Anagrams July 2015 by ANA News

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The ANA fall convention — workshop training and award ceremonies, it’s a winning combination ANA News Throughout May, ANA members Reserve your rooms now to receive parking; valet; use of lounges; outdoor were uploading and mailing in their the ANA discount of just $119. Call (520) space and separate entrance to hotel editorial and advertising entries to 796-4900 or 800-946-4450, xt. 4900. and meeting space. the 2015 ANA Better Newspapers Mention the group name – Arizona ANA is bringing in several notable Contest. Newspapers Association. trainers from the publishing industry In this year’s competition, we Don’t wait too long to book your stay, or this year’s training and workshop received more than 1,633 entries from the room cut-off for this great rate is schedule. 54 member newspapers. Sept. 3rd. Reservation lines open 7a.m. Our workshop schedule features the Soon the judging will be completed, – 11p.m. daily industry’s top trainers and speakers. winner’s notices will Here’s the five-star lineup: be mailed out and then Ed Henninger, nationallywe’ll ceremoniously celrespected newspaper ebrate all the hard work consultant and foremost and achievements of the design expert for large last year. and small newspapers. As in contests past, Henninger Consulting plaques will be awarded has served hundreds of to first place winners, and dailies, weeklies, business certificates given to secjournals, church-affiliated ond and third place winnewspapers and niche ners in each category. publications throughout In case you missed it, the United States, Canathe ANA Fall Convenda and Europe. tion and Annual MeetJanet DeGeorge, ing will be held at a new president of Classified venue — the exciting Executive Training & Wild Horse Pass Hotel Consulting since 2001. and Casino, September She specializes in 25-26. Classified Sales Training, The location is the training of new convenientlysituated,less classified managers, outOnline registration now open! than 15 minutes south of bound sales training, Click here to register on our website, or Sky Harbor Airport and and redesigns of print for a fax copy see page 6. just minutes from Tempe, products and rates to Scottsdale and Chandler. uncover new revenue Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino Also available is complimentary wire- sources. He will also be available for a is a premier hotel featuring tastefully less internet in guest rooms and meet- 20 minute individual consultation free appointed rooms with a wealth of ing space; no resort fee; no shipping amenities at a reasonable price. receiving/fees; complimentary selfSee Fall Convention, page 2 Freedom of Information nominations deadline extended to July 31 �� page

Fall convention schedule, hotel information and registration �� page

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Member News: GVN drives subscriptions up; after 25 years Howell returns to CGD �� page

Fall convention, a winning combination continueed from page 1

of charge. Amie Stein, Director of Training and Development at Local Media Association (LMA), will be conducting multiple workshops including: “MonetizingNative/Social/M obile /Video, Advanced Digital Sales Development, and Fundamentals of Sales, Event Marketing. Josh Hoffner, has worked at The Associated Press for 15 years in several senior-level editing jobs in New York City and Phoenix, including his current position as the AP’s Southwest News Editor. Previously, Hoffner worked on the national editing desk at AP headquarters in New York from 2001 to 2005 and then as NYC metro editor from 2005 to 2009. In New York, he directed coverage of stories from the Bernard Madoff and Eliot Spitzer scandals to the Sept. 11 aftermath. He also led the team of reporters that won the APME award for breaking news for its coverage of the Hudson River splashdown of a US Airways jet. Hoffner has been sent to lead coverage of major stories such as the 2006 Winter Olympics and domestic coverage of the 2004 election, including serving as an editor at the Republican National Convention in New York. Charlene Kingston is a small business owner, writer, educator, and business strategist with more than 25 years experience helping businesses find practical solutions to their challenges. She works with small to medium businesses to build a strong online business presence through websites, blogs, social media, email, and information products like email newsletters, ebooks, online courses, and webinars. Charlene provides group learning experiences through her website and individualized consulting and coaching by telephone and online meeting services. To learn more, visit her websites at SocialMediaDIYWorkshop.com and NoMoreBlogGuilt.com. Page 2 | ANAgrams ■ July 2015

Mark J. Scarp, a faculty associate (adjunct professor) of journalism at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, where he teaches journalism ethics and diversity. He currently is communications manager of the Heard Museum in Phoenix. Mark had worked as a full-time journalist for 24 years, having held various editorial positions at the East Valley Tribune and its predecessor, the Scottsdale Progress. A member of the Valley of the Sun chapter board of the Society of Professional Journalists for 22 years, Mark has served six terms as president of the chapter.

