TAlaPressah e N e w s l e T T e r o f T h e A l A b A m A P r e s s A s s o c i AT i o N April 2017

Important Dates APA Summer Convention returns to Orange Beach Online Media Campus APA says farewell to two “Rural Journalism: Tracking Agriculture” staff members Category: Editorial Thursday, May 18 Presenter: Al Cross Clayton Record sold

“What Would Sammy Do?” Top Priorities For Sales Today Goldsmith wins Chopped Junior Category: Revenue Thursday, May 25 Presenter Sammy Papert Advocate receives Media Excellence Award “Building a Strong Service Directory to Increase Revenue” Category: Revenue Wednesday, June 7 Progressive Era sold out Presenter Janet DeGeorge Gulf State Park Lodge on track for 2017 APA Summer Convention July 6-8, 2017 2018 opening Orange Beach, AL APA Journalism Foundation board meets at Miles College April 2017 AlaPressa 2 APA Summer Convention returns to Orange Beach

Alabama Press Association Alabama Newspaper Advertising Service Inc. 3324 Independence Drive Suite 200 Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 871-7737 (205) 871-7740 (fax) www.alabamapress.org

Board of Directors

Perdido Beach Resort Michele Gerlach, Chairman of the Board Andalusia Star-News APA will return to the Alabama Gulf from the hotel. Scott Brown, President Coast and the Perdido Beach Resort Programs include: for the 146th summer convention, July • Mind Your Niches – Learn how to The Decatur Daily 6-8. make more money with specialized Kenneth Boone, First Vice President Join us Thursday evening as we print products - Bill Ostendorf Tallapoosa Publishers Inc. kick off the weekend with a two-hour • Quick and easy videos with tools you Horace Moore, Second Vice President sunset dolphin cruise aboard the Wild probably already have - Dan Meissner The Northwest Alabamian Hearts, a 53-foot open-ocean sail boat. see Summer convention pg 3 Robert Bozeman, The Evergreen Courant NO MORE BUS RIDES! The boat will Dee Ann Campbell depart from a pier across the street The Choctaw Sun-Advocate Terry Connor, The Cullman Times APA says farewell to two staff Bob Davis, The Anniston Star Eddie Dodd, The Abbeville Herald members Denise DuBois, The Citizen of East Alabama Chris and dedication in his new job, and we Tricia Clinton-Dunn McDaniel and wish him well.” The Fort Payne Times-Journal Amy Metzler Metzler is relocating to the Atlanta Jim Rainey, The Tuscaloosa News will be leaving area, and has accepted a position with APA at the end the Sandy Springs (Ga.) Convention and Parks Rogers, Gulf Coast Newspapers of this month. Visitors Bureau. She joined APA in 2015, Darrell Sandlin, TimesDaily McDaniel and has been instrumental in building Brad Shurett, The Daily Sentinel started at APA the print and digital networks offered by Steve Smith, The Dothan Eagle when he was ANAS. a student at Metzler is a Chris McDaniel UAB, working 2013 graduate part time and of the Universi- later returning full time in 2010, working ty of Alabama. APA Staff in network sales. In 2014, he became While in school Felicia Mason, Executive Director the member services coordinator, work- at UA, she Brad English, Advertising Manager ing with the Better Newspaper Contest, worked as the Leigh Leigh Tortorici, Senior APA’s two conventions and other ser- special proj- Marketing Representative vices offered to APA members. ects account Dennis R. Bailey, General Counsel He is joining the staff of FIS, a fi- representative Amy Metzler nancial technology solutions company for The Crim- Scott Goldsmith, APA Accountant located in Birmingham. son White, the student newspaper. “Chris has been a tremendous as- “Amy has really done a great job co- set to the APA team, and we will miss ordinating our newtworks and providing him,” APA Executive Director Felicia exemplary service to her clients. We’ll Mason said. “He is always willing to help miss her and wish her the