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THINK LIKE AN EDITOR 2020 Mega-Conference Arrives CRITICAL THINKING The Canadian Journalism Foundation in Fort Worth Feb. 17-19 After the debacle at Deadspin, should launches ‘Doubt It?’ campaign to fight Annual tradeshow celebrates 10 years of it be a mandate that all sports journalists misinformation...... p. 8 moving the industry forward. . . . p. 26 “stick to sports?”...... p. 15
NEVER ENOUGH NEWS Sending a Message DATA PAGE Community Impact Newspaper News publishers create their Job performance of local news, political expands into Atlanta region. . . . .p. 9 own identities through powerful ads on Facebook, unsolved murders of marketing campaigns...... p. 32 journalists in countries with worst record for justice, proportion of screen time MAKING AN IMPACT IN 2020 tweens and teens devote to various McClatchy launches subscription product 2020 Vision media activities...... p. 18 for political obsessives...... p. 10 News publishers have a clear focus with finding innovation and success this year...... p. 38 OPERATIONS FILING FOR THE FUTURE International Newspaper Group and E&P New RJI project seeks to preserve to honor operations ‘all-stars’. . . . p. 28 digital archives ...... p. 11 NEWSPEOPLE FULL SCREEN REDESIGN New hires, promotions and relocations USA TODAY upgrades website .. . . p. 14 across the industry...... p. 45
PHOTO OF THE MONTH SHOPTALK Steve Heaslip/Cape Cod Times . . . . .p. 16 In a post-truth world, your newspaper beats social media for facts. . . . p. 50
Columns INDUSTRY INSIGHT BUSINESS OF NEWS DIGITAL PUBLISHING The hardest part with digital subscriptions Journalists should empathize, not exploit, How ProPublica is harnessing the power is keeping them ...... p. 20 when covering disasters ...... p. 22 of collaboration...... p. 24
editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 3 editorial
New Year, New You PUBLISHER Mike Blinder, 406-445-0000 Ext. 1 [email protected] ight before the new year, a popular meme floated around EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nu Yang, 406-445-0000 Ext. 2 social media called the 10-Year [email protected] Challenge, where people compared Rtheir 2019 self to their 2009 counterpart. Some MANAGING EDITOR people posted embarrassing hairstyle and Evelyn Mateos, 406-445-0000 Ext. 8 BUT SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE… [email protected] wardrobes choices they made; others posted their accomplishments and how far they’ve CONTRIBUTING WRITERS come. As for me, a decade ago, I was preparing Rob Tornoe, Tim Gallagher Matt DeRienzo, Jerry Simpkins to move from Michigan to California, and will continue to grow, but there will be more
now my “winters” consist of a few rainy days rules and regulations for tech companies who BUSINESS MANAGER instead of the usual snow blizzard and freezing are finally facing the music when it comes to Robin Blinder, 406-445-0000 Ext. 0 temperatures (can’t say I miss that). the roles they play in spreading misinformation [email protected] SaveSave BothBoth withwith VisionWebVisionWeb MobileMobile AccessAccess ToolsTools I thought it would be interesting to do the and how they’re taking their massive cut of MARKETING/ADVERTISING SUCCESS OFFICER same challenge for the news industry, so I the digital advertising pie. Fact-checking will Patti Minglin & Go Girl Communications looked up the State of the News Media (an continue to be a priority for many newsrooms as 406-445-0000 Ext. 5 annual report put out by the Pew Research we enter further into this election year, and with [email protected] Ad Sales Reps Center) and compared some stats from the more platforms available to news consumers SALES AND MARKETING CONSULTANT 2009 and 2019 versions to see how much now than 10 years ago, there is certainly more Kevin Hoppes, 406-445-0000 Ext. 9 • With VisionWeb Mobile Access Tools, Ad Reps can turn wasted changed in 10 years. noise for them to filter through. [email protected] time from calls and trips to the office into time spent making more If you look at our feature stories this month, sales calls! Turn a 2-call close into only 1 call. Increase Sales DIRECTOR OF DATA SERVICES Revenue, Closing Ratios, Customer Base and Commissions! In 2009: we hope it conveys what the future will look Al Cupo, 406-445-0000 Ext. 3 • The top four news sites were Yahoo, MSNBC. like next year. We spoke with news publishers [email protected] • Ad Reps can Send Tear Sheets, Place Orders, Pick up, Proof and com, CNN.com and AOL. They saw unique from newspapers and digital news outlets Approve Ads all from their web enabled device without leaving CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SALES their territory. visitors grow by 22 percent to 23.6 million as they reflected on this past year and what Jon Sorenson visitors a month. they have planned for 2020 (overall, they are 800-887-1615 FAX 866-605-2323 • U.S. newspaper print circulation fell 4.6 staying optimistic). We also spoke with several [email protected] • Vision Web's CRM System will allow your Ad Rep to review the Advertiser Ad History and Upload Content, Graphic and Creative percent daily and 4.8 percent Sunday. news organizations who launched successful SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES for new sales right from their web-enabled mobile device. • Total ad revenue for newspapers fell 16 marketing and branding campaigns and why Mid-Atlantic Media percent in 2008, and online ads amounted to they worked. Our wish is to see more of these 888-538-4188 • With VisionWeb Mobile Access Tools, your Ad Rep will have less than 10 percent of revenue. campaigns from publishers, especially when it [email protected] instant access to Advertiser Billing, Payment History, Available • Online video advertising only represented 10 comes to writing their own narratives. Credit and Terms. DESIGN AND PRODUCTION percent of internet advertising. One last note about this new year, Ken DESIGN2PRO • They can also view cross selling opportunities and rates for www.design2pro.com • Advertisers spent $1.3 million on mobile Doctor, who spent the past 15 years, analyzing multiple publications for that all-important up-sell! advertising in 2008, up 59 percent from a the global news industry recently announced Howard Barbanel year earlier. he was going to launch a new company called 516-860-7440 • Your Ad Rep can create an Email Blast to their target customer Lookout, a “wide-reaching new model for local [email protected] groups for immediate impact. Imagine your team having the In 2019: news” taking everything he’s learned over the ability to instantly launch new Promotions, One-Day Sales and • U.S. newspaper print circulation decreased years and placing it in one place. Category Specific Special Editions right from their phone or tablet! 12 percent and Sunday print circulation “It’s recombinant news DNA for the 2020s,” decreased 13 percent. Doctor called it. BUSINESS MAILING ADDRESS • Total estimated advertising revenue for I welcome Doctor’s new company and his Editor & Publisher Magazine Ad Managers the newspaper industry in 2018 was $14.3 analysis. We’re going to need someone to fully #322 23110 State Road 54 billion. (In 2009, it was $27 billion.) study what this next decade is going to look Lutz, FL 33548 • Increase Sales, Boost Ad Rep Performance and Improve • Digital advertising accounted for 35 percent like because as we saw from this past one, it’s Accountability. of revenue. unpredictable. EDITORIAL MAILING ADDRESS Editor & Publisher Magazine • Monitor, Coach & Coordinate your Sales Team with ease. • Circulation revenue was $11 billion. And as he wrote in his announcement, 5811 McFadden Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92649 • Employment in digital-native newsrooms “As I look to the 2020s, I come not to bury www.editorandpublisher.com • Reduce the need and frequency of sales meetings and increase grew to 13,470 compared to 8,090 in 2009. journalism but to praise what it can—and 406-445-0000 face to face selling time! must—do for all of us.” Editor & Publisher is printed in the U.S.A. These are just a few select figures from two Here at E&P, we couldn’t agree more. • Monitor Productivity of your Sales Team with Sales Call and reports, but they paint a very clear picture Activity Tracking.
of this past decade—and where it might be America’s Oldest Journal Nu Yang is editor-in-chief • Make Real Sales Goals & Forecasts using Real Data in Real Time. heading for 2030. of Editor and Publisher. Covering the Newspaper Industry Print advertising and circulation will continue She has been with the to decline (and despite how some experts publication since 2011. With which have been merged: The Journalist, established March 22, 1884; Newspaperdom, March incorrectly predicted 10 years ago that print 1892; The Fourth Estate, March 1, 1894; Editor & would be gone by now, newspapers will continue Publisher, June 29, 1901; Advertising, June 22, 1925. to “rage against the dying of the light.”) Digital 518.434.2193 | sales @vdata.com | www.vdata.com 4 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com comments )))
enough media sources that don’t stick to what made them what they are and have sold out for clicks. I wonder if people will ever be Want Revenue? smart enough to figure out that the internet is what is killing journalism and brought us to where we are today. Doesn’t look like it. What these journalists did by quitting would be the same as going to sell cars for Chevrolet and then quitting because they can’t sell Fords. Seems like more of an entitlement thing than anything else. They were hired to write about sports, but in the end, they just weren’t good enough to do it. RANDY Submitted on editorandpublisher.com
Online News Still Struggling After a quarter century of trying, online news media is still finding its sea legs. (“Editorial: Deadspin is Dead,” December 2019) Unfortunately, it seems obvious, by this point, that there is not much room in it for news, at Say No to Funding from Facebook truly is “all that” or it simply seems that way least not general interest or political content. As We create special sections that get the results you need — now more than ever News organizations should not accept because the admitted practices of getting people much as cyber news staffs may lament it, media additional funding from private companies addicted to tech are in full force. is a business and unless the news product ® which employ questionable practices GREEN they produce can deliver the eyeballs, and the especially when it involves the spreading of Submitted on editorandpublisher.com eyeballs deliver the advertising dollars, there is GREEN SHOOT MEDIA disinformation. (“Critical Thinking: Should no future in it. Newsrooms Accept Additional Funding from Facebook and Google Should Pay PHILIP S. MOORE GreenShootMedia.com • 256-275-4333 Facebook?” November 2019) Like most news for Content Submitted on editorandpublisher.com organizations, Facebook thrives on ads, but Rather than fund news organizations, we draw a line that such companies willfully how about they share more of the ad Facebook News Site Could Work ignore. revenue they get from showing our content? As long as it’s news and not opinion pieces, JOE CHARPENTIER (“Critical Thinking: Should Newsrooms a Facebook news site should be a good thing. Submitted on editorandpublisher.com Accept Additional Funding from Facebook?” (“Critical Thinking: Should Newsrooms November 2019) Facebook and Google Accept Additional Funding from Facebook?” Internet Business Model is Broken right now take so much ad revenue from November 2019) But it’s going to include Thinking you should is the same mistake our content showing on their sites that new opinion pieces, which Facebook will have in newsrooms have been making for over a organizations have been starving in some its “news” and so people will think it is news decade. (“Critical Thinking: Should Newsrooms cases. That would help preserve good content. instead of opinion. This is how we’ve ended up Accept Additional Funding from Facebook?” Not direct funds—it just doesn’t seem right. where we’re at. People thinking opinion is news. November 2019) Yes, at first, the internet TODD MAISEL DAN LONG seemed glorious and the way to go. Everyone Submitted on editorandpublisher.com Submitted on editorandpublisher.com was all in as expected. But after almost 20 years, it’s become very evident that the Kudos to P.J. Browning Military Vets Welcomed internet is not good for news, newsrooms or Many years prior I was contacted by The newsroom at the Killeen Daily newspapers. Look at the internet and tell me Knight Ridder who requested I recruit a new Herald is about 50 percent veterans, as is there isn’t a problem with news these days. For publisher for one of their papers. (“2019 E&P our freelance staff. (“Military Journalism,” Publish life’s stories. years, newspapers have been told they are doing Publisher of the Year P.J. Browning, Post December 2019) We’re outside of Fort Hood, it wrong. They aren’t innovative enough. They and Courier,” November 2019) At the time Texas, and looking to hire. This is a very large Low-cost, turnkey solution to publishing don’t understand how to get the most from the of the recruitment process, we all knew very veteran community, so veterans are very paid content on all platforms. internet. Their business model is broken. That, quickly Browning possessed the professional welcome to apply. Feel free to send resumes of course, is all rubbish. Newspapers have/had attributes Knight Ridder was looking for. This to [email protected]. [email protected] a great business model—unlike the business recognition for P.J. Browning by the industry DAVID A. BRYANT 701.412.8733 model of the internet. It is the internet and she so loves is appropriately deserved. Submitted on editorandpublisher.com modulist.news its business model itself that is the problem. JERRY KURBATOFF That’s why so many newspapers have had to Submitted on editorandpublisher.com seek additional funding and have their “news” Send us your comments become so questionable. The sooner real news Deadspin Reporters Should Have [email protected] organizations reject the internet, call it out for Stuck with Sports what it is and get back to being proud of their So long. You won’t be missed. (“Editorial: “Comments,” Editor & Publisher, 5811 McFadden Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 print editions without being sucked into the Deadspin is Dead,” December 2019) In case endless new ideas that get them nowhere, the you haven’t noticed, there is more than enough Please include your name, title, city and state, and email address. Letters may be edited for all the usual reasons. better. I also question whether the internet “journalism” these days. There are more than
6 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 7 the A section the A section
VOLUME 153 FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2020 ISSUE 1 Never Enough News Community Impact Newspaper expands into Atlanta region Think Like an Editor The Canadian Journalism Foundation launches ‘Doubt It?’ campaign to fight misinformation
By Evelyn Mateos
} Natalie Turvey
Before tackling what approach to take, CJF } Allison Altobelli and John Garrett announce Community Impact Newspaper’s expansion into Atlanta at the organization’s all-staff annual conference in October 2019. (Photo provided) did two things: they conducted a six-week research project, which identified the most vulnerable cohorts to misinformation (the 65 ince launching Community Impact Newspaper (CIN) Last October, Altobelli attended and older group, and the younger generation); in 2005, John and Jennifer Garrett have expanded from Round CIN’s all-staff meeting, where John and they spent time talking to experts (some Rock and Pflugerville, Texas into Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, announced that Altobelli would be of them included Craig Silverman and Jane Houston, Nashville and Phoenix. This year, they will be adding leading the expansion into Atlanta. Lytvyenko of Buzzfeed News; Joan Donovan Sthe Atlanta region to their list of markets. When asked how it felt to open of Data & Society; Claire Wardle of First A new CIN property was recently announced in Alpharetta, Ga. with a new publication when so many Draft; and Mathew Ingram of the Columbia plans to launch its first print edition in March. The new location will others were closing, John said, “It Journalism Review) to find out what the most function in the same manner as the others, where the website will be feels really missional. If we don’t, here’s a well-known journalism The campaign also teaches consumers pressing examples of misinformation were for updated daily and the print edition will be delivered once a month. who will? Cities need a strong motto: “If your mother says she loves how to challenge the articles or platforms citizens in Canada and the U.S. Heading the Atlanta publication will be Allison Altobelli, a longtime news organization to thrive. When you, check it out.” In other words, they doubt on social media. Users are The organization is partnering with multiple newspaper executive who has served at the Philadelphia Inquirer, the I read about layoffs or cutbacks, it don’t ever assume anything. encouraged to use the hashtag #doubtit news outlets, including the Toronto Star, Washington Post, and most recently at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution motivates me to work harder so we TLast September,the Canadian Journalism to explain how they debunked the piece of Torstar Communities (which publishes 26 (AJC). can expand more quickly.” Foundation (CJF) launched their own motto, misinformation. websites in Ontario), Toronto Public Library, When her position was eliminated at AJC, Altobelli began reaching Indeed, CIN has been hard at “Doubt it? Check it. Challenge it” in a campaign The campaign builds on the organization’s National Association of Federal Retirees, to out to different sources to figure out her next step. One of them was John work. So far, an editor, designer and } Allison Altobelli to get news consumers to engage with their earlier project NewsWise (which was in get the Doubt It? campaign in front of news Garrett whom she only knew from social media. She let him know that seller have already been hired and inner skeptic in order to check questionable partnership with CIVIX and supported by a consumers. In addition, the campaign will be she was no longer working at the AJC and that kickstarted a conversation an office area has been selected. articles and sources. grant from Google), a program that provided promoted with a digital ad campaign as well about an expansion into Atlanta. As the location expands so will the team, Altobelli explained. John Natalie Turvey, CJF president and executive school-aged Canadians with an understanding as public service announcements from CTV “We chose Atlanta because of Allison,” John explained. “We believe anticipates the Atlanta location to resemble the Houston office, which has director, said the tools and skills the campaign of the role of journalism in a healthy democracy National News anchor Lisa LaFlamme and there are a lot of areas that Community Impact Newspaper could prosper about 70 people on staff. provides doesn’t take more than 30 seconds to and the tools to find and filter information co-host of The Morning Show on Global News in, but we believe success starts with people.” In addition, Alltobelli said she is already spending time in the a minute to use. online. Radio 640 Supriya Dwivedi. Altobelli added, “The second we got on the phone—his energy is so community attending chamber events, city hall meetings and visiting “We want to first get (news consumers) to “There was a lot of value in the classroom CFJ plans to continue the campaign until contagious and so upbeat—it felt different than what my experience has businesses to share the paper’s mission and values. think like the editor in the newsroom,” she said. lessons,” Turvey said. “But we would needed a this fall, while the resources and tools will be been speaking with other leaders in the industry. At this point, I went “Every day we will be out there as part of the community so that when “You don’t need to be a journalist to fight fake very different approach to appeal to Canadians updated throughout the year. from (wanting to) tap into his vast network to find my next job to being CIN starts arriving in their mailboxes, they will love it as much as they do news or disinformation.” online.” For more information, visit doubtit.ca. more interested in working for him.” in Texas, Arizona and Tennessee,” she said.—EM