ANAgrams is a quarterly e-publication produced by the Arizona Newspapers Association 1001 N. Central Ave., Suite 670 Phoenix, AZ 85004-1947 Office (602) 261-7655 • Fax (602) 261-7525 www.ananews.com ANA Staff Paula Casey Executive Director / ext. 102 p.casey@ananews.com Julie O’Keefe Communications Manager / ext. 110 j.okeefe@ananews.com Sharon Schwartz Network Advertising Manager / ext. 108 s.schwartz@ananews.com Cindy Meaux Ad Placement Manager / ext. 112 c.meaux@ananews.com Liisa Straub Accounting Assistant / ext. 105 L.straub@ananews.com

See Convention Speakers, page 8

FOI Awards, still time to nominate

You still have time to nominate someone you know for the Arizona Freedom of Information Award. The deadline for nominations has been extended to is Friday, July 31. This honor will be given to those who have made a significant contribution to First Amendment and Freedom of Information issues. The awards will be presented at the ANA convention luncheon on Saturday, Sept. 26. In addition to the FOI Awards, we will also be presenting the Phil Alvidrez and the Order of the Silver Keys Society awards at the luncheon. The nomination forms and information for all these awards can be downloaded by clicking here to visit ourwebsite.

The Arizona Newspapers Association (ANA) was established in 1930 and incorporated in 1956. It is the successor to the Arizona Press Association of 1905, and the Arizona Daily Newspaper Association of 1922. The Association is governed by an 11-member board of directors elected by the member newspapers. The ANA is a nonprofit trade association representing more than 115 A rizona newspapers.

ANA Board of Directors President Don Rowley Publisher – Arizona Daily Sun 1st Vice President Donovan M. Kramer, Jr. Co-Publisher – Casa Grande Dispatch 2nd Vice President Kit Atwell Executive VP – Western News&Info, Inc. 3rd Vice President Manuel Coppola Publisher & Editor – The Nogales International Secretary / Treasurer Rebecca Bradner Publisher – Green Valley News and Sun, Sahuarita Sun Steve Pope General Mgr. – AZ Local Media, Publisher – Daily News-Sun, Mesa Tribune, Gilbert Tribune and the Chandler Tribune Inside Tucson Business, Explorer News Marc Marin Publisher – Arizona Silver Belt and Copper Country News Charlene Bisson Publisher – Sun City Independent, Sun City West Independent, Surprise Independent, Peoria Independent, Arrowhead Ranch Independent and Sun Life Magazine. Open – Arizona Daily Star Chris Stegman Arizona Republic /Republic Media (Phoenix) Past President Pam Miller Publisher – Verde Independent/The Bugle

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd. Chandler, AZ 85226 (oﬀ I-10 in Chandler) ROOM RATE: $119

IN AND AROUND

Room cut-oﬀ for group rate is Sept. 3rd! Complimentary parking & High-Speed Internet RESERVATIONS: 520-796-4900 or 800-946-4450 ext. 4900. Mention group name - AZ Newspapers Assn.

10.9 miles from Golﬂand Sunsplash 9.8 miles from Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium 10.4 miles from Wells Fargo Arena 7.1 miles from Arizona Mills Mall 4.5 miles from Chandler Fashion Center 0.6 miles from Phoenix Premium Outlets 7 miles from South Mountain Park

—SCHEDULE OF SPECIAL EVENTS— FRIDAY - 12:10 - 1:50 Excellence in Advertising Awards Luncheon Join us as we honor excellence in newspaper advertising.

SATURDAY - 11:45 - 1:50 76th Annual Meeting and Freedom of Information Awards Luncheon ANA Annual Meeting and election of board members followed by FOI Awards presentation. We will be honoring leaders in journalism who have changed their communities through their commitment to the cause of freedom of information. (Sponsored by SPJ, APME and ANA)

SATURDAY - 5:10 - 7:00

Better Newspapers Contest Awards & Newspaper of the Year Reception ANA recognizes the best in Arizona newspapers with the BNC awards.

2 ANA 2015 Fall Convention

July 2015 ■ ANAgrams | Page 3

ANA 2015 CONVENTION SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - September 25 ACACIA C ACACIA D

8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

10:40 a.m. – Noon

SELLING TO SMB’s

A LICENSE TO PRINT MONEY

MULTI-MEDIA CLASSIFIED PACKAGES

DMP and CONTENT EXCHANGE

How to implement Local SMB Retail Advertiser Workshops to generate immediate revenue. Amie Stein, LMA

How does online really work the best with print? This session will show you how to package your print and online to bring in real new revenue. Janet DeGeorge, Classiﬁed Executive Training

Using breakthrough content and design concepts to generate increased revenue at even the smallest newspapers. Adding $5,000 to $10,000 minimum to their bottom line...every year! Ed Henninger, Henninger Consulting We’ve all heard about “Big Data” and “programmatic advertising.” But what do the terms really mean? How will programmatic advertising and Big Data aﬀect the future of digital ad sales? Learn how community publishers can tap into the technology that is changing the face of online marketing and sales.