best,” APA ad our members. He knows them, and he manager Brad English said. knows our industry. I have no doubt that he will provide the same level of service April 2017 AlaPressa 3 • Classified: The Next Big Thing for 2017 Better Newspaper Contest. Newspaper - Bill Ostendorf Registration materials will go out • “Revolution, rights and rock ‘n’ soon, but you can BOOK YOUR HO- Summer roll: The hidden history of the First TEL ROOM NOW at: https://www. Amendment,” an interactive presen- perdidobeachresort.com/alabama- convention tation that will challenge and inspire. press-association. -Ken Paulson from pg 2 The convention concludes with the recognition of the winners of the Clayton Record sold Rebecca Beasley has sold The papers in 24 states, and visited nine clined and has filled the role of editor Clayton Record to Blake Gumprecht, papers in seven states. “I was imme- and publisher since 1998. a college professor from New Hamp- diately taken by Barbour County when shire. I visited last December,” Gumprecht “I was immediately tak- Gumprecht grew up in Wilmington, wrote in his column. “I like the look of Delaware. His first venture into jour- the place, the quintessentially South- en by Barbour County nalism was a hand-written newspaper ern landscape and architecture, and he sold door-to-door as a young boy in the pace of life here.” when I visited last De- his neighborhood. Beasley’s family has owned The As a journalism student at the Uni- Clayton Record for 102 years. Her cember. I like the look versity of Kansas, he worked at the grandfather, William Lee Gammell, student newspaper and earned intern- served as editor and publisher of The of the place, the quint- ships at The Chicago Tribune and the Clayton Record from 1915 until 1954. essentially Southern Los Angeles Times. Her grandmother, Pearl Gammell, For the last 14 years, he has been followed her husband as editor and landscape and archi- a professor in the Department of publisher. In 1960, Miss Bertie, Beas- Geography at the University of New ley’s mother, took over the reins of the tecture, and the pace Hampshire. He also taught at the Uni- newspaper and remained active with versity of South Carolina. both the paper and the Clayton com- of life here.” Gumprecht says he decided to munity until her death in 1998. - Blake Gumprecht return to journalism, and started his Beasley, who has worked at the search to find a newspaper to buy newspaper since she was a teenager, last summer. He looked at 122 news- took over as her mother’s health de- Goldsmith wins Chopped Junior er’s family to help offset the demands of “I always hoped I would treatment of childhood cancer. He also plans to take his family on a vacation. be healthy enough to Goldsmith was diagnosed with be on the show one acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2007, at the age of 3. He had spent long day, and now this is a hours at Children’s of Alabama hospital in Birmingham, undergoing three years dream come true,” of chemotherapy which led to a remis- sion, then three more years of chemo, - Fuller Goldsmith followed by spinal surgery to correct problems from medication, and a bone- Fuller Goldsmith, a 13-year-old from marrow transplant in 2014 that has Tuscaloosa, took home the top prize shown positive results. recently from the Food Network show, On the show, which aired April 25, Chopped Junior. Fuller is the son of Goldsmith said he has spent many APA Accountant Scott Goldsmith and hours watching the Food Network while his wife, Melissa. he was in the hospital. “I always hoped Goldsmith says he already has I would be healthy enough to be on the plans for the $10,000 cash prize. He show one day, and now this is a dream plans to donate a portion of the money come true,” he said. to Fuller’s Fund, a fund started by Full- Congratulations, Fuller! The Goldsmith family April 2017 AlaPressa 4

