ASSOCIATE NEWSLETTER
Grand Tetons, Alta, Wyoming – Photo by Taylor Winger, Post Register - Community News Editor
APRIL 2018
CONTENTS SHARE YOUR AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS! Have your picture featured here or on the cover! Did you take a photo that you love for an article, a project you are working on, or from your last adventure? Send your image with a description to AskHR@adamspg.com and it may be featured in the next newsletter.
taken by Sheonna Hill – Bozeman Daily Chronicle
View in Puerto Rico 2
Waterfall in Puerto Rico
APRIL 2018 NEWSLETTER
APG West
APG Central
APG East
QUAST NAMED PRESIDENT
MessAge MEDIA, GRAND SLAM, EXCITING NEWS
TRIBUTES, WATAUGA DEMOCRAT AWARDS, MILLENIALS, WILD TIMES
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PAGE 10
SILVA JOINS MESSENGER INDEX
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Human Resources
HEALTH, SAFETY, HR PORTAL
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER I’m happy to report that our 2017 401(k) contribution is now complete. I’m glad to see our participation levels as high as they are. The review committee continues to monitor its performance, especially considering some of the market volatility lately. Eric Johnston, our new West Division President, and I had a productive tour two weeks ago through Montana, Idaho, Utah, Oregon, and Washington. The former Pioneer News folks have done a great job transitioning and integrating from their former owner to APG. Same goes for Mt. Airy and MessAgeMedia folks. We continue to invest in, and streamline, the company’s systems and infrastructure in order to provide the best tools we can to all associates. Kudos to all of the IT teams for their support and hard work. These activities will be ongoing as we strive to give you the tools to be as efficient as you can, and not waste time on broken systems or antiquated hardware and software. We can’t do it all at once, but it’s a top priority as we move forward. Finally, congrats to all our news teams for the many journalism, reporting, and editorial awards we continue to win. You are our ‘franchise’, and we applaud your accomplishments. Thanks! Mark Adams/CEO
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APG WEST
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DELICATE ARCH AT NIGHT – Moab, UT taken by Sarah Mast – The High Road Agency
APG WEST
TRAVIS QUAST NAMED REGIONAL PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER IN EASTERN IDAHO POCATELLO, ID (March 5, 2018) The Adams Publishing Group today named Travis Quast as the Regional President and Publisher of the company’s eastern Idaho publications including the Idaho State Journal (Pocatello, ID), The Post Register (Idaho Falls, ID), The Standard Journal (Rexburg, ID) and the Teton Valley News (Driggs, ID). Quast will also provide oversight for the Herald Journal (Logan, UT). Quast will assume his new role on Monday, Apr. 2, 2018.
Quast currently serves on the board of directors for the Newspaper Association of Idaho and is a member of the University of Idaho Journalism and Mass Media Advisory Committee. He has been involved in numerous community leadership roles, such as the Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization as well as his local Rotary, for which he recently served as club president.
“I am excited to be joining the talented team in Eastern Idaho.” Quast said. “This group of publications is well known and respected for their coverage of the area and I am looking forward to continuing and building upon their tradition of excellence.”
Recognized for his efforts to protect First Amendment rights and advocacy for transparency in local and state government, Quast won a landmark case against the University of Idaho for access to teacher evaluations. He continues to lead efforts to shape local government public records and open meeting policies.
Prior to joining the Adams Publishing Group, Quast served for five years as Publisher of the Twin Falls Times-News, The Voice – both Idaho publications – and the Elko Daily Free Press in Nevada. He has also served as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Idaho Statesman (Boise, ID) and held management positions at the Bellingham Herald (Bellingham, WA) and Newspaper Agency Corp. – agents for the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News in Salt Lake City, UT.
“Travis is a proven champion for local community news and a thoughtful strategic leader,” said Eric Johnston, President, Western Division, for the Adams Publishing Group. “His wide range of experience, passion for our industry and creative leadership style will surely be invaluable as we continue to serve our communities in the Eastern Idaho region.”
NEW ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE JOINS MESSENGER INDEX Jasmine Silva, Emmett, ID, joined the staff of the Messenger Index in February as an advertising representative. Silva lives in Gem County and said,”I am very excited to be more involved in this wonderful community. Growing up in the area, I have fallen in love with the people here and the beautiful outdoors that surrounds us all.” “Jasmine has done a tremendous job in her first 30 days with our company. She has cultivated new and nurtured ongoing relationships definitely showing her sales performance,” said Sales Coach Angela Sammons from the Idaho PressTribune. Silva says the favorite thing about herself is that she is a mom to a very amazing little boy.