8 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 9 the A section the A section Making an Impact in 2020 Filing for the Future McClatchy launches subscription product for political obsessives New RJI project seeks to preserve digital archives
earful that future generations could lose historical recordings, footage, and stories, the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) and the University of Missouri (MU) Libraries are working together to ensure the survival of today’s Fdigital news with the help of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and a $250,000 grant. “The preservation of online news content—particularly as news outlets flourish and fail—is a thorny challenge, and the grant to the University of Missouri will help the Foundation understand much better what the priorities for support should be,” Patricia Hswe, program officer for scholarly communications, told E&P. According to an RJI press release, digital content can disappear or become inaccessible if not preserved due to technology failures, obsolete technologies, newsroom closures and ransomware strikes. A team of 10 from the Journalism Digital News Archive, a joint initiative of RJI and MU Libraries, will visit news outlets across the Edward McCain, digital curator of journalism at RJI and the MU U.S. and Europe to identify exactly what is hampering the process of Libraries, said the team is still in the process of determining which news preserving online content by examining their technology, workflows and outlets they will visit, but a few have already been confirmed, including policies. In addition, the team will produce a report highlighting best the Raleigh News & Observer and the Charlotte Observer, both McClatchy practices for properly providing long-term access to digital content. newsrooms in North Carolina.—EM
n the lead up to the U.S. presidential election, McClatchy organization out of the collection has launched Impact2020, a standalone politics subscription product of 30 newsrooms. With the which aims to “tell a full national story powered by local reporting” newsrooms united and the staff for political obsessives, according to a press release. Subscribers already producing great local Ito Impact2020 can access political stories from all 30 of McClatchy’s political reporting, Roberts publications across 14 states on one website (mcclatchydc.com). explained it was just a matter of In addition, the initiative includes a free daily newsletter, a mobile app collecting the work in one place. and the revival of the weekly podcast “Beyond the Bubble,” hosted by But what about the states where Kristin Roberts, vice president of news for McClatchy. McClatchy has no local reporters? Roberts also spearheaded the subscription product. She told E&P that “We attempt to address that the idea originated after she joined the organization in 2017 from Politico, through the newsletter,” Roberts where she ran the 2016 campaign coverage. Roberts realized McClatchy said. “We are going to give had a network of 30 newsrooms, so, as 2018 was approaching, she asked people all of the local journalism herself, “How do I elevate the local journalism that is happening on the that is relevant, important and congressional races?” kind of needle moving on the Roberts researched McClatchy’s newsrooms and found that the 2020 contest…by having (the company had about 50 reporters that in some way touch politics. For newsletter) include everyday stuff Roberts, it was a perfect opportunity “to tell the 2020 story through the from non-McClatchy properties as } Kristin Roberts perspective of the reporters who are on the ground with the voters in their well.” face that are going to be critical to the outcome of that contest.” Many in the industry are happy to see that there is now a product In addition, McClatchy’s past niche products, such as NC Insider and where they can find political local coverage in one place, Roberts said. SportsPass, influenced the innovation of Impact2020. The subscription In addition, she said that McClatchy has heard from many readers who take was impressive, Roberts said. It told her that there was an audience particularly love the newsletter. that narrowly slices their reading based on a subject area and not “They are telling us that they also subscribe to other political necessarily the geography. newsletters, but those other newsletters aren’t connecting the dots Before launching Impact2020, Roberts and Craig Forman, McClatchy between Florida and North Carolina and the other purple states, which is president and chief executive officer, spent time creating one news exactly what we wanted to do so that’s very satisfying,” Roberts said.—EM
10 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 11 the A section the A section
Tornoe’s Corner > Wise Advice OF THE MONTH According to a recent Knight Foundation/ Gallup poll, 45% of Americans trust reporting by local news organizations “a great deal” or “quite a lot,” compared with 31% for national news organizations.
} Lauren Gustus
What is your advice to other newsrooms that might want to launch LEGAL community-funded BRIEFS From the Archive journalism labs? Maryland’s Political Ads Law Challenged Start listening. Identify the by News Organizations journalism that your community The Associated Press has reported that due to Russian meddling The Washington Post recently created an and your newsroom value. You’ve in the 2016 presidential election, Maryland legislators passed a law app for reading stories via Amazon Fire TV got to build community-funded to prevent foreign interference in future local elections. More than and Apple TV. The app allows users to browse journalism with people it will a half dozen newspapers argue in a lawsuit that the law violates the through a range of articles and dive deeper serve. Getting the focus down First Amendment because it requires them to collect and self-publish into each story by clicking on headlines to first is critical. Host digital- information about the sponsors of online political ads as well as keep read articles, watch video or even listen to only subscribers and longtime records of the ads for inspection by the state board of elections. Online audio. According to a Post press release, subscribers. Find people who don’t platforms (with 100,00 or more monthly U.S. visitors) are required to the featured stories are curated by the engage with you. Bring in key create a database identifying the purchases of online political ads and newspaper’s Emerging News Products stakeholders from constituencies how much they spend. Maryland argues that the law does not infringe team and displayed in a “format that gives you don’t reach. on the newspapers’ right to exercise their editorial control and judgment. users total control of their news reading Ask all of them what is important In addition, the newspapers argue that this law imposes a financial experience.” for the success of your community. burden, forcing them to either buy expensive software to comply with “We wanted to bring the Post’s most Then you can go about building the law or refuse online political advertising and lose that revenue. Last engaging storytelling to smart TVs, where out your process. There are many October, Courthouse News reported that the matter was being debated people are accustomed to watching videos resources—from Nieman Lab to at the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va. but the panel or playing games,” Kat Downs Mulder, vice Poynter to Knight Foundation— of three judges did not say when a ruling would be handed down. president of product and design, said in the that can help with the process. But press release. “This isn’t a video product. We it starts with listening. have created a forward-looking experience that lets readers access our journalism in a Man Charged in Capital Gazette Shooting Pleads Guilty but Not convenient way and discover a different role Criminally Responsible that news can play in their lives.” Lauren Gustus was recently According to Reuters, Jarrod Ramos, the man accused of fatally To start reading with the app, users only named director of Community shooting five people in the Capital Gazette’s office last year in Annapolis, need to search for “The Washington Post” in Funding Initiatives for Md. has pleaded guilty but not criminally responsible on all 23 felony Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV. The app can be McClatchy’s 30 newsrooms across the charges against him. Further proceeding will take place to determine located and added on either platform when country. In addition, she is regional whether Ramos was suffering from a mental disorder that rendered him using a phone or computer as well. According editor for McClatchy’s West region, incapable of understanding the nature or consequences of his actions. to reports, the Post has no current plans to Ron Taniwaki of Nikon Professional Service installs the still-photo-pool remote camera to be spanning 10 local newsrooms in The Associated Press reported that Judge Laura Ripken has scheduled introduce paywalls for the content published used in the O.J. Simpson trial courtroom. The camera is located inside a hard plastic blimp California, Washington and Idaho. She Ramos’ trial to start March 4 and last 13 days. If Ramos were found not to make it silent. Staffers from the Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, Los Angeles Daily on this platform. —EM News, Reuters and Agence France-Presse took turns at the camera and shared their pictures is based at the Sacramento Bee where she criminally responsible, he would be committed to a maximum-security from the trial. This photo originally appeared in the Jan. 14, 1995 issue of E&P. also serves as editor. psychiatric hospital.
12 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 13 the A section critical thinking If you have a question you would like to J-school students and industry vets see addressed, please send it to [email protected]. Full Screen Redesign tackle the tough questions USA TODAY upgrades website
n late October, USA TODAY unveiled upgrades and a new design to USATODAY.com. It’s the first major The editorial staff of Deadspin resigned recently after they redesign since 2012 when the organization commemorated its 30th anniversary. were issued a company mandate to “stick to sports.” Is this IAmong the many new features are a mix of color to distinguish sections (blue for news, red for sports, green for a mandate that all sports journalists should follow? money, etc.), competitive page speed, a “virtual highlighter,” to signify when content is an opinion piece, and improved content organization and website search. Jason Jedlinski, senior vice president and head of consumer products, told E&P There is no doubt Let me begin my that the organization felt the world of sports answer to this it was time to invest in the A:media is changing. A:thoughtful and full screen laptop and tablet } The new USATODAY. Sports journalists are now timely question by saying that experience, and integrate com includes color- faced with the difficult in my opinion, those Deadspin coded sections to some of the more modern make it easier for decision: To what extent do staffers appear to have gotten features that had been users to navigate. you cover an athlete and their a raw deal. What makes this working in mobile. sport? In my humble opinion, example problematic (and Jedlinski and his team if an athlete makes news intriguing) in the realm spent several months surrounding a societal issue, of sports journalism is the deciding what the redesign it is fair game for sports fact that Deadspin had should look like and studying journalists to follow the long trafficked in off-topic data regarding the journeys story. coverage. So much so, in fact, } Jason Jedlinski that online users took, where There is one major that such writing became they spend their time, and caveat however, becoming Jack Carlough, 19 a key part of its identity. It Jeff Rosen, 50 the personas of the people they were trying to reach and engage. knowledgeable in a variety sophomore, University of Colorado was current, colorful and assistant managing editor/sports, What they found were four principles from a product design of areas is a staple in a Boulder irreverent. It challenged the Kansas City Star standpoint: understand problems before trying to solve them, journalist’s duty. For a sports status quo. And for a long Carlough is currently studying Rosen has been AME/sports at the Star support risk-taking, conduct true experiments, and only build journalist to dive into a journalism at the University while, Deadspin management since December 2010 and recently things they thought could have a material measurable value. societal issue, they must do of Colorado Boulder and is the seemed to be quite proud of took on the role of sports editor for Through that process they found some surprising insights the research and support former head sports editor of the CU that image. That’s no longer McClatchy’s Central Region. Independent. and conclusions. For example, Jedlinski said that users did what they write. It’s a tricky true, obviously. not understand Life—one of the core sections since 1982 that situation because many Which brings us to the included coverage of the Oscars, Grammys and celebrities—was sports journalists are pigeon-holed into the world of sports and present, and my answer to your question: If a publisher’s policy states an actual section; readers only thought of it as entertainment. rarely have the experience of covering an outside issue. that its staffers may only write, post and comment on social media As result, they decided to create an entertainment section Journalism is built on credibility and I don’t believe many within certain parameters, it’s inarguably within that company’s right separate from Life. sports journalists have that credibility when covering a societal to tell those employees that other topics are off-limits. With plenty of insights like this and other inspirations to issue. I believe that a sportswriter must first look themselves in Here at the Star, for instance, we encourage our reporters and draw from, USA TODAY spent May through August 2019 the mirror and decide if they have that credibility to branch out. columnists to interact with our audience via social media. Generally developing the features of the redesign. By Labor Day, they It seemed apparent that for Deadspin, they believed their writers speaking, we believe that’s good for the mutual brand: ours and began testing the redesign with a small percentage of their simply didn’t meet that standard. theirs. We ask them to limit this interaction to topics pertaining to audience before finally launching it. More so, an outlet’s audience plays a factor on which topics their beats or areas of expertise. Of course, we allow some latitude “We heard from people complimenting the labeling and the receive coverage. The executives at Deadspin most likely assumed about current events and other off-beat topics, within certain very clear delineation of branded content, sponsored content, their audience didn’t want to hear about societal issues. The guidelines. Sports and non-sports news of the day frequently editorials and op-eds,” Jedlinski said. sports section of any outlet often provides a disruption from the intersect, and we don’t expect our writers to be robots. Informed He added readers also liked the removal of the comment chaotic and often depressing world of news we live in. There is no dialogue should be essential to any publisher’s goals of building option for stories. Of course, those that commented regularly need to break that with uninformed opinions on topics. If that is brand trust and dispelling perceptions of “fake news”—we hate that were disappointed but there was a group that applauded the what Deadspin feels their audience embodies, fair enough. catcall. decision. I believe my caveat is reasonable but when players like Colin But just as we don’t hire sports reporters to write sports “This was a daunting challenge for me and some of my Kaepernick make news for racial protests, it needs to get covered commentary (we have professional sports columnists who specialize team leads, given USA TODAY’s history as an innovator—1982 with knowledge on the topic. Choosing to ignore major societal in crafting reporting-based opinion), we also don’t expect our sports print and Al Neuharth’s vision of breaking the rules, (but) that issues that arise in sports is also wrong. Like journalists, athletes journalists to spend their time weighing in on topics of a political heritage inspired us,” Jedlinski said. “We put a lot of pressure are also given a platform for their voice and their word matters. nature, for instance. We have professional news-side opinion writers on ourselves to do something that would respect the brand, It’s important for sports journalists not to abuse the platform we who are paid to do precisely that. So, while “stick to sports” sounds premium advertisers, Pulitzer Prize winning journalism and the have and cover issues outside our realm appropriately and with just about as derisive as “fake news,” it’s a pretty good rule of thumb expectations of millions of readers.”—EM awareness on the subject. for the professional sports journalist.
