Maple Leaf
Geauga County’s Award-Winning Newspaper
Inside YOUR
We are Karlovec Media Group, a team of award-winning news and sports journalists, graphic designers and layout/production professionals with offices in Cleveland and Chesterland. Our publications include:
• Geauga County Maple Leaf • Chesterland News • Middlefield Post
• Kirtland Chronicle • Geauga NOW • Geauga Business Family Album
• Geauga Amish Business Directory
Our Mission
Our mission is to build a community of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. It is to continuously provide an objective and honest voice for the people of this county, including county and community leaders, and business owners. While journalism is at the heart of what we do, our goal is to inform our readers and provide solutions in their daily lives and business dealings through a portfolio of products that target various needs and communities.
by local people, for local people, about
We truly aim at being a real community newspaper — local, useful and available to everyone — an outlet that really cares and nurtures the people it promotes and works with.
Our Audience
We have built one of the largest total audiences of any media company serving Geauga County residents. We offer a ONE STOP SHOP for readers, young and old, and business owners, big and small, through our print, digital and social media platforms. On a weekly, monthly and yearly basis, our content reaches an audience of thousands and hundreds of thousands of readers and followers.
CIRCULATION AREA
Geauga County Population: 95,407 (2023)
County Seat: Chardon
Households: 35,321 (2018-2022)
Persons Per Household: 2.67 (2018-2022)
Median Household Income: $97,162 (2022 dollars)
Unemployment Rate: 3.0% (Sept. 2024)
SOURCES INCLUDE:
We strive to provide top quality advertising and exposure to small business owners so they can promote their product or service at affordable rates; to give a strong voice to the arts and culture community; to spread the word about all the great events taking place in Geauga County and its communities.
2025 Publication Calendar
2025 PUBLICATION CALENDAR
Common Ad Sizes
Display Ads are available in one-inch increments to best suit the needs of our advertisers. Listed below are some common ad sizes for your convenience. We can also use your camera-ready or pre-made flyers.
Column Widths
1 column = 2.5”
2 columns - 5.125”
3 columns = 7.75”
4 columns = 10.375”
Want to use your business card as an ad? A common business card is approximately 3-inches by 2-inches and would fit into a 2-column by 3-inch ad.
Have a letter-sized flyer you’ve designed? It would fit into a 3-column by 10-inch ad or a 2-column by 7-inch ad.
These ad sizes are for our community newspapers only. Ad sizes for our other publications are listed on the respective rate cards.
How to Use This Rate Card
All newspaper rates in this media kit are per column inch. In order to determine the cost of an ad, it is first necessary to decide on the size of the ad.
For purposes of rates, the width of an ad is measured in columns and the depth is measured in inches. An ad referred to as a 2x5 is actually 2 columns by 5 inches. The width (e.g., 2 columns) is then multiplied by the depth (e.g., 5 inches) to determine the total column inches the ad will cover (e.g., 2x5 = 10 column inches). For the price of the ad, multiply the total column inches by the appropriate rate on the grid for the newspaper in which the ad is to run. For example, a 2x5 ad (10 column inches) at the open rate of $11.50 would cost $115, plus any color charge. The "open rate" is the rate for all advertising unless otherwise specified.
Geauga County Maple Leaf Rates
Per Column Inch Rates
Open Rate: $11.50
6-12 Insertions: $11.00 13 or more insertions $10.50 Nonprofit/Government: $10.50
Add color for only
$20 up to quarter-page size
$25 quarter-page ads
$50 half-page ads
$75 full-page ads
Chesterland News Rates
Per Column Inch Rates Open Rate: $11.00
Add color for only
$20 up to quarter-page size
$25 quarter-page ads
$50 half-page ads
$75 full-page ads
Middlefield Post Rates
Per Column Inch Rates
Open Rate: $11.00
13 or more insertions $10.50
Nonprofit/Government: $10.00
Add color for only
$20 up to quarter-page size
$25 quarter-page ads
$50 half-page ads
$75 full-page ads
Kirtland Chronicle Rates
Per Column Inch Rates
Open Rate: $11.00
6 or more insertions $10.50
Nonprofit/Government: $10.00
Add color for only
$20 up to quarter-page size
$25 quarter-page ads
$50 half-page ads
$75 full-page ads
Ad Sizes and Resolution
• Email a PDF file of at least 300 dpi resolution for best quality print to ads@karlovecmedia.com
• If submitting an ad, please make sure your design matches our ad sizes and is 300 dpi resolution. Any camera-ready ads that need extensive work to resize may incur a $50 fee.