A native of the Pacific Northwest, Quast was born in Burley, Idaho. He and his wife LaNae Empey Quast have two children, Maddy and Ian. Quast is a graduate of the University of Idaho where he earned a B.A. in Public Communication.
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APG CENTRAL
MessAge MEDIA PRINTS IN PRINCETON PRINCETON, MN (Friday, Mar. 16, 2018) -
we need to in order to make it the best it can be.”
The MessAge Media, Inc., (MMI) team joined APG in November and in February moved the printing of the three products (Aitkin Independent Age in Aitkin, Minn., Mille Lacs Messenger, Isle, Minn., and Bargain Hunter, the shopper for the Aitkin and Isle area) to the APG print site in Princeton, Minnesota. The transition to the new print facility went well. The change has created efficiencies and the drop times have been good despite some winter snowstorms.
MMI Office Sales Manager RoxAnne Bouley said, “The printing (quality) is great!”
“The color has been vibrant, the photos and type crisp and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the change,” said Sales Director Liz Moscatelli. Sharon Dotzler works at the Aitkin Age and handles the distribution of the products. She has been working with the Princeton print site on the change for the last few months coordinating the drivers, drops, bundles and communicating changes leading up to the launch date. Post-press Manager Cody Griffin said, “We hope that the print quality is better. Things are moving along. The Bargain Hunter runs have gone really well and we are making changes as
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Photo above: The Aitkin Age staff proudly shows off their newspapers and shopper. L to R: Sharon Dotzler, Jeanne Schram, Kathy Robb, Mary MacArthur, Joel Sydnes, Judy Peysar, RoxAnne Bouley, Brielle Bredsten, Linda Bauer
Aitkin Age Editor Brielle Bredsten was a former ECM employee before she joined MessAge Media. “It’s good to be back in the family,” Bredsten said, “we have a great team at the Aitkin office and we are proud of the work we do.” The MMI Transition Team meets each week to collaborate and discuss efficiencies. The team includes: Mark Weber, ECM President; Mike Erickson, Andy Lawson, Production; Gary Glick and Sharon Dotzler, Distribution; Doug Wilson, Cody Griffin, Mike Ehman, Princeton Press; Tonya Orbeck, Legal Department; Amy Lindquist, Operations Brainworks; Kirk Vlasak, IT; Keith Anderson, News; Kevin Anderson, MMI; RoxAnne Bouley, Liz Moscatelli, Sales; John McGraw, Finance; and Dave Traub, Classified. The team is proud of the work that has been done and looks forward to creating even more synergy within APG.
DOUG WILSON FORK LIFT PRACTICAL TEST Doug Wilson, Vice President of Production for Adams Publishing Group, taking his forklift practical test at the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
APG CENTRAL
WYOMING TRIBUNE EAGLE WINS 5TH GRAND SLAM ASSOCIATED PRESS SPORTS EDITORS CHEYENNE , WY (March 5, 2018) - The Wyoming Tribune Eagle sports department won the Grand Slam in the 2017 Associated Press Sports Editors national contest for the fifth consecutive year. To win the Grand Slam, newspapers must place in daily, Sunday and special sections, as well as website. The WTE won the Grand Slam in the under-15,000 circulation category. The Laramie Boomerang won APSE’s Triple Crown honor for the second consecutive year by placing in Sunday, special section and website. The two sports departments share combined resources and collectively are known as WyoSports.
country at The Poynter Institute, and by off-site judges. Individually, WyoSports editor Jeremiah Johnke placed in the top 10 in feature writing in under-30,000 circulation category with his story on Cheyenne’s Cannon Meyer appearing on the television show “American Ninja Warrior.” WyoSports senior editor Robert Gagliardi placed in the top five in the multimedia category for his year-long work on the 2018 University of Wyoming football recruiting tracker in the under-30,000 circulation category. Gagliardi also earned top 10 recognition in explanatory writing in under-30,000 for his story on far-reaching impacts of the UWOregon football game from the 2017 season.
