APG Newsletter May 2024

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Tom S. - “Is water wet?”

Travis Salyer - “Mazi at the River”

CONTENTS

HR & SAFETY

■ EMAIL ETIQUETTE

■ FIRE EXTINGUISHER SAFETY

■ TRIVIA

EAST

■ FIERCE

■ GOING VIRAL

■ REGION CHANGES

■ HOOPER AWARDS

■ SOCIAL MEDIA WORKSHOP

■ SOCIAL MEDIA ADVERTISING

P04 P06

CENTRAL

■ BRIDGE COLLAPSE

■ INSIDE SALES TEAM

■ AWARD WINNER

■ SPACE MINING

■ HOCKEY

WEST

■ CARBON COUNTY NEWS

■ CUTEST PETS

■ I-80 TRAVEL GUIDE

P12

P17

WEST DIVISION

Regions: Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming

CENTRAL DIVISION

Regions: Minnesota, Wisconsin

EAST DIVISION

Regions: Ohio, Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Florida

West Division

Central Division

East Division

Consider a long weekend with a Friday/Monday combination. You are allowed to carry over 80 hours into the new year so please schedule your PTO soon so you can receive the time off you ask for now as later it may be restricted depending on how many Associates ask for the same days off.

We know how hard you work and recognize the importance of providing you with time for rest and relaxation. View PTO

WHAT IS GOOD EMAIL ETIQUETTE IN THE WORKPLACE?

For many people, office communication is dominated by email. Since so many people are inundated with email every day, it is a good idea to use professional standards when sending emails from the office.

Here are some tips to keep in mind before you hit the “send” button:

Remember that email is not private: It is good practice to never put anything in an email message that you would not want others to see. Since email can easily be forwarded, always assume that the message you send could be forwarded. Do not send jokes, chain letters and other non-work related items via email. Avoid putting confidential information into an email.

Be careful of your tone: Tone cannot be conveyed. It is very difficult to write sarcasm, humor and other nuances of verbal communication in an email. If you are not careful, your tone and email message could be misinterpreted.

Always reply: A reply lets the sender know that you have received their request. When you receive a question or a request in an email, always make it a point to respond to the sender, even if you cannot provide the information at this time. Ignoring client emails or emails from business colleagues is never acceptable. Nothing is more frustrating than expecting a response and not receiving one. It’s not only rude, it sends a message that the sender is not valued.

Do not type in all capitals: Typing in all capital letters makes it seem as if you are shouting at the recipient.

Include a subject: Make sure to include a subject line to inform the recipient of the contents of the email. Keep the subject line short and to the point. The bulk of the information should be placed in the body of the message.

recipient scroll through multiple email chains in order to find relevant information. When replying to a question, place the question text at the beginning of the email.

Proofread: Always spell check your messages before sending, and read through them to ensure that you are conveying the message that you want to send. Grammatical and spelling mistakes in an email can be interpreted by the recipient as laziness, and can lead to misunderstandings.

Avoid being too informal: It may be fine to use commonly accepted abbreviations or phrases when emailing coworkers, but be sure you follow company protocol when communicating with external customers. Additionally, stay away from using colored text. It is professional to keep your text black or blue (just like a pen).

Be kind when copying: Use carbon copy (CC) when you find it necessary to copy another recipient. Do not use blind carbon copy (BCC) just to keep others from seeing who you copied, especially if the other recipient should not be involved in the conversation. BCC should be used when you are sending messages to a large distribution list.

Use group email only when it is necessary: An email box can get flooded when group members “reply all.” Send email to a group only when it is useful to every recipient.

Use a signature: Within your email system, create a standardized and automated signature that populates your messages with your contact information, mailing address, phone numbers and other appropriate information.

Thursday, July 4, 2024

Delete extra information: Keep messages brief and to the point. No one wants to wade through an email message that is unnecessarily lengthy. When forwarding or replying to an email, delete unnecessary information such as headers and issues that have already been resolved. Do not make the

Do not use email as an excuse to avoid personal contact: If your email is confusing, do not continue to bounce messages back and forth trying to explain. Instead, communicate via telephone or in person. Additionally, do not respond to an email when your are angry, or have an argument with a coworker via email. Not only is it unprofessional, but it can also be taken out of context and make a bad situation worse.

SAFETY APG Safety Net Annual Fire Extinguisher Training

Participate in OSHA compliance training by joining us for a short video presentation on Fire Safety and Fire Extinguisher use.

Google Meet Video call link: https://meet.google.com/smq-phsf-xnc

ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN STANDARD TIME. Please adjust accordingly for your time zone.

Wednesday May 1 11:00 – 11:15pm

Wednesday May 1 1:00 – 1:15pm

Wednesday May 1 4:00 – 4:15pm

Tuesday May 7 1:00 – 1:15pm

Tuesday May 7 4:00 – 4:15pm

Wednesday May 8 11:00 – 11:15pm

Wednesday May 8 1:00 – 1:15pm

Wednesday May 8 4:00 – 4:15pm

Thursday May 9 10:00 – 10:15pm

Thursday May 9 1:00 – 1:215pm

Tuesday May 14 1:00 – 1:15pm

Tuesday May 14 4:00 – 4:15pm

Wednesday May 15 1:00 – 1:15pm

Wednesday May 15 4:00 – 4:15pm

Thursday May 16 10:00 – 10:15pm

Thursday May 16 1:00 – 1:15pm

Thursday May 16 3:00 – 3:15pm

CONGRATS

TO OUR APRIL WINNER

DEB BROOKS

SKAGIT VALLEY HERALD

The Question Was: What famous car did Ford unveil in April of 1964?