Progressive Era sold out What happens when the hometown girl becomes the governor? Her home- town newspaper sells out of every printed copy in the county. That’s what happened in Camden earlier this month when Lt. Governor The Greenville Advocate received the Alabama Rural Electric Association’s 2017 Media Excellence Kay Ivey became the 54th (and only the Award. Pictured from left to right is Pioneer Electric Executive Vice President and General Manager second female) governor of Alabama. Terry Moseley, AREA Vice President of Communications Lenore Vickrey, Greenville Newspapers Ivey is a Camden native and a favorite Publisher Tracy Salter and Pioneer Electric Communications Specialist Casey Rogers. (Advocate in her hometown. photo/Jonathan Bryant) Advocate receives Media Gulf State Park Excellence Award Lodge on track It was a big afternoon for The cation audiences through their website Greenville Advocate as the newspa- and social media sources with a local for 2018 opening per was recognized as one of the top presence, and professional quality that By David Rainer, Alabama Department community newspapers in the state by rivals larger newspaper sources,” said of Conservation and Natural the Alabama Rural Electric Association Terry Moseley, Pioneer Electric’s exec- Resources (3/16/17) (AREA) during the 70th annual meeting utive vice president and general man- Now that spring break is in full swing of AREA, held April 13 at the Renais- ager. on the Alabama Gulf Coast, loads of sance Hotel and Convention Center in “The Greenville Advocate strives beachgoers are traveling between Gulf Montgomery. to report the news of our community Shores and Orange Beach. And it’s al- The Greenville Advocate was rec- honestly, fairly and with integrity,” said most certain that most are wondering ognized as the recipient of AREA’s Greenville Newspapers Publisher Tra- about all that construction adjacent to 2017 Media Excellence Award. cy Salter. the Gulf State Park Pier. AREA vice president of commu- “Being nominated for, and receiv- The answer is the resurrection of nications, Lenore Vickrey, said The ing, such a prestigious award is truly an the Gulf State Park Lodge. The origi- Greenville Advocate has earned the honor for the entire staff of the Advo- nal lodge and convention center was media excellence award this year for its cate.” wrecked by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and broad and deep commitment to being a new and extensively improved version a partner with the community in ways “The Greenville Advo- has a projected completion date of May that make area residents well-informed 2018 for the park’s beachfront construc- citizens. cate strives to report tion. “The newspaper’s coverage of co- Cooper Shattuck has been involved op related issues ranged from storm the news of our com- in multiple capacities with the Gulf State stories to school activities to annual munity honestly, fairly Park Project (GSPP) since its inception. meetings or reports on the Youth Tour The project will not use any taxpayer both after the activity and for recruiting and with integrity.” money to restore and enhance the participants,” Vickrey said. state’s premier state park. “The Greenville Advocate address- - Tracy Salter es and reaches a variety of communi- see Gulf State Park Lodge pg 5 April 2017 AlaPressa 5 those additional alternatives have been Campus.” identified and analyzed, and the design Instead of shoehorning the Learn- team has taken advantage of that pause ing Campus on the small parcel of land Gulf State to make further improvements to the next to the campground, pool and exist- plans. ing learning center, the Learning Cam- Park Lodge “As part of that process, we’ve had pus will be moved to a tract close to the the time and ability to add more en- park’s administration buildings. hancements to the project that will allow “The design team started looking for from pg 4 for greater public access than what was other places in the park where we could originally anticipated,” he said. “Part of locate the Learning Campus without an that was going through the master-plan- impact on cultural resources or habitat,” “Together with other ning process, and part of it was recog- Shattuck said. “Even though the park is nizing elements that would be helpful to 6,150 acres, when you start looking to BP grant monies, this the public, and we found a way to include put in a program that size, it’s hard to them in the money we received. find. gives the $141 million “So, we’ve taken a potential obsta- “But we found one near the existing cle and used it as a stepping stone to park headquarters. That area up there is to complete the entire something better. As a great example, already disturbed. There are cabins and we’re adding something I think has been parking lots up there. Instead of putting project, which will be needed for a long time – two pedestrian one big building, we’re going to spread it overpasses over the beach road. When out so it sits lightly on the land.” done with no state dol- those are completed, you’ll be able to The Learning Campus will include walk or bike from the north side to the several different buildings – a dorm lars. That’s significant. beach side. That’s huge, and now is the space for students to stay overnight, time to do it. It will link the trail network, a building with classrooms and lecture There will be no bonds, which will be enhanced, to the beach. So spaces, a building with a restaurant that people staying at the campground or us- won’t be limited to students and renovat- ing the trail network can get to the beach ed parking lots that will use permeable no debt, 100 percent without having to dodge traffic crossing material to cut down on water runoff. the beach road.” “In thinking outside the box, we cre- of the funds will come Shattuck said one overpass would ated a campus that will be more of a be constructed in the lodge area and the benefit to the people and have less of an from BP.” other would be at the pavilion and inter- impact on the environment of the park,” pretive center east of the lodge. Shattuck said. - Cooper Shattuck “Those weren’t originally contem- Another aspect of the master plan- plated,” he said. “That’s a development ning process, which included significant that’s significant. Another thing, as a part public input, is a transportation system Shattuck said $141 million will be of the master planning process, we’ve inside the park that will be in addition to used to rebuild the lodge that was washed relocated the research and education the enhancements of the trail system. away by Ivan’s storm surge, construct a facility, which we renamed the Learning new Learning Campus inside the park, see Lodge pg 6 build an interpretive center, enhance the experience for the park’s 600,000 annual visitors with new trails and features and restore the park’s sugar-sand dunes with new techniques and the planting of na- tive vegetation. The first $85 million of the funding came from an early BP settlement from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. “As part of the BP settlement that was reached last year, BP wanted and agreed to pay an additional $50 million,” Shattuck said. “Together with other BP grant monies, this gives the $141 million to complete the entire project, which will be done with no state dollars. That’s sig- nificant. There will be no bonds, no debt, 100 percent of the funds will come from BP.” A judge overseeing litigation involv- ing the project asked that additional al- ternatives be considered before deciding on using any of the money on the lodge Work is underway on the Gulf State Park Lodge. and conference center. Shattuck said April 2017 AlaPressa 6 APA Journalism Foundation board meets at Miles College The Alabama Press Association Journalism Foundation board met re- cently on the campus of Miles College in Fairfield. Dr. Bala Baptiste was the host fac- ulty member for the APA group. Bap- tiste is an associate professor and chair of the Division of Communications. Members visited his class, Print News Reporting, during their campus visit. During the class, students had an op- portunity to ask questions and seek advice from board members and vice versa. It is the practice of the APA Journal- ism Foundation board to hold its spring meeting on college campuses through- out the state. APA Journalism Foundation board members visit Miles College

