APG Newsletter May 2023

Photo By: Sharon Livingston

Human Resources

WHERE TO GO FOR CARE, SAFETY NET

WEDDING EXPO, FIRE SAFETY, TOURS OF GREENEVILLE

APG Central TEAMWORK, RETIREMENT, REGIONAL PRESIDENTS

PHOTO JOURNALISM, TRACING ROOTS

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

APG East

APG West

DO YOU KNOW YOUR PAID TIME OFF BALANCE?

KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR CARE

(COVERS VACATION & SICK LEAVE)

We know how hard you work and recognize the importance of providing you with time for rest and relaxation. View PTO Policies online at: hr.adamspg.com/handbook

Check your Balance on the ADP website: workforcenow.adp.com Myself > My Time Off

Knowing where to go for the right care can help save you time and money. Get familiar with your options now, before you need care.

*Mental health visits are by appointment only, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. Doctor On Demand® by Included Health is an independent company providing telehealth services. Make sure your doctor and clinic/hospital are in your network before receiving care. This will make sure you receive the highest level of benefits. Each healthcare provider is an independent contractor and not our agent.

REMINDER OF UPCOMING COMPANY HOLIDAYS

MEMORIAL DAY Monday, May 29

INDEPENDENCE DAY Tuesday, July 4

INTRODUCING APG SAFETY NET

More than sixty training topics covering your facility’s safety training needs and presented over Google Meet. Additional topics will be added to our library as we continue to grow this exciting new offering, including more in-depth discussions for supervisors and managers. A sampling of available topics includes:

Back Safety / Safe Lifting Forklift Safety Office Safety

Computer Workstation Safety Hazard Communication Personal Protective Equipment

Driving Safety Hearing Conservation Safety Orientation

Electrical Safety Ladder Safety Sexual Harassment Prevention

Ergonomics Lockout Tagout Safety Slips Trips & Falls

Fire Safety / Extinguishers Machine Safeguarding Workplace Violence

Training segments include written tests (when desired), attendance records, concise video presentations, as well as training certificates or other credentials on applicable topics. All training presentations are hosted by APG personnel familiar with the topics being presented and available to respond to questions directly within the meeting. By utilizing APG Safety Net locations

can meet compliance requirements while reducing the workload of supervisors and increasing the knowledge within our workforce.

Regularly scheduled presentations will be available and listed on the HR Newsletter for current and upcoming months. Ad hoc training is available upon request, schedule permitting. Simply contact your regional HR

ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN TIME ZONE:

Friday, May 12th 9:30 a.m. Fire Safety & Fire Extinguishers

Monday, May 15th 3:30 p.m. Fire Safety & Fire Extinguishers

contact with your request, preferred date and time, and the topic you are requesting. With May being a nice month for most of us we’re starting off with Fire Safety & Extinguisher training, and supervisor Safety Onboarding for New Hire Production Workers. Anticipated course times are 2025 minutes, depending on Q & A and group size.

Tuesday, May 16th 11:00 a.m. Supervisor Safety Onboarding for New Hire Production Workers

Wednesday, May 17th 1:30 p.m. Fire Safety & Fire Extinguishers

Thursday, May 18th 3:00 p.m. Supervisor Safety Onboarding for New Hire Production Workers

Contact your regional HR contact, or Jeff Rowton at: jeff.rowton@adamspg.com for an invitation and indicate which session you wish to attend. You will need access to a computer with internet access. A microphone, and video capable camera are recommended for the best experience.

WE CAN DO IT.

NINE MULTI-MEDIA ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES AND NINE SALES LEADERS RECOGNIZED.

APG announces winners of the company-wide sales performance recognition program.

On Friday, March 10, 2023, we announced a small group of sellers who accomplished excellent results during 2022. Overall, a combination of 18 MMAEs and Sales Leaders achieved over goal performances and have shown over goal performances are possible. Facing the same local and national head winds each market and region face this collection of associates found a way to succeed.

The winners were selected using the sales tracking and recognition system – STARS. The program is designed to encourage and motivate our sales teams to go above and beyond in their own individual sales revenue performance and contribute to the company’s overall goals in a consistent and meaningful way.

To kick the program off for 2022, which is the first official year of STARS, the company applied the same criteria to 2021 performance to identify and recognize great 2021 success.

While 18 associates moved forward from regional consideration to being a divisional nominee, it is acknowledged that others did have over-goal performances within their region. The group that moved forward was identified as having the best qualifications from their regional peers for 2022.

The process began with each Regional President identifying a winner for their Multi-Media Sales Associate of the Year and Multi-Media Sales Leader of the Year, based on specific high standard criteria. Nominees had to be over goal for total revenue performance and over budget for sales leader performance. We also reviewed other items, including a strong look at digital successes, in particular, and team contributions.

