The Kansas Publisher Official monthly publication of the Kansas Press Association Aug. 21, 2019
Inside Today Page 2 Kevin Slimp says print is still where successful newspapers are making their money.
Page 3 John Foust gives tips on how to have more buy-in at your sales meetings. Page 4 KPA president Travis Mounts takes a close look at how the GateHouse/Gannett media merger might affect the industry.
Page 6-7 Three of the state press associations briefed executive directors of those associations: Mark Visit KPA’s marketplace. There about the new Think F1rst campaign included Thomas, Oklahoma Press Association; Emily are job openings, newspapers for Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. Shown above Bradbury, Kansas Press Association; and Mark sale and equipment for purchase. at a recent meeting in Montreal are (from left) Maassen, Missouri Press Association. Page 8 Emily Bradbury urges editors to States join in ‘Think F1rst’ campaign keep the mission — serving their he Kansas Press Associ- about the First Amendment and your publications and online,” communities — top of mind. ation has joined with the the rights afforded under it.” she said. “Even consider Kansas Association of In a civics survey taken by pairing them with an editorial KPA Calendar TBroadcasters and other associa- the Annenberg Public Policy about why you are running the tions nationwide to promote the Center, nearly four in 10 stu- ads or any other educational “Think F1rst” Campaign. dents couldn’t name even one stories that might take this Aug. 1 - Dec. 31 “Participation in this project of the five freedoms guaranteed campaign one step further.” States work together to promote is voluntary but highly recom- by the First Amendment. The campaign will run the “Think F1rst” campaign. mended,” said Emily Bradbury. “Clearly, we have work to between Aug. 1 and Dec. 31, See story at right. “We have a vested interest in do,” Bradbury said. 2019. having an educated readership You can find the ads by An example of one of the Oct. 11 and there is much work to be clicking here. ads can be found on Page 5 of SAVE THE DATE! Montgom- done in educating Americans “Feel free to use them in today’s Kansas Publisher. ery Family Symposium. More details to come soon. KPA to debut ‘Journalist of the Year’ award Dec. 15 new annual award will debut at the 2020 press associations, so we’re excited to add this Bill of Rights Day, recognizing Kansas Press Association annual conven- new award to our repertoire,” said Emily Brad- the 228th anniversary of the tion in Newton — the Kansas Journalist bury, KPA executive director. “Our journalists are ratification by the states. A of the Year citation. doing exemplary work and this award will allow The award will be presented along with the us to recognize them.” March 19-20, 2020 Awards of Excellence winners and will be based Entrants must be from newspapers that are Kansas Press Association on a body of work by a journalist published members in good standing of the KPA. annual convention, Meridian between Nov. 1, 2018 and Oct. 1, 2019. Center, Newton. “We have noticed such an award in other state See JOURNALIST on Page 4 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 2 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 What’s the big deal? Print 2019-20 KPA Board Travis Mounts President is still where we make money Times-Sentinel Newspapers ndy Warhol once said, “In the future, Post? Trust me, nothing most of you didn’t news@tsnews.com everyone will be world-famous for already know. 15 minutes.” Problems began when newspapers began Joey Young A First Vice President I’ve experienced those 15 minutes a few to believe their own headlines roughly a times, but it comes less often these days. dozen years ago, over-investing in the digital The Clarion, Newton Now [email protected] So, I was surprised to get a call last week side of the business and cutting reporting, from a reporter for The Washington Post. It production values and customer service. Robin Clasen Wunderlich seems he had received a number of emails I still work with a lot of papers as a Second Vice President containing a blog post I had written consultant. It holds true that most Eureka Herald for stateofnewspapers.com the day of the papers I visit who are doing [email protected] before. well financially didn’t make that We spoke for quite a while mistake. Sure, most invested in Tomari Quinn about the state of newspapers and digital, but not to the detriment of Treasurer the future of the new Gannett. It’s their core product. Topeka Capital-Journal no secret I’ve been predicting the Like most folks who don’t [email protected] merger/buyout for several years, as work for community newspapers, well as other industry events that O’Connell was pleasantly surprised Andy Taylor seem to have surprised the general to learn there are thousands of Past President public. locally-owned community papers Montgomery County Chronicle As I told Jonathan