1,500 people. yet provide access for visitors to stay “Construction of the Lodge is coming on the beach in a place that they will be in on time and on budget,” Shattuck said proud of. Lodge “The relocation of the Learning Campus “So many times people have these may mean it won’t be finished until the great visions, and you end up having from pg 5 fall of 2018, but that’s when we anticipate budget and time restraints that keep you the biggest demand – when the kids get from reaching that vision. This is going to back to school.” be one of those rare opportunities where “We wanted people to be able to Before Hurricane Ivan, revenues gen- what is ultimately going to be put in place walk and bike through the park more ef- erated at Gulf State Park provided funds is even better than what was planned ficiently,” Shattuck said. “But people can’t to help operate other facilities in the State originally, and that’s rare. Public or pri- always do that whether it’s physical imita- Parks System. vate, that’s rare.” tions or just time. We want them to enjoy “After the project is finished, the park the park. is expected to generate a net from the “So one of the elements we’re add- first year in excess of $5.5 million,” Shat- “There were significant ing is a tram service. The plan is for it to tuck said. “That’s good. Then it goes up be operated and maintained by the lodge every year as you capture initial costs. It events in their lives that operator, but it would serve the whole goes from $5.5 million to $6 million until it park. It would be an integrated service peaks and plateaus between $6.5 million occurred at the park from that would serve the whole park, so we and $7 million. weddings and wedding re- don’t have people driving all over the “Being able to do this without incur- whole park.” ring any debt, that just doesn’t happen. ceptions. That’s where the Another enhancement that will be It’s just unheard of. Frankly, BP had a added is park-wide Wi-Fi service.“That willingness to do it with their vision of Rotary Club met. That’s was a big deal,” Shattuck said. “That was seeing how it helps restore those lost mentioned by a large number of park us- recreational uses and the economy on been gone for more than ers. Some people might say why do we the Gulf Coast. They benefit from it, but want W-Fi in the park? We want people we do, too. I think it showed a lot of vi- 10 years. This will restore to enjoy the park. But it was a big deal. sion.” That’s the way people enjoy the outdoors Shattuck said the GSPP team has that for the local commu- these days. They don’t carry guidebooks discovered how cherished the park fa- nity yet provide access any more. If they see a plant or bird or cilities were to the folks on the Alabama lizard that they don’t know, they look it coast. for visitors to stay on the up on their smartphones. And, of course, “It really was part of the culture,” they want to take pictures.” he said. “There were significant events beach in a place that they Shattuck said the reservations sys- in their lives that occurred at the park tem will also be improved for the 350 ho- from weddings and wedding receptions. will be proud of. That’s where the Rotary Club met. That’s tel rooms with meeting space, which can - Cooper Shattuck handle 1,000 people. A ballroom in the been gone for more than 10 years. This beachfront complex will accommodate will restore that for the local community April 2017 AlaPressa 7 Briefs Chip Brownlee has been named Alabama Reporter. ventions, and works with many APA editor of The Auburn Plainsman for newspapers on their websites and digi- 2017-18. Brownlee is a double major Roger Lee has been promoted to tal services. TownNews is an associate in journalism and political science from senior regional sales manager of Town- member of the Alabama Press Associa- Reform, Ala. He served as Plainsman News.com. He has been with Town- tion. community editor this school year and News for 15 years. has also worked as a reporter for the Lee is a familiar face at APA con- Deaths Sam Wells Harvey died on Tues- of the 1950s, and the piece was picked tiser-Gleam” in 1997. Later he compiled day, April 18, 2017 at Shepard’s Cove up by the newspaper wire services. It and published a book of letters between Hospice of complications from recently ran in a number of Alabama daily pa- his parents, “Love, Alice – Love, Por- discovered liver cancer. He was 86. pers and was cited by an article in The ter.” Sam was born on August 22, 1930 New York Times. Sam served as the president of to parents Alice and Porter Harvey in He joined the Air Force ROTC while the Alabama Press Association, which Dodge City, Kansas, and experienced in college and after graduation served 2 presented him with their 2008 Lifetime the “dust bowl” storms of the 1930s. His years of active duty during the Korean Achievement Award. He was nomi- father was a newspaper reporter and War, mostly as a psychological warfare nated by David Moore, then