APG Newsletter February 2024 by Adams Publishing Group

HUMAN RESOURCES

COVID-19 UPDATES COVID VACCINES AND TESTING The CDC recommends everyone (6) months and older get an updated Covid-19 vaccine to protect against Covid-19 illness. Vaccinations remain the best protection against Covid-19- related hospitalizations and death. APG supports the CDC recommendations and encourages associates to get a Covid-19 vaccine or updated booster to help mitigate the spread of the virus. To support associates, APG offers a 1/2 day off to get your vaccine. All you have to do is provide HR with documentation that you received the vaccine for the 1/2 day credit. Remember, Covid-19 vaccines are free to participants covered by a medical plan and available at your doctors office and participating pharmacies.

Additionally, APG feels accessibility to Covid-19 testing is important. Adams Publishing Group chose to ensure continuity of care for BCBS participants and will cover the cost of Covid-19 OTC test kits, up to (8) per participant each month for the remainder of the 2024 plan year, without passing along the charges to APG associates. FREE COVID TEST KITS are also available at

HTTPS://SPECIAL.USPS.COM/TESTKITS We hope the 1/2 day off to obtain a vaccine and free testing kits will keep you and your families healthy this winter. We ask that you stay home if you are not feeling well and observe the CDC recommendations for testing, isolation and return to activities.

APG EAST

Nothing like a plunge in the river to stir a waterfront crowd! The U.S. Coast Guard’s service motto is Semper Paratus – Always Ready.

TEXT ADAMSPG TO 41411

To demonstrate, this serviceman took a splash in the Pasquotank River during the 2023 Potato Festival. With munching on mounds of cotton candy, turkey legs and grilled Polish sausages, the Elizabeth City crowd of festival attendees cheered as he plunged into the chilly river. Several Coast Guard personnel participated in the team’s public rescue demonstration back in May. According to its website, Base Elizabeth City coordinates and provides regional mission support activities within the Fifth Coast Guard District. Each town festival has its unique public events and it’s our pleasure to photograph those special moments in time.

APG EAST

SNAPS

Mary Beth Hemby has volunteered as a volleyball coach in the community for over a decade and continues to do so. Given her years of service and dedication, she was recognized on December 4 at an event -- and won the very prestigious GOVERNOR’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD! Mary Beth is the Customer Care Supervisor at The Greenville Daily Reflector in Greenville, NC.

The Keys Citizen’s J.W. Cooke received the Best Sports Journalist Award from the Florida Keys Soccer League after the championship match. Roughly 1,000 fans took in the title tilt, thanks in part to the FKSL’s inclusion with SCORE, Monroe County’s weekly sports magazine.

APG EAST

The Greeneville NC Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. donated toys to the Pitt County area Toys for Tots event. Quinton Manley (fourth from left) is Circulation Manager for Eastern NC and volunteers to help with this project. What an awesome opportunity! Thank you, Quinton!

The Greenville Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi donated 40 turkeys to the Pitt County School office to be distributed to parents for Thanksgiving. Volunteers include one of our own, APG East associate Quinton Manley. Quinton was happy to have the opportunity to help with this project.

APG EAST

Multi-Media Account Executive Misty Weech, a 16-year Keys Citizen veteran, raised the flag for the Keys Citizen at the annual Florida Keys Community College on Saturday, Nov. 3. According to Misty, a high point for the many teenage attendees was the Citizen’s SCORE high school sports magazine. All 8,500 students in Monroe County, FL, have free access to the Citizen’s digital editions as part of their curriculum. The SCORE magazine advertisers contribute to the foundation that makes this student access possible.

The culmination of the recent 10-day Fantasy Fest celebration in Key West featured large extravagant floats, masked, costumed characters, and exotically garbed marching groups in the Bud Light Fantasy Fest Parade through the island city’s historic district. The Lower Keys Fluffers group, with their “Conch-tucky Derby” theme float, won Best Overall, with Keys Citizen Executive Editor Chris Seymour cheering on the crowd and judges as King Triton. Photo by Rob O’Neal/Keys Citizen

APG EAST

“I’m submitting a photo that I captured at Logan High School. I caught the moment just as Logan’s Taylor Turner pinned his opponent from Pickerington Central. Such a powerful photo that shows victory and defeat, and glory and lost opportunity.” – Jeremy Allen (Logan Daily News).

Vroom, vroom, vroom. Here comes the substitute squad for Santa’s best-known elves! Yes, this team had plenty of horsepower as they roared onto the scene of the 2023 Perquimans County Christmas Parade.

HIGH ROAD AGENCY

PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISING: WHAT IS IT AND WHY IT MATTERS THE HIGH ROAD AGENCY You may have heard the term “programmatic advertising” used by marketers and advertisers. But what exactly does it mean? Programmatic advertising refers to using automated software to purchase digital advertising. This method is different from traditional ways of buying ads manually. In this article, we will break down the basics of programmatic advertising to explain what it is, how it works, and why it is becoming so popular.