O’Connell, Kevin Slimp out there. He, like most folks I [email protected] financial reporter for The Post, it’s visit with on the subject, seemed to not rocket science. Anyone paying think most papers were part of big Marcus Ashlock attention had to see the GateHouse-Gannett groups. Southwest District Director merger coming for years. Gannett has cut I assured him, backed by data, that most Syracuse Journal their staffs, pages and content, sold their papers aren’t controlled by large national [email protected] buildings and basically had no place to turn. groups. According to my latest survey of GateHouse (New newspaper managers, Nickole Byers Northwest District Director Media Investment I used to keynote large the number of papers Ellis Review, Western World Group) has been owned by large groups [email protected] expanding their name- newspaper conferences is less than 20 percent plates as quickly as and beg the attendees to of total newspapers. Jeff Cott possible, while watch- So, what did I tell Legislative Director ing its stock value quit writing that print Jonathan that earned Derby Informer continue to drop. was dead ... three paragraphs in [email protected] Buying Gannett was a The Post? I simply quick way to draw the told him that most, not Mary Hoisington attention of the media all, but most papers At-Large Director and, hopefully, draw attention away from the are doing fine financially. Most aren’t going Great Bend Tribune significant drop in stock prices which have out of business or planning to sell to a large [email protected] lost approximately half their value in less national group. than a year (from $15.99 per share in August Thankfully, he didn’t take just my word Jason Jump 2018, to $8.08 as I write this column). for it. I was glad to see he interviewed Nondaily Membership Director What did I say so revolutionary that it Kingman Leader-Courier filled three paragraphs in The Washington See SLIMP on Page 5 [email protected] Chad Lawhorn July KDAN, KCAN winners Daily Director he following newspapers sold either direct placement, Kansas Display Ad, Lawrence Journal-World Kansas Classified Ad or out-of-state network ads in July. [email protected] T If you sell a KDAN or KCAN, which run in almost 150 Kansas newspa- David Allen Seaton pers, you keep half the money. Southeast District Director Sell outside of Kansas (SDAN or SCAN) or do direct placement in other papers Cowley CourierTraveler and keep half the commission allowed to KPA. [email protected] KDAN — Rural Messenger, four ads for $2,000 profit; Anderson County Review, two ads for $1,650 profit; Eureka Herald, one ad for $900 profit; Great BendTri - Ned Seaton bune, one ad for $380 profit. Northeast District Director KCAN — GateHouse Media, two ads for $300 profit. Manhattan Mercury DIRECT PLACEMENT — Hays Daily News. [email protected] Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 3 How to get more buy-in at your sales meetings risten told me how she handles gives us a specific focus, which is bet- Sometimes subtraction is just as important one of the biggest challenges of ter than a vague statement like, ‘Increase as addition.” Kmanaging her newspaper’s sales sales’ or “Provide better customer ser- r Step 4: “With all the talk about more department. “Sales meetings – like a lot of vice.” It allows us to concentrate our at- and less, we don’t want to lose track of the other things – fall into predictable pat- tention on that one thing, without running things that don’t need to be changed. The terns,” she said. “The boss talks, the staff down rabbit trails. My job is to state the next sheet is labeled KEEP DOING, so members listen, and more often than not, topic as clearly as possible and make sure we can examine – and evaluate the value it’s just a transference everyone stays on of – activities that are of information. No one track. I write the doing what they are feels motivated to do topic in big letters on My job is to state the supposed to do.” anything different after a flip chart, tear off topic as clearly as possible r Step 5: “After the meeting is over. the sheet and post it we go through this “I learned a tech- on the wall.” and make sure everyone process, an ac- nique a few years ago r Step 2: “After stays on track. I write tion plan becomes that gets everyone we agree on the the topic in big letters on obvious. That’s the involved. First, I statement of the last sheet. When the introduce a topic that topic – which is usu- a flip chart, tear off the meeting is over, we calls for specific ally a problem that sheet and post it on the look around the room solutions, then the John Foust needs to be solved wall. and see the entire group answers a set or a goal that needs process posted on the of questions to gener- to be reached – I wall, ending with a ate ideas. My role is to be a facilitator and write DO MORE on to-do list that we de- let them do most of the talking. Usually, the next sheet of the flip chart and we list veloped as a