editor of his mother taught school. The Harveys officer. While stationed in Washington the Arab Tribune, who wrote, “If there moved to Birmingham when Sam was D.C. on a training assignment, he met is a newspaper in the state of Alabama seven, where he skipped the second Valerie Yencha of Pennsylvania, who that is an institution in and of itself, it is grade after displaying advanced read- was working there for her congressman. the Advertiser-Gleam. And if there is a ing and writing ability. The family lived He and Valerie were married in 1953, newspaper professional in the state of for a time in Trussville, AL, in the Caha- and after release from the Air Force he Alabama who is an institution in and of ba Project, an innovative New Deal era spent a year in graduate school at the himself, it would have to be Sam Har- federal planned community. The fam- University of Alabama. vey.” ily moved to Guntersville in 1941 when He began his first daily newspaper The Auburn University Journalism Porter started his own newspaper, the job in 1954 as a reporter for the Co- Advisory Council named Sam their Guntersville Gleam. lumbus Dispatch in Ohio. He joined the 2008 Distinguished Alabama Com- As a young boy he loved building staff of The Louisville Times in Ken- munity Journalist, citing his work as and flying model airplanes, sometimes tucky in 1959, first as a reporter and “widely recognized as a stellar example traveling alone by bus to competitions then as assistant city editor. For several of community journalism, as well as be- in Birmingham and other Alabama cit- years while working at the Times he ing used for lessons in college class- ies. also moonlighted nights and weekends rooms.” Working for newspapers began at writing copy for a Louisville advertising In 2005, the Lake Guntersville the age of 12, when he carried a paper agency. Chamber of Commerce honored Sam route for the Gleam. He also helped out In 1967 he moved back to Gun- as its Citizen of the Year. in the mail and press rooms, and by tersville to join his father’s newspaper, the age of 14 was running the hot type The Advertiser Gleam. He was named printing press. editor of the paper, but like Porter, who He wrote for his high school news- remained as publisher, his chief duties paper and served as an occasional were reporting and writing up the local correspondent to the Gleam for school news stories. As editor of the Gleam, he sports stories. supervised an estimated 4,700 issues After graduation from Marshall of the twice-weekly paper and had a County High School in 1947 he attend- hand in more than 150,000 published ed the University of Alabama, where articles. During his 41-year tenure as he studied journalism and worked on Editor, the Gleam became the largest the college newspaper, The Crimson circulation non-daily paper in Alabama. White. He was named editor of the pa- Sam worked with Porter at the per his senior year. Gleam for 28 years and with his broth- While at the University he caught er-in-law and business partner Don the attention of the state and even na- Woodward for 30. During that time Por- tional press for his editorial “The South- ter and Sam managed the news and ern College and the Colored Line.” In Don oversaw the advertising and busi- it he predicted that before long black ness aspects. Sam’s son John Harvey students would be admitted to the Uni- joined the paper as Business Manager versity: “We fail to see what would be so in 1998 following Don’s retirement. terrible about it.” This proved a provoca- Sam wrote and published, “High Ad- tive declaration in the segregated South venture: Porter Harvey and The Adver- Sam Wells Harvey (1930-2017) April 2017 AlaPressa 8 member and supporter of the Friends of loosa, John Hails of St. Louis, Missouri, the Guntersville Library, and a long-time Rebecca Hails of Montgomery; Sam patron of the Whole Backstage, with Grizzle of Mobile and Sarah Grizzle Sam Harvey cameo appearances in several stage of Mobile; a sister Mary Woodward of productions. With wife Valerie he was a Guntersville and a brother Joe Harvey from pg 7 bridge club regular for many years. (Jo) of McMinnville, Tennessee. He is survived by 4 children, Ken- He was preceded in death by his neth (Jane Armstrong) of San Antonio, wife of 57 years Valerie Yencha Harvey. Texas, John (Sheila) of Guntersville, The family suggests memorial dona- Sam was a member of St. William Anne Hails (Andy) of Montgomery and tions to United Way of Marshall County, Catholic Church in Guntersville, where Mary Porter Grizzle of Mobile; and 8 709 Blount Avenue, Guntersville, AL, he served as a lector for Sunday ser- grandchildren, Alice Jones (Blake) of 35976, or St. William Catholic Church, vices. He was an active member of the Birmingham, Evan Harvey (Libby) of 929 Gunter Avenue, Guntersville, AL, Guntersville Kiwanis Club, and played Memphis, Tennessee, Jane Harvey of 35976. in a monthly poker club. He was a board Tuscaloosa, Thomas Harvey of Tusca- Industry