From this first regional group, the Senior Management Team selected a smaller second group as the six divisional winners. The six winners are made of one Divisional Multi-Media Sales Associate of the Year and one Divisional Multi-Media Sales Leader(s) of the Year for each of the Central, East, and West divisions.

And finally, from these six divisional winners, the final selection was made to identify the APG Multi-Media Sales Associate of the Year and APG Multi-Media Sales Leader of the Year for 2022.

Throughout the selection process, the winners were not only evaluated on the strength of their performance, but also their contribution to the team around them. All of the winners are top-tier talent, achieving high standards, exemplifying what a MultiMedia Sales Associate and Multi-Media Sales Leader should do, capable as a leader and teammate, and an excellent representative of the company.

STARS 2022

MULTI-MEDIA SALES ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR

WEST

Isaac Bradford

John Gustave

Jennifer Brown

Neil Eads

CENTRAL

Aaron Rother

Joey Benik

Laura Robertson

EAST

Austin Fowler

Stacy Moreland

DIVISIONAL MULTI-MEDIA SALES ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR

WEST

Neil Eads

CENTRAL

Aaron Rother

EAST

Austin Fowler

APG MULTI-MEDIA SALES ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR

Austin Fowler

MULTI-MEDIA SALES LEADER OF THE YEAR

WEST

Shelly Bissel

Angela Sammons

Cindy Sease

CENTRAL

Tricia Hurley

Carmen Meyer

Terri Fierstine

EAST

Sherrie Bossert

Serena Bowman

Dave Woods

DIVISIONAL MULTI-MEDIA SALES LEADER OF THE YEAR

WEST

Angela Sammons

CENTRAL

Terri Fierstine

EAST

Serena Bowman APG MULTI-MEDIA SALES LEADER OF THE YEAR

Angela Sammons

CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN TO ALL THE WINNERS, AND HERE’S TO A GREAT 2023!

Mark Adams, Nick Monico, Jeff Patterson

HOME OFFICE

14TH ANNUAL SECOND STREET AWARDS

APG HOME OFFICE

BEST ‘BEST OF’ BALLOT: MID-SIZE MARKET

WINNER: 'BEST OF' SUN COAST – SUN COAST MEDIA GROUP

The Sun Coast Media Group covers 4 papers in southwest Florida with their Best Of program. Their revenue in 2022 was $460K, which boasted an 18% growth YOY – and this revenue doesn’t include event ticket sales! They were also able to grow their email database by 15% YOY with this Best Of program.

BEST NATIONAL SWEEPSTAKES CAMPAIGN: LIST BUILDER

WINNER: FREE CAR PAYMENTS FOR A YEAR – THE LEADER

Talk about list building – this promotion boasted an almost 50% optin rate with over 2,275 total opt-ins to help build their Promotions, E-edition and Birthday Club lists. The Leader proved that national sweepstakes can bring results as they used it to help build out lists for specific initiatives. With over 1,000 new opt-ins for their birthday club, it really works!

BEST NATIONAL SWEEPSTAKES CAMPAIGN: REVENUE

FINALIST: GROCERIES FOR A YEAR – BELOIT DAILY NEWS

BEST ‘BEST OF’ BALLOT: SMALL MARKET

FINALIST: BEST OF BOISE – BOISE WEEKLY

BEST REGIONAL CAMPAIGN

FINALIST: PURDUE FARMS SWEEPSTAKES – ADAMS PUBLISHING GROUP

You can check out the full list of winners and finalists here. Missed the live event, or just want to relive the action? Catch up with our ondemand recording here.

GROUPWIDE STRATEGY

FINALIST: ADAMS PUBLISHING GROUP

REGIONAL PRESIDENT AWARDS

APG Annual Regional President Awards were presented by Mark Adams, APG President/CEO. On Tuesday, April 4 at the MEGA Conference in Dallas, Texas.

Pictured from left to right, Nick Monico, APG COO, Mark Cohen, Regional President of Ohio/ENC winner of highest margin award and Jim Normandin, Regional President of Chesapeake/Florida named Regional President of the Year with Mark Adams.

HOME OFFICE

APG’S 2022 JOURNALISM AWARDS

APG HOME OFFICE

PUBLIC SERVICE

SPECIAL RECOGNITION:

APG Florida

Hurricane Ian Coverage

LOCAL NEWS

1ST PLACE

BOZEMAN Daily Chronicle

Yellowstone flooding

Julianna Sukut

Nora Shelly

Alex Miller

2ND PLACE

The Reflector GREENVILLE (NC)