14 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 15 Send us your photos! E&P welcomes reader photo of the month submissions for our Photo of the Month. [email protected].
CRANBERRY HARVEST Steve Heaslip/Cape Cod Times Bog crews tighten the circle of cranberries as they move them towards a chute sending them to be washed before loading into a transport truck. The harvest is big news on Cape Cod as the fruit is a main agricultural product. Drone technology gave Heaslip the option of covering this harvest from a low altitude over the bog giving readers a unique view of this colorful sight. data page
Job Performance of Local News Unsolved Murders of Journalists Based on a survey of 4,163 Gallup panel members in Countries with Worst Record for Justice in 2019
Do you think news organizations in your local area do an excellent, good, fair or poor job at each of the following? Philippines 41 Brazil 15
EXCELLENT GOOD FAIR POOR Mexico 30 Afghanistan 11 Providing factual 14% 49% 28% 9% local news reports Somalia 25 Bangladesh 7 Highlighting the people 14% 47% 30% 8% or groups that make a Syria 22 Russia 6 difference in your local area
Educating people about 12% 49% 30% 8% Iraq 22 South Sudan 5 what is going on in your local area India 17 Nigeria 5 Making sure people in your 9% 45% 33% 12% local area have the knowledge they need to be informed about Pakistan 16 public affairs
Making people feel inspired or 8% 39% 37% 15% Source: Global Impunity Index 2019, Committee to Protect Journalists uplifted by others in your local area
Holding local leaders in politics, 8% 32% 37% 23% business and other institutions accountable for their actions Tweens and Teens: Proportion of Screen Time Source: “State of Public Trust in Local News” report, Knight Foundation/Gallup, survey conducted June 24-July 11, 2019 Devoted to Various Media Activities Based on an online survey of 1,677 U.S. young people age 8 to 18
Political Ads on Facebook Tweens Teens Based on a survey of 1,629 responses, weighted by U.S. adults
To What Extent Do You Agree That Facebook To What Extent Do You Agree That Facebook TV/Videos 53% TV/Videos 39% Should Fact-Check Political Ads and Prohibit Should Ban Political Ads on the Platform? Ones They Determine to be False? Games 31% Games 22%
Browsing websites 5% Browsing websites 8% 10% 9% 6% 5% Social media 4% Social media 16%
Content creation 2% Content creation 3% 13% 58% 13% 57% Video chatting 2% Video chatting 4%
13% 16% E-reading 2% E-reading 2%
Other 2% Other 6%
Strongly agree Somewhat agree Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree I’m not sure Source: “The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens,” Common Sense Media, survey conducted March 11-April 3, 2019 *“Content creation” includes writing on digital devices, making art or creating digital music. *“Other” includes GPS or other functional apps, doing Source: CivicScience, October 2019 email, shopping and doing any other digital activities not specifically asked about in the survey
18 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 19 industry insight
do you know about them beyond this kind of work, as the tradeoff that delivery. Circulation bills term relationship of trust with their credit card number and means less capacity to produce are confusing, and sketchy on subscribers. address? How often have they the journalism that is prompting purpose in many markets, to hide And a great user experience heard from you? Are they even people to subscribe. extra fees and fine-print “opt-out” requires marketing, tech and opening your emails? But a Northwestern study on sections that end up inflating the editorial to be aligned. When will Engagement. At a basic digital newspaper subscriptions cost of a subscription far beyond major newspaper chains figure out level, if a subscriber is consistently showed that “less can be more,” that the advertised price. Tactics that the basic issue of keeping digital engaging with your content, they’re more attention to a tight curation were ramped up as overall volume subscribers logged in? Or how to less likely to cancel. Newsletters of your best and most relevant work declined. stop sending constant subscription and other engagement by email has is more important than flooding The industry is carrying some marketing offers to people who been a focus in trying to convert readers with as large a volume as of those bad habits over to digital, have already subscribed? readers to subscribers. Building a possible of local content. tacking on “sign-up fees” not more premium newsletter product User experience. More focus tied to any kind of real expense, specifically designed to engage on the experience subscribers are and being less than transparent Matt DeRienzo has worked people after they subscribe could be having, versus simply what kind about the nature of introductory in journalism a key to retention efforts. of content you are producing, is pricing and automatic renewal as a reporter, Giving readers “inside” a resource issue that cuts across rates. And if you can sign up for editor, publisher, corporate director information about the workings of a news organization’s entire a digital subscription online, why of news for 25 the newsroom and inviting them operation. do you have to make a phone years, including to participate in your process The newspaper industry has call to cancel? It’s not about most recently as for developing story ideas and suffered a lot of self-inflicted what’s intuitive or convenient for vice president of news and digital content at Hearst’s Connecticut sources could be seen as a perk for damage over the past 10 years subscribers. It’s about making it newspapers, and previously serving subscribing in addition to a point in bungling the literal delivery difficult for people to know how as the first full-time executive of engagement that might support component to print newspaper much money you’re really getting director of LION Publishers, a retention. subscribers, and outsourcing out of them and making it difficult national nonprofit that supports the publishers of local independent Stretched newsrooms have been customer service, making it more for them to do anything about it. online news organizations. slow to carve out resources for frustrating to complain about It’s not a good formula for a long-
Catching Readers The hardest part with digital subscriptions is keeping them Syndicated By Matt DeRienzo More newspaper categories... Philip E. Swift was born in Holden, Mo., on August 1, 1917. He passed away at his home in La Quinta, Calif. on November 27, 2019 at the age of 102.
He was reared on a farm near Olathe, Kan., and attended Moonlight grade school, a country school located near the farm hat leads It’s important as a separate The whole industry took notice get a reader to sign up for a home. He graduated from Olathe High School and College of Emporia, Kansas. After college graduation, he was employed as a to sell newspaper's great strengths people to pay conversation because the answers over the summer when the Los digital subscription, and even a teacher in the high school at Ozawkie, Kan. for two years (1938-39). Pursuing his strong interest in newspapers, he bought the weekly newspaper in Clarence, Mo., in 1940. Employees of that in the media mix. for a digital can be very different. Heavy Angeles Times reported adding new subscriber’s reading history newspaper continued its publication while he served 47 months (March 1942-January 1946) in the United States Navy as a naval aviator. His training as a Navy pilot was completed at Corpus Christi (Texas) Naval Air Station where he was subscription to discounting can bring subscribers 52,000 new digital subscriptions leading up to that decision. commissioned an Ensign and received his Navy wings November 1942. Wa newspaper? A ton of thought in the door. More consistent in the first half of 2019 but netting But the types of stories that are He resumed active publication of e Clarence Courier following military service and, in 1948, acquired three additional weekly newspapers in St. Clair County, Mo. moving to and energy and data analysis pricing from the beginning can an increase of only 13,000 due to read by logged-in subscribers could Osceola, Mo. in 1949 to assume their active management. In 1955, he sold the four weekly Proprietary newspapers in Missouri and joined Scripps League of Newspapers which published daily have gone into that question in mean far lower cancellation churn. be more instructive when it comes newspapers in several Western states, serving that company in various executive positions from o ces in Logan, Utah and Napa, Calif. recent years amid the big shift rates. Once-every-six-months Veteran circulation directors to retention. What’s the diet of a Quick, cost-effec�ve research for In 1975, he left the Scripps company to form Swift Newspapers, Inc. (currently Swift Communications, Inc.) which, during from chasing ad-supported page blockbuster investigative stories will point to a reduction in churn satisfied subscriber? What are the the ensuing years, acquired daily and weekly newspapers located in the West. e company’s corporate o ces have been maintained in Carson City, Nev. His two daughters, Marilyn Shelton of Carlsbad, Calif. and Janet Buschert of Eagle, Idaho, views to reader revenue. What can bring a lot of new subscribers percentage being just as valuable habits of subscribers who cancel? are the current owners of the company. decision-making He was married in 1948 to Leta Margaret Dobyns Trussell of Shelbina, Mo. who predeceased him in 1997. In 2001, he kinds of stories spur conversion? in the door. More consistent as growth in new subscribers, and I’ve argued before that married Elizabeth (Ruth) Blakey of Morley, Yorkshire, England. Since that time, they have lived in homes in La Quinta and Morley. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; two daughters, Marilyn Shelton (John) and Janet Buschert (Russell); a stepson, What marketing tactics are most and comprehensive coverage of potentially a lot less expensive to news organizations should be David Trussell (Micke) of Lancaster, Pa.; grandsons, Jack Shelton (Cecilia) of Carlsbad, Calif. and Tim Trussell (Cindy) of effective? What kind of pricing? routine local stories could be more accomplish. developing a robust customer- Lancaster, Pa. and ve great grandchildren. Phillip Beswick CEO 832-521-1000 Respecting Philip’s desire for privacy, there will be no memorial service. He requested those desiring to make memorial The next question, equally, or important in making subscribers Data. News organizations relations management database contributions make them to the Bessie Minor Swift Foundation (named in honor of his mother who was a one-room school teacher) celebrating literacy and education. ose contributions may be directed to the Foundation at 235 W Floating Feather perhaps more, important, is what feel like their ongoing subscription have done a lot of work analyzing for subscribers in the way they Road, Eagle, ID 83616. [email protected] keeps them subscribing? is worth it. what types of stories ultimately do for advertising clients. What
20 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 21 business of news
In normal times, our skepticism I would be especially careful media. It starts at the beginning person accounts of their coverage. of government officials and their with visual coverage to ensure it as you develop a relationship with There’s an old saying that goes, actions should be vigilant. But in accurately represents the facts. officials and citizens and make sure “We are here to cover the story. times of turmoil for a community, (Footnote here about separating to remind them you are the local We are not the story.” And while I might align with local officials ourselves from TV brethren. For media and you are there for the it might sound cranky, I believe Journalists on release of information in order example, the same shot of wildfire long haul. I have known editors to it keeps you safely away from When to keep calm in a community. If flames repeatedly endlessly might give their cell phone numbers to the line of exploitation. News should they asked our newspaper to wait be appropriate for them as they local families and encourage calls organizations act in poor taste to release information and had a cycle news every 15 minutes for at any time to talk about coverage, and damage their credibility empathize, good public reason, I think I would the “viewers just tuning in.”) I or to make sure a story is told when they tout their coverage not exploit, go along with it. think our photography must take a accurately and with sensitivity. of tragedies. As a reader, I can Tragedy At the same time, I am trying broader and still compelling view. (At this point I might as well determine how well you’ve told when covering to align with local officials, I I also believe our thinking differentiate between responsible the story. would assign someone to file all should change just slightly reporting and the errors made by disasters the public records requests for toward a sympathetic side. I’ll the staff of the college newspaper information, studies and reports never forget the Rocky Mountain staff at Northwestern. Sensitive Tim Gallagher is president about the tragedy and track News headline the day after the reporting doesn’t mean you won’t Strikes of The 20/20 them. Kudos to my local media Columbine shooting that had hurt someone’s feelings.) Network, a in Thousand Oaks, Calif. whose nothing to do with words such as In the past, I have written public relations public records requests helped “massacre” or “crazed gunmen.” about the No Notoriety movement and strategic communications break the story that a police officer The simple one-word headline was to report the identity of killers in firm. He is a who died in the line of duty in the “Heartbreak.” It showed the Rocky shooting cases, but not to cover former Pulitzer Borderline Bar and Grill shooting feeling with the community rather them in a way that gives them the Prize-winning editor and was actually killed by friendly fire. than exploiting it. notoriety they seek. publisher at The Albuquerque Tribune and the Ventura County While it was an uncomfortable On the scale of large tragedies Finally, I’d be cautious about Star newspapers. Reach him at story, it showed that the media was that attract national news reporters, allowing staff to give interviews [email protected]. playing its watchdog role. there is a different role for the local to other media or write first-
NEED TO KEEP COSTS DOWN? OUTSOURCE TO THE EFFICIENCY EXPERTS DESIGN & PRODUCTION | CIRCULATION | CONTENT | DIGITAL | BACK OFFICE
By Tim Gallagher
ne of the jokes Covering disasters—whether the tenets of disaster and tragedy before re-tweeting it (or ensuring about Southern natural or caused by humans— coverage every newsroom ought the original tweet came from an California is that is a way of life for journalists to follow. official source). our weather is everywhere. Newspapers can gain Accuracy has always been at the Information during a tragedy Oso nice here, outsiders think credibility and build connections apex of everything we do. During comes at reporters and the we have no seasons. We with their communities if tragedies, the rumors reported community like water from a fire have seasons. Fire season. they cover tragedy correctly: by citizens—even by elected hose. Sifting through that is crucial. Earthquake season. Mudslide emphasizing accuracy; thinking officials—can be wildly inaccurate The foundation of our business is Jeni Mann, Director of Custom Media season. Flood season. like residents and being accessible and can cause needless panic. The being known as an organization LET’S MAKE SOMETHING GREAT TOGETHER! P: 410-902-2302 And lately—no jocularity to them; and carefully ensuring bar for newspaper reporters must that can be trusted to carefully E: [email protected] intended—we have mass shootings that you cover the story, and do be higher. Even simple things check those rumors, tweets and Call today for a free consultation W: midatlanticmedia.com/custom-media in any season of year. not become the story. These are such as fact-checking information comments found on Nextdoor.