team. That’s a lot better than everyone arrives at the right solutions, but things we need to do more of, in order to having everyone sit around the conference since the ideas are theirs, not mine, there’s make progress. table and listen to a lecture.” more buy-in.” “We list all the ideas and check the Although there are a lot of meeting ones that are most workable. That leads John Foust has conducted training formats, this has become one of Kris- to a discussion of what is involved in programs for thousands of newspaper ad- ten’s favorites. Let’s take a look at how it implementing each one. Through it all, the vertising professionals. Many are using his works: group does most of the talking.” training videos to save time and get quick r Step 1: “First, I introduce a topic,” r Step 3: “Talking about ‘more’ isn’t results from in-house training. E-mail for she explained. “It could be something enough. There are always some activities information at [email protected]. like, ‘Increase digital sales in the holiday we can cut, so I write DO LESS on the flip (c) Copyright 2019 by John Foust. All season by 10 percent over last year.’ That chart and we follow the same procedure. rights reserved. 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RCFP’s 50-year history, place a member Proposals can be submitted at rcfp.org/ 800-223-1600 of our legal team in up to five locations local until Oct. 31, 2019. metrocreativeconnection.com across the country to bolster local enter- To learn more about the initiative, click [email protected] prise and investigative journalism. here. 4 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 Merger could set tone for journalism’s near future ast week’s big news that two Goliaths into one countywide paper not that long ago. the last time you heard of a CEO delaying his in the newspaper business – Gate- Our Times-Sentinel newspaper was created or her paycheck because the company lost LHouse Media and Gannett – plan to when three struggling papers covering four money last quarter or because the stock price merge made headlines across the country. towns become one paper more than 25 years fell? The long-rumored announcement was not a ago. Another of our papers, the Star-Argosy, The danger of any hedge fund-operated surprise, but if it comes together as planned, was formed when the Conway Springs and business is that cuts are made beyond what it could tell us a lot about the future of print Argonia papers become one back in the is necessary. Are job reductions and other journalism in the United States. 1970s. changes made out of absolute financial ne- There is no arguing that selling print ads is Merged papers – whether combining cessity, or to maintain a preset profit margin? a much tougher prospect town or papers within A recent NPR than it has been and that one town – are nothing But how far can we go story noted that, over all media outlets have new. Just take a look at the past decade, there become much more all the mastheads with before we kill our own have been “1.3 million segmented. hyphens in them. products? Our business job losses at retailers The challenges we But how far can we still relies on the identity of that were acquired by face in newspapers can go before we kill our Wall Street private be found in television own products? Our the communities we cover equity firms and hedge and radio, too. Cable TV business still relies as well as our ability to be funds,” according to appears to be heading on the identity of the part of those communities. Maggie Corser, who the way of 8-track tapes, communities we cover co-authored a study on thanks to streaming Travis Mounts as well as our ability to retail failure and liqui- media. And streaming be part of those communities. dation. Over the same time period, the retail media will be a very crowded landscape 12 We get hurt when we lose visibility in our sector added a total of 1 million jobs. months from now. Some pundits are wonder- towns and neighborhoods. We also suffer “Wall Street firms are destabilizing retail- ing if Netflix will be able to survive against when we lose relationships and institutional ers,” Corser said. the new Disney/ABC/ESPN service, which knowledge. In our industry, there is room for debate has not even launched. Of course, some cuts are necessary. Over on the same subject. Are companies cutting What the GateHouse-Gannett merger will the years, our operation has shrunk and in reaction just to shrinking advertising or eventually tell us is how far we can stretch grown more than once, based on the financial to maintain a predetermined profit level? If the definition of “community.” situation we were in. We’ve made cuts in the latter is the case, what does this do to the GateHouse made headlines earlier this an effort to keep the business afloat. When long-term viability of their papers? And what year when a number of its papers in the times are tough, the owners of family-owned does that do to our industry as