Marc Wilson, Townnews.com

12:10 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. 2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Excellence in ADVERTISING AWARDS Luncheon MONETIZING NATIVE ADVERTISING How To Get More From Your Social Media Activities

Best practices and training on how newspapers can generate revenue from current content resources. Amie Stein, LMA

BEST IDEAS EXCHANGE

4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.

6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Has your newspaper had success with new special sections, contests, increasing community involvement, or any new revenue streams? Come share your ideas and you could WIN AN iPAD! Remember, you can’t win if you don’t share! Sponsored by Townnews.com

People today turn to social media to get their news. It’s more important than ever that news organizations use social media eﬀectively to stay in front of people who need your reporting. In this session, you’ll learn strategies for sharing the news on social media to connect with your local audience. You’ll also learn strategies and tactics for getting better search results ranking for your news stories to keep people coming to your newspaper sites. Charlene Kingston, Social Media DIY Workshop

Board Dinner Meeting @ Schula’s Steak House

ANA 2015 Fall Convention 3 Page 4 | ANAgrams ■ July 2015

ANA 2015 CONVENTION SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - September 26 ACACIA C ACACIA D IMAGES DRIVE THE STORY

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Getting the best photographs (and video) to help drive the story. Work the subject, otherwise it’s just a snapshot. Action and reaction; getting the reader to know your subject; information and layering images; pay attention to background; time of day is so important for best light; light and shadows. The push for video–clips/b-roll/video essay.

Ross Franklin, Associated Press

9:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

HOW TO BE AN ALL-FORMATS JOURNALIST

How to be an all-formats journalist with a smartphone Josh Hoﬀner & Brian Skoloﬀ, Associated Press

BE ETHICAL, BE CREDIBLE

Too many journalists create stories that are essentially true, but audiences have trouble believing them because of questions about their methods. The only thing a professional journalist has to sell is credibility. Learn common ethical pitfalls of the digital age of journalism and how to avoid them to produce stories that are true and believable. Mark Scarp, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication

WHERE WRITE IS WRONG

How to apply sound writing, planning and editing techniques to create more compelling packages for your readers. Ed Henninger, Henninger Consulting

Keynote Speaker: Dan Gillmor, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication

11:45 a.m. – 1:50 p.m.

ANNUAL MEETING & FOI AWARDS LUNCHEON co-sponsered by SPJ, APME and ANA

STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT

PROJECTS IN A SMALL NEWSROOM

How to broaden your reach and deepen your reporting Kristin Gilger, Asst. Dean, ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Conferences are great for invigorating reporters and editors about producing projects with impact. But too often, when returning to the newsroom, the reality of budgets, time and leadership buy-in can dampen that inspiration. This session will focus on how to take these ideas to your colleagues and leadership. We’ll discuss how you can use creative solutions in technology and online resources to make a better pitch – and maybe even generate revenue. We’ll talk about stretching the resources in your newsroom, and creating a more eﬃcient approach to process organization and workﬂow. Brandon Quester & Evan Wyloge, Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting

EASY TOOLS FOR YOUR WEBSITE

FREE SPORTS CONTENT

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

5:10 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Easy tools that can be used to capture, embed audio, or build timelines. Steve Elliott, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Learn about free content available from Cronkite Sports Bureau. Brett Kurland, Director, Cronkite News - Phoenix Sports Bureau

BNC AWARDS & NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR RECEPTION

4 ANA 2015 Fall Convention July 2015 ■ ANAgrams | Page 5

Complete this form & fax back or register online at http://bit.ly/1NP8zEQ

CONTACT INFORMATION Contact Person ________________________________________________ Newspaper or Company _______________________________________ Address _____________________________________________ City, State, Zip ______________________________________ Phone Number ______________________________ Email _______________________________________________________

NAME / TITLE

FULL REGISTRATION ONLY $235!

REGISTRATION FEES

 FULL REGISTRATION (all sessions, two luncheons & BNC Awards Reception)  FRIDAY - Full Day of Sessions & Ad Awards Luncheon - $109 FRIDAY - Ad Awards Luncheon only - $45 SATURDAY - Full Day of Sessions, Annual Meeting & )2, Awards Luncheon - $109 SATURDAY – Annual Meeting & FOI Awards Luncheon only - $45 SATURDAY - Full Day of Sessions, Annual Meeting & )2, Awards Luncheon and BNC Reception and Awards - $140. BNC ONLY = $45 (circle)

More than four? Please print another page.