The Answer Was: The Ford Mustang

“May the 4th Be With You” is a special day worldwide for this popular SciFi franchise.

SEND IN YOUR ANSWER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN

Submit your answer to AskHR@adamspg.com. The winner will be drawn on May 15, 2024.

APG FLORIDA GETS FIERCE

THE DAILY SUN

APG Florida is thrilled to introduce FIERCE, its new initiative dedicated to celebrating the remarkable women in the community.

Each month, FIERCE shines a spotlight on extraordinary individuals whose stories of strength, resilience, and empowerment inspire all. For April, the focus was on incredible women who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make a difference.

From dedicated police women and firefighters to vital 9-1-1 operator, these women embody the essence of FIERCE, and the team was honored to share their inspiring journeys with the community.

FIERCE is inviting the community to nominate and vote for these exceptional individuals, as participation ensures their recognition and amplifies their impact. FIERCE is celebrating their achievements and recognizing their impact as APG Florida and its FIERCE crew continues to uplift and empower each other.

A group of dedicated women at the Venice Gondolier are putting their creativity and professional skills together to bring FIERCE alive in the community. From left are Liana Lazaridis, Delaney McCoy, Linda Gillis, Cherina Rossi, Celeste Tobey, Jessica Orlando and Chloe Nelson.

These FIERCE women are first to respond in an emergency

And we want your input. Nominate and vote for the women who inspire you at www.sunfiercewomen. com. The monthly champions receive special rewards, including being featured in the FIERCE magazine with an additional chance to win FIERCE Woman of The Year.

to engage you in networking opportunities, and celebrate you in our end-of-year publication FIERCE Women Magazine.

With these monthly profiles, we’ll be showcasing the fiercest women among us and highlighting their diverse talents and achievements.

Can’t wait for the magazine? Catch glimpses of our featured women in our

and strength. Let’s uplift, inspire and empower each other.

CHLOE NELSON Staff writer

VENICE — Venice Police Officer

Rachel Richardson has always found a way to serve her community beyond the blue uniform, promoting health and safety to Venice residents since her appointment.

Thanked by Gov. Ron DeSantis

CHLOE NELSON Staff writer

during his “State of the State” speech for her decision to join the VPD last July, the 28 year old first responder says she enjoys being a trusted public source for residents.

SIX WAYS RICHARDSON EMBODIES FIERCE

Empathetic: “I like to connect with others and represent that calmness during a traumatic situation as a female police officer.”

Adaptable: Richardson feels empowering, resilient and empathetic the most in her career, knowing she can keep showing up for people in a crisis no matter the cost.

Worthy: One lesson the police officer

has learned as a woman in a male-dominated field is knowing her worth.

Dedication: “I felt like I had to prove myself at the beginning but I’ve found your hard work and dedication to the community will show what you represent.”

Advocate: When she’s not out patrolling, Richardson coaches online fitness and nutrition to families and elementary children, advocating for physical and mental health.

Protector: “As a police officer and coach, I know I’m keeping people safe, whether that’s from themselves or others,” Officer Richardson said.

Email at chloe.nelson@yoursun.com.

Serving beyond the blue uniform

A fiery pillar for public safety

CLINCON, Goodwin has become an empowering example of community engagement.

SIX WAYS GOODWIN EMBODIES FIERCE

Altruistic: “I try to do as much good as I can in the time I’m given,” said the fire medic.

PORT CHARLOTTE — Fire medic

Julie Goodwin has served Charlotte County for nearly seven years, offering expertise in trench excavation at Station 12’s Special Operations Unit.

Volunteering as head swim coach at Lemon Bay High School for eight years and furthering her EMS education at national team conferences like

Protector: Goodwin embodies resilience, confidence and inspiration as the only female fire medic at her station, offering her patients a trustworthy protector and the next generation a role model.

Advocate: Goodwin is also a longtime advocate for Tunnel to Towers, a foundation that hosts an annual October fundraiser for fire station units to

climb a 54-foot high rise in Tampa in honor of those who died during the 9/11 attacks.

Competitor: “In the last three years, our team has placed first for the most participants, and I am hoping we make it four this coming October!” Goodwin said.

Dedication: Goodwin gets up every day knowing she will make a difference, no matter the size or impact.

Variety: “Best job I ever had,” said Goodwin, quoting the famous line from “Fury”. “No day is the same, and not knowing where the day will take me is exciting!”

Email at chloe.nelson@yoursun.com.

911 operator balances work and home life

JESS ORLANDO

Staff Writer

NORTH PORT — Kimberly

Turner has been a 911 operator for more than 35 years. She’s learned a lot from her job that she tries to teach her daughter as a single mother.