• Ads cannot be re-sized or have other major changes on deadline day.
• Supplied art will run as provided.
• Artwork must be received at least four business days in advance of the publication date. More time may be required for special sections or during holiday weeks.
Editorial Submissions
• Editorial submissions are printed as space is available, at the publisher’s discretion, and may be edited for length, clarity and grammar.
• All editorial submissions must be emailed to editor@karlovecmedia.com. Include in your email the specific newspapers/publications in which you would like your submission to appear and any other pertinent information and contact information.
Advertising & Payment Terms
• ONE PROOF IS INCLUDED WITH THE AD PRICE; ADDITIONAL PROOFS WILL BE CREATED AT $50 PER HOUR.
• Multiple ad rate discounts are not retroactive. To obtain the listed discount, all ads must be scheduled at the same time.
• Further discounts do not apply to existing discounts.
• Rates are subject to change without notice.
• No further discounts are available to those already receiving the nonprofit/government rate.
• Extra charges: Prevailing rates charged for extra artwork, photography, extra proofs, rush jobs and work done on digital files.
• Political ads do not qualify for any discounts or special offers and must be prepaid.
• Position: 25% extra fee for guaranteed position. (Unpaid position requests will be honored when possible, but not guaranteed.)
Maple Leaf Deadlines
Published every Thursday
Display Advertising: Preceding Thursday at 5 p.m.
Editorial Submissions: Preceding Thursday at 5 p.m.
Classifieds: Friday at noon for the following week
Chesterland News Deadlines
Published on Wednesdays opposite the Middlefield Post
Display Advertising: Preceding Thursday at 5 p.m.
Editorial Submissions: Preceding Thursday at 5 p.m.
Classifieds: Friday at noon for the following edition
Late ads may be accepted at the discretion of management.
• A $50 fee will be charged for all created ads not published.
• All accounts must have a credit card on file.
• Monthly advertisement costs that are less than $100 and all classifieds must be prepaid. New accounts are required to prepay until credit is established.
• KMG accepts cash, personal or business checks and credit cards.
• Terms: Net 15th of month following publication.
• A 10-day grace period is allowed after the payment due date before a service charge of 1.5% per month (18% per year) is added.
• Contract rates may be raised on 30 days notice, after which contract may be voided within 30 days on written notice from advertiser.
• Earned and contract rate savings apply only to the principal business of the advertiser and may not be shared, transferred or assigned to other advertisers.
Middlefield Post Deadlines
Published on Wednesdays opposite the Chesterland News
Display Advertising: Preceding Thursday at 5 p.m.
Editorial Submissions: Preceding Thursday at 5 p.m.
Classifieds: Friday at noon for the following edition
Kirtland Chronicle Deadlines
Published the first Friday of each month
Display Advertising: Monday at noon on the Monday preceding that month’s edition
Editorial Submissions: Noon on the Monday preceding the first Friday of the month
Classifieds: Friday at noon on the last Friday of the month for the following month’s edition
440-729-8240 fax
Legal Notices
Published weekly in the Geauga County Maple Leaf LEGALADS@GEAUGAMAPLELEAF.COM
Due by noon Tuesday for publication that week
Obituaries
Notices should be sent in writing to Geauga County Maple Leaf or emailed to editor@karlovecmedia.com. KMG charges a flat fee of $125 per obituary or death notice, including a photograph. There is no word limit.
STAFF
Jeffrey B. Karlovec, Publisher jbkarlovec@DLN.com
John D. Karlovec, Editor john@karlovecmedia.com
Jack Karlovec, Finance jack@karlovecmedia.com
Cassandra C. Shofar, News Editor cassandra@karlovecmedia.com
Jamie A. Ward, Sports Editor jamie@karlovecmedia.com
Ann Wishart, Reporter ann@karlovecmedia.com
Allison Wilson, Reporter wilson@karlovecmedia.com
Emma MacNiven, Reporter macniven@karlovecmedia.com
Clay Karlovec, Advertising clay@karlovecmedia.com
Clinton Sestak, Advertising clinton@karlovecmedia.com
Regina Swinerton, Classifieds regina@karlovecmedia.com
Pam Molnar, Production Manager pam@karlovecmedia.com
Karen Kaplan, Graphic Designer kaplan@karlovecmedia.com
Emma McGuire, Paginator emma@karlovecmedia.com
Do you want to have a story about your business in the paper?