The contest was judged by APSE members from throughout the
WYOMING SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS Kristine Galloway with the WTE and Gregory Hasman with the Rocket-Miner are teaming up with a reporter at the Jackson Hole News & Guide to help establish a Society of Professional Journalists chapter in Wyoming.
Have you played a game of
NORTHFIELD-OPOLY?
Kristine Galloway
Gregory Hasman
The Northfield News put together a new “NorthfieldOpoly” game based on the popular board game, and sold out it’s allotment of games to the public quickly. Revenue from the new project topped $22,000, and it created a lot of excitement in the Northfield community. Pictured with the game is Ad Manager Jay Petsche of the Northfield News.
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APG CENTRAL
DIRECT MAIL… SO FUN TO SELL!
Fairbault Daily News and Northfield News launch
COMMUNITY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINES Faribault Daily News and Northfield News in southern Minnesota both launched community lifestyle magazines in March. “Fleur de Lis” and “Northfield Now” are full color, glossy publications filled with feature stories, local photography and institutional and brand-driven local advertising. The newspaper editorial staff developed much of the content, along with local freelance writers. The magazines are distributed only to paid subscribers and are not included in dealer and rack copies. Non-subscribers can purchase the magazine for two dollars. Subscribers were not charged for the premiere issue, but will be charged for subsequent issues using the “bonus day” model. For more information, contact Faribault Daily News Publisher Sam Gett at sgett@faribault.com.
Many of you don’t know me so let me introduce myself. I am Cheri O’Bannon, Director of Specialty Publications & Magazines with APG/ECM in the Twin Cities market in Minnesota. I have been involved in newspaper sales and custom publishing my entire career and have been in advertising sales for many years and in multiple capacities. I started developing my direct mail experience when working at the StarTribune in the Minneapolis market when I managed the Coldwell Banker Burnet Distinctive Homes magazine division. I was responsible for selling all the real estate listings in the magazine to individual agents, managed the magazine process and then direct mailed that magazine to a specific demographic with two mail selects for over seventeen years. I had to figure out direct mail and when I did, I started selling direct mail to my base of clients and am still working with those clients today. I left the StarTribune four years ago to come to APG/ECM and have been a Sales Director. Recently I have moved over the lead Specialty Publications and Magazines including custom printing and direct mail. Direct Mail is fun and a great source of revenue! Do you have clients trying to reach a specific audience? If so, direct mail is a terrific solution for them! Having solid solutions to target a specific audience is what direct mail is all about. If your clients know what their desired customer looks like, we can reach them! Direct mail allows you to target at the zip code or route level and select criteria that
meets your clients’ needs. You want to reach single family homeowners with a home value of $500,000 or above? You can reach those homeowners. Want to reach people with a certain income threshold? You can reach those people. Want to reach people that live in a specific school district? You can reach them with direct mail. You can target an audience by demographics very easily! We have the resources to support selling direct mail by designing and printing custom post cards, brochures and booklets that get very compelling results. We all have talented artists that can create powerful designs that complement that clients image to reinforce their message in multiple venues. Direct mail creates an opportunity for salespeople to deepen their relationship with their clients by having a discussion with them regarding their business needs and goals. Having that conversation creates the opportunity for a trusting relationship and can provide insight to what can help them grow their business. And you can be the solution to help them! Direct mail is another tool which is unique and if you can take the lead on your clients’ direct mail initiatives, they will learn to rely on you for their marketing efforts. It is just like selling advertising but in a different and more targeted approach. A great compliment to current marketing efforts. If you are interested adding thousands of dollars to your monthly business and learning more about direct mail, reach out to Cheri O’Bannon to find out how to get started at cheri.obannon@ecm-inc.com.
EXCITING NEWS The Cheyenne press plant is now printing the Estes Park News newspaper every week. Dennis Book received a finder’s fee/bonus for bringing this print job to our production team! The Laramie Boomerang won APSE’s Triple Crown honor for the second consecutive year by placing in Sunday, special section and website. WyoSports editor Jeremiah Johnke placed in the top 10 in feature writing in ASPE’s under-30,000 circulation category with his story on Cheyenne’s Cannon Meyer appearing on the television show “American Ninja Warrior.” WyoSports senior editor Robert Gagliardi placed in the top five in ASPE’s multimedia category for his year-long work on the 2018 University of Wyoming football recruiting tracker in the under-30,000 circulation category. Gagliardi also earned top 10 recognition in explanatory writing in under-30,000 for his story on far-reaching impacts of the UW-Oregon football game from the 2017 season.