PAYMENT METHOD

TOTAL AMOUNT DUE:

 Check Enclosed (Made payable to ANA)  Please invoice me at the address above  Charge to Visa or MasterCard q Credit Card # _________________________________________________ Expiration ______________________ q Billing Address ________________________________________________________________________________ q City, State, Zip ________________________________________________________________________________ Signature _____________________________________________________________________________________

FAX: (602) 261-7525 Page 6 | ANAgrams ■ July 2015

KEY FEATURES PR MediaRelease delivers your message right to decision makers in media (e.g. editors, reporters, news directors, etc.) who can quickly and easily deploy that information to their print, broadcast and digital audiences.

A User-friendly format allows you to upload text and add images, video and web links. Combine these mediums into a single multimedia, multifaceted package all for the same price as a simple text release. The platform provides full integration into social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter) and SEO, allowing you to develop a rich, broad online presence.

Google Analytics is clearly displayed for each release you submit, detailing your release’s total page views, average time on the page and more.

www.prmediarelease.com/arizona IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ARIZONA NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION 1001 N. Central Ave., Suite 670, Phoenix, AZ 85004 / 602Ͳ261Ͳ7655 July 2015 ■ ANAgrams | Page 7

Fall convention, speakers continued from page 2

Steve Elliott, a professor of practice, is the founding director of Cronkite News Service’s print and digital services. He joined the Cronkite School in September 2006 after a 19-year career with The Associated Press, the world’s largest news organization. With Cronkite News Service, Elliott leads groups of advanced students in coverage of statewide stories for newspapers and news websites. Their stories have appeared regularly in nearly 30 publications. Brett Kurland, an Emmy Awardwinning sports producer and multimedia entrepreneur with more than 16 years of experience producing content across a variety of platforms, ranging from mobile phones to broadcast television networks. Kurland also created and is currently teaching the Covering the Super Bowl class, which features students producing multimedia content for Sports Illustrated, NFL.com, FOX Sports Arizona and The Arizona Republic as the Valley prepares to host Super Bowl XLIX in February. Dan Gillmor, an internationally recognized author and leader in new media and citizen-based journalism, teaches digital media literacy and works to help bring a culture of entrepreneurship into journalism education. A member of Investigative Reporters & Editors, Gillmor serves on boards of directors or advisory boards for several media-related nonprofits including the California First Amendment Coalition, the Knight New Media Center at USC and UC-Berkeley, Global Voices Online and NewsTrust. Ross D. Franklin, a photojournalism graduate of the Syracuse University S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications is currently an Associated Press staff photographer covering Arizona and New Mexico. He joined the staff in 2006, covering professional and college sports, politics and spots news like Page 8 | ANAgrams ■ July 2015

the Gabrielle Giffords shooting and the deadly Arizona wildfires. Franklin also worked for The Washington Times from 1987-2004 winning numerous local, national and international photography awards, including The White House News Photographer awards, and a Pulitzer Prize runner up in 2002 covering the D.C. Sniper story as a member of The Times staff. Marc Wilson, founded TownNews. com 26 years ago in the back shop of a weekly newspaper – circulation 1,950 -- in Montana. Townnews.com now serves over 1,600 media outlets, including many in Arizona. He is past board member of the Montana Newspaper Association (nine years), president of the Montana Newspaper Advertising Service (six years), and past member of the Inland Press Association board of directors. His wife, Ginny, and he were inducted into the MNA Master-Editor Program. He is also the author of the book Hero Street U.S.A., published by the University of Oklahoma Press, Norman. Kristin Gilger, is associate dean in charge of professional programs for the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. She directs more than five dozen part-time faculty members, oversees the school’s growing professional programs and serves as a liaison to the news industry. Gilger was director of Student Media at ASU from 2002-2007, directing student publications. Under her leadership, Student Media won numerous top national awards Gilger holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in journalism from the University of Nebraska. Evan Wyloge, has worked as a journalist for more than a decade, focused on accountability and watchdog reporting, with an emphasis on data analysis, for the past six. He earned a political science degree from Northern Arizona University in 2005 and a master’s degree in journalism in 2010.