Little League Softball World Series

Kim Grizzard

Pat Gruner

Janet Storm

Nathan Summers

Bobby Burns

3RD PLACE

Pike County (Ohio) News Watchman

Murder in Pike County

Bret Bevens

ENTERPRISE

1ST PLACE

APG Enterprise

Inflation Nation

Mike Sunnucks

2ND PLACE

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Yellowstone: A series

Helena Dore

(TIE) 3RD PLACE

Easton (MD) Star Democrat

Drug distributor

Natalie Jones

(TIE) 3RD PLACE

Greenville (NC) The Reflector

Teacher vacancies

Kim Grizzard

SPORTS

1ST PLACE

WyoSports

Girls wrestling sanctioned by WHSAA

Jeremiah Johnke

2ND PLACE

Anoka County Union Herald CLASSIC! Andover boys hockey wins state championship in 6-5 double OT thriller

Patrick Slack

3RD PLACE

Athens (Ohio) Messenger

“Joe Cool” – interview with Joe Burrow

Allan Brown

FEATURES

1ST PLACE

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Lost Art –on the trail with sheep ranchers

Isabel Hicks

2ND PLACE

Lake Mills

60-year tradition with ‘no purpose’ (going inside with a club that eats frog legs)

Will Cioci

( TIE) 3RD PLACE

Boise Weekly

Boise’s Unsung Heroes

Jeanne Huff

(TIE) 3RD PLACE

Watauga Democrat

New Testament

Jillyan Mobley

DIGITAL DELIVERY

1ST PLACE

WyoSports

Trading Cards

Jeremiah Johnke

Matt Atencio

2ND PLACE

Bozeman Daily Chronicle Community Garden

Rachel Leathe

3RD PLACE

Leader-Telegram Eau Claire

School Safety Series

Matt Milner

SPECIAL SECTIONS

1ST PLACE

Wyoming Tribune Eagle (Cheyenne)

Yellowstone 150

Brian Martin – Cheyenne

Darla Allen – Mt. Airy design hub

2ND PLACE

Watauga Democrat

Boone 150

Moss Brennan, Jillyan Mobley, Johnny Hayes , Meleah Bryan

3RD PLACE

Northern Wisconsin collaboration Made in Wisconsin

Michelle Jensen (Rice Lake), Tom LaVenture (Price County), Ruth Erickson (Rice Lake), Regan Kohler (Spooner), Bill Thornly (Spooner), Rich Jackson (Sawyer County), Tom Stankard (Ashland), Liam Marlaire (Eau Claire), Maddie Fuerstenberg (Eau Claire), Ashlie Fanetti (Eau Claire), Chris Vetter (Eau Claire), Dan Holtz (Eau Claire), Andrew Dowd (Eau Claire), Matt Milner (Eau Claire)

REMEMBERING WENDY SUE MARSH

It was a very sad day on March 22, 2023, on this earthly world, but a glorious day in the heavens, as she graced them with her presence. We lost a beautiful and wonderful woman, Wendy Marsh, surrounded by her loving family at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings, Montana.

Wendy was born on November 30, 1965, in Red Bluff, California to Robert and Terry Gerig. She graduated from Big Valley High School in 1983. Upon graduation, she applied and was accepted at Chico State University, California. While attending the university, she became a “little sister” to the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

Wendy met the love of her life in 1983, Charles “Chuck” Marsh, on a beautiful afternoon, at the Knott’s Berry Farm a theme park in Buena Park, California. It was love at first sight and the couple soon married in 1984. Their first son Joseph, was born in 1985, in Fall River Mills, California and soon after the couple moved to Reno, Nevada, where the family was blessed with two more sons, William and Andrew. Chuck worked as an electrician for underground mining operations that produced silver, gold and platinum. His work took the family to various locations across the west. The family’s first adventure was moving to Lovelock, Nevada, then to Elko, Nevada before venturing off to Flat Rock, Michigan until finally settling in Miles City, Montana. When the family was in Lovelock, Wendy went to work for the local newspaper as an artist. She found this position to be most enjoyable, as each day would bring new challenges in the daily production of the paper. When the family settled in Miles City, she went to work for the Miles City Star Newspaper. She designed advertisements, circulars and special editions for twenty-two years. She was very creative when it came to crafts; making baskets out of newspapers, wreaths and other decorations from plastic grocery bags, homeopathic remedies for pets and a host of other products. She would sell these handmade items to purchase lifesaving drugs and therapy for her beloved

HOME OFFICE & APG EAST FIRE EXTINGUISHER TRAINING

The Key West Fire Department conducted training on proper fire extinguisher usage today for Citizen staffers.

“Honey,” A Dachshund/ Pug dog, which Wendy was dearly attached to.

Wendy also coached and kept scores for the Youth Baseball Club in Elko Nevada and as an assistant football coach for the Woodhaven Sabers in Michigan. Wendy also enjoyed reading “romance novels”, spending time with her grandchildren, fishing or just being outdoors in the Montana landscape. She will be truly missed and always loved by her family and many friends in the area.