The programmatic software considers multiple target audience factors like demographics, interests, behaviors, browsing history, and location. By connecting these data points, it determines which ad spaces are optimal to achieve campaign goals. Bidding and purchasing happen instantly according to the parameters set by the advertiser. This all takes place in milliseconds as web pages load. Pretty cool!

Why Is Programmatic Advertising Important?

What Is Programmatic Advertising?

Programmatic advertising opens up many positive opportunities:

Programmatic advertising uses special software to buy and manage digital ads automatically. The software uses complex algorithms, or calculations. These algorithms consider many factors to determine the best possible opportunities to show ads to the desired target audience. As a result, ads can be delivered with precision to the people most likely to respond positively.

■ Precision Targeting - Software considers many complex

Here is a simple way to explain programmatic ad buying:

■ Traditional advertising: A human looks at information and makes decisions about placing ads. This takes more time.

■ Programmatic advertising: Automated software makes decisions to buy ads instantly based on data. This is very fast.

So in short: Programmatic advertising relies on computer software and machine learning, not manual human efforts. The software makes it quicker and easier to find and engage with your chosen audience.

How Does Programmatic Advertising Work? Programmatic advertising systems connect to digital platforms like websites, social media sites, and streaming TV services. These platforms have ad inventory they want to sell companies so they can show ads to users. Programmatic software allows advertisers to purchase this inventory automatically to show their ads. In the past, buying ads involved requests for proposals, negotiations, and manual placements. Now specialized marketing technology platforms take over this process seamlessly using intelligent algorithms.

data signals to reach exactly the right people anywhere across channels. No guessing needed!

■ Automated Process - The streamlined, automated process saves time over manual ad buying.

■ Better Performance - Algorithms examine audience data and previous performance results to optimize for improved campaign performance.

■ Informed Decisions - Detailed reporting provides insights

so advertisers can understand their customers and make smart optimizations.

■ Cost Savings - Software automation leads to lower operational costs for ad purchasing. And precise targeting provides more value per dollar spent.

As you can see, programmatic advertising provides benefits both for advertisers wanting to reach potential new customers and for publishers trying to sell their ad inventory. Learning the basics is key for anyone in the digital advertising arena.

The Bottom Line We hope this article sheds some light on what programmatic advertising entails and why it matters. Programmatic uses sophisticated software and machine learning to remove manual efforts from digital advertising. By leveraging data and algorithms, it targets audiences precisely and efficiently. Programmatic trading happens instantly behind the scenes as web pages load. With automation maximizing value, programmatic methods represent the new industry standard.

APG CENTRAL

WE WISH YOU GOOD LUCK ON NEW ADVENTURES! NORTHERN MINNESOTA We want to wish Chris good luck as he moves on to new adventures and thank him for everything he has done for all of us in his years at APG in Northern Minnesota. We will be forever grateful, and he will be dearly missed by all of us here in Northern Minnesota. Chris began his advertising career at Manney’s Shopper in Virginia. He then moved into the Outdoor Advertising industry, selling and overseeing several Minnesota and Wisconsin markets for Skoglund Outdoor Advertising. He became advertising director at the Mesabi Daily News in 1995, then its publisher in 2005. During his time with Adams Publishing Group, Chris also served as a Regional President/ Publisher for APG’s Southern Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin, and Eau Claire Press Company. Additionally, he was President of the Minnesota Newspaper Association in 2020 and was a member of the Mesabi Range College Alumni Association’s board of directors, as well as several other local organizations. Chris resides in Virginia with his wife, Marci, and his four-legged friend, Vinnie. We’re sure we’ll see Chris out on the lake fishing, on the trails four-wheeling, or on the golf course in the years to come.

APG CENTRAL

JOLLY JINGLES SOUTHERN WISCONSIN On Dec. 2, 2023, ten Gazette staff members had a blast at the Jolly Jingle Parade in downtown Janesville, Wisconsin. They gathered at their printing plant for pizza, decked out a delivery van with lights, and joined the parade. Their driver navigated the route, while the rest of them, wearing Gazette gear, walked and distributed candy to the lively crowd. It was a fun night, strengthening their ties with the Janesville community.

BOOK DRIVE BELOIT DAILY NEWS The Beloit Daily News collected over 800 books during the 37th Annual Books for Kids book drive. Area residents are asked to donate gently used or new books appropriate for children. The books then are delivered to the Salvation Army of Rock County, DEFY Domestic Abuse domestic violence shelter and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Book collection boxes were set up at three area public libraries and six local businesses, including the Beloit Daily News.