He’s passionate about investigative reporting that has real impact and that uncovers stories that would have otherwise gone uncovered. When he’s not trying to break open the next big story, Evan enjoys snowboarding and hanging out with his niece and nephew Brandon Quester, is the founder and executive director/editor of the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting. He is an investigative reporter and multimedia journalist who in 2012 completed a master’s degree at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. His work has appeared in news organizations such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Center for Public Integrity, and El Nuevo Herald. Brian Skoloff, is an award-winning Associated Press reporter who has covered stories such as the 9/11 terrorist attack, the Scott Peterson trial, the Fort Hood shooting, Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf Oil spill, where he worked for more than a year in chronicling the impacts of the disaster. He has also served as the AP’s main video-trained journalist on major breaking stories including wildfires in Yosemite National Park and Yarnell, Ariz., the 2014 mudslide in Washington state and the release of prisoner of war Bowe Bergdahl. Skoloff and his editor Josh Hoffner co-authored a book on the Jodi Arias murder case.

Arizona Newspapers Association 1001 N. Central Ave., Ste. 670 www.ananews.com

Newspapers Deliver!

Best Ideas Exchange

ANA is sponsoring a “Best Ideas Exchange” where you could win an iPad! *

This is an opportunity to share, with other ANA members, your greatest and latest ideas that are successful in generating r evenue, readership, subscriptions or circulation. Here’s an idea example from LMA.

Back to School! Think sports swap! That headline is a little bothersome, since as I write this, school just got out! But as we work on deadlines, we always need to be thinking a little ahead. Do you offer any Back To School special sections? One thing I have noticed on the swap sites on Facebook is that there is always a need for gently used kids sports equipment. A sports swap would be a great event tied into a special section with upcoming High School sports fall schedules and pictures of teams. Deanna Lewis Another great Back To School Director of Sales, idea is to allow readers to submit Local Media Good Luck messages with pictures Association (LMA) of their kids, this will be very popular with the Kindergarten & the rising Senior parents as they will be pretty nostalgic. If you are planning any Back To School specials, please email me at deanna.lewis@localmedia.org if you want me to share!

Does your sales team has a innovative approach that fosters advertiser loyalty? Maybe your idea is an effective program that made a difference in your sales forecasts? Perhaps your idea just generally improves your organization’s operations. No idea is too small. Come and be part of the conversation, especially if you’re a publisher or sales associate, at the “Best Ideas Exchange” forum on Friday, Sept. 26 at 4p.m., and remember – you could win an iPad.* Contact j.okeefe@ananews.com to confirm your spot to present. *Must present an idea at the exchange to qualify for iPad drawing. iPad donated by Townews.com

July 2015 ■ ANAgrams | Page 9

State of the First Amendment 2015 Survey Shows One in Five Americans Believes First Amendment “Goes Too Far” in the Rights It G uarantees

The State of the First Amendment survey, conducted each year since 1997 by the Newseum Institute’s First Amendment Center, tests Americans’ knowledge of their core freedoms and samples their opinions on First Amendment issues of the day. The 2015 survey questions covered topics including the use of Confederate flags on license plates, perceptions of news media bias, photography of police by the public, the use of police “body cams” and whether the public should have access to images from these cameras. Other topics included religious objections to providing weddingrelated services to same-sex couples, the impact on religious liberty of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing samesex marriage nationwide, and whether cartoonists should be free to draw images of the Prophet Muhammad. Other questions explored the extent of support for student speech when writing about school officials, public support for National Security Agency surveillance and whether individuals, corporations and unions should be able to donate as much as they wish to candidates. Finally, the survey again found that Article and infographic used by permission, Newseum Institute, 2015. Gene Policinski most Americans are unable to name more than one or two of the five and petition— and that one-third by telephone between May 14 and freedoms in the First Amendment cannot name any of the five. 23, and reached 1,002 adults age —religion, speech, press, assembly The nationwide sampling was done 18 or older. Page 10 | ANAgrams ■ July 2015

ANA Member News

The Green Valley News and Sahuarita Sun give away a golf car !

Howell is new AME at Casa Grande Dispatch

Circulation director Laura Kurtz shows off Green Valley’s golf car. Story and photo courtesy of, Green Valley News and Sun.

Snowbirds love Green Valley, Ariz., and we really feel it when they leave between April and October. So to attract more full-time resident subscribers we chose April and May for our big giveaway — a new golf car! That’s a big deal around here! Our goal was 500 entries and 120 new subscriptions, with 60 of starts originating from the giveaway. We ended up with 476 entries, but far exceeded our goal for starts with 196 — 99 of those originating from the giveaway! We webcast our early drawing for five of the 10 finalists, and brought in community leaders to pull names from the hat. This was a great way to boost

Want to see

your picture here? …we do!

traffic to gvnews.com and generate excitement for the giveaway! The day of the grand prize drawing it was over 100 degrees, but we braved the heat at a local outdoor shopping center to award the golf car to one lucky winner. We drew five more finalists with the help of the local fire chief and each chose a key to try to start the golf car. As fate would have it, the very last key started up the golf car! Fred Fisher from Green Valley, a subscriber since 2003, was the winner of a 2015 Yamaha YDRE street-legal, custom golf car worth $10,480. The remaining finalists received gifts from local businesses.