Wendy was preceded in death by her father Robert Gerig, grandchild; Howard Dean Marsh and beloved pet “Honey.” Left to honor Wendy’s memory are her husband; Charles “Chuck” Marsh, Miles City, Montana, sons; Joseph Marsh (Stephanie) Kalispell, Montana, William Marsh (Kate) Salem, Oregon, Andrew Marsh (Syd), Miles City, Montana, sistersin-law; Terry Brown, Bowman, North Dakota, Debbie Payne, Aberdeen, Washington, Evelyn Fleck (Eric) Billings Montana, mother; Terry Kelly (Stepfather; Skip) Alturas, California, Stepmother; Janell Gerig, Iowa, Sisters; Dawn Triano (Darrell) Patterson, California, Tracy Goudge (Duane) Kelso, Washington, Judy Davis (Jeffrey) Bothell, Washington, Sheilah Hernandez (Francisco) Reno, Nevada, Ketina Mitchell (Pete) Alabama, brothers; Todd Kelly (Erin) Sun Valley, Nevada, Michael Monge (Dana) Iowa, aunts; Vicky Gerig, Bieber, California, uncles; Rod Kelly(LaMar) Eden, Utah, Robert Kelly (Patty) Anderson, California, Michael Kelly (Janet) Adin, California, and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life is planned and will be held at a later date.

Wendy Sue Marsh

FIDDLER IN BOOTS

You’ve heard of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, how about this fiddler in boots? This pint-size player is four year old Molly Wilkerson competing in the 36th annual Yadkin Valley Bluegrass and Old Time Convention hosted by the Yadkin Arts Council at Yadkinville Elementary School on April 22.

MY APG STORY SPOTLIGHT

ATHENS MESSENGER

newspaper has changed over time.

KIDS TOUR GREENEVILLE SUN

Dale Long, regional director of printing and distribution for APG TNNC-VA, explains printing operations at The Greeneville Sun. This group of homeschool children toured the award-winning newspaper in February. The photographer chuckled, Dale starts recruiting pressroom operators at an early age!

VISITING THE GREENEVILLE SUN

ATHENS, Ohio – Brenda Brown is celebrating a milestone in May –she’s worked 35 years for the Athens Messenger.

When Brenda started on May 19, 1988, she was 25 years old with a 5-month-old son. She’s the only full-time proofreader the graphics department has ever had.

Before Brenda’s job at the Athens Messenger, she earned a degree in computer science and accounting from Hocking College and worked for three years as a certified public accountant.

“With my background they thought I would have a keen eye as a proofreader which I did and still do,” she said.

Brenda said the production of the

“Over the years I have done everything from layout, paste-up, pagination, sales calls, circulation calls, stuffing envelopes for billing and customer service,” she said. “Times have changed significantly over the years, and we have come along way from WYSIWYG - End take, send take, next take to Quark Xpress and the MultiAd Ad blues.”

Celebrating her 60th birthday April 12, Brenda is a grandmother and the Senior graphics designer – producing ads for repeat advertising customers for decades.

“Some ads I have been doing for over 30 years and some commercial jobs for over 20 years so I must be doing something right,” she said.

Brenda always has a smile on her face, enjoys her job and her co-workers.

“I was taught at a young age to always treat people with respect and kindness and to work hard and always give it your all by going above and beyond any expectations which is what I strive to do on a daily basis,” she said. “I love my job and my co-workers.”

After 35 years in the newspaper business, Brenda offers this advice.

“If I have any advice to give you it would be to strive to make the most of every day and don't get stressed when things aren't going well,” she said. “Take time for yourself.”

From right: Traci Bauer, APG VP/Print & Digital Content, tours Greeneville Sun operations with Scott Jenkins and Brian Cutshall, who are managers at the newspaper. Traci visited Tennessee operations in March, also stopping by The Daily Times in Maryville.

WELCOME NEW OHIO REGIONAL PUBLISHER

APG OHIO

Adams Publishing Group Ohio is pleased to announce the hiring of Marka Sonoga as regional publisher for Adams Publishing Group Ohio. She began her duties March 27.

“We are very excited to have Marka join our team. Her experience and detailed approach along with her passion to understand audiences, made Marka the perfect fit. She is a revenue driver first and foremost and understands the importance of finding new streams including a focus on seeing new customers,” said Mark Cohen, Regional President for Adams Publishing Group North Carolina-Ohio.

Sonoga comes to Ohio from the Southern Indiana Newspaper Group, where she

was group publisher for The Courier-Times, The Shelbyville News, and the News Examiner.

She attended both Pennsylvania State University and Youngstown State University and has served in various capacities for publications in Indiana, Arkansas, and Georgia, before coming back to her native Ohio.

“I look forward to representing a newspaper group that has made great strides in the digital landscape,” Sonoga said. “These advances enable our clients to reach a wide range of potential customers through multi-media advertising solutions.”