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APG CENTRAL
SUNSET – Gray, TN taken by Kyle Wirick – The High Road Agency 9
APG EAST
WATAUGA DEMOCRAT WINS 15 NC PRESS AWARDS RALEIGH, NC (March 3, 2018) Staff of the Watauga Democrat brought home 15 honors from the North Carolina Press Association’s 2017 editorial and advertising contests, which were awarded Feb. 22 at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley. The awards included nods for general excellence — the top editorial award for newspapers — as well as distinguished newspaper work in higher education, sports coverage, feature writing, news reporting, niche publication, special section and retail ads. “I’m very proud of the effort our staff has made over the past several years to raise the quality of the journalism that we provide our community,” said Gene Fowler, publisher of the Watauga Democrat and Mountain Times Publications. The Democrat placed third in its community newspaper division for General Excellence, which bases judging on “mechanical excellence, general and departmental news coverage, literacy excellence, promotion of community interests, graphics and appearance, editorial vigor, use of photographs and advertising enterprise.” “This community deserves good journalism, and we strive for that each and every day,” said Anna Oakes, editor of the Watauga Democrat and All About
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Women magazine. “I am so proud of my colleagues for their work ethic, tenacity and genuine passion to serve the people of the High Country.” Oakes and Watauga Democrat Reporter Thomas Sherrill also received the Duke University Green-Lossiter Award for Distinguished Newspaper Work in Higher Education in the community division. Only two awards were given statewide in this category — one for community newspapers and one for dailies. Judges wrote, “Congratulations to the newspaper for taking steps to cover a ... university in its area, with an eye to seeing the university as a major engine of local development. Its coverage was comprehensive and informative.” Entries that garnered the award included articles on Appalachian State University’s plans for public-private partnerships for campus projects, athletics fee increases, records on student vaccination rates amid several cases of mumps, and efforts by the university and students to promote diversity and respond to concerns. Reporter Kayla Lasure won first place in community newspaper division B for Best Video for “Baldridge funeral services take place in Ashe” — poignant images of a family and community mourning a soldier killed in Afghanistan.
Lasure also won a second-place award in the General News Reporting category for her story “Local family mourns soldier killed in Afghanistan,” and a third-place award in the News Feature category for “Where is Martin Roberts?” — a compilation of interviews with family, friends and police one year after a local student went missing. The newspaper claimed a first-place recognition for Best Special Section in its division in the advertising contest for the 2016-17 edition of “Boone My Hometown,” a relocation and community resource guide published in conjunction with the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. “Consistent and clean! This section is full of beautifully designed ads and nicely organized content,” judges wrote. Watauga Democrat Sports Editor Steve Behr took second place in community newspapers division B for Sports Coverage, and he also garnered a second-place nod for Sports Columns. Oakes won a second-place award in the Online Breaking News Coverage category for her reporting on the Horton Fire in the Sampson community in late 2016. “Information valuable to the reader. Informative and thorough. Clean copy,” the judges wrote.
APG EAST Third place in the Religion and Faith Reporting category went to Sherrill for his story on Ratio Christi, a Christian apologetics organization at Appalachian State. Rob Moore captured third place in the Sports Photography category for a shot of a “spectacular catch” by High Country Grizzlies receiver Malachi Jones. Judges said they “could sense the receiver running through the air with the football.” For the second year in a row, All About Women magazine placed in the Best Niche Publication category for its All About Weddings wedding guide — this year placing second in both the advertising and editorial contests. “I do wedding guides and shows yearly,” a judge wrote. “Beautiful magazine; wedding highlights are outstanding.”
The advertising staff also claimed second and third place in the Best Retail Ad in a Niche Publication category: Meleah Bryan won second place for her “Things We Love” page in All About Women, and Bryan and marketing consultant Mark Mitchell were recognized for an ad for Molly Northern Interiors. In addition, the Democrat’s fellow publications within the Mountain Times Publications group garnered multiple awards. The Blowing Rocket won three editorial and advertising awards; The Avery Journal-Times garnered eight awards; and the former Ashe Mountain Times (now the Ashe Post & Times) won four advertising awards. The Jefferson Post — which late last year merged with the Ashe Mountain Times to form the Ashe Post & Times — also won several advertising awards in the 2017 contest.