a whole? northeastern U.S. merged together. They papers tend to simply make less money. They It definitely feeds into the notion that did this a few years ago in our own Butler skip paychecks and don’t take dividends, and newspapers are a dying business. County. they put off vacations or major purchases. Print advertising is still the primary form There’s a long history of newspaper con- That generally doesn’t happen with corpo- of revenue for publishers. In a Washington solidation. Miami County’s papers merged rations, regardless of the industry. When was Post story on the GateHouse-Gannett merger, media consultant Kevin Slimp noted that Award and the Boyd Community Service many of the nation’s 12,000 newspapers are Journalist Award. still healthy financially. Bradbury said plans are to invite all “Job number one is to put out a good Continued from Page 1 living Hall of Fame members and immedi- product. Job number two is to realize that For this competition, entries should ate families of deceased HOF members to your business is still mainly on the print consist of six examples of the journalist’s that event. side,” he said, citing a survey he did of work during the contest period. The annual convention will now con- roughly 400 publishers. Entries may include supporting material centrate more on training for reporters and There are real challenges out there for all to indicate how the journalist’s work made editors and advertising sales executives. our papers, big and small, daily and weekly. a difference in the community or Kansas as Another addition to the convention in We shouldn’t be making decisions that create a whole. Newton will be a member golf outing at unnecessary challenges and obstacles. Entries can be made by the entrant or on Newton’s Sand Creed Station. Whatever you have to work with, do the their behalf. KPA for years had a golf tournament in best you can with it. The President’s Gala, previously the conjunction with convention, but interest Keep working on your quality and build- President’s Banquet and held on Friday waned over time. ing those connections with your communi- night of convention, will be conducted as a There has been interest expressed in ties. separate affair in early summer. trying such an outing again. Your future depends on it. It will continue to be a more formal Sand Creek Station has ranked No. 1 affair and include the Kansas Newspaper in the United States in overall customer Travis Mounts is president of the Kansas Hall of Fame inductions and well as pre- loyalty for 10 consecutive years. Press Association for 2019-20 and manag- sentation of other special awards includ- The course was selected by the United ing editor and co-owner of Times-Sentinel ing the Clyde M. Reed Jr. Master Editor States Golf Association to host the 2014 Newspapers, based in Sedgwick and Sumner Award, the Gaston Outstanding Mentor U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. counties. Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 5
pass in the newspaper world. Some will go out of business, as has been Slimp I appreciate the attention but try to the case as long as there have been newspa- Continued from Page 2 remind folks that it’s not brain surgery. Years pers, and new papers will appear. ago, I saw newspapers over-investing in the As I told Jonathan, it didn’t take a keen Dr. Iris Chyi, University of Texas media- digital side of journalism at the expense of intellect to see what was happening. It only research expert, who concurred that much their main products. I used to keynote large required taking a step back, refusing to of the problems the large groups experi- newspaper conferences and beg the attend- believe popular culture, and studying what ence come down to over-reliance on digital ees to quit writing that print was dead, some- was really taking place. Folks like Dr. Chyi revenue too soon. thing they effectively convinced their readers at The University of Texas, Al Cross at The Yes, I’ve gotten some things right over and advertisers. I would speak at newspaper University of Kentucky, Tommy Thomason the years. I predicted years ago the Advocate conferences and note that most workshops at Texas Christian University and others would take over the New Orleans newspaper had to do with converting products to digital, have been doing research and sharing their market, even before they had a paper there, wondering where all these newspapers were findings for more than a decade. which came to pass with the purchase of The going to get money once the print revenue I simply paid attention. Times-Picayune in May. disappeared. Some journalists like to dig out my past Thankfully, as I told Jonathan O’Connell, Kevin Slimp is a speaker and trainer in columns, often long-forgotten, to remind me most newspapers are doing alright. They’re the newspaper industry. He can be reached I had predicted something that has come to not going out of business any time soon. at [email protected].