JESS ORLANDO Staff Writer

SIX WAYS TURNER EMBODIES FIERCE

Resilience: “You have to be resilient in this field mostly because we deal with so much every day.”

Legacy: “I always wanted to be in the police department,” Turner said.

“My grandfather was in the Detroit police department for many years.”

Open-Minded: “I’ve learned not to take things at face value in this career, and to give the benefit of the doubt,” she said. “It’s hard to judge people right away.”

are what we live for’

training center, in the field and for women interested in tough careers like hers.

SIX WAYS WOLFE EMBODIES FIERCE

Empathy: “You’ve got to have a heart for it because you have to remember they’re calling you on their worst days.”

for me is separating home from work.”

Never Give Up: “Dreams can often become challenges, but challenges are what we live for. Reach out and go for the stars.”

ENGLEWOOD — Newbie EFD

firefighter Jammie Wolfe is finding her way as both a mother and first responder. Her empathy and skills have made her an example at the fire

Being a Hero: “Just having that moment of being someone’s positivity in their worst moment.”

Mom Job: Wolfe has a two-year old son who she adores. “The tough part

Strong Body and Mind: Wolfe trains everyday for her job, but as a first responder it’s hard to forget the things she sees. “Some days you go home and want to breath for a minute, hug your son and tell him you love him.”

Learning: “This career is a forever learning job. I love the job, and everyday I want to be the best.”

GOING VIRAL

Daily Sun staff writer Chloe Nelson had a story, but it took effort.

A social media post made some rounds in the community - but it was a private group without specific names. It was possible, even likely, that it was an urban legend or a story being rehashed from a decade ago: An alligator making its way into a home.

But Nelson did some birddogging on the alligator. She joined several different Nextdoor and Facebook groups to see if she could get more details. She called the sheriff’s department and animal control. After several days, officials confirmed the basics: A large alligator had entered a home. But redacted were the home’s address and owner.

So Nelson sent more emails and made more calls. Finally, the homeowner called back and detailed the situation.

Nelson was the first to get an actual story, and now the story has gone viral throughout the United States.

Had it not been for Nelson, the story would have spent its news cycle on a private social media group. Now the alligator story is on a variety of national and international websites. Nelson’s original reporting can be viewed online at https://rb.gy/ih4bmm

Wellen Park resident Mary Hollenback said she heard noises in her home while she was in her living room, then discovered a 7’11” alligator in her kitchen. It struggled moving on the wooden floor, she said.

Locals have long called the alligator “Bubba.”

NEW REGIONAL CHANGES

GENE FOWLER REGIONAL PUBLISHER

Gene Fowler, has been named Regional Publisher for western North Carolina in addition to his current duties as Publisher of High Country Media. Gene is a second-generation newspaperman who grew up in Marion, North Carolina and has spent his entire career in the newspaper industry.

He has had stints in a family-owned company in Marion, North Carolina, and Jackson, Ohio, before joining McClatchy Newspapers in Hilton Head, South Carolina, then Cox Newspapers in Grand Junction, Colorado; Austin, Texas; and Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Fowler Has spent the last 15 years as VP and Group Publisher in Boone with High Country Media, a part of APG.

SANDRA HURLEY

APG CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR

We are happy to announce that Sandra Hurley has been named APG Creative Services Director. Sandra has expanded the department over the past 4 years to take over the graphic development of 70 APG Properties. Additionally, we have added two outside commercial operations. Mt. Airy Creative Solutions is part of (AIS) Adams Integrated Services. AIS includes Pagination, Graphics development, National E-Edition, Call Centers, Commercial Printing and Digital Advertising Services.

Sandra has served as the Regional Publisher for the Mount Airy Media Group of newspapers and the Mount Airy Design Hub for several years. During her career in the industry, she has worked as an Advertising Manager, Editor and Publisher for both dailies and weeklies in North Carolina and West Virginia, as well as Director of Revenue and VP of Sales and Marketing for Civitas Media. She has served as Vice President of the West Virginia Press Association and President of the North Carolina Press Association. Sandra and her husband Will, have two sons, Holden and Wesley. She is an active Rotarian, enjoys church and family activities and in her free time, she enjoys outdoors, reading and helping out at the family store – an antique mall.

SERENA BOWMAN GENERAL MANAGER

Serena Bowman has been named General Manager of The Mount Airy News, The Pilot, Stokes News, Elkin Tribune, The Yadkin Ripple, and The Carroll (VA) News, along with affiliated publications. Serena is a talented and proven leader who has served as the Advertising Director for the Mount Airy Group since November 2019.

Prior to working for APG she was the Advertising Sales Manager at the Times-News in Burlington, NC, and has a degree in Arts/ Advertising from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of North Carolina. She is active in her church and enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two nephews.

MICHELLE BOWERS

REGIONAL PRESIDENT OF ENC

Michelle Bowers was named Regional President of Eastern North Carolina (ENC) and Publisher of the Greenville Daily Reflector effective January 3, 2024. Michelle succeeds Mark Cohen who retired January 12, 2024. “We are very excited to have Michelle join APG in Greenville and look forward to her leadership in ENC,” said Nick Monico, COO of Adams Publishing Group.