Andy Howell has returned to the Casa Grande Dispatch as assistant managing editor after an absence of By Andy Howell more than 25 years. Managing Editor He formerly Casa Grande Dispatch was a reporter and city editor at the Dispatch before going to the Standard-Examiner in Ogden, Utah, where he was executive editor the last 11 years. Howell and his wife, who both grew up in Arizona, decided to return to be closer to family and for the warmer climate. He received his journalism education at the University of Arizona. In his new position he is overseeing the Dispatch’s daily news content and also is very involved in the transition at the newspaper and its sister publications to a new Libercus content management system with a goal of improving the digital product. “We are delighted to have Andy back at the Dispatch and already are seeing big changes in readership, both online and in print,” said Donovan Kramer Jr., managing editor and co-publisher.

We want to know what’s news at YOUR newspaper! Promotions or new hires? Special events? National awards? Tell us about it! Send your email to Julie O’Keefe at: j.okeefe@ananewws.com

July 2015 ■ ANAgrams | Page 11

Developing innovative ways to keep readers engaged during summer months NAA News Summer months bring increased the most obvious way for some newspapers to stay relevant travel and varying schedules for during the season. Summer-themed content and products everyone, presenting a challenge to the boost audience and advertising engagement. For example, media enterprises seeking to engage the Asbury Park Press produces a comprehensive Jersey audiences. How do media stay relevant Shore Summer Guide, filled with all the information Jersey to audiences that are on-the-go? shore goers need to know about restaurants, shopping, enThe answer is simple: innovation. tertainment, and activities. Newspapers across the country have Innovative smartphone and tablet apps dedicated time, dollars and staff to More and more people will be tapping their mobile deCaroline Little improving their products to meet the vices this summer, offering more opportunities to capture President and changing needs of their audiences. audience. In fact, just this past spring, the audience engagCEO, Newspaper From fresh mobile apps to community ing with newspaper digital content reached a new monthly Association of events to niche partner sites and prod- high with 176 million unique visitors, according to comScore America ucts, newspapers are expanding their data from March 2015. The data show that the increased usofferings to better serve readers no age of mobile devices contributed significantly to the growth matter where they are. in audience. In fact, those who use only mobile devices to Community-based events and consume digital newspaper content have increased by an Guides impressive 53 percent in the last year. Newspapers are taking advantage Understanding that mobile is key to engaging audiences of the flexibility in schedules during on-the-go, several developed new apps (or updated old the summer to plan and host unique ones) to retain current readers and attract new ones. events for their local communities. In Southern California, The Desert Sun created a summer With direct access to their subscribers, playlist on Spotify. Staffers got together to create a list to newspapers serve as the perfect platform to promote events resonate with readers during the summer. The effort is inin their specific markets. teractive because readers are asked For example, for the past six years, to share their favorite summertime Newspapers in destination songs, too. the Chattanooga Times Press held She, a two-day Expo for Women that draws locations produce interesting Following the success of The Washattendees of all ages. Vendor booths of- and innovative summer-themed ington Post’s tablet app, the paper fering new products and services, free content and products … summer- recently announced that it is testing health screenings, cooking demonstra- themed content and products two versions of its mobile site that tions, entertainment and more are all boost audience and advertising will aim to provide a linear news expart of the fun “girl’s weekend,” held engagement. perience and give readers a “bundle” each year in July. of articles that are handpicked by Similarly, the Atlanta Journal-Constieditors, making a user’s experience tution leveraged the warm Georgia weather and free pop- more customized. sicles to increase its subscribers’ digital engagement. At its The New York Times also updated its NYT Now mobile app. annual Decatur Book Festival, attendees were simply asked Designed with social media users in mind, the app focuses to enter their information and register for a digital account on curating the top articles across The Times and other outto receive a refreshing summer treat. lets. Users can view as many articles as they’d like, free of Another example of a summertime community-focused charge – the app will attempt to generate revenue by buildevent is The Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s sponsorship of the ing a broad audience to which the paper can sell ads. Hawaii Career Expo, which aims to match qualified apAnd earlier this year, USA Today launched a sports app to plicants with quality companies. The event promotes the help fans stay up-to-date on sports news and live sporting newspaper’s commitment to its readers and to overall com- events. Readers who download the app also have access munity advancement. to its “Best.Scoreboard.Ever” feature, which aggregates Newspapers in destination locations produce interesting sporting events occurring in real-time and ranks them to and innovative summer-themed content and products. It is Continues next page Page 12 | ANAgrams ■ July 2015