Stamp out Reporters, fake news: join editors and photographers Support Real create real news. News Journalism you Three media associations are launching a national campaign to com- can trust. bat the proliferation of fake news. Support Real News will publicize the Follow the conversation at real harm fake news inflicts on the pub- #SupportRealNews lic--and will emphasize the importance of real news produced by trusted news organizations. The News Media Alliance, joined by the Inland Press Association, the Local Media Consortium and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, created the campaign to help protect both the public and its member media organizations from the danger of fake news. The campaign calls on the public to support real news by taking action, in- cluding subscribing to a local newspaper and supporting investigative journalism Help show your support for by donating to the International Consor- the journalists - in local tium of Investigative Journalists. Here’s how your media organization can communities and across the help: country - who are working • Run the Support Real News ads, tirelessly to bring you real available in print and digital formats. news. • Re-post or publish Support Real News blog posts. Subscribe to your • Post the 90-second online video local newspaper about Support Real News on your web- today. site. You’ll find the resources you need for your Support Real News campaign here Real, Reputable, Trusted. on the Alliance website: https://www. THIS PUBLICATION newsmediaalliance.org/research_tools/ SUPPORTS REAL NEWS. Your News Media. supportrealnews/ newsmediaalliance.org April 2017 AlaPressa 9 Support Real News David Chavern, News Media Alliance 2016 was the year of “fake news.” ries from trusted publishers, in fact, Trump talking to Billy Bush, we read It dominated the election cycle, it recent studies suggest that consum- Clinton’s emails. We knew when the took over Facebook feeds and even ers care more about who shares the candidates got their information right, caused crime. story than the original source. and when they didn’t. And today, the But as inundated as we were with Making stuff up is easy. What is media continues to fight for the right fake news, it is not a new thing. hard is checking facts and digging up to report on actions being taken by For more than 150 years, news- stories that powerful people want to President Trump and his administra- papers have been in the “anti-fake keep hidden. tion, despite efforts to keep them out. news” business. There have always We are celebrating real news as This information gets to us because of been lies and ridiculous conspiracy the cure to fake news. On March 29th, the media. Not in spite of it. theories, but they used to be deliv- the News Media Alliance and our part- It has become vogue to distrust ered to you across the dinner table ners will make a commitment to cel- and disparage the media. But as fake and not in your news source. Let me ebrating news that is real, reputable news corrodes trust, we must support be clear, fake news is not news you and trusted. This is a day to celebrate the real media. Alliance members and don’t agree with or dislike, it is false- that hard work, and to ask the public other real journalists do an amazing hoods, cultivated with the intention to to stand-up for the principle that facts job under difficult circumstances. deceive. These stories are written to matter. Fake news is not going to stop. We undermine the truth and power of the During the past year at the Alli- must become an educated and dis- press. ance, I have celebrated our industry cerning populous. We must subscribe Today, consumers must be much for their hard work and dedication to to real journalism, where the stories more aware of who is creating their the truth. I now ask you to join me and are colorful but the news is black and news, and whether there are real re- support real news. It was because of white. porters and editors standing behind hard working journalists that so many Tell me how you are celebrating the stories. Over half of Americans issues came to light this election sea- with the hashtag #supportrealnews. get news on social media. There is no son.e W saw a glimpse of Trump’s current method of elevating real sto- tax returns, we heard the tape of