Mark Adams President/CEO of Adams Publishing Group said, “APG strives to have a destination employer and attracting Michelle to join us strengthens our leadership team with her extensive media experience.”

Her most recent position was President of the South Carolina Strategic Business Unit for Lee Enterprises. Michelle has 29 years of experience in the newspaper industry in a variety of advertising and publishing leadership roles. Most of those years those years in the Syracuse, NY market where she started in a support position with Advance Media, growing to leaderships roles with locally family-owned newspapers before becoming Publisher of the Auburn Citizen.

Michelle Bowers is a former member of the United Way of Florence, SC and Cayuga County, former board member of Auburn Downtown BID and is a past president of the New York Newspapers Advertising and Marketing Executives. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from State University of New York at Oswego.

APG EAST

HOOPER AWARDS WINNERS

WESTERVILLE — Six APG-Ohio newspapers won a total of 14 Hooper Awards for 2023 during the Ohio News Media and Collegiate Fellowship Day conference, which was held Thursday at Quests Conference Center in Westerville.

The event was hosted by the Ohio News Media Association.

“I am very proud of our team and their success,” said Paul Reynolds, regional president of APG-Ohio. “Their commitment and pride for our local communities is evident in the impressive array awards by a very talented team.”

A total of 22 newspapers submitted 608 contest entries in more than 20 categories, including newspaper design, news and sports coverage, photography, and advertising. The newspapers were split into three categories, depending on their circulation.

The Athens Messenger earned four awards, while the Athens News won one award.

Editor Nicole Bowman-Layton and Regional Editor Miles Layton earned third place in the in-depth reporting category for their coverage of the hiring of Lori Stewart Gonzalez as Ohio University’s 23rd president.

The judges commented, “Nicole Bowman Layton and Miles Layton and the Athens Messenger do a stellar job laying out the salary and perks for newly named Ohio University President Laura Stewart Gonzalez. Readers are well served when their local journalists dig up details about how tax dollars are spent on higher ed, especially when those dollars top $600,000 a year for one administrator.”

Bowman-Layton earned third place in the Best News Story category for a Messenger article about Federal Hocking Local Schools having to charge students for meals this academic year. The judges commented, “Nice, in-depth. Looks beyond the news of the day about how the meals program works.”

Veteran photographer John Halley won two awards in the Best News Photo category for his photographs of the Honey of the Heart parade (second place, Athens Messenger) and a protest of Artifacts Gallery (first place, Athens News).

Sports Editor Eric Decker won third place in the Best Sports Photo for his photo of Nelsonville-York

football player Gavin Richards doing a flip before the start of a game. The judges commented, “Good one. The spontaneousness of the action and the photographer being in the right place and the right time earned this photo award consideration.”

Besides Miles Layton’s award with the Messenger, he won second place in the Best News Story for a Vinton Jackson Courier article, “I want justice for my son,” about Travis Williams seeking answers from authorities regarding the death of his son, Travis Dakota Williams. The judges said, “An emotional story handled well without going over the top. Good job of following up on a story that gets overlooked until (a case)reaches a conclusion.”

Layton, as editor of the Circleville Herald, won second place in the Original Columns category and second place in the In-Depth Reporting for his coverage of the Circleville K-9 attacking an unarmed man at a traffic stop.

The judges wrote of the in-depth story, “Miles Layton of the Circleville Herald provides comprehensive and responsible coverage on a police K-9’s involvement in a traffic stop by obtaining and reporting on a video recording of the case. Layton provided key information about how the canine officer directed the dog to attack an unarmed black motorist, sending the motorist to the hospital and alarming other officers at the scene.”

Regarding Layton’s columns, the judges commented, ”The no-nonsense tone of these columns really piqued my interest. The writer’s passionate about journalism and the place where he lives, and he lets you know this sometimes in a snarky way.”

An article related to Athens County written by Logan Daily News Editor Jim Phillips — “Former Nelsonville resident recounts journey from prison to redemption (and music videos)” — received third place for Best Local Profile. It featured former Nelsonville resident Ryan Horrocks, who overcame addiction. The judges commented, “Jim Phillips’ solid profile covers the journey of this person’s life.”

Pike County News Watchman Sports Editor Julie Billings won three awards, one for photography and two for sports features. She won first place for Best Sports Photo for a photograph titled “Reds,

Giants play at the plate,” which features a Giants player sliding into home during a baseball game in Cincinnati.

“In my six years of judging, this photograph is the best I have ever judged,” the judge noted. “It hits all of the qualities one would like to have mastery of, and as a photojournalist, there was a sense of when the action was happening, how to place themselves within the context of the image, and knowing how to capture emotion in the athletes.“ Billings won first and second place in the Best Sports Feature category. The second place feature, “Days of coaching: Daughters following in their mom’s footsteps,“ highlighted two women who, like their mother, coach volleyball. The mother reflected on the first time her daughters squared off as varsity coaches for the first time. The judge noted it was a well-done story.