help app users determine which events they want to watch. Niche partner sites and products The digital components of many newspapers are attempting to appeal to specific, targeted audiences through niche partner sites and products. Summer presents a great opportunity for readers to dig deeper into a topic that interests them. An example is The Wall Street Journal’s Logistics Report, a vertical site that launched in late April and focuses on global trade and transportation infrastructure issues. The newspaper’s expertise in this area, combined with its audience’s interest in these issues, is key to success. In addition, since 2013, The Tennessean’s 12th & Broad has collaborated with community partners to create unique events, experiences and stories that showcase Nashville’s creative culture. Members of 12th & Broad receive tickets to its events, home delivery of its quarterly magazine, and a digital subscription to The Tennessean, as well as perks from its various partners. The Dallas Morning News has also found success in appealing to niche markets by utilizing print products. Its awardwinning lifestyle magazine FD Luxe offers exclusive content on fashion, art, dining, design, travel and more. It also publishes FD Love, which covers weddings, and FD House, a luxury living magazine. The magazines are specifically designed to appeal to an “on-the-go” audience. As these examples show, the summer—and seasons beyond—can be bright for the newspaper media industry. Niche and digital products allow publications to engage with their readers wherever they are, providing the personalized and immediate information they are looking for while traveling. And with targeted community events, publications can take advantage of the slower pace and beautiful weather to involve the local audience and further increase engagement and customer loyalty.

Available NOW! This directory is packed full of information. We know you’ll find the 2015 directory a useful planning tool. Additional directories available for $40, call (602) 261-7655

Practical Use of eDoc – Save Time, Money and Problems with the USPS Postal eDoc is a time and money saver. It can protect newspapers from errors that creep into hardcopy postage statement filing. Bringing newspapers into the USPS digital tracking environment will pay off in better trouble-shooting and tracking service in years to come. Learn how to get on board smoothly and efficiently from the experts in the business. August 13, 2015 11a.m.- noon / ET Registration fee: $30 Register by Monday, August 10. (Registrations submitted after this date are subject to a $10 late fee) http://bit.ly/1RO3d30 July 2015 ■ ANAgrams | Page 13

John Hatcher

Kevin Schwartz

Lisa Griffin

Rob Heller

Tracey Trumbull

Kevin Slimp

Ed Henninger

The Biggest Names in

Newspaper Design

in one place over three incredible days in October!

Since 1997, newspaper designers, publishers, editors and technical staff have gathered at the Institute of Newspaper Technology. The Institute is internationally-recognized as the leading program of its type in the world. Held each fall on the campus of The University of Tennessee (Knoxville), the Institute offers basic and advanced classes in InDesign, Photoshop, Social Media, Layout & Pagination, Illustrator, Cloud Technology, Color, Digital Journalism, Photography, video production, network management and much more. Classes are hands-on and held in state of the art labs in the UT College of Communication. Most sessions fill to capacity, so take advantage of this opportunity before itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too late.

October O t b 15 15-17, 17 2015 vversion eers versi ve errsion

ROXEN

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STAFF TRAINING Is on-site training a thing of the past? Two states say, “no!” Kevin Slimp The News Guru kevin@kevinslimp.com

This

week marks the end of the what I call “the great experiment.” I wondered how many newspapers, if presented with an easy and ăordable method of getting on-site training, would take the bait and make a nancial investment to bring an expert in to train and motivate their stăs. You may feel like you’re back in middle school chemistry class by the time you nish reading this column, but stick with me while I explain the method, the group and the results. I decided to begin with the papers in Minnesota and Iowa. I suppose I could have picked any states, but name recognition is important, and most newspaper folks in those states have known me for a long time. Plus, I hadn’t traveled much to those areas, other than to speak at conventions, in a few years. Another reason I selected those states is they have a lot of community newspapers. Most papers in these states, it seems, are either independent or part of local newspaper groups. When compared to newspapers in my home state of Tennessee, community papers in these states are much smaller in circulation. I was surprised to nd many papers with a distribution less than 1,000. I visited both free and paid papers and had great fun meeting old friends along the way. So I began the experiment in January, ŏering to cut my fees in exchange for combining multiple newspapers during individual trips. For instance, I would visit a paper in Southwest Minnesota on Thursday, another in Northwest Iowa on Friday, and still another a few hours away on Saturday. I gured, at worst, I would do a lot of traveling and break even. But I hoped that I could get enough newspapers to schedule two or three trips to the area, making it protable, plus giving these papers an opportunity to have on-site