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s The more things change, the less n they seem the same. m Mike and Joe are best friends. was an upstart TV satellite com- home. And the other 80% were

u They’re also avid golfers, ob- pany called Primestar. not too keen on allowing a strange l sessed some might say, playing at Primestar was a great account. man into an empty house.

o least twice a week. They make a They had operations in seven So McConnell comes up with a pact that when the first one dies, revolutionary idea. Perfume. He C he’ll come back and tell the other armed his sales force with per- if there’s golf in Heaven. Ad Vice fume samples, thinking no woman A few weeks later, Mike drops by would pass up an opportunity to try dead. A couple of nights following Brad English out a new perfume for free. And his death, Mike pays Joe a visit. few did. Only problem was they “Joe,” Mike says, “I have good still didn’t let the salesman inside news and bad news.” states, and we were placing over to give his pitch. Facing financial “What’s the good news?” Joe $150,000 a month with them. I ruin, McConnell completely shifts asks. was living the life of Riley (and one his business model. The perfume “The good news is there is golf day I’ll look that up to see what it was a big hit. The books, not so in Heaven. And not just any golf, means). Imagine my disappoint- much. but fantastic golf. Lush fairways, ment when the news came that You know the rest. McCon- greens like outdoor carpet, per- Primestar was being sold, and with nell hires a predominately female fectly manicured. Beautiful moun- the sale, so went the nice monthly sales force to go door to door tains, crystal clear lakes. Even commission. On the bright side, selling, not books, but cosmetics. the sand traps are like powdered losing an account that makes up And just like that, the California sugar,” Mike says. 75% of your monthly sales puts Perfume Company is founded. “Wow!” Joe exclaimed. “That things into perspective. And fast. We know it today by the name does sound great. So what’s the Relying on one or two accounts Avon. bad news?” to make your month, or year, is a Just like McConnell, we have “You and I have a tee time for recipe for disaster. to be open to change. And I’ve 10:00 next Thursday.” In talking with my counterparts, seen that willingness to adapt There’s an old saying I try to re- some use the words struggle or from our members more so in the member to stay grounded: Noth- grind to describe the day-to-day last five years than the previous ing is ever as bad as it appears or operations around their shops twenty combined. as good as it seems. These days and the newspapers they serve. We’ve seen dramatic revenue many of us struggle with remem- But you know something? That’s shifts in recent years in digital rev- bering the first part. I’m guilty as nothing new to us. enue. We are doing a better job charged. A wise man once said life is of turning our “digital dimes” into This year marks my 26th with 10% what happens to you and something more. We certainly APA. I’ve spent more time with 90% of how you react to it. We aren’t where we want – or need – folks in this office over the years make those decisions everyday, to be. But we’re closer. than with my own family. And like both in our personal lives and pro- No one ever could have pre- growing up with my kids – be- fessional lives. Some decisions dicted this media landscape 26 cause I’m convinced that’s what are easier than others. years ago, and all bets are off on we parents do – I’ve grown up Remember David McConnell? what the future holds. But one (some would argue) with many of No, not the guy who thought he things for sure. It won’t be boring you. The good times have far out- had a chance to beat Richard and it won’t be the same. weighed the bad. And seldom has Shelby in last year’s GOP primary. But that’s okay. Because nei- my professional life been anything This McConnell sold books. His ther will we.. but boring. fledgling company was made up I remember landing my first big of salesmen who went door-to- account. It was an ad agency in door in the state of New York. It Birmingham. We’d called on them was a tough job. A stay-at-home for years but they never seemed wife or mother opened most of Brad English is advertising man- to have the “right” account for the doors he knocked on. It was ager for APA. He can be reached APA. The agency’s name was 1886, after all, and less than 20% at 205.871.7737 or email him at Luckie. And that “right” account of all women had jobs outside the [email protected] April 2017 AlaPressa 11

s Qualify your advertising prospects n You may have heard the old able,” he said. “If the company has or special offers? Do their com-

m story about the door-to-door advertised with us before, we can petitors advertise in Ross’ paper? salesman who was selling vacu- easily search the files for previous If so, does the sales person have u

l um cleaners way out in the coun- budgets and invoices. And if we’ve access to ad response rates?

o try. When a lady came to the door, done proposals for them in the 2. During the conversation. he dramatically emptied a bag of past, we can get plenty of insights “Through the years, I’ve heard sto- C dirt onto the floor and boasted, there. ries about sales people who leave “Ma’am, if this vacuum cleaner appointments feeling optimistic, doesn’t get rid of every speck of but find out later that there was no this dirt, I’ll eat it.” She said, “Come way the person could buy an ad on in. We don’t have electricity.” Ad-libs program,” Ross explained. “At my Although there’s almost no By John paper, we don’t want that to hap- chance that this actually hap- Foust pen to our sales team. pened, it illustrates the importance “No matter how much we learn of qualifying prospects. Ross, who in advance, there’s a lot more to manages the sales team at his “We’ve made efforts to learn discover,” he continued. “So when paper, told me they place a lot of the ad rates of our competitors, Of we have face-to-face meetings, we emphasis on qualifying the busi- course,s it’ difficult to learn about confirm what we’ve learned ahead nesses they approach about ad- special deals and discounts, but of time and ask questions to fill in vertising. “There’s no use to try to at least we have a general idea of the blanks. We simply tell them sell something to someone who is their starting points. If our target that the more we know, the more not is a position to buy,” he said. prospect is advertising in other we can help.” “So we do everything we can to media outlets, we can put together Ross makes a lot of sense, look at our marketing products a pretty good profile of their ex- doesn’t he? Without the right kind from the other person’s perspec- penses.” of information to qualify prospects, tive.” Beyond the budget, Ross en- you might face a big, ugly pile of Ross sticks to the philosophy courages his team to learn enough dirt without electricity. that there are two times to qualify about their prospects to figure out a prospect: (1) Before the conver- what kind of marketing they need. sation and (2) During the conver- Is this a business that tradition- John Foust has conducted training sation. That’s much better than ally advertises in print? Do their programs for thousands of newspaper advertising professionals. Many ad de- getting bad news after making a competitors have a strong online partments are using his training videos presentation. Here’s a closer look: presence? Can their customers to save time and get quick results from 1. Before the conversation. be categorized as general interest in-house training. E-mail for informa- “When it comes to financial quali- or business-to-business? Is their tion: [email protected] fying, a lot of information is avail- marketing based on brand identity

