangle. Instructions must indicate if the Native Display Click-Out is included.

Native Display Click-Out Will click to external destination Units Included: Served on DFP 1 | Leaderboard 2 | Rectangle

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Units Included: All Units Optional 1 | Leaderboard 2 | Rectangle, or Half Page* 3 | CTA Footer Units Included: *Desktop only; built if requested 1 | Native Display Ad

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 21 MOBILE ADS Leaderboard | Rectangle | Mobile Banner | Dimensions: 728x90 Dimensions: 300x250 Dimensions: 320x50 File Size: 60 kb Max File Size: 60 kb Max File Size: 60 kb Max File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, ad tags File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, ad tags File Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, ad tags Animation: GIF, HTML5, 15 sec max; IBV Animation: GIF, HTML5, 15 sec max; IBV Animation: GIF, HTML5, 15 sec max; IBV Expandable sizes: Expandable sizes: Expands to: 728x90 > 1024x768 (tablet only) 300x250 > 1024x768 (tablet only) 320x50 > 320x480 300x250 > 320x480 (mobile only) RRM available for mobile browser, and extended RRM and IBV available for mobile browser, and reach mobile apps. extended reach mobile apps.

Native Display | Dimensions: 1200x628 (build size) File Size: 1200 kb Max Mobile Adhesion | File Format: JPG, PNG, no tags Advance Local sites only Animation: None Dimensions: 320x50 These ads are built at 1200x628, but will be File Size: 60 kb Max displayed at smaller dimensions. File Format: JPG, PNG, no tags Animation: GIF, 15 sec max

MOBILE PRODUCTS

Mobile Homepage Takeover Mobile Homepage Roadblock Mobile Native Display Click-In

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Units Included: Units Included: Units Included: 1 | Rectangle and/or Native Display, x4 1 | Rectangle and/or Native Display, x3 1 | Mobile Banner 2 | Mobile Adhesion Best practice: use a different layout for 2 | CTA Footer Best practice: use a different layout for each rectangle 3 | Rectangle each rectangle

Additional information can be found on www.mlivemediagroup.com or reach out to your sales executive for specific information.

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 22 PRINT SPECIFICATIONS 43 INCH PRESS SIZE RETAIL AD SIZES (6 COLUMN) Column x Inches = Image Area

Full Junior Page Half H Half V Tower Quarter H Quarter V 6 col. x 19.5" 5 col. x 14.5" 6 col. x 9.75" 3 Col. x 19.5" 2 col. x 19.5" 6 Col. x 4.75" 3 col. x 9.75" 117.00" 72.50" 58.50" 58.50" 39.00" 28.50" 29.25"

Landscape Strip Eighth Small Portrait Business Card Mini Pencil 4 col. x 4.75" 6 col. x 2" 3 col. x 4.75" 2 col. x 4.75" 2 col. x 2.5" 1 col. x 2.5" (Main Front) 19.00" 12.00" 14.25" 9.50" 5.00" 2.50" 6 col x .4287”

COLUMN WIDTHS: 1 Column = 1.562" 3 Column = 4.886" 5 Column = 8.210" 2 Column = 3.224" 4 Column = 6.548" 6 Column = 9.872" Double Truck 20.628" Wide

CLASSIFIED AD SIZES (8 COLUMN)

Full Half H Half V Quarter H Quarter V Strip Eighth Sixteenth V Sixteenth H 8 col. x 19.5" 8 col. x 9.75" 4 col. x 19.5" 8 col. x 4.75" 4 col. x 9.75" 8 col. x 2" 4 col. x 4.75" 2 col. x 4.75" 3 col. x 3.25" 156.00" 78.00" 78.00" 38.00" 39.00" 16.00" 19.00" 9.5" 9.5"

COLUMN WIDTHS: 1 Column = 1.198" 3 Column = 3.676" 5 Column = 6.154" 7 Column = 8.632" 2 Column = 2.437" 4 Column = 4.915" 6 Column = 7.393" 8 Column = 9.871"

• PDF file format preferred, also accept EPS (embed or outline fonts) • File profile and all imagery set to CMYK process colors • Ad size exactly matches the size noted above • No crop marks

NOTES • DPI: 150 min, 200-300 preferred

Additional information can be found on www.mlivemediagroup.com or reach out to your sales executive for specific information.

www.mlivemediagroup.com | 23