training that they normally couldn’t t into their budgets. Back to the experiment. In middle school chemistry, I learned that there are six parts to an experiment. We’ve discussed the rst part, usually referred to as “the question.” My question was, “Will community newspapers invest in training if it’s ăordable and helpful?” Which brings us to the second part of the experiment, the hypothesis. My hypothesis was that some papers would make that investment. Probably not dozens, but possibly six or eight. Area three: Research. Research was not only done on the road, but also in surveys completed by publishers over these months. I’ve already discussed the fourth area of scientic method: the experiment. In this experiment, newspaper publishers were ŏered a signicantly discounted rate, in return for their willingness to schedule visits that worked well with other area papers. On to the fth area of scientic method. In science, “analysis” is the record of what happened in an experiment, often referred to as “data.” In this case, I was surprised by the results. In all, I made 19 trips to the area. Most of these trips involved training groups of newspapers on-site. Wade Webber’s papers in Minnesota was a good example. The stăs of his four (maybe there were ve) community papers met together in one location, on a Friday, for training. There were approximately 25 folks in attendance. About one-third of my visits were to individual newspapers, not groups. The others varied in sizes of two newspaper stăs to more than 30 stăs at one stop. Yes, I was surprised. In all, I trained more than 100 newspaper stăs in Minnesota and Iowa between January and June. Originally, I planned to complete these visits in February and March. I still have a few that are trying to work out dates (I extended my ŏer after it became clear that I couldn’t t all the requests in during the allotted period). And nally, what you’ve been waiting for, the sixth area of scientic method:

The last week of Kevin’s “great experiment.” In Tipton, IA (bottom), Kevin trained the newspaper staff in the city hall. The next day, in Charles City, IA (top), the staff of the daily paper met in a local restaurant banquet room. the conclusion. It seems my original hypothesis, that community newspapers would invest in stă training if it were offered in ways that made it ăordable and easy to arrange, was partially correct. What I didn’t expect was the sheer number of responses. Nowhere in my wildest dreams would I have expected so many community papers, in two states, to get so excited about stă training. A funny twist was that Minnesota Newspaper Association asked me to do a day of training on May 29 for their members. I honestly worried that no one would show up. After visiting so many papers on-site over the previous four months, I didn’t expect there were many left. Probably the nicest part of this experiment was walking into a packed room, in a town just south of the Twin Cities, on May 29. I still get email daily from publishers and others that I met during my experiment in Minnesota and Iowa. Most write to say how much their products have improved or how their stăs are still talking about the training days. I’m thinking about trying this experiment again in other states in late 2015 or early 2016, if my schedule allows. You’ll be the rst to know how it goes.

July 2015 ■ ANAgrams | Page 15

Mark Your Calendar Webinars and Training Partners Great webinars available at your convenience! To access the archives: • Go to www.onlinemediacampus.com and click on the webinar tab. • On the left-hand side, click the editorial category. Webinar archive registration fee: $35 per session* *Free if you registered for the live session.

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Happenings & Events Barlett & Steele Award Competition Deadline, Aug 1. Administered by the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism at the Cronkite School at Arizona State, To enter your organization’s investigative reporting, go to: bit.ly/barlettandsteele.

ANA Advertising and BNC Contests Winner Announcements

Combined, the 2015 ANA BNC and Excellence Contest received more than 1,633 entries this year from 54 member newspapers. Thank you to everyone who participated. Notification letters, of the winners, will be sent to publishers in early August. There are still sponsorship opportunities available for the award plaques. If your paper would like to be a sponsor please contact Julie O’Keefe at j.okeefe@ananews.com, or call her at (602) 261-7655, xt. 110.

ANA Fall Convention & Annual Meeting — New venue for 2015! WHEN: Sept. 25-26, 2015 Where: Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino. 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd. Chandler, AZ 85226. All self-parking is complimentary.

ANA BOD Meetings 129th Annual Convention & Trade Show Saint Charles Convention Center Saint Charles, Missouri October 1-3, 2015

Page 16 | ANAgrams ■ July 2015

July 30, Business luncheon, at noon. WHERE: East Valley Tribune. Sept. 25, Dinner meeting, 6–8:30 p.m., part of the 2015 Fall Convention Sept. 26, ANA Annual Meeting, FOI Awards Luncheon at the 2015 Fall Convention Dec. 10, conference call, 1 p.m.