SENIOR EXPO

In March, The Perry County Tribune held their fourth annual Senior Expo. This was our most successful expo to date in the way of vendor/sponsor participants and general attendees. The 2023 event held at St. Rose Community Center in New Lexington generated $9k for the market with 40 vendors and over 300 visitors. Since its inception, the Tribune Senior Expo has evolved into a great community event that everyone looks forward to. We always have readers asking the date for the next one and we already have vendors committing for the 2024 event. Because of this event, The Perry County Tribune has created new invaluable partnerships and strengthened existing ones. This is not just a Perry County Tribune or APG event, this is a true “community event” that the our community takes ownership of and pride in. Because of the Senior Expo success in our market, we are planning for a couple of out of market expos.

CONGRATS TO OUR APRIL WINNER

REGENIA GRANT, MT AIRY NEWS

The Question Was: This day, created to make people aware of environmental problems, was first celebrated internationally on April 22, 1970. What day is it? The Answer Was: Earth Day

UNDER THE VEIL & BEHIND THE BOWTIE REVEAL EVENT

APG CHESAPEAKE

STEVENSVILLE — On Feb. 26, Chesapeake Bay Wedding presented its inaugural Under the Veil & Behind the Bowtie Reveal Event at the Kent Island Resort in Stevensville. The spring 2023 wedding trends of Bright and Airy, Dark and Moody and Antique and Vintage were presented as inspiration to couples planning one of the most memorable days of their lives.

Inside the elegantly rustic farmstead building, an attendee was overheard describing the afternoon as magical. Centreville resident Debra Karambellas, who came with friends and who is planning her own 40th anniversary reception celebration, may have described it best.

“The venue was incredible,” she said. “We were greeted by beautiful girls in full wedding attire, offered champagne and given a goodie bag. We visited all the vendors and were able to sample cocktails and amazing food. It was a total wow experience and first class all the way.”

Joan Jackson, a former Bowie event planner, praised the sampling of food and drink and the striking dark green dress that stood out

in a gathering of more traditional white wedding gowns.

Each vendor, from wedding gown designers to providers of music and entertainment, placed the customer’s vision as most important.

“It’s fun to bring someone’s idea to life and form a relationship with customers,” said Tiffany Abruzzo of Deep Blue/Kitty Knight House in Georgetown. “For example, our most unusual wedding was a Star Warsthemed ceremony for an employee of George Lucas.”

For Crow Entertainment, there are DJs and then there are professional entertainment services. Along with music provided live or by a deejay, Crow provides lighting, photo booths and a tailored playlist according to the client’s taste to make it a day they won’t forget.

A tuxedoed Prince Limousine representative was on site with one of its large, modern passenger vans to show and tell why their motto is to “ride like royalty.”

Betsy Griffin, APG Media of Chesapeake’s assistant general manager and publisher of Chesapeake Bay Wedding, credits a dedicated, skilled staff with the success of the magazine.

“Our photographer Audrey Wozny is on top of trends; events manager Kristi Mertaugh knows the best way to attract people to an event and editor Eli Wohlenhaus has the sharp eye for detail who knows how to put it all together.”

Social media was crucial in getting the word out, she recalled. Each of the 25 vendors used Facebook and Instagram to tell who they are and to showcase the best of what they do. On their own pages, followers brought more eyes to the event. And on Feb. 26, those eyes turned into attendees. Based upon the success and the level of attendees, a May-June showcase for fall brides may be in the works.

Visit chesapeakebaywedding.com to see more photos from the event and to read past editions of the magazine, which publishes twice a year.

THE HIGH ROAD AGENCY

“I’VE ENDURED: WOMEN IN OLD TIME MUSIC.” WEBSITE BUILD

THE HIGH ROAD AGENCY

The High Road Agency was honored to have created a website for the Birthplace of Country Music Museum’s newest exhibit, “I’ve Endured: Women In Old Time Music.” Through thought-provoking photography, videos, and interviews, the popular exhibit’s website invites visitors to learn about the many women who played integral roles in the creation of old-time music.

The website was built as an extension of the exhibit to provide additional resources beyond what they could portray at the museum. There are detailed biographies on the women included in the exhibit, videos, playlists, media details, and other resources. Events and programs, as well as additional resources such as lesson plans will be added to the website soon.

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum plays an important role in telling the story of our region and we are honored to continue to help them tell these stories.

Dolly Parton chimed in to celebrate the exhibit by telling the museum, “Congratulations to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum for honoring the women of old-time music with their own exhibit. These women were from the hills and hollers of the rural south, who helped plant musical seeds for all of us. My momma could have been in that exhibit, since she taught us kids old ballads and immigrant songs, gave us a love for music, and access to banjos, fiddles, and a wash-tub bass. It’s great to see the seeds growing, from Mother Maybelle Carter all the way to my fellow-Tennessean Amythyst Kiah.”

What country invented ice cream?