22 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 23 digital publishing
journalists can use to find and Collaborate is just the latest track stories and sources. move from ProPublica to help “Collaboration is part of a larger adaptation The open-source software push more newsrooms past that is based on ProPublica’s own gut feeling most journalists have to a maturing digital media landscape.” in-house tool, which the to hog a scoop for themselves. It’s company built to report out also an area where ProPublica big collaborative projects like reporters have learned to not just two ultimately decided to join CNN at the time. “That’s the new Electionland, which brought talk the talk over the years, but and collaborate on the piece, media landscape, I suppose—and together more than 125 also to walk the walk. with Armstrong focusing on I don’t say that as a complaint. newsrooms to track voting Back in 2015, ProPublica’s T. the woman’s story and Miller In this case, collaborating worked problems. Thanks to a grant Christian Miller learned that The concentrating on police failures beautifully.” from the Google News Initiative, Marshall Project’s Ken Armstrong identifying rape victims. ProPublica was able to beef up its was chasing the same story—an The result? The story, An software and make it open source 18-year-old girl who said she Unbelievable Story of Rape, won Rob Tornoe is a cartoonist for any newsroom in the world to was raped before reversing her the 2015 George Polk Award for and columnist use for free. story to police officers who didn’t Justice Reporting and the 2016 for Editor and “It’s a really helpful tool to believe her. Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Publisher, where help newsrooms go through Obviously, with the competitive Reporting, and it was later he writes about crowdsourced information. It lets juices of journalism flowing adapted into the Netflix series trends in digital you easily mark and catalogue through both their veins, it was “Unbelievable.” So yeah, media. He is also a digital editor and writer for the which tips were followed up on hard to overcome the instinctive collaboration can be a good thing. Philadelphia Inquirer. Reach him (and) which have been verified,” urge for one to try and beat “Now my first impulse is to at [email protected]. said Rachel Glickhouse, a the other to the story. But the collaborate,” Armstrong told ProPublica reporter who used the software to help manage their Documenting Hate project, an investigation of hate crimes and bias incidents in the U.S. compiled by over 170 newsrooms. “But (Collaborate) also could be useful for certain types of data projects because it allows you Better Together to mark up each individual data point and keep track of every How ProPublica is harnessing the power of collaboration time a reporter has reached out to a source,” Glickhouse added. “It’s something I have found By Rob Tornoe tremendously useful in my job, and I’m really glad we’re able to make it available to other f there’s a buzzword in But for other media outlets way. Collaboration is in the Recently, two of my colleagues newsrooms. Really, the intent is to journalism these days that without their reach and digital DNA of ProPublica, who at the Philadelphia Inquirer drew save people time and sanity.” can challenge “engagement” subscriber base, collaboration initially partnered with media on ProPublica’s Dollars for Docs The beautiful thing about for newsroom supremacy, it’d is part of a larger adaptation organizations like NPR, “60 database to file a report on 76 the software is that it’s easily Iprobably be collaboration. to a maturing digital media Minutes” and the Atlantic mostly doctors in the Philadelphia region accessible by small and mid- It might seem like an odd pivot landscape. The strains placed on out of a necessity to reach readers. paid more than $500,000 each sized newsrooms that don’t have for an industry historically fueled newsrooms due to the decline That’s not so much a problem by pharmaceutical and medical their own developers on staff. by heated competition for scoops of print advertising have forced today for ProPublica, where device companies (including Newsrooms can use a service like and angry newsroom rivalries. many outlets into a situation collaborations have become a one local ophthalmologist who Heroku or Google Cloud (which After all, movies have been made where they have to pick and cornerstone of the digital media pocketed nearly $6 million from have free tiers but might end up chronicling the exploits of rival choose the topics they can devote organization’s unique approach 2014 to 2018). charging a small fee for heavy journalists at the Washington Post serious resources to covering. to journalism. Just one quick So, it’s fitting ProPublica users) to launch Collaborate, and the New York Times chasing Plus, some stories these days look around their website reveals has rolled out a new tool and ProPublica has gone to great down leads to report out huge are so complex, the only way to several large databases on designed to encourage and lengths to write step-by-step stories, such as Watergate and the truly tackle them properly is by relevant topics they’re sharing facilitate partnerships across instructions that even I could Pentagon Papers. collaborating with experts in with any news organization that multiple newsrooms. It’s called walk through with ease. Even today, much of the other newsrooms. wants them—for free. Everything Collaborate, and as its name “I just think we can do so much original reporting on the Trump Leading the push for all things from Trump Town, which would suggest, it has a broad more work if we share the bounty,” administration originates at either collaboration is ProPublica, tracks the personal records of mandate—to help journalists Glickhouse said. “We’re allowing the Times or the Post, thanks to the scrappy one-time internet Trump administration staffers, work together and help manage newsrooms all over the country reporters hard at work competing start-up that has grown into to Nursing Home Inspect, complex projects. Think of it as an to make use of all the information for scoops (and proudly seeking a powerhouse of investigative which draws on nursing home easy-to-use project management we’ve gathered…It helps save glory for their accomplishments on journalism, collecting multiple inspection reports to look for software that’s designed to funnel resources and we enable much Twitter). Pulitzer Prizes along the trends or patterns. tips into a central database that more journalism to happen.”
24 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 25 2020 Mega-Conference Arrives in Fort Worth Feb. 17-19 Annual tradeshow celebrates 10 years of moving the industry forward
By Nu Yang
ut on your cowboy boots and get your lassos ready because the Key Executives Mega-Conference is heading to Texas this year. More Pthan 700 news professionals are expected to attend the show scheduled for Feb. 17-19 in Fort Worth. The show is hosted by America’s Newspapers (the newly merged Inland Press Association and Southern Newspaper Publishers Association), Local Media Association (LMA), and News Media Alliance, in association with the Texas Press Association. “We’re bringing to Mega-Conference the latest trends and strategies for newspapers across print, digital and beyond,” said Jay Small, LMA’s chief innovation officer. “We’re paying special attention to the impact of news and journalism on our society, and how newspapers can best communicate and illustrate that impact in their communities.” In addition to the many networking opportunities, attendees have a wide range of sessions to choose from throughout the show. “It’s hard not to be excited about the whole program we’re planning,” Small said. “We } The 2020 Mega-Conference will take place at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel in Texas. (Photo provided) will have some insightful general sessions on subjects such as the impact of news and how latest newsroom innovations, three finalists important to come together as an industry—at women leaders are revolutionizing newspapers. will present their innovations at Mega- conferences like this—to learn from each other And we’ll go fast-paced with revenue ideas Conference, where the winner will be revealed. and tackle the challenges that we face.” and sales transformation strategies. We’re also “The Mega-Innovation Award is always Alliance president and CEO David Chavern planning to cover the state-of-the-art in digital a highlight of the conference,” Ridings said. added, “Mega-Conference has been an subscriptions and memberships, branded “Innovation is critical to any industry and we important resource for publishers as the news content, recruiting and retention, new funding are honored to recognize the best of the best industry has shifted over the past decade. The models for local media, and much more.” each year at this conference.” opportunity to share our struggles and learn The Solutions Stage will return to the As Mega-Conference heads into its 10th year, from each other’s successes is what makes the exhibit hall once again. According to America’s Ridings attributed the conference’s success to conference so valuable and keeps publishers Newspapers chief executive officer Dean the “true coming together of newspaper and coming back year after year. Ridings, more than 30 companies have media executives from across the country.” “As we head into the next decade and submitted proposals for presentations. “By working together, America’s continue to fight for our industry, Mega- “Attendees always find a wealth of knowledge Newspapers, Local Media Association and Conference will be where some of our most in the exhibit hall,” he said. “We encourage the News Media Alliance will continue to important conversations take place. From all newspaper attendees to spend time in the bring their members together to address the learning how to make the most of digital exhibit hall with our exhibitors. They will learn challenges we face and the great promise that to figuring out how to fight back against about products and services available to their this industry holds,” he said. “The next 10 years the duopoly, so much of what our industry newspapers that will easily pay for their trip to will bring change, but there will always be the leaders have done and will do starts with the Fort Worth.” need for newspapers to tell the stories of their connections we make at Mega-Conference.” The Mega-Innovation Award ceremony will communities and nation—its struggles and For more information, visit mega-conference. also make another appearance. Honoring the its triumphs…To aid us in this mission, it is com.
26 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com оperations s part of the 2020 International area. Newspapers around the country proudly Newspaper Group (ING) Leadership display Pulitzer Prizes for their exceptional BY JERRY SIMPKINS Networking Summit, ING and E&P have journalism. There are awards for breaking news, agreed to collaborate on the first annual investigative reporting, photography, editorial ING/AE&P Operations All Star Excellence Awards, cartoons—the list goes on. But the focus this new kicking off a powerful partnership. The Summit is award puts on the operations area is long overdue scheduled for Sept. 18 to and will lead to renewed enthusiasm by many in this 20 in Chicago. critical department of the industry. According to Steve While taking nothing away from the many well- Mattingly, ING program deserved accolades bestowed on other departments, chairman and senior vice this award will recognize the accomplishments of president of Southern operations individuals who contribute to print profits Lithoplate, the awards through their operational excellence, innovation and will celebrate both sustainability of our industry. current and emerging Based on my extensive personal experience in print centric operational production and operations, I decided to put together leaders. some thoughts from my own perspective as to the When Mattingly benefits I see with this partnership.