BAY TIMES TRIBUTE BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION Kent Island New Beginnings Church of God in Christ presented a tribute to the Bay Times and its staff during the church’s 15th annual Black History Celebration on March 2. Pastor Allen T. Cork Sr. wrote: “Your journalistic integrity, as part of the Fourth Estate, is impeccable. Your indiscriminate coverage regardless of race, gender, color, creed, political, economic, social, philosophical, religious and geographic persuasion have allowed us to share our church’s endeavors in the greater Queen Anne’s County region.” Sen. Nathaniel McFadden, keynote speaker for the celebration, presented the Bay Times with a Senatorial proclamation expressing appreciation to the newspaper, “For allowing the community to embrace and celebrate the Kent Island New Beginnings COGIC family’s milestones through impartial and consistent coverage.” The proclamation went on to state, “The service you provide to the community is Praiseworthy.”
From left, Sen. Nathaniel McFadden, Editor Angela Price and Pastor Allen T. Cork Sr. (Photo by Doug Bishop)
PATRICIA MCKENZIE CELEBRATES 40 YEARS WITH THE DPA On February 27, 1978, Patricia McKenzie walked into The Daily Post Athenian to apply for a job, and was hired that day to work in the Job Printing Division by Coil Burrell who was head of the division at the time. She was promoted in 1986 to management and ran the Job Printing Division for 23 years until it closed in 2009. Since then, she has worked in Advertising Specialties as Advertising Coordinator. In 40 years McKenzie has worked for eight publishers beginning her career under Robert D. Sykes and Executive Editor: J. Neal Ensminger. McKenzie said of these 40 years, “I never thought all those years ago when I walked in and was hired on the spot that I would still be there now. I must say I have enjoyed all these years meeting the people of Athens and working with the group of people that have forever found their way into my heart and are truly my family.”
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APG EAST
THE MILLENNIAL NEWSPAPER EDITOR Our own Tyler Buchanan, editor of The Athens Messenger and The Vinton Country Courier, is a mix of old school and technology when it comes to the newspaper business and social media - and he’s passionate about both. Read all about Tyler’s love of the news in the The Plain Dealer: goo.gl/kKD1WN .
OHIO APRIL VIP
SERVING SERVING IS IS A A LARGE LARGE PART PART OF OF THE THE GREENEVILLE GREENEVILLE SUN SUN CULTURE. CULTURE.
Each week a different employee of The Greeneville Sun is featured in a fullcolor ad that introduces and personalizes them and tells of the special role they play in the company. We want to emphasize their commitment to the quality of our products, length of time with the company, as well as their community involvement and personal interests. Employees decide whether they wish to participate or not, but we believe its important to remind our readers that we are LOCAL, and that we have local ties to the community, and readers can put a face to the person they have spoken with over the phone, in the office or by other means. The profile series will continue until all employees who wish to participate have been published, and at that time, we will consider establishing another theme or profile series. Continue reading on the next page to hear about more employees and how they serve their community at The Greeneville Sun.
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Sherry Conner was named the APG Media of Ohio VIP for the month of February. Sherry is a valuable member of the graphics team in Athens and works on a number of special projects for the sales teams including the Athens County and Pickaway County visitor guides. Sherry went the extra mile last month in working incredibly late to make sure that the final piece lived up to our standards and represented the Circleville Herald and APG Media of Ohio well. She hung in to the bitter end while Andrea Lewis and I edited and proofed the book well after midnight. Sherry understands that these pieces are distributed throughout the state and not only are a resource for the tourism bureaus but, if done well, can be a tool for us to get more partnerships with other CVBS, chambers of commerce and other entities.
APG EAST
SERVING IS WHAT MATTERS MOST AT THE GREENEVILLE SUN, TENNESSEE
I’m Max. Serving you matters most to me.
I’m Marie. Serving you matters most to me.