CB DISTRIBUTORS A SUCCESS STORY OF COMPANY TEAMWORK

JANESVILLE GAZETTE

CB Distributors is a new digital account in Janesville. Through High Road, we executed a fully digital campaign designed to drive qualified prospects to their website using SEM and Site Retargeting. In an effort to go beyond using TapClicks reporting (limited to impressions served/clicks/ctr) for significant clients, this campaign was monitored using Google Analytics, to provide additional data about site visitors, their behavior on the site, and conversion rates. The results are exceptional.

The February Google Analytics report shows that of the 13,945 site visitors, 36% came from ads delivered by APG, while 51% came from organic searches, and only 13%

typed in the URL directly. This demonstrates that the ads APG delivered were extremely effective in driving traffic to the site. Just as importantly, visitors driven to the site by APG stayed on the site 26% longer than those getting there organically. So, not only did we drive numbers to their site but our visitors proved to be engaged prospects.

And for the big reveal, APG visitors spent $21,636 on the site, while the campaign investment for SEM/Site Retargeting was $11,000 (an ROI of 196%).

Beyond metrics, our report helped identify sales opportunities. By examining keyword data and comparing the ranking of page

views vs. $ sales in different categories, saw that some of the categories receiving the most clicks generated the least sales. The client suspected pricing was an issue and this data confirmed their suspicion. Going forward, they will adjust pricing as a result of our reporting.

Overall, the report shows that the APG campaign was effective in driving traffic, generating sales, and providing valuable insights into the client’s business, allowing them to identify and implement strategies to maximize sales going forward.

PAUL GAIER NAMED REGIONAL PRESIDENT OF APG MEDIA OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN

NORTHERN WISCONSIN

We are pleased to announce a new addition to our management team. Paul Gaier joined Adams Publishing Group and serves as Regional President of APG Media of Northern Wisconsin. He joined the team on Monday, April 17, 2023.

A native of Chippewa falls, Paul began his career as an intern at the Chippewa Herald Telegram selling advertising. After Graduating from the University of St Thomas with a BA in Business Administration and Marketing he went on to sell for the Evening Leader in Shawano Wisconsin. After a short stint with Lavine Media Group, Gaier

joined Gannett. While at Gannett he held several leadership positions and went on to hold the role of Regional Advertising Director for Gannett Wisconsin Media. In 2012 he joined Gatehouse Media. While with Gatehouse he held several leadership positions, most recently Regional Vice President and Publisher of 16 Daily newspapers and several weeklies in Illinois and Iowa including the Register Star in Rockford, The Journal Star in Peoria, and the State Journal Register in Springfield Il. After the acquisition of Gannett, he ran Action Printing, a commercial printer in Fond du Lac

WI. He has 34 years of experience in the industry, with the last 25+ in executive positions. He has held community leadership roles with Fox Valley United Way, Rockford United Way and the Rockford Area Economic Development Council as well as serving on the board of the Illinois Press Association. Paul has also been a member of the Southwest Rotary in Oshkosh, WI.

O’BANNON ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 42 YEARS

EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA

representative in Minnetonka with no training and no plan. She successfully learned sales skills and relationship-building on the job and continued in that sales role until 1995. She then took her sales skills to the StarTribune where Mark Weber was the marketing manager for the real estate segment. Weber convinced her into making the jump from community newspapers to the daily newspaper world.

MARK LEWIS, APG SOUTHERN WISCONSIN REGIONAL PRESIDENT

Mark

is

Wisconsin.

Long-time newspaper veteran Cheri O’Bannon has announced she will be retiring this spring after 42 years in the industry. Cheri and her husband Lyle have decided now is the right time so they can spend more time together and do the some of the things they have been delaying because of her hectic schedule. Travel is No. 1 on their list.

O’Bannon has been in the newspaper/ publication business her entire career and has often said, “She has ink in her blood.” She started in June of 1981 after her father Keith Engen started the successful Sailor Newspapers in Excelsior. According to O’Bannon, she started as a sales

O’Bannon was highly successful working in the real estate segment, first selling and then managing that division until 2008. She then left the StarTribune and worked for Thomsen Reuters as the manager of corporate sales. Thomsen Reuters, which had purchased Super Layers, hired her to be responsible for the selling and execution of all their print publications throughout the United States. In 2011, she was recruited back to the real estate segment at the StarTribune, and worked there until Weber, who had since been hired by ECM Publishers, invited her to return to her community newspaper roots in 2014.

Her positions at APG of East Central Minnesota have evolved from being a sales manager in retail, running/selling Specialty Publications, custom printing, direct mail, magazines, and the classified division. She is involved in supporting a lot of initiatives behind the scenes from custom printing/mailing for reps, special projects, event work and her regular responsibilities. Although she will officially be retiring this spring, and has already started the transition process, she will likely always have a touch of the industry running through her veins. As she said, ink is in her blood.

Wisconsin includes The (Janesville) Gazette, Beloit Daily News, Daily Jefferson County Union, Watertown Daily Times, Antigo Daily Journal, Marinette Eagle Herald and Hometown News Group weekly publications in Dane, Jefferson, Rock, Dodge and Columbia counties.