The first-place feature, “From wrangling sheep to wrestling, Farmer heads to state as Western’s first wrestler,” featured a wrestler heading to the state tournament. The judge noted, “This is a great story on several fronts — from the headline to the anecdote about Callie Farmer’s farm chores wrestling with 140-pound sheep — makes this the first-place winner in this category.”

Former Circleville Herald reporter Steven Collins won first place in the Best Local Feature category for his article on Vietnam veteran Terry Cavinee, who reunited with his war buddy Tomez Murdock after 54 years apart.

The judges commented, “Steven Collins of the Circleville Herald makes readers care about Vietnam Marine and local resident Terry Cavinee as he recounts the vet’s participation in an Honor Flight and meetup with a war buddy from 54 years earlier. Readers need regular reminders of the cost of war. Collins delivers this in his well-reported and well-written story on Cavinee.”

Herald Sports Editor Alicia Caple won third place for Best Sports Feature for her article on Teays Valley graduate Camden McDanel, who won a gold medal in wrestling during the 2023 U20 Pan-American Wrestling Championships. “A nice lead gets a story about a local wrestler winning gold at the Pan-American Games off to a good start.”

APG OHIO

SOCIAL MEDIA WORKSHOP

THE GREENEVILLE SUN

The Greeneville Sun hosted our first paid Social Media Workshop. Six diverse businesses participated, and the feedback has been excellent. The best complaint is that several businesses have commited to continue to partner with our Multimedia Account Executives on their social media strategies going forward. A big shout out to Wendy Bretz and Brittany Stephens for their meaningful contributions to the program.

NOTEWORTHY FROM ENC

■ Bryan Wilson named ENC MAE STAR winner for 2023. Achieving 102% of his overall goal for 2023 and leading our digital charge as our Digital Director.

■ Held their first ever Pride of Duplin event where they awarded the community voted businesses and leaders in Duplin County NC.

EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA

The community was thrilled with this event and thanked them for putting this together. Thank you to Craig Springer, Eric Wiliams, Christina Spencer and Christina Ruotolo Franey for your help in making this a successful event.

■ Eastern North Carolina editors worked together to put out their first ever region wide

Progress Edition focused on renewable energy. This successful collaborative effort brought in $10,000 in revenue and will become the template for further region wide sections. Shout out to Bobby Burns, Julian Eure and Eugene Tinklepaugh.

HIGH ROAD AGENCY

SOCIAL MEDIA ADVERTISING: UNLEASHING THE POWER OF FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM FOR DIVERSE BUSINESSES

THE HIGH ROAD AGENCY

In today’s digital age, social media isn’t just a part of our everyday lives—it’s also a pivotal battleground for businesses looking to enhance their visibility and engage with more customers. We understand the unique advantages that platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer. Learn more about the types of businesses that can benefit from social advertising, the kinds of ads they can run on these platforms, and shares some top tips on how to effectively sell these ads.

Who Benefits Most from Facebook and Instagram Advertising?

Virtually any business can reap rewards from advertising on Facebook and Instagram, thanks to the extensive customization and targeting options available. Here are a few sectors that stand out:

■ Retail and E-commerce: With features like shoppable posts, businesses with strong e-commerce websites can directly link their product catalogs to their ads, allowing customers to make purchases with just a few clicks.

■ Services (Health, Education, Financial): Service-oriented businesses can target specific demographics to increase appointments, sign-ups, or consultations. *Note, some ads fall into protected categories and require additional information for Facebook to approve the ads.

■ Real Estate and Local Businesses: By targeting local demographics or interests, these businesses can drive more foot traffic and local engagement.

■ Entertainment and Media: For businesses that thrive on content consumption, Facebook and Instagram offer the perfect platforms to share engaging videos and images that drive ticket sales, views, and participation in events.

Types of Ads You Can Run on Facebook and Instagram

Facebook and Instagram offer a variety of ad formats to cater to different business needs and objectives:

■ Photo and Video Ads: These are the bread and butter

of Facebook and Instagram advertising, ideal for capturing attention with compelling visuals.

■ Carousel Ads: Allow businesses to showcase multiple products or tell a sequential story, enhancing user engagement.

■ Stories Ads: These full-screen ads appear between user Stories, offering a highly engaging user experience with the ability to add interactive elements.

Top Tips for Selling Facebook and Instagram Ads

Selling social media ads effectively requires understanding both the platform’s capabilities and the specific needs of your clients. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind:

■ Emphasize the Flexibility and Scalability of Ad Campaigns: Highlight how Facebook and Instagram allow for ads to be scaled up or down based on the client’s budget and performance metrics. This flexibility ensures that businesses of all sizes can start small, test what works, and increase their investment gradually as they see results.

■ Highlight Advanced Targeting Features: Emphasize the sophisticated targeting options available, from demographic details to behavior and interests, which allow ads to be highly customized and more effective.

■ Offer Creative Solutions: Help clients understand the creative potential of their ads on these platforms. Offering to help design eye-catching, professional-quality ads can be a big selling point.

In an increasingly competitive digital landscape, Facebook and Instagram advertising offers businesses unique opportunities to grow their brand and sales. Our focus on leveraging these platforms can help guide businesses across various industries to achieve their marketing goals effectively. For businesses looking to capitalize on the vast audiences of these social platforms, understanding the right strategies and employing effective ad types can make all the difference.