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I started at The Greeneville Sun parttime in 1964 and full-time in 1965. I’ve seen many changes over the past 54 years in how the newspaper is produced. Today, I am a graphic designer, creating ads on computers – a job I love and never would have thought I would be able to do. I’m a member of Hardin’s Chapel UM Church and the church’s UMW. I like to read, watch ballgames, and spend time with my family. – Marie Cox, Graphic Designer
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As newsroom and online assistant at The Greeneville Sun for almost 11 years, I enjoy diversity in my job. My primary responsibility is processing obituaries from funeral homes. I take great pride and care in seeing that a family’s loved one’s passing is presented with dignity, including clarifying information provided or making minor touch-ups to a well-loved photo. Outside of the office, I am a member of The Order of the Eastern Star (two chapters) and Order of the Amaranth. I love visiting my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters in Swansborough, N.C.
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As a press operator at The Greeneville Sun, I’m part of an essential function in physically printing the final product every day, along with other publications outside our own. Our press stays busy every day, and sometimes nights and weekends, so our team stays busy too. I started with the Sun as a carrier in 1995 and also have worked in the newspaper mailroom and pre-press area. Throughout my 23 years here, what I’ve liked best is the people I work with and the dedication of our press crew that wants to give you the best looking product every day. I love serving in our community as a deacon in Thrive Church.
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– Kelly Pickering -Max Olmsted Newsroom and Online Assistant Press Operator
-Max Olmsted Press Operator
| greenevillesun.com To subscribe, call (423) 638-4182 or visit www.greenevillesun.com
I’m Kelly. Serving you is what matters most to me.
| greenevillesun.com To subscribe, call (423) 638-4182 or visit www.greenevillesun.com
I’m Lisa. Serving you is what matters most to me.
| greenevillesun.com To subscribe, call (423) 638-4182 or visit www.greenevillesun.com
I’m Sandi. Serving you is what matters most to me.
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I began as a summer intern at the Greeneville Sun in 1988 while earning my degree in journalism, English and political science at ETSU, and became full-time in 1990. I am section editor and features writer for the Health, Maturity and Weekender sections, and handle church announcements for the weekly Faith section. I’m also the primary beat reporter for Town of Mosheim news. I love sharing interesting stories about the wonderful people of my native Greene County. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, watching sci-fi movies and playing Scrabble. In the community, I worked with the South Greene Band Boosters during my son’s high school years. And on a personal basis, I advocate for the Shriner’s Hospital, a great organization.
I’m Shirley. Serving you matters most to me.
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As Circulation Assistant at The Greeneville Sun, I'm involved in getting the newspaper to our readers. A big part of my job is working the circulation counter, where I help customers when they have questions about their subscription. What I’ve enjoyed most in my 44 years here is interacting with our customers. I’m an active member of Pine Grove FWB Church, where I’ve served as Secretary/Treasurer. I’ve also been a member of the Town of Baileyton Celebration Committee. For relaxation, I enjoy reading.
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As an Advertising Account Manager I work with local businesses to increase their visibility and sales through creative marketing strategies. I love seeing an idea become an ad campaign that succeeds for my clients. I’ve worked in newspaper advertising and marketing with The Tennessean (Nashville), The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, MS) and the Mississippi Press Association, and have been with The Greeneville Sun for more than two years. I love to travel – 34 states and 20 countries so far. I am on the Tech team at First Baptist Church of Greeneville. I’m a TN Achieve Mentor and a director for Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians, Christian Self Help and Mobile Medical Mission Hospital.
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-Shirley Jones Circulation Assistant
– Lisa Warren Staff Writer/Health Editor
| greenevillesun.com To subscribe, call (423) 638-4182 or visit www.greenevillesun.com
| greenevillesun.com To subscribe, call (423) 638-4182 or visit www.greenevillesun.com
Sandi Blalock Advertising Account Manager
| greenevillesun.com To subscribe, call (423) 638-4182 or visit www.greenevillesun.com
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APG EAST
OHIO HAD A ‘WILD’ TIME AT PROFIT BOOSTING EVENTS The events division in Ohio had a very successful first quarter. Andrea Lewis, Events and Marketing Director, helped Amanda Montgomery and the Pike County News Watchman hold a Senior Expo and the Jackson County Times Journal advertising staffs hold a Wild West Ladies Night Out. Not only were the events much more profitable than in past years, but they’re easy to replicate and we’re going to copy them later this year in their markets.