Lewis began his career in the newspaper industry working in circulation for the Journal Star in Lincoln, Nebraska and for the Omaha World Herald. He went on to hold publisher and other executive roles at the Honolulu Star-Bulletin; Sioux City Journal; Garden Island and Kauai Publishing Company on the island of Kauai, Hawaii; Racine Journal Times; Wisconn Valley Media Group in southeast Wisconsin that produces the Racine Journal Times, Kenosha News and Lake Geneva Regional News; and Tulsa World Media Group. He has 30 years of experience in the industry with over 16 years as president and publisher.

Lewis attended the University of Nebraska. He is a former member of the United States Marine Corps and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He has held community leadership roles with Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce; the Racine County Economic Development Corporation; Wheaton Hospital Foundation; Racine Good Fellows; Lihue, Hawaii Chamber of Commerce; and the Siouxland United Way in Sioux City, Iowa.

Lewis

regional president for Adams Publishing GroupSouthern

APG-Southern

READERS BID FAREWELL TO REPORTER RICK OLIVO

Ashland Daily Press readers bid farewell to reporter Rick Olivo after his 31 years covering events in the Chequamegon Bay area. Rick wrote a farewell column to readers (read here) and was recognized by the Bayfield County Board for his dedication in keeping the community informed. Several letters to the editor since have come in congratulating Rick and lamenting the loss of his writing voice. Rick intends to continue providing stories for special sections once he has taken a bit of a break. He also hopes to spend a lot more time with the home-brewing operation he has constructed in his garage.

NEW REVENUE RECORD SET WITH ANC IN ANTIGO WI

For the past 3 years we’ve had ANC in our market helping us sell our T.V Tab/Screentime with our MMAE Jessica Wolf. In 2021, we sold $39,000 in revenue. In 2022, she increased it to $54,000 in revenue and we just wrapped up our 2023 selling efforts at $68,000!

Solid relationships with her customers and early appointment setting are several ingredients that contributed to to Jessica’s success. Congratulations to Jessica on a job well done!

TOP YOUNG JOURNALISTS AT APG OF EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA

EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA

APG of East Central Minnesota had another strong showing at the Minnesota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest, held annually in January. As a group an estimated 70 awards were collected.

Perhaps the most impressive awards went to three of the group’s youngest journalists: Natalie Ryder, Natalie Cierzan and Nikki Hallman.

The three captured first, second and third, respectively, in the Dave Pyle Young Journalist Award category.

The award is named after longtime MNA committee member Dave Pyle who worked to establish the award, under a different name, during his time as the AP Bureau Chief covering Minnesota and as a member of the MNA Journalism Education Committee.

Pyle suffered from diabetes and had a kidney transplant in 1999, but never allowed that to become an obstacle to his coverage of news throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. He died in 2015 and the award that recognized excellence by young journalists was renamed in his honor. The trio of APG journalists were recognized for their “diverse skill sets, relationship building, use of quotes and great ledes.” Ryder works for the Forest Lake Times. Hallman is based out of the County News Review office in Cambridge, while Cierzan works for the Sun Newspaper group in Osseo.

All three were at the annual convention in Brooklyn Park to accept their awards.

Pictured are, from left: Natalie Ryder, Nikki Hallman and Natalie Cierzan, winners of the Dave Pyle Young Journalist Award at the Minnesota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest held in January in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

WYOMING TRIBUNE EAGLE EARNS SEVEN AWARDS IN FOUR-STATE SPJ JOURNALISM CONTEST

WYOMING TRIBUNE EAGLE

Associates at the Wyoming Tribune Eagle in Cheyenne received seven awards last weekend from the Society of Professional Journalists Region 9 in Denver.

During a ceremony at The Slate hotel, the following Top of the Rockies awards were received:

• Jeremiah Johnke, first place, Single Page Design, “Female Prep Athlete of the Year”

• Brian Martin, second place, Editorials, “Our View” editorials

• Jasmine Hall, third place, Specialized Reporting: Politics: Feature, “Will Wyoming turn a darker shade of red?”

• Will Carpenter, third place, ColumnPersonal/Humor, three “Weekend

Picks” columns

• Jeremiah Johnke, third place, Information Graphic, “All-Laramie County football team”

• Alyte Katilius, third place, Feature Photography/Videography, “Riding for Raylan” photo story

• Alyte Katilius, third place, Sports Photography, “Down, but not out”

The contest for professional journalists has been administered for more than a decade by the Colorado Professional Chapter on behalf of SPJ chapters in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming.

Top of the Rockies is a regional, multiplatform contest for reporters and news organizations in the four states. The contest

grew from a Colorado-only contest on the heels of the closure of the Rocky Mountain News in 2009 to ensure a robust and competitive field.