Please remember to upload your legals for AlabamaLegals.com April 2017 AlaPressa 12 Help Wanted Reporter Candidate should be innovative and with the community. a bachelor’s degree in journalism or The Meridian Star, a six-day a results-oriented. He or she will manage The individual would be based at related field, or equivalent experience, week daily newspaper in Meridian, the operation. This individual must pos- one of the newspapers but would be knowledge of AP style and libel law, Miss., publishing news digitally 24-7, sess leadership, marketing and commu- part of a team that provides coverage good photography skills and knowledge is seeking a full-time reporter who can nication skills as well as be dedicated to for all three publications. This is a rural of Photoshop and the entire Adobe Cre- react quickly to developing stories and growing all aspects of a profitable news- area (if you are a hunter or fisherman, ative Suite, especially InDesign, to de- shift gears for deep dives into news of paper. The ability to think strategically you’ll love it!), 1 hour from Mobile, 2.5 sign the sports section. Experience re- consequence. and work with managers to develop and hours from beach. cruiting and developing stringers would The reporter will possess solid sto- execute plans is essential. Send resume to Jim Cox, The be a plus. ry-telling skills, using text, photos, video We are looking for a proven leader Clarke County Democrat, P.O. Box 39, We are an equal opportunity em- and imagination to inform our readers with excellent organizational, financial Grove Hill, AL 36451, email jimcox@tds. ployer offering our employees a chance through our digital, print and social me- and management skills. Community net. to flourish, a team atmosphere that dia products. involvement is also necessary and en- thrives of journalism excellence, com- The reporter will be passionate couraged. Ideal candidates will have Sports Editor petitive pay and great benefits. about journalism, have a bachelor’s experience as an advertising sales The Alexander City Outlook, a Interested candidates should email their degree and have solid training in news leader or general manager of a newspa- 3,200-circulation five-day daily news- resumes and writing samples to mitch. writing and reporting or quality news- per. Advertiser Gleam is owned by TN paper located in Central Alabama on [email protected]. room experience. Valley Media and offers a competitive the shores of beautiful Lake Martin is The Meridian Star offers a positive salary commensurate with experience seeking a sports editor to transform our Advertising salesperson work atmosphere in an East Central and a comprehensive benefits package sports pages from good to great. The Clayton Record, a county seat Mississippi region known for its arts and including health insurance and 401K. We are seeking a person driven weekly in southeastern Alabama, has recreation opportunities. The position Please send resume and salary require- to write compelling stories on deadline an immediate opening for an advertising offers a full range of benefits. ments to darrell.sandlin@timesdaily. on multiple platforms and to produce salesperson. Must be energetic, per- If you meet the requirements, com. a quality sports section with balanced sonable, customer-oriented, computer please send a cover letter, resume, and in-depth coverage. We cover five savvy, and have a strong visual sense. references and work samples to Editor Editor / Reporter high schools, a community college and Position also has non-advertising du- Dave Bohrer, dbohrer@themeridian- A three-weekly newspaper group a wide range of outdoor and recre- ties. Base pay plus commission. Call star.com. in southwest Alabama is looking for an ational sports. A person who can work or e-mail Blake Gumprecht, editor and editor/reporter. The individual should independently, with great organizational publisher, (334) 775-3254, editor@clay- Sales Representative have journalism training and/or experi- and time-management skills will flourish tonrecord.com The Messenger newspaper in ence and be versed in layout and pho- here. Gadsden is seeking a full-time sales tography skills and be able to work well The ideal candidate would possess representative. The position includes a base salary plus commission. To sched- ule an interview, call 256-547-1049.

Managerial Position The Advertiser Gleam, a 7,500 Editor talking to reporters twice weekly newspaper and 8,000 weekly TMC seeks an experienced leader in the beautiful lake city of Gun- tersville, AL situated along the Ten- nessee River in northeast Alabama. It’s important Upcoming we get it right Webinars so other media PubAux Live! As a partner, what can facebook do for will get it right news publishers? Friday, May 12 Presenters Chris Threw & Jason White, Facebook www.regonline.com/FacebookForNewspapers Rural Journalism: Tracking Agriculture Thursday, May 18 Newspapers: Presenter • Most trusted media • ‘Borrowed’ often Al Cross, Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues What Would Sammy Do? Top Priorities For Sales Today Thursday, May 25 #newspapersthrive Presenter Sammy Papert, Wormhole

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