BRIDGE COLLAPSE

WAS LOCAL STORY FOR APG NEWSPAPER IN DUNDALK

APG CHESAPEAKE

When APG Chesapeake Executive Editor Jim Johnson turned on the TV news on the morning of March 26, CNN anchor Kasie Hunt was talking about incredible news –the Francis Scott Key Bridge had collapsed after being hit by a massive container ship.

The bridge connects Baltimore with Dundalk, a Maryland town where APG has a weekly newspaper. This was a local story for our newspaper. Johnson immediately called Connor Bolinder and Demetrius Dillard.

Bolinder is the editor of the Dundalk Eagle, and Dillard is the editor of The Avenue, covering Essex just north of Dundalk.

There were several challenges right from the start. Like many weekly newspapers, the Eagle and The Avenue have a single editor/ reporter on staff at each. On top of the challenge of covering a national story, the bridge collapse occurred on production day for both newspapers. They were now faced with covering a national story and getting the newspaper out the door.

Before the sun came up revealing the

enormity of the devastation, some decisions were made.

We decided we would partner with the Baltimore Banner, a nonprofit online newspaper with a newsroom staff of more than 100. The Banner would do the main story and provide photos of the wreckage, allowing the Eagle staff to focus on the local story and local reaction.

the disaster. In Dundalk, the Eagle just had Connor Bolinder.

By the time others arrived at the Eagle office, Bolinder had a white board filled with what we knew about the bridge collapse and the questions we needed to answer. He had an AP story up on the Eagle website and had headed to an early morning press conference, the first of many that day. The online AP story was updated throughout the day as more information was revealed.

The Banner, along with the Baltimore Sun, had teams of dozens of reporters covering

Bolinder and Dillard would need help. We asked Star Democrat reporter Maggie Trovato to come to Dundalk and write stories about the tragedy. Trovato covered two stories – reaction from local residents and talking with local politicians about their memories of the bridge and what the bridge meant to Dundalk.

Because other news organizations were struggling to get the details of the bridge collapse, Trovato was one of the first reporters to talk with Dundalk residents. It was not hard. A huge group gathered on a

Star Democrat reporter Maggie Trovato remembers her interview with a woman who crossed the bridge hours before it collapsed.

The collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge early on the morning of March 26. Connor Bolinder/Dundalk Eagle

APG CENTRAL

hill overlooking the collapsed bridge.

“We were one of the earlier reporters to get to the area and talk to people,” Trovato said, adding that she will always remember her interview with Teresita Santana, who had driven with her family across the bridge a few hours before it collapsed. Santana told Trovato how her Dundalk house shook when the ship slammed into the bridge.

The Eagle added four open pages to the newspaper. The main story filled the front page and jumped to the four-page section inside. The newspaper supplemented its local reporting with the Banner’s coverage of the actual disaster and with stories from AP and the Capital News Service, a student-run reporting service at the University of Maryland.

APG Design Center designer Sally Covey designed a page header that was used on each of the pages.

The initial newspaper coverage was followed by reader photos, resident recollections of the bridge and a visit by President Joe Biden, which Bolinder covered.

Looking back, Bolinder said there were missed follow-up stories because he was exhausted after the initial coverage. He realizes this is a long-term story for the Dundalk Eagle, long after the national reporters move on to other stories, he will be there, reporting on the progress ofrebuilding the bridge and how Dundalk residents are affected by the tragedy.

NEW INSIDE SALES TEAM

Across the industry, Classified advertising has slowed. APG Southern Wisconsin is making significant strides in revitalizing Classified advertising and exploring new avenues for revenue generation by building an inside team of three MMAE’s. Kimberlee Liedberg, Miliber Roche and Dionne Shearer are a dynamic trio, each contributing their unique skills to drive sales and achieve impressive results.

Under the leadership of Megan Vergenz, the team has successfully sold multi-media recruitment and business listing packages, increasing the Janesville Gazette and Beloit

SOUTHERN WI

Daily News Classified page count, as well as contributed to special projects like the Discover magazine.

Their contributions to the Spring edition of Discover, which amounted to over $7,000 (much of it new business), demonstrate their eXectiveness in diversifying revenue streams. The team’s eXorts not only assisted the region in exceeding last year’s revenue of over $21,000, but together as a region, hit a new high sales total of $38,000.

With a collective sales total of over $54,000 so far in 2024, it’s evident that the team is

exceeding expectations. Setting ambitious goals for April, and already working toward a stretch goal, shows their determination to continue pushing boundaries and achieving even greater success.

Congratulations to the Southern WI inside sales team for their outstanding performance, and best wishes for continued success in the future!

BOLDLY GOING WHERE NO MINING HAS GONE BEFORE

NORTHERN MINNESOTA

State businessman wants to launch mining equipment into space from the Range. A mining robot concept created using AI is shown here. A group led by David Neville out of Savage, Minn. is looking to build the Can-Am Superior Spaceport in northern Minnesota to launch equipment into space and mine the moon, mars and the asteroid belt.

