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ADAM SYMSON BOBBY MALY

PRESIDENT AND CEO

E.W. SCRIPPS COMPANY

ASK ME ABOUT The return of the live Scripps National Spelling Bee.

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Converting downtown’s Mercantile Center to apartments and allowing The Mercantile Library to add a second floor.

WHAT WAS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF RESURRECTING THE SCRIPPS NATIONAL SPELLING BEE AFTER ITS 2020 HIATUS?

Cancelling the program last year was a heartbreaking but necessary decision. We knew that with the appropriate time and expertise to prepare we could bring it back safely this year. Children across the globe had already experienced too much upheaval during 2020, so our Bee team worked tirelessly to relaunch it to offer a sense of stability and familiarity for schools, students, and families.

TELL US ABOUT THIS YEAR’S WINNER, ZAILA AVANT-GARDE.

She resonates pure joy and has demonstrated tremendous grace under pressure in handling the attention after winning. I also love that her focus on competitive spelling isn’t even her top priority—she is so well rounded, including her passion and talent for basketball.

YOUR OTHER NATIONAL COMPETITION, THE SCRIPPS HOWARD AWARDS, ELEVATES THE FIELD OF JOURNALISM BY OFFERING $160,000 IN PRIZE MONEY IN 14 CATEGORIES. HOW DO THOSE BENEFIT AVERAGE AMERICANS?

There are amazingly dedicated and talented journalists all over the country working hard to tell the stories of the people in their communities. Every year, the Scripps Howard Awards allow us to honor the best of the best of American journalism in a way that furthers the public’s understanding of the role a free press plays in our society. –ELIZABETH

MILLER WOOD

CEO

THE MODEL GROUP

IN WHAT WAYS ARE YOU HOPING YOUR LEADERSHIP WILL LAUNCH A NEW ERA FOR THE

TEAM? I joined the Bengals after working in management consulting and private equity, two distinct worlds rooted in data and driven by results. This background underlies our strategic initiatives and goals for the next few years.

HOW ARE THE BENGALS ENGAGING FANS DIFFERENTLY

THIS SEASON? It starts with our new team introductions and Ruler of the Jungle pregame ceremony to create an energetic environment right before kickoff. We also added fireworks and revamped the videoboard content. We want fans to channel the pride we see online into screams and cheers that make Paul Brown Stadium an incredible atmosphere.

WHAT’S THE SCOPE OF THE NEW APARTMENTS PLANNED FOR THE MERCANTILE CENTER? We’re currently planning about 110 apartments on floors 2 to 10. This number could change depending on what feedback about demand and apartment size we get from Mercantile Library members themselves.

HOW WILL THESE APARTMENTS OFFER A UNIQUE DOWNTOWN LIVING EXPERIENCE? With

The Mercantile Library essentially doubling in size, we will provide a membership to the Library with each lease. A half block from Fountain Square, the existing space is unlike anything else in Cincinnati, and the expanded library will provide a terrific one-ofa-kind space to read, work, and meet. WHAT PROMPTED THE MODEL GROUP TO OFFER THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY A SECOND FLOOR OF SPACE TO EX-

PAND? President Taft’s father, an attorney, negotiated a tough 10,000year lease in the building, so we knew the library wasn’t going anywhere. So our first meeting was to approach them about how we could work together to find a win-win. Then, as we were exploring how to make the building stand out from other apartment destinations in the central business district, we decided to make the library the development’s focus. It’s been in the building since 1840, so we hope this sets them up for success for decades to come.

–E.M.W.

WHAT’S THE HEART BEHIND THE NEW RING OF HONOR LAUNCHING

THIS SEASON? The Ring of Honor is a powerful and impactful way to engage with fans and Bengals legends, part of an exciting new chapter that celebrates the past and represents the start of new traditions. One of the most important considerations was to build it in a thoughtful and sustainable way so that it maintains excitement and engagement for years to come. An inaugural class of four (including Blackburn’s great-grandfather Paul Brown) maintains exclusivity and starts debate on who should be inducted in future years.

–E.M.W.

ELIZABETH BLACKBURN

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY AND ENGAGEMENT

CINCINNATI BENGALS

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How the Bengals are engaging fans in new ways this season.