The Kansas Publisher Official monthly publication of the Kansas Press Association Feb. 15, 2017 Inside Today Page 2 Kevin Slimp finds publishers confident about the future. Page 3 John Foust advises asking clients how they would rate their own marketing efforts. Page 4 KPA president Sarah Kessinger says media licensing is a bad idea; an independent, free press is still the best approach. Page 6-7 Newspapers are seeking creative leaders and advertising salespeo- Attendees at the Kansas Press Association’s Day at the Legislature on Feb. 2 get a review of the top legislative ple. See Marketplace. issues and instructions for the day. See another picture on Page 4 and KPA’s legislative watch list on Page 9. Page 8 Doug Anstaett testified recently KPA convention just seven weeks away for a change in how government t’s time to begin thinking pended to today’s Publisher. Other presenters will include charges citizens and journalists for about registering for the Deadline for motel reserva- Ed Henninger, who will have access to records. I2017 Kansas Press Associa- tions at the discounted KPA rate sessions on “Designing Great tion annual convention. is March 16. Ads: The Top 10 Things You Emily Bradbury, KPA as- The theme of this year’s con- Need to Know” and on how to KPA Calendar sistant director, has uploaded vention is “Real News Is Our spruce up your public notices to the registration forms and hotel Business.” Featured speaker add value and keep them in the March 3 information for the convention, will be Coffeyville native Kan- newspaper; and Denise Malan, Deadline for judging Nebraska slated for April 7 and 8 at the san Mark Hamrick, Washington training director of the Inves- Press Association contest. Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka. Bureau Chief of Bankrate. tigative Reporters and Editors, Hard copies wee mailed this com and past president of the March 15-17 week, and the forms are also ap- National Press Club. See KPA on Page 3 NNA’s Community Newspaper Leadership Summit, Washing- ton, D.C. Press freedom: Is America vulnerable? By Benjamin Mullin whose organization is gearing April 7-8 Poynter.org up to take on what he calls “a Editor’s note: This is a Kansas Press Association an- uring the campaign and crisis” for press freedom in the condensed interview with Joel nual convention, Capitol Plaza since becoming presi- United States. Simon, executive director of the Hotel, Topeka. Ddent, Donald Trump has Statements that call legiti- Committee to Protect Journal- regularly undermined journal- mate journalism “fake news” ists. To view the entire article, April 20-21 ism’s role in healthy democra- and attack the media for political click here. To read the CPJ’s The annual meeting of the Wil- cies. advantage follow the playbook earlier statement calling candi- liam Allen White Foundation So says Joel Simon, the of authoritarian governments date Donald Trump a threat to Board, Lawrence. executive director of the Com- press freedom, click here. mittee to Protect Journalists, See MULLIN on Page 5 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 2016-17 KPA Board Publishers eager, confident; Sarah Kessinger President Marysville Advocate see ‘a real future’ for papers [email protected] onvention season is an interest- table and discussed options to get the best ing time in the life of a speaker. results for their small community papers. M. Olaf Frandsen Most years, I’ll travel directly from The possibility of a joint “co-op,” where First Vice President C Salina Journal one convention to the next between late small newspapers in adjoining communi- January and June. Some years, the travel ties might work together, giving them [email protected] doesn’t slow until July or August. more control over the creative process I’ve purposely cut my travel this year, while sharing in the expenses came up. Andy Taylor Second Vice President to make time for a couple of new projects We discussed the best options for Montgomery County Chronicle I’ve begun. That’s a primary reason I’m outsourcing, for papers who feel this is the [email protected] enjoying convention appearances best option for them. so much this year. Should they use designers who Scott Stanford I just returned from Colum- are part of a huge national group, Treasurer bus, Ohio, where I spoke to the a company outside the country, or Lawrence Journal-World Ohio Newspaper Association. a smaller group who might offer [email protected] Actually, I believe they officially more personalized attention? changed their name a few min- Should we keep everything “in Susan Lynn utes before I came to the stage. house,” finding ways to combine Past President Either way, they are still “ONA.” different areas of pre-press pro- Iola Register After more than 20 years duction that benefit our papers? [email protected] of speaking, you would think I Like most important ques- would be past being surprised Kevin Slimp tions in life, the quickest answer Position Open by audiences. It’s become the is often not the best. I reminded Northwest District Director norm for groups to add seats at the last publishers to consider long-term effects of minute when I’m speaking about the state their decisions. Are we risking long-term Peter Cook of newspapers, but it still surprises me for success for the sake of short-term savings? Southeast District Director some reason. A new publisher asked advice about Parsons Sun A steady stream of attendees lined up to several areas, including the design of the [email protected] ask for a few moments to visit following paper itself. I suggested taking advantage my speech. With five hours to kill before of as much reading, online training and lo- Mary Hoisington Daily Membership Director my flight home, I of- cal training opportu- Great Bend Tribune fered to find a place Like most important nities as possible. [email protected] near the registration questions in life, the The publisher of a table to meet with community newspa- Tim Kellenberger folks for a few min- quickest answer is often per wears many hats Northeast District Director utes each. not the best. I reminded and it’s easy to be- Sabetha Herald I attempted to come overwhelmed [email protected] spend as much time publishers to consider by the sheer amount as possible answer- long-term effects of their of added work when Denice Kuhns ing the questions of decisions. Are we risking the job title changes Southwest District Director each person, while from editor, or ad Meade County News cognizant others long-term success ... manager, to pub- [email protected] were waiting in line lisher. for their turns. Several editors Travis Mounts I can’t tell you how much it pleases me and publishers asked me to look over their Nondaily Membership Director to meet with publishers and others who papers and make suggestions. I laughed Times-Sentinel Newspapers see a real future for their newspapers and when one said, “Wow! You’re really good [email protected] attend conferences, classes, read journals at this.” and even stand in line to gain insight into I told her it was like anything else. Dena Sattler ways to improve their operations and After you’ve done it a few thousand times, Legislative Director Garden City Telegram products. you get pretty good at it. [email protected] What was on the mind of Ohio’s news- What did I take away from my day in paper leaders? The discussions varied, but Columbus? Joey Young most centered around ways to improve Ohio is an interesting place to be in Central District Director their newspapers and the methods used to the newspaper business. There are several The Clarion (Andale) get them out. big cities, meaning there are more metro [email protected] “Should we outsource our ad design?” papers than in most states. This came up more than once. At one point, a group of us gathered around a See SLIMP on Page 5 Kansas Press Association, 5423 S.W. 7th, Topeka, KS 66606 • www.kspress.com • (855) 572-1863 3 Rate your marketing on a scale of 1 to 10 awrence told me about a technique for with a Story.’ to have spec-list knowledge of every car, but gathering information from prospec- “It’s probably related to questions that it helps to have a general understanding of Ltive advertisers. “I’ve been selling kids ask, like ‘What kind of animal would product categories. For example, economy for a long time, so I realize the importance you like to be? or ‘If you were a tree, what cars are affordable and fuel efficient. Luxury of information. But I like to go beyond the kind would you be?’ In this case, ask, ‘If cars are heavy on high-end features and turn standard questions about their history, prod- your current marketing were a car, what heads on the highway. SUVs are spacious, ucts, customers and goals.” make and year would minivans are practical, He said that some- it be?’ Then ask what pickup trucks are strong times it helps to switch kind of car they would Lawrence’s approach and serious. Of course, gears. like it to be in the confirms that the right age and mechanical “A lot of people ask future.” condition are factors. prospects to rate their Lawrence was kind of information can And some models are current marketing on pleasantly surprised the give your presentation higher maintenance a scale of 1 to 10, with first time he tried the more power.