and Mark Hall, ING } Mark Hall Many years ago, production personnel networked president and regional and traded best practices, evolving technology manufacturing director for Postmedia Network Inc., and other print-centric information at the annual presented the concept to the ING board of directors, NEXPO conference. For years, production leadership they received unanimous approval. As this project rolls and hardworking individuals from every aspect of out, ING will work closely with E&P publisher Mike production/operations shared their experiences and Blinder to firm up details for the award presentation exchanged ideas at these conferences. In their heyday, and post award celebration at the upcoming Summit. the shows presented an opportunity to discuss issues “E&P is excited to partner with ING to ignite the with vendors face-to-face and review their latest and marketplace with current, highly relevant content greatest offerings. centering on best practices, networking, and idea If something wasn’t going just right in your shop, exchange driven from operational excellence,” Blinder you were able sit down with your peers or a vendor and said regarding the collaboration. “For over 100 years, come away with a solution, or at least a great idea to E&P has been the primary source for information take away and try when you returned to your own shop. for this essential and important part of the news Many of the discussions we shared at NEXPO not publishing business. Now more than ever we believe it only contributed to the enhancement of our processes, is important for us to be the voice for those who focus but they also allowed us to improve quality and find on operations.” new and innovative ways to save money and contribute Blinder has pledged updates and coverage in the to the overall health and profitability of our franchises. magazine throughout the roll-out and into conclusion Then the NEXPO conferences simply stopped, and of the program. Both he and Mattingly will work as a result, many of the opportunities to network and together to promote the program and gain additional develop our trade through collaborative efforts with our support from sponsors. peers and vendors stopped as well. Award parameters will be announced this month. From my perspective, ING has not only done an This announcement will be followed by initiating excellent job of filling the void for production and the awards search and compiling entries, confirming operations personnel, but it has expanded on past those entries and then reviewing nominations early in conferences with new and dynamic speakers, enhanced the third quarter of 2020. Winners will be presented informational forums, expanded vendor participation— their awards at the Summit on Sept. 19, followed by a once again providing us with the opportunity to celebratory wrap-up feature to be published in E&P. network and share experiences with peers and vendors “ING 2019 was such a success, we know we are on in a comfortable and organized professional conference the right track for location, time of year and overall setting. program content and structure,” Hall said. “Our goal is Most, if not all, major vendors attend the ING A NEW to ensure print leaders have full access to true best in Summit. Now, with this new awards ceremony, there’s class ideas and networks to ensure their personal and just one more reason to attend. professional contributions are fully optimized. Therein As budgets have been trimmed over the years at most is the momentum.” of our properties, some leaders have questioned the As an operations executive, it’s particularly logic of going to the ING Summit or any conference PARTNERSHIP exciting to me as well to see this effort in recognizing related to operations. This question came up in an the contributions that production and operations article I wrote on my preview of the 2019 ING Summit. International Newspaper Group and E&P have made throughout the years and continue to I stick to the statement from that article that if a make to our industry. Many areas of the industry newspaper operations executive can walk away with to honor operations ‘all-stars’ strive to be recognized with awards specific to their just one idea or recommendation they can implement
28 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 29 оperations
THE LATEST FROM OPPORTUNITIES Wehaa FOR ENTRY LEVEL How does Wehaa’s LABOR IN 2020 native directory platform help understand that paying 50 percent more news publishers than we do now to our mailroom labor stay competitive force to stay competitive with the big box in today’s stores would sink the ship quickly. With marketplace? some properties hanging on the edge, it’s just not a wage we can afford and stay in A common struggle with newspapers across the the black. globe is capturing local advertiser revenue and So, what’s the solution? Is there a providing a robust digital solution that delivers solution that works? I’m not sure, but I real value and ROI for their advertisers. Big can tell you that what many newspapers aggregates have taken most of the pie, and local are doing just isn’t working, such as can a papers don’t have the technology resources to stay ’m thankful the holidays are higher hourly wage mean a more efficient competitive and relevant. over. Yes, holidays can be fun, but it’s worker? Most people perform to the degree We all know most publishers have limited not that much fun on the production we are willing to accept and nothing more. sales reps and most lack digital acumen needed side of the industry. The mailroom Sure, we have the occasional ambitious to sell against the big players. In comes Wehaa, Itakes it especially hard. It’s a two-to three- newbie who goes above and beyond on a a technology vendor that provides innovative month period in which we’re working 80 daily basis and works their way to the top, white label solutions for newspapers, magazines, hours some weeks and still not catching up but outside of that if we don’t ask for more broadcast companies, etc. with all the preprints flowing in. Don’t get effort, we’re not going to get it. Most of We know when creating a solution for } The ING Leadership Networking Summit gathers production and operations leaders from around the country. This year’s show will feature the first annual Operations All Star Excellence Awards. (Photo provided) is looking for new ideas to increase revenue for me wrong, I’m thankful for the revenue, our laborers are not lazy but are just not publishers there are a couple of parts that are core publications, reduce expenses and enhance but not much else. Weekends away from performing to their highest level because paramount, it must be easy to implement, work back home, the cost should be viewed as an Throughout the years many of us have efficiencies, production and operations have a family, holiday shopping in the middle of often we don’t require more of them. for big and small markets, have good margins and investment with a credible ROI, rather than an been reminded that production is “a service front row seat at the table. Many of the ideas the night, a stale bag of chips for dinner— If you see potential in any line employee, use cutting-edge technology to stay up with the entertainment expense. department.” While I subscribe to that thought we present and develop can be shared with our bah humbug. take action that may allow them to gain competition. Let’s move on to new ideas to enhance to a degree, a few years ago this all seemed to peers at the ING Summit and rolled out to our For production workers in our industry, rewards and for you to develop and retain That’s why Wehaa has released a native revenue and implementation of new revenue change. I’m not exactly sure when it did, but industry. it’s a badge of honor to make it out the a valuable employee regardless of the directory platform designed to turn special streams. over the last five years or so, when a franchise Also, our commitment to quality continues other end. competitive wages in your area. While sections into recurring revenue by capitalizing on to grow over the years. We have always But, where would we be without it? I’m this may seem like an obvious path, to local newspapers’ brand equity and natural search concentrated on delivering the highest possible betting we all know the answer to that. I’m some organizations it may sound like the authority. quality on all our newspaper products; quality thankful for each preprint that hits our word “raise,” but it is not. It’s good old The idea to create a platform started when is an important part of maintaining our door. Despite the naysayers, newspapers fashion staff development and a decent some newspaper clients using Wehaa’s real estate subscriber base and securing the confidence continue to have a stronghold with way to build a stable workforce by paying a platform saw their real estate clients pop-up of our advertisers. As margins from our core advertisers for holiday preprints. competitive wage for stellar workmanship. on the first page of Google in just a few days. publications grown thin, many franchises To make it through these challenging Put programs into place that encourage Combining the page rank and authority of a today survive on commercial revenue. In order times, we need a strong team of players the concept of higher hourly wages for newspaper domain with best practice and some to maintain and grow our commercial print and of course the usual compliment of more efficient performance. i.e. if you have Wehaa wizardry will help move advertisers ahead opportunities, we need a strong focus on quality temporary labor. Trouble is the pool of a worker who is comfortable loading one of competitors in an incredibly crowded search and cost savings. ING presents a solid base for qualified workers—and even some not pocket on your inserter challenge them marketplace. sharing our ideas and seeking help with any so very qualified—continue to challenge to load two or three. If you can develop The directory is a simple and effective way to quality challenges we may have. Sharing our mailrooms around the country for multiple a few of these all-stars soon, you’ll need promote service ads, special sections, tabs and strengths and seeking help on our shortfalls in reasons. If you have an answer to reversing less people on the line and get more done more. It will also work for medical directory, quality is to some a reason alone to attend the this trend, you’re one up on me. through these efficiencies. You should senior living, local services, wedding guide, etc. ING Summit. Just about any big box store you go into reward those individuals appropriately. and it includes dynamic widget banners, mobile Bringing E&P into the mix and developing an has a sign out front for help wanted. The But this is just a small example. Stretch app and reverse publishing. The advertisers award that recognizes the efforts of production/ starting hourly pay for many entry level the quality people on your staff. Set up benefit from the halo effect of association with operations leaders just makes sense. Not only positions is $13/$14 in most areas and a formal goal program that outlines the publisher website as well as the newspaper’s does ING offer benefits to our industry, but the even higher in larger cities and states with specific expectations and a timeframe search authority. collaboration between ING and E&P on this a healthier minimum wage. for each. Detail beginning and end goals award is the start of something big. Throughout my career I’ve functioned and go over the goals with your potential Kevin Collins has been in the internet space for in virtually every position from inserter to all-stars (then nominate them for the more than 20 years, mostly ecommerce and affiliate Jerry Simpkins has more than 30 years of general manager. I’ve sat at the “big table” ING/E&P Operations All Star Excellence marketing. His goal prior to joining Wehaa three experience in printing and operations in the and clearly understand what many of our Awards). Set high expectations and you years ago was to bring an immerging technology
} Joe DeLuca, executive vice president and general manager of the Times Publishing Co., newspaper industry. Contact him on LinkedIn.com companies are going through. I’ve seen may be surprised at what your folks can company into the demand side. addresses the audience at last year’s Summit. (Photo provided) or at [email protected]. the steady decline in print revenue, and I accomplish.—JS
30 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 31 SENDING A MESSAGE News publishers create their own identities through powerful marketing campaigns
By Evelyn Mateos
urn on the television. Pick up a magazine. Scroll through your Twitter feed. Chances are, you’re being inundated with hundreds of marketing campaigns. But news publishers are only producing a fraction T of those, and as an industry, we need to do better. We can’t allow individuals to dictate our identity as “fake news.” We can’t let headlines be flooded with news about layoffs and closures. We must step up and share with our readers—and even our critics—the good work being done in newsrooms around the country. If we don’t communicate the efficiency and power of journalism, who will? E&P spoke with various news publishers about their recent marketing campaigns and found what happened when they took matters into their own hands.
} Stills from the Wall Street Journal’s 90-second spot directed by Juan Cabral
Read Yourself Better, trade in a piece of printed media for a copy of Wall Street Journal the newspaper or they could unlock the website In world full of noise, the Wall Street Journal with near-field technology as they walked up chose to call out the issue that digital overload to the vending machine. While the machine might be hindering an individual’s ability to has since been put away, Paul Plumeri, vice understand important subjects and issues in its president of global marketing, said it could latest campaign, Read Yourself Better. make a return in the future.
The campaign launched last November with The&Partnership agency—a longtime } Paul Plumeri a 90-second spot directed by Juan Cabral. The collaborator with the Journal— helped get film depicts intriguing—and at times—odd the campaign off the ground. In early 2019, images of individuals going about their day with the Journal and the agency began talks about interruptions from text messages, memes, pop-up creating a campaign that would highlight advertisements and more. Aside from the film, the the Journal’s point of view and place in the campaign consists of home, online video, social media industry, according to Agnes Fischer, media, print and display advertising. The Journal president of the The&Partnership’s New also had a mural commissioned in Brooklyn that York office. depicts the same themes as the film. “We were also trying to find a brand idea that For a short time, the Journal had a pop-up would help them support all of their initiatives vending machine which allowed spectators to (so they) could live under this one brand } Agnes Fischer
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umbrella,” she said. “Hopefully what you’ll see of people they sought. They wanted this group When asked why marketing and branding To help create in the future from us will all fall under Read of people to reach beyond the static and rely on should be a priority to publishers, Plumeri this campaign, the Yourself Better.” true quality journalism to drive their decisions. said, “There’s only so much disposable income Morning News Research helped narrow down ideas for Once the idea was selected the rest came for subscription services…so we need to make enlisted the help the campaign and the target audience. The together quickly, Fischer said. The film took our positioning and our value very clear. We of GoDo Discovery Journal and The&Partnership found that those five days to produce, and during that time, the also need to make sure that the promises Co., a local who subscribe to the newspaper often have a agency captured as many assets as they needed that we’re making are the promises that we’re advertising agency. strong sense of self determination—the group for social media and digital. keeping.” A lot of companies go straight to pitching creative and interesting ideas, } Todd Lancaster Truth, New York Times Sherlock explained, According to but GoDo first spent time with the Morning New York Times News interviewing internal and external executive creative stakeholders to find out who the newspaper was director of marketing and why they continue to do what they do—a Laura Forde, the process Todd Lancaster, CCO for GoDo, called aftereffects of the a GoDo Session. In addition, the newspaper 2016 presidential partnered with Praxis Research to conduct election was the external research about their brand. All the perfect moment in collected feedback and data was translated time for the paper to into the What Matters campaign, which GoDo talk about the role pitched to them. of independent } Laura Forde Lancaster said you hear people from all over reporting and its role in society. } The Dallas Morning News invited guests to write down what matters to them the world ask, “What matters?” on a chalk board set up at one of the popup events to promote their What Matters campaign. The result was the Truth campaign, which “But if we’re reintroducing (the Morning launched in February 2017. The first television What Matters, News), and if we are going to tell people local spot (Truth is Hard) aired during the Academy Dallas Morning News journalism matters and that you need to read it, Awards that year. According to AMA Marketing When the Dallas Morning News launched its Before launching it needs to be (about) something that the people News, the commercial ran for a week after What Matters campaign last fall, it was really a actually care about,” he said. the televised awards ceremony and digital ads reintroduction into the community. publicly, the Morning After the green light was given, it took a few continued for a month. It also ran in ads online The Morning News kicked off the campaign News launched the months to build the pieces of the campaign. and in print. with a popup event in September to coincide Before launching publicly, the Morning News A few months later, the Times released with the relaunch of the newspaper website. campaign internally launched the campaign internally at an event, a set of commercials directed by Darren This event provided free coffee and copies of at an event, where where staff also got the chance to share what Aronofsky. The commercials each showed a the paper, both print and digital (the latter staff also got the matters to them. series of images from a story with the credited was good for three months). In addition, large Sherlock hopes the campaign can last and photojournalist narrating the scenes. chalkboards were set up posing the question chance to share what extend into various topics for years to come. Since launching nearly three years ago, the “What matters?” where guests were invited to matters to them. In fact, the newspaper already plans that it will Truth campaign has shifted to other important share their answers. Some of the top answers play a part in celebrating their upcoming 135th topics. The 2018 campaign, Truth Has a Voice, } A storefront installation from the New York Times’ Truth Is Local campaign included family, love, friends, kindness and anniversary in October. highlighted sexual harassment and the Times’ community. The subjects written on the reporting on the Harvey Weinstein scandal. chalkboards were also integrated into the And more recently, the Times released Truth is There are 1,700 people a parody of the television spot—which Forde newspaper’s content. For example, one common Local, featuring New York City’s five boroughs in our newsroom considered a compliment. subject that came up was veterans, so the and the paper’s commitment to local reporting. As reported by Droga5, due to the Truth Morning News created a Military and Veterans Helping with the Truth campaign is Droga5, working incredibly campaign, the first quarter of 2017 became section. a New York City-based digital advertising hard every day. We the Time’s “best quarter ever for subscriber “We took the agency. growth,” and in the second quarter, the “paper handwriting “Our team at Droga5 are exceptional strategic think that story doesn’t passed 2 million digital-only subscribers, a first samples from the and creative partners,” Forde said. “They are get told enough. It’s for any news organization.” The agency also chalkboards and able to create work that highlights our mission, our job in marketing reported the campaign received 5 billion earned that’s what we breaks through the clutter and resonates with impressions, $16.8 million earned media value integrated into our people emotionally, while adhering to our to highlight the and several awards including two Gold Cannes ads throughout standards for accuracy.” rigor, integrity and Lions and a Webby Awards for People’s Voice. town to illustrate The reaction to the campaign from readers independence of our “We know that people really want to that this is a was immediate, she said. Readers took photos understand the world, arguably more than ever dialogue with of the print ad and posted them on Instagram. journalism, and the before,” Forde said. “There are 1,700 people in our audience, our They hung the ads in their apartment and our newsroom working incredibly hard every community,” Dan positive impact it has } Dan Sherlock store windows. There attended a press freedom on society. day. We think that story doesn’t get told enough. Sherlock, head of rally outside the Times building with people It’s our job in marketing to highlight the rigor, digital and brand marketing, said. holding up the ad in support of the newspaper. – Laura Forde integrity and independence of our journalism, In its entirety, the campaign consists of Even “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert made and the positive impact it has on society.” posters, stickers, popup events and advertising. } Two guests order free coffee at one of the Dallas Morning News popup events.