I find the truth and have the freedom to share it. Understanding the First Amendment is key to protecting our free society. Freedom of the Press means we have the right to publish and circulate information or opinions without government censorshipUnderstanding through print, the broadcast First and Amendment electronic media. is key to protecting our free society. Freedom of the Press means we have the right to publish and circulate information or opinions without government Learncensorship more through at ThinkFirstAmendment.org print, broadcast and electronic media. LearnFreedom ofmore Speech at • FreedomThinkFirstAmendment.org of Religion • Freedom of the Press • Freedom to Peaceably Assemble • Freedom to Petition the Government Freedom of Speech • Freedom of Religion • Freedom of the Press • Freedom to Peaceably Assemble • Freedom to Petition the Government
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A series of ads has been produced for use in newspapers and online Please help us spread the word about the importance of all five free- by members of the Kansas Press Association and the Kansas Associa- doms in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The above ad tion of Broadcasters and other press associations across the country. refers to the one we rely upon, of course, freedom of the press. 6 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 Marketplace Editor’s note: Use the information be- ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE - The Iola Reg- low to review open positions in journalism Are your ads still timely? ister is a locally owned newspaper. We are in Kansas and elsewhere or to find miscel- he Marketplace Page is how we looking for a Sales Representative to join laneous items for sale, including newspa- tell each other about job open- our ambitious team. This position would pers. For KPA members, the first 35 words ings, newspapers for sale and offer dynamic advertising solutions to local are free. Ads run for 60 days online unless T businesses. Email advertise@iolaregister. miscellaneous items for sale. renewed. To place an ad, click here. Ads on this page that have run com for more information. for more than six months (except for NEWS newspapers for sale) are removed. DESIGN REPORTER —The Wichita Business Please resubmit if jobs are still open. GRAPHIC ARTIST/PAGINATOR/ Journal is searching for a reporter who can Please review the remaining ads on DESIGNER - Creative individual as a build a list of strong sources, break news, this page and indicate to ebradbury@ full-time paginator/graphic designer. Job write sophisticated and impactful cover kspress.com if they are still timely. involves laying out pages, working with stories and own their beats. Candidates graphics and photos, and updating the web- should be able to mine data for stories, site and social media. There may be some use social media as a reporting tool and ADVERTISING reporting duties as well. Involves evening make connections with the Wichita busi- Retail Account Executive - The Great and weekend work. Must be reliable, quick ness community. This person will relish Bend Tribune is seeking a full-time Retail but accurate, and have a keen eye for the opportunity to scoop the competition Account Executive or Sales Team Leader design and sense for details. If this fits you, daily, online and in print. The Wichita to join their award winning team. This please send letter, portfolio, resume and Business Journal is an award-winning, strategic position will be responsible for references to Dale Hogg, managing editor, highly respected source of business news bringing innovative advertising solutions Great Bend Tribune, 2012 Forest Ave., in Wichita and south-central Kansas. The to local businesses in Central Kansas. Great Bend, Kan., 67530, or to dhogg@ WBJ and its 40+ sister publications are The right candidate will be a resource- gbtribune.com. part of American City Business Journals, ful, performance-driven professional that the No. 1 source for local business news has the tenacity to grow sales and market PRODUCTION in the nation. Contact Editor-in-Chief Bill our customers. Computer and presenta- PRESS OPERATOR — Accepting re- Roy: [email protected]. (5-25) tion skills are required for this position as sumes for Press Operator at progressive, well as a good driving record and reliable family-run newspaper in Weatherford, REPORTER - If you are an eager, hungry transportation. Okla. Experience with Goss Community journalist with feet planted firmly in both press helpful. Attractive compensation and the old-school print as well as the digital The ideal candidate will have experience re-location packages. Contact Phillip Reid and social media worlds, the Great Bend selling both print and digital advertising at 580-772-3301 or email resume to Phil- Tribune, a sweepstakes award-winning with a proven track record of delivering [email protected]. (3-27) daily, is looking for you. We need someone meaningful and compelling solutions for in our newsroom with a nose for news and clients. He/she must be a team player will- PART-TIME PRESS OPERATOR — The the stories behind the stories. They must be ing to inspire and be inspired by being part Great Bend Tribune is seeking a part-time reliable, accurate while being great com- of a dynamic media company focused on press operator to join our printing team. municators comfortable with the diverse customer service. The ideal candidate will have previous platforms used by newspapers today. Job web press experience, including print of entails beat reporting, updating social Responsibilities include: Develop and process color and press make-ready. Good media sites, and creating news content the maintain positive and productive relation- work ethics along with mechanical skills Tribune and its special sections. If this fits ships with our clients and staff, use profes- and ability to react quickly