The 2023 contest had more than 1,750 entries from more than 100 news media outlets and freelancers, a 12% increase over the number of entries in 2022. The entries were judged by journalists in Illinois and Ohio.

Entrants compete in four divisions based on newsroom staff size: extra-large newsrooms, large newsrooms, medium newsrooms and small newsrooms. The WTE competed in the large newsrooms division.

Sawyer Copple sits up after getting thrown during mutton bustin’ at the Laramie County Fair in Cheyenne on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. This photo won a third-place award recently in the SPJ Top of the Rockies contest. Alyte Katilius/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

Raylan Sanderson, 7, rests his chin on his father Mitchell’s back beneath their family’s tent along the 40-mile marker during the Leadville Trail 100 MTB in Leadville, Colo., on Aug. 13, 2022. “Riding for Raylan” won a third-place award recently in the SPJ Top of the Rockies contest. Alyte Katilius/Wyoming Tribune Eagle

THE GLENDIVE RANGERREVIEW TRACES ITS ROOTS

EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA

The Glendive Ranger-Review traces its roots back to the first newspaper established in Dawson County, Montana in 1881 and began publishing a twice-weekly schedule under the current name in 1961. It is the only newspaper of general circulation based in Dawson County – an area of nearly 2,400 square miles of rugged badlands and rolling hills on the far eastern end of the state – which is home to just 9,000 people. The Dawson County economy is based on a three-legged stool of agriculture, energy and tourism. This relative economic diversity for a frontier county has led to a stable and vibrant community.

The Ranger-Review joined Adams Publishing Group on Nov. 1, 2022 having been one of 13 former Yellowstone Newspaper publications acquired by APG. The newspaper is led by publisher Chad Knudson, who has led the newspaper for about 11 years, along with managing editor Jamie Crisafulli. Crisafulli joined the staff over 25 years ago and has held a variety of positions over the years.

The newsroom includes two staff reporters, both of whom have roots in Glendive and have returned to work for the RangerReview. Hunter Herbaugh began working as a summer intern while a student at the University of Montana in 2018. He joined the

staff permanently after graduating in 2020. Brendan Heidner first came to work in 2019. The news staff has quickly adapted to the Blox CMS recently rolled out across the Montana newspapers and have been enjoying the expanded flexibility the new digital-first approach and new websites afford their journalism.

The Ranger-Review's advertising efforts are led by Tracy Dey, who joined the staff in 2014. She has consistently been recognized for her sales accomplishments and her leadership during the significant transition that has come with the Ranger-Review's ongoing integration into the APG sales model.

The Glendive Ranger-Review experiences a strong reputation among the local community and has long maintained a hyper-local focus that readers value. In addition to robust coverage of local government, business, organizations and events, the newspaper regularly covers human interest and other features. A popular recent tradition has

been regular series reporting on historical figures and events: In 2022 the “Tragedy and Treachery” series highlighted some of the area’s most gruesome crimes and devastating disasters.

The Ranger-Review is an active participant in the Montana Newspaper Association and hosted the 137th State Convention in Glendive in June 2022 when Knudson was president of the organization.

In addition to their service to the RangerReview, the staff also publishes the Terry Tribune. The Tribune is a weekly serving neighboring Prairie County – with a population of just over 1,000.

ELLENSBURG DAILY RECORD AND STANWOOD CAMANO NEWS NEW EDITOR

Craig Parrish has been named editor of the Ellensburg Daily Record and the Stanwood Camano News. Parrish started with the Skagit Valley Herald as a sports copy editor in 2011 before he was promoted to communities editor over two weeklies and the Skagit Valley Herald's 360 entertainment and Skagit Living sections. He started his latest roles in mid-February.

CHECK OUT THE APG HR PORTAL

HR STAFF | BENEFITS CONTACTS | JOB OPENINGS | NEWSLETTERS

To help simplify your employment at APG, we have built this Associate portal as a resource for you. Inside, you will find quick links and easy access to: human resources staff, benefits contacts, job openings, newsletters and more…

This is a great place to start when you are searching for HR information. Of course, if you can’t find what you are looking for or need additional help, our HR team is always available to assist you. You can find their contact info at hr.adamspg.com/contact or you can send them a quick message to AskHR@adamspg.com.

LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT POSITION WITHIN APG?

Ask HR!

Have a question, but don’t know whom to ask? The Human Resources staff is listening! You can always send an email to Ask HR if you have questions or concerns. Emails will be kept confidential and, if we print your question in the APG newsletter, we will not use your name.

Questions may be emailed to AskHR@adamspg.com or sent interoffice to your regional HR representative.

DON’T KNOW WHOM TO CALL? CONTACT HUMAN RESOURCES.

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

GWEN DAVIS

HR Manager - East gdavis@apgenc.com 252.366.8139

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

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

CONGRATULATIONS TO ASSOCIATES WHO HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE APG REFERRAL BONUS FOR NEW HIRES!