Now is your chance. We are excited to announce our new Business Spotlight program. Business Spotlight gives local business owners an opportunity to introduce themselves, their products and services, and their staff to our print, digital and social media audience.
For just $650, local businesses will receive:
A full-page profile in the Karlovec Media Group (KMG) community newspaper of their choosing: Geauga County Maple Leaf, Chesterland News, Middlefield Post or Kirtland Chronicle.
A 500-to-700-word article and accompanying photo spread to fill the top half of the page and a halfpage ad for the bottom. The custom-written article will focus on the topics you want to cover and highlight the best parts of your business
The article for your business will be posted on the Geauga County Maple Leaf website, with embedded links to your business, so you can link and use it in your promotions.
The article for your business and half-page ad will be shared on KMG social media — Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram — for all publications. We have approx. 30,000 followers on social media.
* Business Spotlight not available to political candidates or for political issues.
Alternatively, for just $400, local businesses will receive similar benefits above but tailored to a half-page profile: quarter-page ad and a 400-500-word customwritten article, posted on our website and shared on all social media.
For more information on our Business Spotlight program, call 440-729-7667 or email ads@karlovecmedia.com.
G E AU G A COUNT Y Maple Leaf
Front Page Advertising
Top Banner $300, color included
• 8.2-inches wide by 1-inch tall
• Same proportional size as a website leaderboard
Side Rail, Full $350, color included
• 1.8-inches wide by 9.5-inch tall
Side Rail, Top Half $200, color included
• 1.8-inches wide by 4.5-inch tall
Side Rail, Bottom Half $150, color included
• 1.8-inches wide by 4.5-inch tall
Bottom Banner $250, color included
• 8.2-inches wide by 1.5-inch tall
Adult Workforce Readiness Education
The Aspire Program at Auburn Career Center provides FREE instructional services for adults.
Basic Skills, College & Career Preparation, High School Equivalence Prep, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
440-358-8027 www auburncc.org
Available for Maple Leaf, Chesterland News, Middlefield Post and Kirtland Chronicle
Sticky Note, color included
• Above the fold
• Removable
• 3-inches wide by 3-inch tall
• Must order a minimum of 10,000 stickers
• Require a minimum of three weeks to order
• Prices start at 10¢ per sticker
Faux Sticker $350
• 2.5-inches wide by 2.5-inch tall
• Same approximate location as sticker on masthead
• Printed directly on the newspaper
NOTE: Front page advertising is not mutually exclusive.
Pre-Printed Inserts
Available for Maple Leaf, Chesterland News, Middlefield Post and Kirtland Chronicle
Pre-printed flyers offer the advantage of a sheet of paper dedicated to your advertising campaign. The message literally falls into the hands of readers when they pick up the newspaper.
Insertion in One Edition: $350
20% Discount on Insertion Fees if KMG prints your flyer!
This flat rate cost is for an 8.5”x11” single sheet printed on 20# paper stock. That’s typically the same weight as a standard piece of printer paper. All other inserts are priced by weight.
• Inserts can be as small as 4"x6" or as large as 8.5"x11".
• Insert must be folded if over 8.5”x11” or folding fees may apply.
• Preprinted inserts must be received 7 days in advance of publication.
Classified Line Ads
All classified line ads run in the Geauga County Maple Leaf on Thursdays, and in the Chesterland News and Middlefield Post on the weeks each newspaper is published. The Chesterland News and Middlefield Post are published every other week on opposing weeks.
To advertise in the Classifieds, contact the advertising department at 440-729-7667 ext. 500 or email your ad directly to ads@karlovecmedia.com or fax to 440-729-8240
• Cost is $15 for the first 25 words, plus 50 cents for each additional word.
• All Classified Line Ads must be pre-paid.
• KMG does not bill for any classified ads.