to print related you and you want to be a part of our news sional selling techniques and marketing problems. We are willing to train the right team, please send letter, writing samples, skills to close sales or upgrade existing person. Job requirements include: • Current resume and references to Dale Hogg, man- accounts, increase and build client base, valid driver’s license with clean driving aging editor, Great Bend Tribune, 2012 provide client feedback to internal team as record, ability to pass a written fork lift test Forest Ave., Great Bend, Kan., 67530, or to appropriate, effectively communicate sales and train on lift; • Color vision and depth [email protected]. (3-20) information and opportunities internally, perception; • Ability to lift a minimum of calculate, input and maintain records of 75 pounds; • Ability to read and compre- REPORTER NEEDED — now for western sales, attend training and meetings as ap- hend written and/or oral English instruc- Kansas twice-weekly, near lake with state propriate, network with local community tion along with ability to communicate park and federal reservoir, great hunting, professionals and assist in developing and effectively with team members. To submit fishing hiking, biking. Cover city and growing market share. a resume with references or request an ap- county, schools and more, features and plication contact [email protected]. creative coverage. Help with page design, Compensation includes a base plus com- learn the craft of newspapering. Pay com- mission with established account list and NEWSPAPERS FOR SALE petitive, based on experience, plus benefits. benefits. For Sale: 141-year-old weekly newspaper Contact Dana Paxton, general manager, i\Rawlins County Square Deal weekly at [email protected], and Steve To apply send your resume and cover letter newspaper in northwest Kansas. Official Haynes at [email protected] to: Mary Hoisington, Great Bend Tribune, city, county and school publication. Only EOE/M/F/D/V (1-4) 2012 Forest Ave., Great Bend, KS 67530 or email: [email protected] See MARKETPLACE on Page 7 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 7
Marketplace/cont. from page 6 KPA Staff newspaper in county. Strong subscription in Southwest Kansas; only newspaper in Emily Bradbury and advertising base and supportive com- the county. Owner moving out of state. Executive Director, munity. Sale includes building, up-to-date Motivated seller. Will include building and Member Services Director equipment and software, archives and property in sale or sell business only. Ask- active e-paper. Call 817-805-3600 or email ing $105,000. (785) 341-7573 after 5 p.m. [email protected] [email protected] for more MST. (5-29) (785) 213-8524 information. (7-5) MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE Judy Beach 136 year old weekly newspaper in south- FOR SALE — Atlas offset press. 2 quad Bookkeeper east Kansas. Owner wishing to sell units and four mono units with folder, roll publication, which he has owned for 39 stands and all electrical equipment needed [email protected] years. Steady subscription base, located for operation. Also includes bay window in historic Kansas town. Inquire through to print full color on both sides of one Amber Jackson KPA by emailing [email protected]. web, plate bender and punch. Comes with Advertising Director (6-14) conveyor belt and count-o-veyor. Price reduced to $25,000. Call 620-626-0840 or [email protected] Respected 133-year-old weekly newspaper email [email protected]. Lori Jackson KPA to offer Newswriting 101 course Administrative Assistant/Advertising [email protected] he Kansas Press Association plans to offer an introductory newswriting course this fall. TKPA has had interest expressed by newspaper editors and publishers who want to use Emma Platt local talent at their operations but need the basics of journalism taught to them. Office Intern Doug Anstaett, former KPA executive director and now consultant and lobbyist for the [email protected] association, has agreed to prepare the course. “We’ve asked Doug to prepare a program that we can offer in-person but might eventual- ly be able to offer in a webinar format at some point to our members,” said Emily Bradbury, KPA Consultants KPA executive director. “Part of how it evolves will depend on the response from members.” Doug Anstaett Anstaett is compiling information from his own 46-year experience in the industry and Consultant, Lobbyist from a number of online sources as well. [email protected] “We will probably try to set up a regional meeting where a few newspapers can send their (785) 249-1108 newest staff members for training,” Anstaett said. “We’re going to try to be as flexible as needed to make this work.” The plan is to have the course ready to offer by Oct. 1. If you’re interested in participat- Max Kautsch ing, make that know by emailing Anstaett at [email protected] or Emily Bradbury at Legal Hotline, Media Law [email protected]. (785) 393-5520 Awards of Excellence deadline is Nov. 9 [email protected] he 2020 Awards of Excellence competition will include entries published between Mike Kautsch Nov . 1, 2018 and Oct. 31, 2019. Media Law, KU School of Law TEmily Bradbury, KPA executive director, said entries may be submitted beginning [email protected] Sept. 10. More information will be shared with members in the next few weeks. The 2020 KPA annual convention is slated for March 19 and 20 at the Holiday Inn Ex- press in Newton. Bradbury said information about contest categories and rules will be sent out in the next Friends of KPA few weeks. Ron Keefover If you have questions, contact Bradbury at [email protected]. Retired, Kansas Court System President This month’s question Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government Q. Why should my newspaper participate in the advertising portion of the Awards of Excellence contest? [email protected] (for questions on cameras in the A. Great question and we have heard a great answer from two par- courtroom and KORA-KOMA as it ticipants recently. The Derby Reporter and the Great Bend Tribune relates to the court system) actually use the winning ads to obtain even more ad sales from the winners. Jeff Cott, publisher of the Derby Reporter, actually gives the winning certificates to the advertiser. Jeff reports that they love it. So, enter your ads — it may be the best $5 you ever spend! 