APG CENTRAL

JOSH ANSELMI THE DIGITAL DYNAMO OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN SOUTHERN WISCONSIN 2023 was a wild success for Southern Wisconsin’s Digital team. The year saw significant growth in both digital clients and revenue, exceeding the financial plan by over 20%. Much of that success is credited to Josh Anselmi, the “ace-up-our-sleeve” of Southern Wisconsin. Josh’s journey with us began right out of college. His strong understanding of visual impact immediately stood out. His creations are not just advertisements; they are visual stories that capture the essence of our clients’ brands. From eye-catching digital ads to engaging social media graphics, Josh’s designs have significantly elevated our digital presence. But Josh’s talents don’t end there. As a Web Designer, he has the rare ability to combine aesthetics with functionality. He has designed several websites for our clients, each reflecting a unique brand identity, seamless user experience, and innovative design elements. These websites aren’t just online spaces; they are digital experiences that leave lasting impressions. In the realm of video editing, Josh continues to impress. His work on commercials and video content is a testament to his storytelling prowess. Each frame is meticulously crafted to convey the right message, emotion, and call to action. His videos are not just advertisements; they are narratives that resonate with viewers, creating powerful connections between brands and their audiences. Beyond his designated roles, Josh is our ‘go-to’ problem solver. Whether it’s a last-minute design change, a technical glitch, or a creative block, he approaches each challenge with a can-do attitude and an innovative mindset. His solutions are not just fixes; they are improvements that enhance the overall quality of our projects. Josh’s contributions go beyond his professional skills. His collaborative spirit, positive attitude, and willingness to mentor others have made him an indispensable part of our team. He embodies the spirit of teamwork and continuous learning, inspiring those around him to strive for excellence. All this is to say that Josh is really something special. He’s certainly smart, but it goes beyond that. He’s a problem-solver. His skills and his work set a standard that is met by few, but noticed by all. His work has been pivotal in our success, helping us to move fast and deliver exceptional results to our clients. As we celebrate his talents and achievements, we also look forward to the continued innovation and creativity he brings to our team. B Love Pastries: www.blovepastries.com

Examples of Josh’s Work:

| Janesville Jets YouTube Commercial: https://youtu.be/TQYohR-1Bl0

APG WEST

JUDITH BASIN PRESS SHOWS HOW WORKING TOGETHER CAN BE A WIN-WIN FOR ALL JUDITH BASIN PRESS If you get the chance to visit Judith Basin County in north central Montana, you’ll know why the state is called Big Sky Country. Covering an area of 1,871 miles (nearly 600 square miles larger than Rhode Island) Judith Basin County is a land of wide-open spaces and very few people. The last census showed just over 2,000 people and 900 households in the county. More than half of those households read their local newspaper, the Judith Basin Press. The “Press” as it is fondly known, has been serving the people and businesses of the area since 1909. Today, Editor Melody Montgomery, is the face of the Press. She has been at the helm since 2018 and has earned several awards for her work through the state newspaper association. In a typical week, Montgomery might cover everything from a county fair to a school board meeting, and everything in between. From the outside looking in, it might appear Montgomery is a one-person operation, but the Press is actually a good example of how small APG newspapers like the Press can work together with larger newspapers nearby, and both can benefit from the relationship. Montgomery works hand in hand with the staff at the Lewistown NewsArgus, 45 miles away. Montgomery provides the bulk of the news for each Saturday edition of the Press, while the News-Argus provides support in the way of advertising, audience and bookkeeping. The News-Argus and Press share content and resources throughout the year, and both locations benefit from the arrangement. The result is a truly local smalltown newspaper filled with the kind of content readers can’t get anywhere else. To learn more about the Judith Basin Press, check it out at judithbasinpress.net or visit their Facebook page.

APG WEST

Skagit Valley Herald employees donate their time on Nov. 30 during a toy wrapping event for the publication’s annual Christmas Fund.

HERALD’S CHRISTMAS FUND HELPS THOUSANDS IN NEED The nonprofit Skagit Valley Herald Christmas Fund was able to help 2,343 families with 6,532 children this year, thanks to many community donations of volunteer hours, toys and financial assistance. The 74th annual fund increased its outreach from last year, when 1,974 low-income families that included 5,419 children were helped. The Fund provides one toy and one book for each child, and a $45 grocery gift card for a holiday meal, according to Christmas Fund Co-administrator Lynn Postler. Individuals and organizations also provide the money each year that keeps this program going. Gifts ranged from a few dollars from individual donors to large gifts and grants from major local organizations.

This year, the Fund has raised $207,101 in grants and donations. On Nov. 30 several Skagit Valley Herald employees met at the local fairgrounds to help pack gifts during a designated volunteer time provided by the company. “Helping to pack the presents for local children makes you feel like Santa Claus – or maybe an elf. It’s the best part of Christmas,” said Skagit Valley Herald reporter Racquel Muncy. “You get to choose presents for kids without having to stress about the financials behind the presents. You know you’re spreading joy and helping people who are out here trying their best during hard times.” “We chose a book, toy, hat and something dedicated as extra for each child, while supplies lasted. The hats ran out quick,” she said.

“These went into black garbage bags and we lined half the room. While it felt like a lot -- we probably did almost 300 bags -- it was only a drop in the bucket compared to what the volunteers did.” As is typical, numerous volunteers from the community contributed by taking in toys, preparing them for distribution and helping to hand them out at a drive-through event at the local fairgrounds. The fund has historically raised most of its money during the holiday season, though funds are accepted all year. The program would not be possible without the dedication of Postler and fellow co-administrators Paula Becker and Jillian Lidgard.