• Maple Leaf subscribers are entitled to one free 25-word classified line ad each week of their paid subscription. Not valid for business ads.
Classified Display Ad
Classified display ads are priced the same as each paper’s open rates. A classified display ad includes any ad contained in a box or with a graphic. Classified display ads only run in the newspaper paid for each week. Each additional newspaper is an additional charge.
• All Classified Line Ads must be pre-paid.
• All Service Directory ads are classified display ads.
• The smallest size available is 1-column wide by 1-inch tall (2.5”x1”). As pictured below
Static Image Ads on Our Website (You can request the articles where your ad appears, such as news, schools or sports, and we will use our best efforts to honor your request)
Social Media Posting
Karlovec Media Group has social media platforms for its publications, including the Geauga County Maple Leaf, Chesterland News, Middefield Post and Kirtland Chronicle. As of November 1, 2024, we have approximately 30,000 followers on Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.
Social Media Rates
Post rates are $150 per month and include two posts per month on ALL pages. (Special nonprofit rates available.) Design costs, if needed, for a social media post are $50 per hour. We provide monthly analytics on post impressions, post reach and engagement. Social media posting
Online Jobs Board
Help Wanted
Get noticed on our highly read Help Wanted section. All printed display/box ads are priced for space, starting at $11.50 per column inch. Deadline for copy is Friday at noon.
Online Jobs Board
Increase attention to your job opening when your print ad is also posted to our “Local Jobs” webpage www.geaugamapleleaf.com/jobsboard with a direct link to your website and/or job application. Only $50 for 30 days with a print ad purchase. Or pay $75 to appear on-line only.
include JOBS board for help wanted ads, but reverse is not included.
Maple Leaf
The more you run, the more you save!
Special Sections 2025
q FEB 27 Health & Wellness
q MAR 13
q APR 17
Ad deadline Feb. 10
Spring Home
Ad deadline Feb. 24
Summer Camp
Ad deadline Mar. 31
q APR 24 Maple Festival
Ad deadline April 7
q MAY 15 Golden Geauga
Ad deadline April 28
q AUG 21 Barns, Farms & Fair
Middlef ield POST Aug. 20 Aug. 27
Ad deadline July 31
q OCT 9 Fall Home
Ad deadline Sept. 22
q NOV 6
q NOV 20
Salute to Veterans
Ad deadline Oct. 20
Winter Home
Ad deadline Nov. 13
1/12 page (5.125”x2”)
1/10 page (5.125”x3”)
1/6 page (5.125”x5”)
1/4 page
1/2 page (10.375”x7”)
3/4 page (7.75”x14”)
Add color: $20 up to quarter-page size, $25 quarter-page ads, $50 half-page ads, $75 full-page ads
Cover Sponsor
$800 - Your business name on the front cover of the special section.
Includes a full color, full page ad, and a 400 word article and photo submitted by business. Not exclusive to one advertiser.
Purchase a quarter page ad or larger and we will publish a FREE article or photo about your company* *Advertiser will be responsible to supply article content up to 400 words and/or photo.
Ad deadline Nov. 24 JUNE 12
Ad deadline May 26
Geauga NOW! will be published monthly and viewable online at www.GeaugaMapleLeaf.com, an award-winning website that reaches more than 600,000 users annually who view more than one million pages on the site. It will also be shared on Karlovec Media Group social media accounts.
2025 Rate Card
Full Color included with all ads
January edition
February edition
March edition
April edition
May edition
June edition
July edition
August edition
September edition
October edition
November edition
December edition
January 2026
Publication
December 25, 2024
January 29, 2025
February 26, 2025
March 26, 2025
April 30, 2025
May 28, 2025
June 25, 2025
July 30, 2025
August 27, 2025
September 24, 2025
October 29, 2025
November 26, 2025
December 31, 2025
Ad deadline
December 13, 2024
January 17, 2025
February 14, 2025
March 14, 2025
April 18, 2025
May16, 2025
June 13, 2025
July 18, 2025
August 15, 2025
September 12, 2025
October 17, 2025
November 14, 2025
December 19, 2025
Frequency discounts are available to ALL insertions at the time an insertion order is placed. For example, an advertiser who commits to running a 1/4-page ad 5x-8x will receive the discounted $231 rate for each ad. If an advertiser agrees to purchase a specific number of print ad placements in GeaugaNOW but later cancels or reduces the number of ads, Karlovec Media Group may charge a short-rate penalty to compensate the company for the lost revenue and help offset the costs associated with the unfilled commitment. The short-rate to be charged will be the difference between the discounted rate and the non-discounted rate. For example, if an advertiser commits to running a 1/4-page ad 5x and receives the discounted $231 rate, but cancels the fifth ad, a short-rate charge of $41 ($272 - $231) for each of the four ads run may be charged.