APG CENTRAL

OUTSTANDING MEDIA SERVICE AWARD WINNER

NORTHERN MINNESOTA

Stuart Groskreutz is the 2024 recipient of the Minnesota State High School League’s Outstanding Media Service Award in the Print Division.

Stillwater’s Stuart Groskreutz, a highlyrespected do-it-all sports reporterphotographer-editor, prefers professional life in the background.

“It’s a little bit like being a referee,” he said. “You don’t want to be the story. You want to blend into the background a bit and not be noticed. When you aren’t noticed in those roles, you’ve done a great job.”

In a print journalism career that spans nearly three decades, Groskreutz has been the one patrolling the sidelines, keeping score, taking pictures, tapping a keyboard with award winning coverage and spending hours editing and designing pages in the wee hours to deliver the news of the day to the readers of the Stillwater Gazette.

But now he is in the spotlight as the recipient of the Minnesota State High School League’s 2024 Outstanding Media Service Award in the print division. He will be recognized on Saturday, March 23 during the Boys Basketball State Tournament. In April, he’s also set to receive a citation award from the Minnesota Football Coaches Association for meritorious service.

“It’s humbling and a little uncomfortable,” Groskreutz says of the recognition.

Groskreutz is a 1991 graduate of Litchfield High School. During his high school career, he played basketball and tennis. In 1989, the Dragons won the Class A tennis championship. He played No. 1 doubles on that championship team.

“I was just a kid that played and was along for the ride,” Groskreutz said. “It was a Cinderella-story kind of thing that created great memories. Being reflective now, that just might be why I got into this profession. You want to chronicle those amazing feats and memories.”

He went to Concordia (Moorhead) where he played tennis and majored in English. Groskreutz describes himself as a big serveand-volley kind of tennis player. He also deadpans that he wasn’t fond of long points and rallies.

Groskreutz got a taste of the sports journalism world at the West Central Tribune in Willmar working as an intern. He’d take calls on heavy prep sports nights, complete with typing in box scores and writing game summaries. He eventually covered the sports department during the summer months when other staff were vacationing. He marveled at the journalism profession and was thrilled to contribute.

“When you read the newspaper as a kid, you had no idea what went into the production of the pages,” he said. “The pages just appeared every morning filled with news, weather and sports. I learned quickly how much goes into producing a respected news source.”

The naturally inquisitive Groskeutz would later move on to the Chippewa Falls (Wis.) Herald where he served four years as the sports editor. It was there that he met his wife, Sarah, and with her job situation in the Twin Cities, he eyed a move. The Stillwater Gazette had an opening in August of 2000 and he was selected to cover prep sports in the St. Croix River Valley, primarily Stillwater High School, a member school dripping with

rich traditions of success, championships and colorful characters.

“The appeal of the job is the variety,” he says. “There are so many great coaches, athletes and community members. I feel very compelled to tell their stories. There aren’t many jobs in life that show up in newspapers for all to see. You have to be on top of your game all the time. If you take it easy one week, it will show in your work. People will notice.”

Groskreutz’s mindset is to not be complacent. Whether it’s maneuvering into position to get a powerful photo, accurately breaking down a winning play that captures a championship or writing a compelling feature, he challenges himself each day on behalf of his legion of followers.

“Things are challenging in the newspaper industry so we have to stay on top of things,” he said. “It’s something I’ve really enjoyed. I see the people that don’t look forward to going to work. That isn’t the case for me.”

Courtesy of the Minnesota State High School League.

BEING PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER

NORTHERN MINNESOTA

In the small town of Grand Rapids, MN, our sports prevail. From kindergarten to the college level and beyond sports are a huge part of our students’ lives. To the students in our community, sports aren’t just a past-time, they are a way of life. Beyond the thrill of victory and the interworks of teamwork, participation in sports fosters valuable life skills and shapes character in ways that extend well beyond the playing field.

For many students, sports serve as a gateway for personal growth, self discovery, and development through lessons of winning and losing. The athletes in our community learn responsibility, resilience, perseverance, and the importance of hard work which are not only valuable to the team, but to themselves in terms of their future.

Sports foster a sense of belonging in our community. In Grand Rapids where sports are ingrained in our culture, being part of a team or sport goes deeper than the game. It is about being a part of something bigger than oneself. In a world often divided by differences, sports have the remarkable ability to unite us which is predominant in our small community.

PARADE OF HOMES

At APG, employees embrace their responsibility to engage with local organizations wholeheartedly, and for good reason.

For decades, the Janesville Gazette has supported the local Parade of Homes. A Parade Board member since 2021, Steve Lauber (Regional GM) has laid a solid foundation. In 2024, Ben Childers (Regional Digital Director/ GM of Local Matters Agency) joined him on the board.

Steve’s years of groundwork, combined with Ben’s fresh digital vision, led to their being asked to recommend a media plan for the 2024 Parade event. The result of this effort not only secured the Parade’s entire $6,000 print/digital marketing budget but also earned an additional $3,000 for a custom website, targeted audio, and an in-depth analysis of the 2024 campaign’s Google Analytics data that will be used to plan the 2025 event.