2017 • 3 events in 3 markets • Total collective audience of 246 • Total revenue including sponsorships $13714 • Total expenses including commissions $7600 • Profit margin of 45% 2018 • 2 events in 2 markets • Total collective audience of 415 • Total Revenue including sponsorships $21490 • Total expenses including commissions $8962.81 • Profit margin of 58% (Senior Expo 76% and ladies night 45%)
SHAMROCKIN’ SURPRISE The Logan Daily News editorial and advertising staffs delivered homemade shamrock cookies to Hocking County EMS, HVCH and 911 for St. Patrick’s Day. Rebecca Hedges and Deb Tobin delivered the cookies and took photos at each of the agencies. Everyone was surprised and delighted. This was their way of thanking the agencies for all they do for the community and having a positive contact with them that didn’t involve us wanting to sell an ad or get information for a story.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
DOCTOR ON DEMAND Have the High Deductible Health Plan but need to see a doctor?
SEE A DOCTOR 24/7, HDHP IS $44 | LDHP IS $0
Available where you are, without the hassle of the waiting room. Our doctors are equipped to support you and your family. Connect in minutes with boardcertified doctors and therapists over live video, and have prescriptions sent directly to your pharmacy.
VISIT THE DOCTOR FROM YOUR OWN HOME.
See a complete list of conditions and care offered on their website at www.doctorondemand.com (associates must register with BCBSMN first before registering with Doctor On Demand).
Mental Health treatment is also available Monday – Doctor On Demand treats allergies, back pain, Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM on any time zone. bronchitis, pneumonia, colds, coughs, congestion, conjunctivitis, headache, migraine, influenza, rashes, skin conditions, sinus infections, vomiting, diarrhea.
See a complete list of conditions and care offered on their website at doctorondemand.com.
NEED HELP FILLING PRESCRIPTIONS? Remember with the High Deductible Health Plan, there are still prescription medications that are free to associates to treat chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, thyroid etc. If a prescription is not on the list and you need help paying,
goodrx.com will give you the lowest cost of a prescription medication in your area. If the prescription is a brand name check out the manufacturers website for coupons or a co-pay card usually valid for one year. Questions? Need additional resources? Contact AskHR@adamspg.com
FIND THE LOWEST PRICE FOR YOUR PRESCRIPTION AT GOODRX.COM
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SAFETY
How you can reduce ON-THE-JOB-INJURIES Show you’re serious about safety by following these principles that can help you reduce on-the-job injuries for yourself and for those around you:
TOP 10
ACCIDENT PREVENTION ACTIONS
FOLLOW THE RULES. The safety policies are for your workplace. When it comes to workplace equipment, be sure you know how to properly operate it – read your equipment manual and understand the machine’s capabilities and its hazards; follow preventive maintenance guidelines. Remember: shortcuts aren’t worth the risk. REPORT HAZARDS IMMEDIATELY. Think you can’t do anything about the dim fluorescent light or loose railing? Think again. By immediately reporting safety hazards, you may save someone (perhaps even you) from unintentional injury. If you notice a potential hazard, talk to your supervisor or building maintenance personnel right away. LOOK OUT FOR OTHERS. Always use machine guards when you are working on or repairing equipment. If you need to step away from the machine, lock it out and tag it out. If you see co-workers doing something unsafe, let them know. If they continue to work unsafely, talk to your supervisor. They are putting themselves and others in jeopardy. REMINDER All locations should have a safety committee and audit their locations – once a month for press operations and once a quarter for office locations. For questions on safety, see your local production manager or contact Jeff Rowton, Safety Manager, Adams Publishing Group. Email jeff.rowton@adamspg.com
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Think before you act. Always follow safety procedures. Choose the right tools for each job, and use them properly. Store cutting tools safely when you’re not using them. Concentrate on what you are doing. Look out for warnings. Obey safety signs and labels. Ask for help when you need it. Share your own safety skills. Cooperate for safe teamwork.
CHECK OUT THE NEW
HR PORTAL We are very excited to announce our new HR portal. Why? Because it’s where you, as a valued APG associate, will be able to find answers to your HR questions. Here you will easily be able to contact HR personnel and have quick access to your benefits contacts. This is also where you will find the company newsletter, as well as all internal job postings. Whether you are looking to advance in a particular position at APG or if you would like to refer other
people to open positions, you can find all listings on the employee portal. Having all of this information at your fingertips is a wonderful benefit and we encourage you to take advantage of this tool. And, as always, if you need additional help, our HR team is always here to help!