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The Klay Offer, Bay Area News Group In 2017, the Bay News that goes with A FEW MORE BRANDS Area News Group We looked outside the world of publishing to see what other creative and (BANG) discovered everything effective marketing campaigns caught our eye. Check them out below. something refreshing: the In 2009, National Geographic Society launched The East Bay Times + Klay Thompson popular Golden its Big Cats Initiative to bring awareness to the KT4 Shoe Release Event State Warriors decline of big cats in the wild. Last year, the basketball player Society expanded the campaign with the Save Klay Thompson } A sample of Newsday’s social media promotion Archie campaign. The organization enlisted reportedly of their Supporting Local Journalism campaign street artist, Dean Zeus Colman, to design a loved reading “We focused on missing cat poster for the lion, which was then } Olga Mitina the newspaper writing, researching, drawn on the floor of London’s Paternoster before every game. BANG immediately interviewing and Square so that when pedestrians walked across it, reached out to see if the star athlete would be filming our watchdog the image slowly faded away. interested in working together, and by spring and investigative 2017, Thompson was signed on to become a Tweets from the readers: journalists who are spokesperson. extremely passionate Nike’s Dream Crazy campaign started with a two- “I already loved @Klay ompson, my favorite @nba player, for his “We thought this would really help us bring grit, work ethic, his incomparable shooting ability, his shutdown about the stories they minute commercial narrated by football player awareness to our brand with younger readers… defense and his sel essness. Now this! #JournalismMatters” tell,” Royston Wilson, Colin Kaepernick, who had recently been rejected and kind of show them there’s value in reading ~ Anonymous director of marketing, by the NFL after protests during the national “I need these. I am a sneakerhead and I still read the newspaper!” the newspaper and looking at the newspaper ~ Anonymous said. “This allowed us anthem to call attention to racial injustice. The as an authentic news source,” said Olga Mitina, to create promotions video portrays a host of athletes, from Serena BANG marketing director. that forge a more Williams to Isaiah Bird, a 10-year-old wrestler } An email promotion In October 2017, the Klay Offer launched Thanks for supporting local journalism. personal relationship sample of Newsday’s from Long Island. The campaign also included with the slogan, “Start a new ritual, read between the newsroom Supporting Local multiple print ads featuring athletes in black and Journalism campaign the paper.” The campaign features a landing and our readers.” white with mantras front and center. page (klayoffer.com) which offers digital The most important message the news access to any one of BANG’s three local daily organization wanted to convey to subscribers publications for 11 months for 11 cents a day was that their continued investment in Amazon’s 2019 Super Bowl spot poked fun
(11 is Klay’s jersey number). The offer also } The Bay Area News Group’s Klay Offer campaign featured popular Newsday produces groundbreaking stories that at itself with its 90-second spot titled “Not includes Sunday print and digital for $3.50 Golden State Warriors basketball player Klay Thompson. bring about positive changes in the community, Everything Makes the Cut.” As described by The a month. Also part of the campaign were Wilson explained. Drum, a group of celebrities including Harrison television and radio spots, billboards, king- When BANG launched this campaign and He added that Ford, Forest Whitaker, Ilana Glazer, Abbi Jackson sized bus posters, in-house ads, Facebook ads, When the group launched partnership, Mitina said they did not know Newsday also felt that take part of an Alexa beta test group. They test email, and creative point-of-sale promotions, the first campaign video what to expect, but data reflects positive it was important to out dog collars that enable pets to order more such as life-size Klay cutouts. with Thompson—with results. share with readers food with every bark, toothbrushes that can’t be BANG’s in-house design team created all When the group launched the first that “strong, local heard when brushing and other items that all fail assets of the campaign, except for the slogan zero promotion—it went campaign video with Thompson—with zero journalism takes to be useful in a hilarious way. and the videos. The organization worked with viral with more than promotion—it went viral with more than courage, costs money Division of Labor, a San Francisco advertising 37,000 organic views. In 37,000 organic views. In addition, for the and depends on the agency, for the first year of the campaign,and first year of the campaign, brand awareness support of the local Amazon Studios timed the release of their Atomic Productions, a production company addition, for the first year increased from 27 percent to 56 percent community.” film “The Report,” which follows the Senate based in Emeryville, Calif., for the second and the likelihood to purchase doubled. A reader survey Intelligence Committee as they investigate of the campaign, brand } Royston Wilson year. awareness increased from The landing page saw more than 2,000 for this campaign the CIA’s use of torture following 9/11, with a In 2018, BANG also received an inquiry offers selected in the first year and more revealed that 61 percent felt the newspaper marketing campaign that took over the front from Anta, a China-based sportswear company 27 percent to 56 percent than 7,000 in the second year. The average made Long Island a better place to live, 49 page of the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and Thompson’s biggest sponsor, about and the likelihood to retention during the Klay Offer (starting at percent of respondents felt local journalism Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle and teaming up to launch a new shoe featuring purchase doubled. 26 weeks) was 71 percent, and at 12 months, would be threatened or disappear if readers Dallas Morning News. According to Adweek, some of Thompson’s greatest moments and the retention for the offer was 69 percent didn’t subscribe, and 52 percent believed paying the newspapers were wrapped in faux, redacted milestones. compared to 48 percent for all starts. for news provided better coverage. versions of frontpages and mastheads. Although the campaign has ended, Newsday is considering extending the campaign with new stories and reporters—and the A Squarespace and Sesame Street collaboration recently organization now has greater motivation to hit the top five list of creative brand ideas on AdAge. The two Supporting Local Journalism, of 30-second ads that ran across television 2018, Newsday’s consumer marketing team met market their brand. companies had teamed up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Newsday networks, and it played before stories and feature weekly to brainstorm ideas for a cross-platform “It’s essential...Branding represents who the show and produced a video with Oscar the Grouch among In Long Island, Newsday launched the videos on Newsday’s website. Audio versions campaign that highlighted their journalists. we are as an organization, what we believe his piles of trash which get mistaken for modern art and Supporting Local Journalism campaign in were also played across several radio stations. In Research was conducted to find which Newsday in and how we want to be perceived by the uploaded to a Squarespace website. Oscar quickly becomes June 2019, which highlights the vital role that addition, the campaign was promoted through investigative stories had the most impact in the audience,” Wilson said. “It allows us to speak to famous despite his protests. Fans could even purchase limited- local journalism plays in the community. digital, email and social media. community. As a result, five journalists were our readers and inform them about what their edition art capsules from OscarTrashArt.com, which quickly The campaign ran for five weeks across Supporting Local Journalism was created in- chosen to appear in the campaign to discuss subscription supports and delivers in terms of sold out. All proceeds went to the Sesame Street Workshop. Nassau and Suffolk counties. It included a variety house, where over the course of six months in their work. value to their lives and communities.”
36 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 37 News publishers have a clear focus with finding innovation and success this year
By Nu Yang
n 2019, we saw Gannett and GateHouse Media merge to become the largest newspaper chain in the U.S. We saw more news organizations take a stronger stance against the spread of misinformation and lies. We saw publishers stand up to tech giants like Facebook and Google in order to save Idigital advertising revenue. We saw political journalism grow in newsrooms around the country as they prepared for a combative election year. If that’s what last year brought us, what will 2020 bring? In order to look ahead, we must reflect, which is what these five news leaders did for us. Despite facing challenges, their newsrooms are experimenting with new revenue sources, pursuing new audiences, and fueling their newsrooms with energy and foresight.
What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? Jay Allred: We had not yet launched a membership program that was effective and aligned with our values but doing so was going to be a tremendous lift for a small staff. A key to doing it was to create a cross-departmental team that brought everyone to the table and made membership everyone’s job. Brian Jarvis: Revenue challenges have been a big problem related to pre-print and national advertising. We are still determining how to overcome it. That was high margin stuff and it is tough to replace. Lance Knobel: A sustainable business model for local news remains a struggle for everyone in the field. Berkeleyside celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2019, which puts us among the oldest of the local news digital startups. We When journalists decided that after 10 years as a for-profit we should convert to nonprofit status as the best way to are laid off from other sustain our mission. news organizations, or Judi Terzotis: This year we purchased the assets of the Times-Picayune and NOLA. looking for more work- life com from Advance. The biggest challenge was integrating the business in a very short balance, we find they are window of two months. In most acquisitions of this magnitude, the transition time is six to eight leaving the industry. months. Our team worked tirelessly to do the impossible. Our transitional plan was well thought – Emily Walsh out and nicely executed. The team from Advance were invested in our success and critical to our successful transition. Emily Walsh: Recruitment and churn—both on the editorial and sales side. Talent is harder and harder to find. When journalists are laid off from other news organizations, or looking for more work-life balance, we find they are leaving the industry. In addition, not only are Google and Facebook eating our advertising dollars, but now they are hiring editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 39 2020 2020 xxx xxxxxxxx VISION VISION
our journalists, too. So are brands, in their need to create content to drive traffic to their websites. Everyone needs content, so everyone’s hiring journalists. The industry is also challenged with a donut-hole effect: essentially, we’re seeing journalists early in their career or long-standing veterans. We’re struggling to maintain younger journalists in the industry. On the revenue side, there are more things to sell than a print ad these days. You might say, “Duh!” but we still find our fair share of order-takers who think working at weekly newspapers is going to be their retirement job. Our reps have to be plate- spinning, people-pleasing entrepreneurs. It takes some serious hustle, and those qualities are hard to find.
What was the most important financial lesson you learned? Allred: That diversifying our revenue was critical, and core to that was doing it in ways } Jay Allred, president, Source Media Properties, } Brian Jarvis, president, NCWV Media, } Lance Knobel, publisher and co-founder, } Judi Terzotis, publisher, The Advocate of Baton } Emily Walsh, publisher, Observer Media Group, Mansfield, Ohio Clarksburg, W.V. Berkeleyside, Berkeley, Calif. Rouge and The Times-Picayune of New Orleans, Inc., Sarasota, Fla. that utilized our unique abilities as a news Baton Rouge, La. organization. We’re trusted communicators, expert question-askers, possess a deep understanding of our audience, and retain the being stewards of change and helping those in multiple times across our social networks. It has in those markets who want to know what they Walsh: I’m really excited about America’s Walsh: We want to be the dominant ability to convene and guide conversations to need. With rising print and distribution costs, resulted in a nice uptick in revenue. should attend, what they should wear and who Newspapers. (Full disclosure, I sit on the print/online local resource in our market. To constructive ends. We rethought our revenue this year was the first year that any 100 percent Knobel: On the editorial side, Berkeleyside will be there. It’s been an awesome success on new board for America’s Newspapers.) The accomplish that, we’re considering launching initiatives to leverage those abilities. in-kind advertising we offered as a sponsorship continues to provide both comprehensive and both the user and advertiser side. merger of SNPA and Inland is truly game- new print and digital products and rolling out a Jarvis: We cannot rely on pre-print and for a local nonprofit really affected profitability. deep reporting on many of the key issues in our changing. Newspapers have been notorious new marketing campaign. national advertising as a future source of In 2020, we’re moving toward a more measured city. The growth of our member program and When you look at the industry, what for not marketing themselves. I’m excited to revenue. approach and carefully considering causes that the continued growth of our ad revenue bucks are you most excited about for 2020? see how America’s Newspapers can change the What is on your wish list for 2020? Knobel: Reader revenue from members need our support and switching to a matching some of the trends we see elsewhere in local Allred: The innovation at the local dialogue. I hope they convey how newspapers Allred: That the industry itself and those can be a very significant, growing part of our model so there’s some revenue tied to it. news. level. While the giants race to scale their are an important part of our democracy and who believe in journalism become even more revenues. We’ve added nearly 1,000 members Terzotis: The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com businesses and find efficiencies, hundreds of relevant assets to the communities they serve focused on the local news ecosystem. I am in the last year, bringing out total members to What were some of your success asset acquisition was certainly a highlight for independent local and statewide organizations on a national level. And, I want newspapers to certain the situation in the U.S. will become more than 2,600 in our city of 120,000 people. stories from 2019? our company. But winning our first Pulitzer was like Berkleyside in California, VT Digger in be exciting and relevant again—because we are. much worse before it gets better. The Knight Terzotis: After working for a publicly Allred: The launch of Source Brand the top achievement in 2019. We are proud that Vermont, and The Devil Strip in Ohio are Foundation and many others are working traded chain for most of my career, I’ve come Solutions, our in-house content marketing our series “Tilting the Scales” helped change connecting with readers again. I’m more What are your goals and priorities tirelessly to support the reinvention of the to appreciate the investment local owners can agency has been crucial. It’s allowed us to Louisiana law from a 10-2 jury to a unanimous convinced than ever that journalism will be for this year? business model. To the degree that we can all be make in the products and the staffing. We compete head to head for business outside of jury for conviction. We also won a Polk Award reborn through the work of these organizations Allred: We want to get to a newsgathering in that fight together, we need to. are growing as a direct result of our owner’s our coverage area. Sales attributed to marketing for the series. and others like them. operation that is sustainable through Jarvis: Facebook and Google to be better commitment to the highest quality community services are one of our fastest growing verticals. Walsh: First of all, I’m going to brag. At Jarvis: 2020 will likely yield more individual, corporate, and philanthropic than a frenemy by actually helping small journalism supported by a robust newsroom. Jarvis: We launched a new product called an unnamed conference a few years ago, a opportunities for us to grow our digital reach. support. We think we can do that in 2020, and market journalism pay for the content we create Walsh: This past year has created a deeply “Business Profiles” that creates content that the speaker said, “Flat is the new up.” Not so at We are growing at a 20 percent clip year over it’ll be a key to ongoing success. about the people and places we love. personal conflict among my family’s philosophy business maintains the rights and can distribute the Observer Media Group. Our revenues year in new users and having success getting Jarvis: Do better selling more items to our Knobel: We want to see local news of giving back to the communities we serve, themselves. We run it in print and share continue to grow year over year, and that them to provide us some information to target print and growing funnel of digital users. organizations adopt some of the innovative includes both print and digital. No declines. through ads and newsletters. Knobel: We bootstrapped Berkeleyside’s community-driven, non-traditional forms of But that also may be attributed to the fact that Knobel: This might sound crazy, but I’m start 10 years ago. We now have ambitious engagement and storytelling that are needed to we are free weeklies that have never relied on optimistic about the future for local news. plans under our new nonprofit organization reach and serve underrepresented communities subscription revenue. We’re really proud that There’s a growing cohort of journalistic to build significant funds from foundations, in our cities. we’ve made a commitment to allocate extra entrepreneurs building successful local news major donors and corporate sponsorship Terzotis: For our country to appreciate After working for a publicly traded pages of our paper, sans advertising, for big sites, while many legacy news providers are so that we can extend our Berkeley-focused journalists, and for the current rhetoric that we editorial packages about issues important to struggling. I’m hopeful that entrepreneurial journalism and expand into underserved are “the enemy of the state” to dissipate. chain for most of my career, I’ve come to our communities twice a year. It doesn’t take a activity in local news—both among nonprofits communities that, remarkably, abound in the Walsh: Bigger profit margins. Although appreciate the investment local owners can lot money-wise but making those investments and for-profits—will provide viable models Bay Area, one of the wealthiest regions in the revenues continue to grow, it’s costing us more in content reinvigorates our newsroom and that can be replicated in cities starved of good world. to do business. As mentioned before, printing make in the products and the staffing. shows them that we value what they do. Also, reporting. Terzotis: Continuing our growth in digital and distribution costs continue to go up, but so in February 2019, we launched our Black Tie Terzotis: The industry is continuing to audience and revenue, leveraging the assets has the cost of technology, insurance, people— – Judi Terzotis App, which has been on my to-do list for more consolidate, so I’m excited, that as a privately of our vast footprint along the 1-10 corridor in the list goes on and on. While we continue to than five years. Black Tie is our section for held company, we can react our communities south Louisiana and our statewide digital reach be profitable, margins continue to decline. social coverage in the Sarasota/Manatee market and provide the coverage and marketing as well as continuing the diversification of our So, my greatest wish is to turn that trend in Florida. This app serves a niche of socialites solutions they need and expect. revenue with our event division. around.