But their success didn’t stop here. The Co-Chairs of the Parade Marketing Committee, who are also principals at NextGen Homes, were very impressed by Local Matters’ capabilities. This resulted in Ben sealing a search/targeted display deal worth nearly $40,000 in new/unbudgeted revenue.

Given the close-knit nature of the local Home Builder community, this achievement opens doors for further opportunities for Local Matters within this untapped vertical These accomplishments highlight the importance of community involvement and strategic partnerships that make a lasting impact in our local community and beyond.

JANESVILLE GAZETTE

KEEPING THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT ALIVE

The Carbon County News resides in the picturesque town of Red Lodge, Montana, that itself resides at the foot of the dramatic Beartooth Mountain range that doubles as the eastern entrance to Yellowstone National Park some 60 miles away.

Highway 212 that comes through the town transforms in to the Beartooth Pass, “the most beautiful roadway in America” according to correspondent Charles Kuralt.

The Pass is just one of the 66 attractive facets of Carbon County that is the 33rd largest county in the state, measuring 2,062 square miles, and housing a population of nearly 11,500 people, many of whom enjoy the ‘News’, as it is known, because of “its local angle.”

Local news is a key ingredient to the longevity of any small-town newspaper and editor Alastair Baker intends to maintain a tradition that goes back over a century.  Baker has steered the ‘News’ since 2011 and during this time, he and his small but intrepid and passionate team have won numerous state journalism awards.

On any given week Baker can be found

MONTANA

covering all manner of subjects from fires and floods to Easter egg hunts to interviewing a public works director or a person celebrating their 100th birthday.  And of course, anything in-between.

No two weeks are ever the same.

The Carbon County News team are ably backed by APG who supply support from a fully stocked tech team and design team and provide the ‘News’ with a bigger opportunity to share and receive content with sister papers, giving readers even more value for local content.

The ‘News’ strives to support the county, celebrating with it during the good times, and commiserating with it during the tough times, as well as highlighting its qualities. Amid the on line hustle and bustle of national and world news, The Carbon County News is an island in the stream offering locals a chance to catch up with what’s happening in their neighborhood.

To learn more about The CarbonCounty News, visit carboncountynews.com or visit their Facebook page.

The Nampa/Boise Newsroom celebrates a great showing for the 2023 APG newsroom awards. Picture Provided by Matt Tranquill, Western Idaho, President and Publisher.

The Laramie Boomerang in Laramie, WY and Wyoming Tribune Eagle in Cheyenne, WY began collecting photos of pets in March.

With a combined total of 269 entries, photos were printed in the newspaper and made available on a voting ballot on laramieboomerang.com and wyomingnews.com.

Each vote cost $.25. Laramie has completed all three rounds with 11,554 votes and has a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner!

Cheyenne is in the 2nd round of voting, with 12,330 votes so far!

1st Place

2ND Place

CUTEST PETS A WIN!

The Boomerang sold a presenting sponsor for $1,500 and supporting sponsorships for $1,220, while the Wyoming Tribune Eagle sold 4 sponsors for a total of $2,250.

Combined, this program has brought in $4,970 in sponsorships, and $5,971 in votes!

Final voting for the Wyoming Tribune Eagle will happen April 12-19, which will bring in additional revenue.

Pictures of the winners from Laramie are attached, along with Bronco from Cheyenne, our leading pet so far!

3RD Place IN THE LEAD

APG WYOMING CREATES NEW I-80 TRAVEL GUIDE

Often, the best ideas help meet multiple needs at once. Such was the case with the latest brainchild of APG of the Rockies Regional President Bill Albrecht.

As he thought about ways to generate more revenue in 2024, he remembered a comment made by an advertising director in western Wyoming that had caught him by surprise at the time. An Interstate 80 rest stop on the eastern border with Nebraska was constantly asking for more copies of a tourism magazine covering the southwest corner of the state.

If there was that much demand for tourism information for interstate travelers, Bill thought, why not create a travel guide for the entire I-80 corridor, from the Nebraska border all the way to Utah. After all, APG has news organizations in four of the five major communities along the route, and it was a great way to generate connections with new advertisers in each market.

Using a trusted Cheyenne-based freelance writer to compile the information, write the copy and work with the APG designer in Mount Airy took much of the work off the newsrooms in each community. Instead, the three editors in Wyoming provided copies of previous tourism publications and photos from their archives to go along with the short vignettes, and then gave the text and final pages a quick edit.

Not only did this new, 80-page publication provide high-quality information about places to eat, significant historical attractions, community events and scenic byways, it exceeded its revenue budget by over $3,000, generating more income than three previous publications combined.

APG WYOMING

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KATHARINE GLASS

APG Vice President of HR kglass@adamspg.com 865.981.1101

DEB BROOKS

HR Manager - APG West dbrooks@skagitpublishing.com 360.416.2187

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HR Manager - East gdavis@apgenc.com 252.366.8139

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HR Manager - Wisconsin, MD, OH hmccalmont@adamspg.com 608.755.9442

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HR Manager - APG Central therese.zadnik-klecker@adamspg.com 763.712.3559

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