Holidays in Geauga Business Family Album
Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your employees, business offerings, and express a holiday greeting in a beautiful keepsake magazine.
INSERTED: December 4, 2025
DEADLINE FOR CONTENT: November 3, 2025
Page 2, Page 3, Back Page & Inside Back Page: $1,457 | Center Spread: $2,915 (10% Early Bird Discount applies if booked by March 31)
* Early Bird Discount applies to any ad booked prior to March 31, a $50 non-refundable deposit required.
10% Discount off of regular rate for Nonprofits (cannot be combined with Early Bird Discount)
AMISH GEAUGA
and Surrounding Communities Business Directory
To reserve your ad space, call John Karlovec at
The Amish Geauga Business Directory is published annually every spring and is distributed throughout Geauga County’s Amish Community and surrounding areas.
It is a FREE directory that businesses make available for their customers. Published and viewable online at www.geaugamapleleaf. com, an award-winning website that reaches more than 600,000 users who view more than 1 million pages on the site.
It also is shared on Karlovec Media Group social media accounts, including our new @AmishGeauga Twitter/ X account.
All ads include color and Karlovec Media Group does NOT charge advertisers to design their ads.
NEW FOR 2025! Online Amish Directory
Instead, let us use our website and social media accounts –30,000 followers – to grow your business FOR FREE! Purchase a quarter, half or full page ad in our printed directory get an extended online listing!
Introducing our online Amish Business Directory. Become searchable to thousands of potential customers and grow your business all without lifting a finger. Let us do the work for you with our inclusive online listings. Purchase a full page, half page or quarter page ad in our printed Business Directory and you’ll get an expanded listing on our online directory for free. This includes up to 10 photos, a business description, phone number, address, links to any social media, contact information and a business highlight article! Want to include something else? Give us a call to discuss!
Reach the People Who Vote!
Maple Leaf: $11.50/col. inch
PRINT/ONLINE Reach more than 20,000 readers weekly
Chesterland News: $11.00/col inch
Kirtland Chronicle: $11.00/col inch
Middlefield Post: $11.00/col inch
Make your ad more visible with color! Ask for rates. See pages 3 & 4 for ad sizes.
One column inch equals 2.5-inches wide by 1-inch tall. We can design any size ad to fit your campaign criteria and budget.
Maple Leaf: $350 per issue
Chesterland News: $350 per issue
Kirtland Chronicle: $350 per issue
Middlefied Post: $350 per issue
INSERTS Place your pre-printed insert inside the newspaper
STICKY NOTES
We can print your inserts for as low as $0.04 each (one-sided, black and white, 20# white paper)
Place a sticker prominently above-fold on the front of the newspaper. 10¢ per sticker with a minimum of 10,000
FAUX STICKER Same approximate location as sticky note on masthead, but printed directly on the newspaper front page. 3-inches by 3-inches
$350 per edition
ONLINE
More than 100,000 pageviews monthly with 24/7 web coverage.
NEWS
Comprehensive coverage of county and local governments, elections, schools and recent events/incidents of significance from award-winning journalists.
FEATURES
“Soft news” coverage that aims to humanize, add color, educate, entertain and illuminate, such as news features and profiles involving the people, groups and businesses that shape Geauga County.
EVENTS
Coverage and listings of events that are cultural, religious, civic, political, public or of an educational nature, i.e., things to do in and around Geauga County.
School SPORTS
ChagrinValley HerbSociety
Themembersofthe ChagrinValleyHerbSocietypromote aninterestinthemanyaspectsofherbs.establishingWearelookingforwardto newgardensatthe BainbridgeLibrarythisfall. Wearemeetingeachmonthtoenjoy newprogramsandnewfriendships. Visitchagrinvalleyherbsociety.orgtolearnmore!