40 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 41 Join us for a robust conference that minimizes your time away from the office and maximizes your access to high-quality education, recognition ceremonies, discovery of new partners and networking opportunities.
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For information about exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, contact Zeddie Neidig at [email protected] or 717-703-3034. discovery 42 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com By Evelyn Mateos www.FakeBrains.com 303-791-3301 [email protected] NewsPeople Receive metrics and send emails faster with Barbara Peters Smith has been named Email Tracking and Templates. the opinions editor for the Herald-Tribune Roula Khalaf has been appointed editor in Sarasota, Fla. She succeeds Tom Tryon, for the Financial Times becoming the AccountScout is helping publishers manage who has retired after 39 years. In the last paper’s first female editor. She succeeds billing, production, CRM, classified and retail ads, 31 years, Peters Smith served two stints at Lionel Barber who has stepped down and so much more.. the newspaper. Most recently, she covered after serving in the position for 14 years. the city of Sarasota and the Sarasota County Previously, Khalaf served as deputy editor Commission. In addition, she has served as since 2016. Prior to joining the FT in 1995, Hundreds of publishers accross the country Herald-Tribune health and aging reporter, Khalaf worked at Forbes. LOVE AccountScout, ask around about us. features editor and more. Her experience includes a stint at the Tampa Bay Times, three Check your email to see if you received the Golden Ticket. years as copy editor and associate editorial page editor at the Santa Barbara (Calif.) News- “Fake Brains CRM is better than the rest... “We’ve captured thousands in lost revenue... “Fake Brains has surpassed the others... Press, and three years as business editor, then Allison Kaufman Bluefield (W.Va.) Daily Telegraph, as editor for special projects editor and writing coach for the has joined the Georgia and Florida; and Kim Poindexter, Gainesville (Fla.) Sun. Associated Press as editor of the Tahlequah (Okla.) Daily Press, as Published assistant director one of two regional editors for Oklahoma. Wendy Metcalfe has joined Heart of photography since Connecticut Media Group as vice president for entertainment. Ann Maloney has been named recipes of content and editor-and-chief, overseeing Kaufman has more editor at the Washington Post. She joins 1921 the group’s eight daily and 13 weekly than 16 years of from the Times-Picayune, where she served newspapers including the New Haven experience in the as food editor. At the Post, Maloney will
Register, Connecticut Post and newspapers hoto photography industry. be responsible for developing and editing
in Greenwich, Norwalk and Stamford. In her AP P Most recently, she recipes, and collaborate with other members new role, Metcalfe will be responsible for served as director of the food team and with photo editors, art upgrading the quality of enterprise reporting of operations directors, food stylists and others who work across all the company’s newsrooms as well and production on Voraciously, the Post’s digital destination as working with consumer marketing teams for Invision, the for food coverage. to deepen reader engagement. Most recently, organization’s she oversaw editorial, marketing, circulation entertainment photo Bob Geiger has been named vice president and customer services at Brunswick News agency. In addition, of sales for PA Media Group, publisher Inc. in eastern Canada. Kim Johnson Flodin, of PennLive.com and the Patriot-News in who had served as Harrisburg, Pa. He will be responsible for Nick Monico has the Central region’s advertising and marketing operations at both hoto been named chief interim photo editor publications. Most recently, he was senior AP P operating officer of since last July, was vice president of sales for the Philadelphia Adams Publishing named the region’s deputy news director/ Inquirer. He is a past director of group sales Group (APG), a newly photos and newsgathering in a 14-state for the USA Today Network/Gannett and has Need a Makeover? created position to territory that stretches from the Upper worked in senior management at GateHouse To effectively compete in the world of 21st Century print media you’ve got to look your very best. READY FOR maximize revenue, Midwest to Texas. Most recently, she served as Media, Media General and the Journal Do your publications look the same as they did 10, 20 or even 30 years ago? Are you doing layout SHIPPING content, circulation, news editor for Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma Register Co. and production the same way from back in the day? How is that working for you? Circulation digital and for the AP. declining? Ads down? Just treading water? Wondering what you can do about it? operational initiatives. Carlos Lozada, Order Online: Most recently, Monico Teresa Jackson has been named editor of an associate editor A bright, bold, attention-grabbing modern redesign is just the prescription for reader lethargy Editorandpublisher.com/db19 served as president the Madras (Ore.) Pioneer. She began her and book critic for and advertiser apathy. Make yourself stand-out, make yourself a must-read. The best-looking Order by Phone: publications are the ones thriving in this challenging environment for print media. 406-445-0000 of News Media Corp. Prior to that, he was journalism career at the Stayton (Ore.) Mail in the Washington president of Gannett Media News Network 2002 as a reporter. After serving for three years Post, and David The Most Comprehensive And how about your ads? Better looking ads mean more readership of your ads. More readership of Central Ohio. He also held COO positions at the paper, she was hired by the News-Review Remnick, editor translates into more ad response for your advertisers. This leads to happier, more satisfied and Accurate Source with Thomson Newspapers, Trib Total Media in Roseburg, Ore. as the education reporter. of The New Yorker, advertisers. Happier advertisers take more ads with you and spend more money with you. Book of Its Kind and Wick Communications. Monico has also She also served on the copy desk and as web have been elected A Detailed Picture At Design2Pro you can have your newspapers, magazines, ads and collateral materials produced of the Newspaper Industry served as VP of Community Newspapers for editor. Later, she worked the Tri-City Herald to the Pulitzer Prize for a fraction of the cost of in-house by some of the world’s most talented graphic designers. And Gatehouse/New Media. in Kennewick, Wash. as a copy editor and page Board. Lozada joined when you work with us, we can redesign your publications for no extra cost whatsoever – no The 2019 DataBook designer before eventually returning to Oregon. the Post in 2005. contains tens of thousands hefty fees to fancy high-priced consultants. Save a bundle and look your best. More than 270 Gannett and New Media Investment During his tenure, newspapers and magazines trust us every week and it’s our 16th year serving the industry. Give of facts for more than 8,000 daily and weekly U.S. Group Inc. have announced a new board of CNHI, LLC recently appointed five new he saw coverage us a call and see what we can do for you. and Canadian newspapers members following the merger of Gannett regional editors. They include David Bohrer, of economics and with a combined and GateHouse. The new board will have editor of the Meridian (Miss.) Star, as regional national security and circulation of 110.2 million! nine members including Michael Reed, editor for Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee; served as editor of Total price for the 2-volume (2book) set, includes shipping *$389 New Media CEO and chairman, who will serve Renee Carey, editor of the Herald, New the paper’s Sunday as the board’s chairman. Joining Reed are Castle News and Allied News, all located in Outlook section. He We Make Publishing Prettier and More Profitable. Kevin Sheehan, Mayur Gupta, Theodore northwestern Pennsylvania, as regional editor became a book critic Howard Barbanel, VP/Director of Marketing Janulis, John Jeffry Louis, Maria Miller, for Kentucky newsrooms; Dale Gosser, North in 2015. Remnick 516-860-7440 • [email protected] Debra Sandler, Laurence Tarica, and Texas group editor for CNHI, as regional editor has been editor of www.Design2Pro.com *Shipping to the U.S. and its territories only. For Canadian orders, add $65 per set. Barbara Wall. for Texas; Samantha Perry, editor of the The New Yorker since For International orders, add $85 per set.
44 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 45 NewsPeople NewsPeople
1998 and a staff writer since 1992. He also David Bordewyk serves as the host of the magazine’s national ACQUISITIONS has joined the Jamie Paxton has been named president radio program and podcast, “The New South Dakota and chief executive officer of Paxton Media Yorker Radio Hour,” which airs weekly. Holler Media, LLC has purchased three publications in central-Tennessee from Rust News Watch as its Group (PMG). He succeeds David Paxton, who Communications. Cribb, Greene & Cope represented the seller. Publications in the executive director. held the position for 20 years. Jamie is the Samya Kullab has transaction include the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, the Marshall County Tribune and the Bordewyk will work fifth generation of the Paxton family to hold been named Iraq Bedford/Marshall County Shopper. Rust Communications, based in Cape Girardeau, Mo., with an existing the title of president. David will remain with correspondent for continues to own more than 40 publications in eight states. two-member team the company as chairman. In addition, Jamie the Associated Press. of journalists. He has been elected to the board of directors Kullab, who is based Capital Region Independent Media has acquired Manchester Newspapers, Inc. and will also continue of PMG. As president and CEO, Jamie will be in AP’s Baghdad his longtime role as responsible for all aspects of the company’s all associated digital and print products from the Manchester family. Cribb, Greene bureau, has covered executive director operations, which include 71 community & Cope represented the Manchester family in the sale. Located in in Granville, N.Y., the Middle East since of the South Dakota Newspaper Association. newspapers and related websites in 10 states Manchester Newspapers is a weekly newspaper and specialty publishing company 2013. Previously, as well as the NBC-affiliated TV station based that prints five newspapers each week as well as 40-plus specialty publications she served as senior Pablo Martinez Monsivais has been named in Paducah, Ky. hoto correspondent for Iraq annually. Washington assistant chief of bureau AP P Oil Report. Prior to for photography at the Associated Press. that, Kullab worked as a freelance journalist Sean and Cheryl Kelly have sold the Ransom County Gazette, the Sargent County He originally joined the AP in 1998 as a Bascobert will serve as CEO of the company’s president of news; Kevin Gentzel was named covering migration, security and politics across Teller, Cass County Reporter and Traill County Tribune, all located in North Dakota, photographer in Washington. Prior to the AP, operating subsidiary, Gannett Media Corp. chief revenue officer; Polly Grunfeld Sack the Middle East for several international news to NorDak Publishing, LLC. This purchase includes the first newspapers NorDak will Pablo worked as a staff photographer for the Henry Faure Walker will serve as CEO of will serve as general counsel; Kris Barton organizations. operate in North Dakota. J. Louis Mullen, owner of NorDak, owns 11 other community Chicago Sun-Times. Newsquest Media Group, a publishing arm in will continue his role as Gannett’s chief weekly newspapers in South Dakota, Michigan, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and the United Kingdom. Adam Reinbach will product officer; Bernie Szachara will serve as Matt Volz has been appointed Rocky Mountains Wyoming. Julie Bergman of Grimes, McGovern and Associates represented the Kelly The new Gannett has announced several serve as president and CEO of BridgeTower president of U.S. publishing operations; Jason news editor for the Associated Press. Most family in the sale. key appointments following its merger with Media. Bill Scanlon will serve as interim head Taylor as president of events and promotions; recently, he served as interim Rockies news editor New Media Investment Group. Mike Reed, of UpCurve. In addition, Alison Engel was Samantha Howland as chief people officer; over the past year, where he worked with teams of Ogden Newspapers has acquired the Courier in Findlay, Ohio and the Review Times in previous CEO of New Media, will serve named CFO; Maribel Perez Wadsworth, and Jay Fogarty as senior vice president for journalists of all formats in Colorado, Wyoming, Fostoria, Ohio from the Findlay Publishing Co. Findlay Publishing Co. will continue to as CEO of the combined company. Paul USA Today publisher, will add the role of corporate development. Montana and Utah. Prior to that, he was a operate three radio stations in Findlay and four in Columbus, Ind. Jeffrey Potts of Cribb, longtime correspondent and editor who covered Greene & Cope represented the Findlay Publishing Co. in the sale. stories for the AP from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of Alaska. He joined the AP in 2002.
Misty Knisely has been named managing Kirk Davis Holden Landmark Co., which once owned There’s a reason why during the past two years: editor of The Daily Journal in Kankakee, Ill. has left his Holden Landmark in Worcester, Mass. and She succeeds Mike Frey, who has retired. position of chief Worcester Magazine. Davis sold the Holden Most recently, Knisely worked as the manager operating officer Landmark Co. to GateHouse. of marketing and communications with the of New Media Greater Kokomo Economic Development Investments The Local Media Consortium has elected 157 daily and weekly newspapers have been sold through our representation. Alliance. From 2013 to 2016, she served as and CEO of Stefanie Manning of Maine Today to join the managing editor for the Pharos-Tribune GateHouse Media the consortium’s 10-member executive board. in Logansport, Ind. Prior to that, she was the following the She has a 30-year career in publishing and 32 families have chosen us to represent them. metro editor for the Kokomo (Ind.) Tribune Gannett merger. currently serves as the group vice president and assistant editor for the Hendricks Country Davis is former of consumer revenue at Masthead Maine. Flyer in Avon, Ind. owner of the In addition, Anthony Katsur of Nexstar 7 groups have chosen us to represent them. Media Group will take over for Nicole Goskel of Tribune Media, which was recently 22 companies have engaged us to appraise their newspaper operations. James D. Miller has been named vice acquired by Nexstar. Katsur will serve president of advertising for the Richmond out the remainder of Goskel’s term. Four (Va.) Times-Dispatch. He will lead a team current board members were also re-elected of more than 50 sales representatives, including: Gary Smith, The Seattle Times; managers, graphic artists, event Chris Loretto, Digital First Media; Mike coordinators and support staff who serve Orren, A.H. Belo Corp.; and James Green, Trusted. Informed. Experienced. customers throughout the Richmond Lee Enterprises. region. Miller joins the Times-Dispatch from Tribune Media, where he served as Gary Meo has joined Coda Ventures as executive director of media sales at the vice president of key accounts. Meo’s print South Florida Sun-Sentinel. In the past, industry career includes management he has also served as vice president of positions at Time Inc., People Weekly, LA digital sales innovation at various Tribune Weekly, the Los Angeles Times and Hispanic We Deliver newspaper properties, a general manager Magazine. He also spent more than 20 years of recruitment at Hearst, and a regional at Nielsen Scarborough. Before joining Dirks, Van Essen, Murray & April vice president at Monster.com, as well as Coda, Meo was vice president of client representing start-up companies. development for Research and Analysis Santa Fe, NM t: 505.820.2700 www.dirksvanessen.com of Media.
