The Kansas Publisher Official monthly publication of the Kansas Press Association Nov. 16, 2016 Inside Today Page 2 Kevin Slimp discusses the pros and cons of updating your hard- ware and software. Page 3 John Foust provides sales reps with tips on how to network. Page 4 KPA’s Director of Governmental Affairs Rich Gannon gives his take on the election of Donald Trump — and potential ramifica- tions for the Republican Party. Michelle Smith, vice president of strategy for Gate- Harris Enterprises. GateHouse bought the Jour- House Media, was on hand Monday at the Salina nal, Hutchinson News, Ottawa Herald, Hays Daily Page 6-7 Journal to announce to employees the purchase of News and Garden City Telegram in Kansas. Newspapers are seeking creative leaders and advertising salespeo- ple. See Marketplace. GateHouse buys five Kansas papers Company’s state footprint expands to all four quadrants Page 8 ateHouse Media LLC Montgomery has been editor and publisher of the Doug Anstaett discusses the will acquire the news- News the past 10 years. He is a past president of unthinkable ... an all-out assault on papers and most other the Kansas Press Association. the First Amendment. G assets of Harris Enterprises “We are excited to welcome the family of publi- Inc., owner of five newspapers cations owned by Harris Enterprises to GateHouse in Kansas, the two companies Media,” Jason Taylor, Western division president, KPA Calendar announced Monday. said. “We see the culture of these markets as a The new owner will take natural fit with our shared vision for quality local Dec. 15 over Dec. 1. journalism and service to community.” The 225th anniversary of the John D. Montgomery, GateHouse already operates newspapers and U.S. Bill of Rights. currently publisher of The Montgomery associated websites in a number of Kansas com- Hutchinson News, has been munities. Jan. 9, 2017 named senior group pub- Opening day, 2017 session of lisher to oversee GateHouse operations in Kansas. See GATEHOUSE on Page 7 the Kansas Legislature, Capitol, Topeka. It’s time to help KPA Fill out KPA data forms April 7-8, 2017 select a T-shirt design lease take a few minutes this week to Kansas Press Association an- e’ve got your initial ideas. Now it’s time complete and return the Kansas Press As- nual convention, Capitol Plaza for members of the Kansas Press As- Psociation data forms. Hotel, Topeka. sociation to vote on a new KPA T-shirt These forms are used by the staff to calculate W dues and to fulfill requests for press cards and design — or suggest another one you like better. April 20-21, 2017 The person who submitted the winning entry other information available from KPA. The annual meeting of the Wil- will receive a $50 debit card. Please email Emily Bradbury at ebradbury@ liam Allen White Foundation Click here to see the choices and make your kspress.com if you need a replacement copy. Board of Directors, Lawrence. selections. We’ll announce the winner Dec. 1. Thanks for your assistance. Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 2 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 2015-16 KPA Board Old computers can be a drag; Sarah Kessinger President when is best time to upgrade? Marysville Advocate [email protected] hile in Minnesota recently, I had efficient manner? Should we create our an assignment similar to those website in-house or use an outside vendor? M. Olaf Frandsen WI’ve had many times during the The questions could go on forever. It’s First Vice President past 20 years: to spend a day with a small enough to bring on a panic attack. Salina Journal community newspaper group, meet with Don’t panic. Let me suggest a few [email protected] the management and staff individually, things to think about when faced with sim- then propose two optional plans with the ilar questions. Let us consider hardware Andy Taylor same goal in mind. and software today and I will discuss other Second Vice President The goal was to improve the issues in upcoming columns. Montgomery County Chronicle editorial and production work- [email protected] flow, thereby improving the Q. Is my hardware too old? quality of the publication and ef- Is it all going to come crashing Scott Stanford ficiency of the operation. Sounds down? Treasurer simple enough, and having Lawrence Journal-World completed similar assignments A. Hardware is a delicate is- [email protected] hundreds of times before, I felt sue. One of the quickest ways to Susan Lynn up to the task. improve efficiency is to improve Past President Every newspaper is different, the tools we use. Why do you Iola Register so I keep their particular needs in think Amazon is always invest- [email protected] mind when offering advice. This Kevin Slimp ing in new robots and distribution group is in a process that many methods? However, hardware Position Open of us find ourselves in: determin- isn’t cheap and no one wants to Northwest District Director ing whether to tweak the current workflow waste money. using the tools available, or to upgrade I would suggest newspapers look over Peter Cook hardware and software throughout the or- their current hardware and ask a few Southeast District Director ganization to achieve monumental jumps questions. How old are my computers? If Parsons Sun in efficiency. you are working on machines more than [email protected] I understand the dilemma. Having six years old, chances are they are get- owned several publications in the past, ting pretty slow and produce all kinds of Mary Hoisington plus a couple of com- delays. I’ve noticed Daily Membership Director panies right now, I six years is kind of a Great Bend Tribune know what it’s like to I understand the dilem- magic point for com- [email protected] make upfront expen- ma. Having owned several puters. Yes, Macs can ditures in order to see publications in the past, last forever, but like Tim Kellenberger long-term gains. anything else they Northeast District Director Perhaps you are in plus a couple of companies slow down in time. Sabetha Herald [email protected] the same dilemma. right now, I know what And Windows-based Should I purchase it’s like to make upfront machines slow down Denice Kuhns new hardware and expenditures in order to more quickly than Southwest District Director upgrade software at Macs. It’s just a fact Meade County News the same time, or will see long-term gains. of life. [email protected] everything be OK if I have four we upgrade software computers I primar- Travis Mounts on our current machines? ily use in my work. One is an 8-year-old Nondaily Membership Director Would my staff be more efficient with iMac. It still works and is fine for word Times-Sentinel Newspapers training or is it a waste of time? processing and less intensive processes. [email protected] If I train them too much, will they run But, I notice lately that it even slows down off and find a higher paying job some- during simple tasks like checking email. Dena Sattler where else? I wouldn’t dare waste my time trying to Legislative Director The questions go on. crank out pages on that computer. Sure I Garden City Telegram What about camera raw? Will it im- could do it, but it would take three times [email protected] prove my product or just slow down my as long as creating the same pages on my workflow? two-year old iMac. Joey Young Am I spending enough time on my Central District Director digital products or am I possibly spending Q. What can I do to get the most of The Clarion (Andale) too much time on them? my current hardware? [email protected] Speaking of staff, do I have too many or too few? Are they organized in the most See SLIMP on Page 5 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 3 Here are helpful tips for networking success lot of newspapers encourage sales two people who could benefit from know- standing up at home?), it’s a good way to people to attend networking events. ing about each other’s businesses, intro- meet a number of people. The best host- AWhen one of these events pops up duce them. And keep in mind that a good like behavior is to be unencumbered as you on your calendar, here are a few things to host never lingers in one place too long. move around the room, because it’s not keep in mind: 5. Prepare an elevator speech. Brev- easy to shake hands while holding a plate 1. Have realistic expectations. C-level ity is important, 30 seconds or less. Keep filled with crab puffs and cantaloupe cubes executives and sales people go to different it simple and stay away from minutiae. in one hand and a glass in the other. events. As a sales person, you probably Relate your point to 9. Understand won’t meet many decision makers from what you know about This is not the right business card basics. your target companies. the other person’s Exchange cards, then Frankly speaking, top business. place for a sales presen- write notes about ranked decision mak- 6. Listen more tation. Your job is to cir- your conversations on ers don’t like to go to than you talk. Don’t culate.