CHECK OUT THE NEW PORTAL AT HR.ADAMSPG.COM HR STAFF | BENEFITS CONTACTS | JOB OPENINGS | NEWSLETTERS 17
HUMAN
MEET THE ADAMS HR FAMILY JO ANN HOPSON, PHR, SHRM-CP, CEBS
Vice President of Human Resources joann.hopson@adamspg.com 423.620.8771
TOM CLOUTIER
Talent Acquisition Director for Adams Publishing Group HR Manager – Maryland/Ohio tcloutier@adamspg.com 410.770.4159
PETE PASINI
HR Coordinator – Adams Publishing Group, Idaho/Utah ppasini@idahopress.com 208.465.8102
DEB BROOKS
HR Manager – Oregon, Washington, Montana dbrooks@skagitpublishing.com 360.416.2187
CHARLENE VOLD
Human Resource Coordinator – ECM Publishers, Inc./Southern Minnesota 763.712.2412
DEB MACHMEIER
Payroll/Human Resources Coordinator – Eau Claire, Wisconsin deb.machmeier@ecpc.com 715.833.9233
DON’T KNOW WHOM TO CALL? CONTACT HUMAN RESOURCES.
AskHR!
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 it 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. 18
RESOURCES
ASSOCIATE
REFERRAL PROGRAM Know someone who would be a perfect fit at APG?
WHAT’S IN IT FOR
YOU? $100
BONUS ONCE REFERRED ASSOCIATE REACHES 30 DAYS
REFER THEM AND YOU CAN EARN CASH
$200 BONUS ONCE REFERRED ASSOCIATE REACHES 90 DAYS
For any successful referral of friends, family members, or professional acquaintances, you will receive the following payment: • $100 for any person you refer after they complete 30 days of employment • $200 for any person you refer after they complete 90 days of employment • $300 for any person you refer after they complete 1 year of employment There The is NO situation in which an incentive will be paid for any associate who leaves for any reason prior to being employed for 30 days. To receive a referral incentive, the person making the referral must be an associate of the company on the day the referred associate is hired AND the day the referral bonus is due to be paid.
$300 BONUS ONCE REFERRED ASSOCIATE REACHES 1 YEAR
Please be aware that no associate is authorized to make an offer of employment to any individual or promise employment of any type. All decisions regarding employment offers will be made solely by management. Only On one referral incentive will be issued for each new associate; it will be paid to the first eligible person to submit the form below to the Human Resources Department. Former associates who may be rehired by the company are NOT considered to be a new referral and therefore will not be eligible for a referral incentive payment.
*THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND TURNED IN PRIOR TO THE APPLICATION BEING COMPLETED BY THE PERSON YOU ARE REFERRING.*
APPLICANT NAME
APPLICANT PHONE NUMBER
APPLICANT EMAIL ASSOCIATE NAME
Please submit forms or questionsSUBMIT to Deb Machmeier. 715-833-9233 TO YOUR REGIONAL HR REP.
DATE
deb.machmeier@ecpc.com
CONGRATULATIONS TO 3 EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE APG REFERRAL BONUS FOR NEW HIRES! Julie Spicer referred Brittany Ringhiser for an outside sales position at the Logan Daily News. * Andrea Lewis referred Tracy Waugh for an outside sales position at the Athens News. * David Parsons referred Amy Hupp for an outside sales position at Brick Street Marketing (The Athens Messenger).
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MOVIE NIGHT
MOVIE NIGHT NOW PLAYING: SMURFETTE AND THE SMURFS
For your chance to be the lucky winner of a $25 Amazon gift card, answer the trivia question below correctly. KATY PERRY WAS THE VOICE BEHIND SMURFETTE IN THE FIRST TWO MODERN SMURF MOVIES.
WHO REPLACED HER 1 YEAR AGO IN SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE?
All answers should be submitted to AskHR@adamspg.com. The winner will be drawn on Friday, April 16, 2018.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR MARCH WINNER – ELLEN FIKE, THE WYOMING TRIBUNE EAGLE The Answer Was: Beauty and the Beast
DO YOU HAVE A BRIGHT IDEA FOR OUR COMPANY NEWSLETTER?
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Send your thoughts, suggestions, ideas for future newsletters to AskHR@adamspg.com.
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