46 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 47 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Phone: 800-887-1615 Fax: 866-605-2323
Phone: 800-887-1615 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 866-605-2323 Help Wanted Help Wanted Help Wanted Help Wanted
MANAGING EDITOR: The Capital Journal, a five day community newspaper, is looking PUBLISHER: The Minot Daily News is currently hiring the position of Publisher to lead its for a top notch, go getter, who loves story-telling, facilitating community discourse and award-winning team, one that is committed to excellence in journalism through service Brokers / Appraisers Brokers / Appraisers Publications For Sale Publications For Sale helping team members grow. Our newsroom is small and fierce, with four reporters and leadership in the community. covering the state capital and the beautiful town of Pierre and Ft. Pierre along the Missouri River in the great state of South Dakota. The Publisher has primary leadership responsibility for industry growth and operations with a focus on culture, sales, marketing, financial management, and a strong appreciation MICHIGAN PAPERS: Four very nice community newspapers in super solid markets. One Newspapers • Magazines • Shoppers This position requires analytical skills, people skills, joy of writing and editing copy, for high journalistic standards. The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of experience daily, three weeklies. Total 2018 revenue $2.4 million. Longtime family ownership. Offered and a willingness to be a lifelong learner. The ideal candidate is someone who seeks and will be a positive, out-going, self-motivated, detail oriented leader who will continually Book Publishing • Directories • Digital Media by National Media Associates, Tom Bolitho 580-421-9600; Ed Anderson 417-338-6397. adventure, cultivates a positive and focused environment and showcases a love of develop the skills of the team. This is a unique opportunity to uphold our values of the English language - knowledge of Associated Press style and AP copy and headline excellence and service. On-Demand Access to Tenured Professionals writing are preferred. NEWSPAPER GROUP: Five well established weekly newspapers in Houston suburbs. The candidate will display the ability to work efficiently and maintain a high level o Meeting Multi-Media Business Challenges Circulation from 1,000 to 25,000. Staff, circulation, and printing department in place for The managing editor crafts the editorial goals for the community newspaper, and provides productivity and quality; work independently and as part of a team; communicate with Foresight & Precision new owner. Email [email protected] or call 713-977-2555. clarity and fair consideration throughout the pages of the print and digital products. regularly; balance multiple priorities; and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, team-focused Adhering to deadlines is a critical part of this job opportunity as is having strong environment. The candidate will have a proven record of creating and growing a positive, organizational skills. respectful and energetic work culture. PUBLICATIONS FOR SALE BY KAMEN & CO GROUP SERVICES, LLC www.kamengroup.com • This is a full- time position and as part of Wick Communications, we offer a strong package The Minot Daily News is an award-winning daily newspaper covering local news, sports, 516-379-2797: Northern CA weekly adjudicated community newspaper near Oregon APPRAISALS of pay and benefits, including base salary, bonus plan, medical, vision, dental, and a business, jobs and community events. The newspaper is published Monday through border, National Outdoorsman/Survivalist Magazine, NY Regional Parents Magazine, 401(k). See our web site at www.capjournal.com and learn about our parent company at National Boating/Fishing Magazine, Italian weekly newspaper from East Coast, Jewish Saturday covering Minot and the surrounding communities of Ward County, North Dakota, www.wickcommunications.com. We are an equal opportunity employer. weekly newspaper serving Orthodox population seeks investor, Wedding Magazine from with a circulation of 9,896 copies. Minot is the fourth largest city in North Dakota with a ACCOUNTING Southeast, North Carolina weekly shoppers, San Francisco and San Diego, CA regional population of over 47,000 people. It is the home to the Minot US Air Force base. Minot Please submit letter of interest, resume and salary requirements, references titles, NYC weekly newspaper, Georgia weekly newspaper. Schedule your 2020 financial is home to a strong Scandinavian ancestry history and home to the North Dakota State and examples of writings, headlines and editing, to Publisher John Clark at valuation or business plan of your multi media entity now. [email protected] Fair every year. [email protected] and Group publisher Ken Harty at BROKERING [email protected]. About us: Proud to be the Expert Media Financial Valuation Help Wanted Help Wanted Founded on September 22, 1890 with H. C. Ogden’s launch of the Wheeling News, Resource for ”FORBES 400 List of America’s PUBLISHER: Run your own show (For real.) Private group. Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper Ogden Newspapers has since grown to 50 daily newspapers, along with a number of and a capital city newspaper among our three-market media cluster based in Rutland, weeklies and a magazine division – stretching from New York to Hawaii. Richest People” 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015 AREA MANAGER: The Colorado Springs VT. Sample News Group seeks publisher to lead a great team and drive multiple revenue Gazette Circulation department is seeking a streams. Email: [email protected] Throughout that time, the company has been committed to excellence in journalism Accounting, Tax, Debt Management, Entity full time Area Manager to oversee the delivery through service and leadership in our communities. Newspapering has changed over Formation, Valuation & Financial Advisory Services of newspapers to subscribers within a defined time – long gone are the days of hot lead typesetting and linotype machines – but our geographical area. This position is part of a support system that oversees carriers, core values as a company have not. We believe local newspapers should not only report ensuring delivery accuracy, observing warehouse activity and physical distribution PUBLISHER: We’re looking for a successful, innovative publisher to lead the Journal the news of the day, but also tell the stories of their communities, and of the people who of newspaper. The Area Manager is responsible for prospecting and contracting Record Publishing Company, a subsidiary of BridgeTower Media, located in Oklahoma live there. We take writing the first draft of history seriously. independent contractors for delivery services, familiarizing contractors with route City, OK. You will be responsible for guiding a group of talented individuals responsible locations and enforcing contractual agreements. for Oklahoma’s leading source of news, energy information and events for the business How people consume news has changed, but our mission stays the same. Our newspa- community. We’re a digital-first organization that prides itself on providing our audience pers have found new ways to serve their communities, creating robust online content. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated with the ability to work both independently The Only Way To Reach a Goal is to Have One! with information that they can’t get anywhere else. These keep all of our readers, both print and digital, well informed and engaged with and as a member of a team. This position requires tenacity, consistency, good judgment, quick decision making and solid interpersonal skills. Must have strong time local happenings. Our rich heritage of newspapering combined with a company-wide In this role, you will be expected to represent our brands in the business community, but KAMEN & CO. GROUP SERVICES,LLC management skills, including the ability to set priorities and give attention to detail. commitment to high journalistic standards, positions us to continue to uphold the your primary responsibility will be to work with the sales team to achieve and exceed values of excellence and service for decades to come. Media Appraisers, Accountants, Advisors & Brokers goal, grow new sources of revenue, find sales leads and close business. You will be Requirements: responsible for driving digital and print advertising sales, presenting high-visibility events, (516) 379-2797 • 626 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, NY 11556 • Valid driver’s license, dependable vehicle and proof of insurance are required for this Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following: developing ancillary revenue streams, helping with marketing collateral, and creating a [email protected] • www.KamenGroup.com position. • Oversee all newspaper operations with a focus on culture, sales, marketing, financial • Ability to work as part of a team, with minimal daily supervision and high degree of culture where everyone feels motivated and can shine. management, and high journalistic standards. self-motivation. • Manage P&L to ensure financial growth with ultimate responsibility for the financial • Ability to problem solve, resolve issues & complaints, demonstrate sound reasoning, You will receive executive and administrative support from BridgeTower Media, which health of the operation including but not limited to creating and managing the overall exercise judgment, and make decisions. allows you to focus on the operational areas that drive revenue. We are seeking a proven forecast. • Ability to repetitively stoop, bend and walk to distribute newspapers. Will push and leader with excellent management skills, experience with a P&L and budgets, as well as • Enhance the newspaper’s positive presence in the community. pull carts loaded with newspapers and repetitively lift newspaper bundles weighing experience leading a solutions-based sales team. • Direct the online footprint for the newspaper. between 10-50 pounds. • Ensure both advertiser and subscriber needs are met at very high levels. • Ability to work flexible overnight hours, available at any time as needed to include We are searching for a strategic thinker who can work with your managers to develop and • Develop and execute strategies across multiple platforms to maximize sales. weekends and holidays. execute plans. You will need to be hands-on, self-motivated, proactive and digitally savvy. • Implement effective operations through all departments to uphold the values • Basic computer skills (Excel and Word). No task is too great or too small. Your drive and willingness to do the work necessary to of excellence and service. • High school diploma or equivalent required. grow new business, while growing community relationships, will be vital to your success. • Lead process for to recruit, evaluate and hire candidates, and manage disciplinary issues. Preferred Skills BridgeTower Media is a leading provider of information to the business and legal com- • Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as necessary. • Prior newspaper experience in circulation as well as a management background is munities through our collection of niche newspapers and websites in cities across the preferred. country. We offer a competitive salary package commensurate with experience along Requirements: • Strong leadership ability to lead a mixed workforce of employees and independent with a comprehensive benefits program. • Bachelor’s degree (B. A.) from four-year College or university; and minimum of 3 years contractors spread out across several different markets. publishing experience BridgeTower Media and all subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers and value • A background in Advertising or Editorial a strong plus. The Colorado Springs Gazette, located in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO, is the diversity in our workplace. leading media company in the front range with a 7 day a week publication, along with • Background and experience leading advertising or editorial depts a plus. • Significant relevant work experience with advanced editing, writing, and proofreading additional print publications. We offer great products to our customers and at the same To be considered for this position, please apply directly on our site at: time deliver outstanding customer service to our audience. skills. • Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills. https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/public/RTI.home?c=2163213&d=BridgetowerMedia&r=5000562095906#/ eas easee te t em o saw it i In addition to a workplace that values and respects its employees and customers, we • Excellent customer service skills. offer a benefits package, which includes vacation, sick and personal time off, health, • The ability to lead and direct others to achieve or exceed organizational goals in an dental & vision coverage, 401(k), and more. efficient and effective manner.
To apply please send your resume to [email protected] and put Area “I’m extremely pleased with the fantastic results we receive from Please send all resumes to the following contact: Michael Christman at Manager in the subject line. advertising in E&P.” - Kevin B. Kamen, Kamen & Co. Group Services [email protected]
48 | E & P | JANUARY 2020 editorandpublisher.com editorandpublisher.com JANUARY 2020 | E & P | 49 shoptalk /commentary
In a Post-Truth World, Your Newspaper Beats Social Media for Facts By Albuquerque Journal Editorial Board THIS IS... he debate over how social media is handling—and should handle—false political advertising covers a lot of ground. TOn one side, Mark Zuckerberg’s public declaration that Facebook will continue to accept payments for political advertisements without fact-checking. On the other, Twitter’s line in the sand it will not accept political advertising at all. As the debate plays out, it’s worth asking: Is social media, designed to give anyone and everyone their 15 minutes of fame, be it via a slip-and-fall meme or a cat video, the place to get vetted information on our government and its leaders? The internet is vast, wild and full of false information. The CIA-confirmed narrative of Russian trolls’ coordinated intervention in the 2016 election is just one cautionary tale of But for those who have forgotten what each doing valuable reporting that likely social media as the new Trojan horse. We don’t newspapers do—both in print and on the would otherwise go undone. The Santa Fe just invite disinformation into our cities; we internet—here’s a reminder: They report the New Mexican, the Farmington Daily Times, bring it into our homes. news, as accurately and as quickly as they can. the Gallup Independent and the Las Cruces Zuckerberg may or may not cave to mounting Every day, local reporters and photographers Sun-News are just a few of the reputable pressure to adopt a Twitter-like ban on political head out into the community to spend time in newspapers offering in-depth local coverage in YOUTUBE advertising. But Facebook is just one—albeit schools, courtrooms, businesses, government New Mexico. giant—platform. The real problem lies in our buildings and homes—all with the goal of You might be frustrated with traditional CHANNEL willingness to trust unvetted information seeing, understanding and reporting the media. You might feel a story or an editorial is DEVELOPMENT from social media, especially when it comes realities of life in New Mexico. Every day, editors unfair, roll your eyes when you catch a typo, or to political news. As long as that’s true, we are work to ensure stories are clear and accurate. wonder why you should pay for a subscription & STRATEGY susceptible to the next platform flavor of the Every day, designers and press staff work to put when so-called “news” is free online. week—and not all will be run by companies those stories into an easy-to-read format. But you get what you pay for, and with leaders easily hauled before Congress. Are there errors and flaws? Of course. That’s communities without local newspapers are Beijing-based TikTok, anybody? true of any human endeavor, especially one that worse off for it. We’re committed to fighting Expecting Facebook or Twitter to vet releases a new product 365 days a year. But for your right to know and to preserving your information is not the answer. That’s an we’re not nameless, faceless trolls sitting behind voice. impossible task, especially given the speed users a computer somewhere in Russia or China. So use that voice. Write letters to the editor, expect answers. We live in your community. Reporters put or pick up the phone and call. Subscribe to But it’s not all “1984” apocalyptic their names on stories, photographers on their your local paper so you won’t have to rely on disinformation-age mayhem. We’re here to pictures. We pick up the phone when readers Facebook or Twitter to tell you what’s true. remind you a place does exist where facts are call. On our editorial pages we regularly publish Because they’ve made it clear that’s not their still valued and truth still matters: The humble letters and columns critical of our editorial job. It’s ours. local newspaper. (Yes, we are tooting our own stances and news coverage. horn here.) Traditional media has its share of In other words, unlike shadow writers critics and is certainly not without fault. Critics populating social media with rumors, half- This editorial was written by the YOUR SOURCE FOR cry bias, others dismiss paper as something truths and blatant lies, we are accountable to editorial board of the Albuquerque from the dinosaur age. Since the advent of the you, the reader. Journal and was published Nov. 7, 2019. premium content & trusted solutions internet it’s had to compete for what was a The Journal isn’t alone. A vibrant ecosystem It is reprinted here with permission. captive audience. of local news organizations dot the state,
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