8 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 Let’s stick to the mission: serving our communities espite my best efforts it happened. I unprecedented disruption in our field over Our readers are going to make us work became one of “those moms.” the past 10 years. for it but we are up to the task. DYou know the kind; heck, you Business models continue to evolve, Keep the needs of your community as might even be one. The mom who posts ownerships change and there have been the most important thing and your readers a split screen of two photos – one of you (and will be) more pivots than I can count. will show up. holding a baby and the other of said baby But that is the way, isn’t it? Call me Pollyanna, but I truly believe at 14 – on Instagram Circumstances change but we cannot that we will come out of this season while captioning it with forget our focus and our mission – to be the stronger than ever and that I will look back some sappy line like, cornerstones of our and be honored to “It happens in a blink, communities, their have been a witness. mamas.” biggest cheerleaders It is natural to mourn So just like raising Look, I love babies. and their most ardent ‘the good ol’ days,’ but kids, we look back Who doesn’t? But I watchdogs. fondly on those baby love older kids even It is easy to just we cannot let that cloud days while forgetting more. And just when focus on the “what our hopes for the future. that those times they become really fun was.” To dream There is an opportunity had some crappy with their own distinct about the times when for all of us and our (literally) days too. Emily Bradbury personalities, they want money would simply Let’s look to our to do their own thing walk in the door and mission has never been future the same way. with other fun kids and not their parents. we had to turn down more important. Yes, we are in the Not fair, world. advertising because midst of some real But as I watch my happy, normal we didn’t want to change but there are 14-year-old-boy bounce in and out of our increase our page count. When we had good things too. house I watch and lament over what was, more staff to cover more community events And not unlike parenting a teenager, we but I quickly find myself excited about or to ease the burden of production nights. will be talking about how we made it out what could be and what is to come. It is natural to mourn “the good ol’ the other side a little bruised but intact and I think many of you can relate – maybe days,” but we cannot let that cloud ready for a new day. not when you look at your children but our hopes for the future. There is an when you look at your publications opportunity for all of us and our mission Emily Bradbury is executive director of We all are aware that we have seen has never been more important. the Kansas Press Association. News briefs Eagle to cut Saturday print; that the 2020 Census has the most traffic and misdemeanor cases, preliminary complete count possible,” Jackson said. matters in felony cases and limited civil will produce digital edition “Unfortunately, it seems that they are really cases. he Wichita Eagle says it’s moving to pushing for social media to be used. We Sylvester replaces Magistrate Judge a digital-only edition on Saturdays need to be at the table to make sure at least Roseanna Mathis, who retired earlier this as more readers get their news T some money goes to print.” month. A date for his swearing-in hasn’t online. If you do not know who your state been set. The paper said Tuesday in a letter to committee members are, please contact readers that it will stop publishing a printed Jackson at [email protected]. newspaper on Saturdays and shift to a We need your help judging Weekend Edition that includes expanded Mississippi ad contest entries newspapers on Fridays and Sundays. Those Ron Sylvester named e are looking for judges for papers will include popular fixtures such Kingman County judge the 2019 Mississippi Better as comics, puzzles, TV listings and local former Hutchinson News managing WNewspaper Contest entries. sports coverage. editor has been named as a new The judging period will be in October, Amagistrate for a rural south-central but we want to begin signing up judges Kansas county. now. Consider being a member Ron Sylvester was appointed to fill the This contest is advertising only. of local census committee judicial vacancy in Kingman County by a “This is a great opportunity to gather ocal Census 2020 complete count nominating commission Monday. ideas to use in your own newspaper to committees are forming now across Sylvester’s job at the newspaper was dazzle your advertisers,” said Amber LKansas. eliminated in late May. Jackson, Kansas Press Association Amber Jackson, Kansas Press The 60-year-old Sylvester previously advertising director. “As a judge, you can Association advertising director and a worked at The Wichita Eagle and at get a first-hand look at the best work done member of the State Complete Count newspapers in Las Vegas and Orange by your counterparts in Mississippi.” Committee, believes it is important for County, Calif. If you’re interested, please click here at newspapers to have a representative on State law does not require magistrates get signed up. these committees. to be attorneys, but Sylvester must pass an The more judges we have, the lighter “Money will be spent to make sure exam within 18 months. Magistrates handle work for everyone.