See Pages 4 & 5
FACE TO FACE — Volume 26, No. 1
TO
with Ben Shaw Chief Digital Officer Shaw Media
Tailoring the content strategy
Engaging our audience is the goal Shaw Media Reporter is the official magazine of Shaw Media, 444 Pine Hill Drive, Dixon, Illinois 61021. Shaw Media publishes the Reporter three times a year to keep employees and friends informed. If you have any questions or suggestions for articles or would like to be put on the mailing list, please contact one of the editors listed below.
Karen Pletsch, Publisher DeKalb, IL 815-756-4841
Greg Wallace, Editor Bureau County Republican Princeton, IL 815-875-4461 Peggy Campbell, Content Coordinator Shaw Media Corporate Services Dixon, IL 815-284-4000
Contributing Editors
Rita Roberts, Bureau County Republican Princeton, IL 815-875-4461
Stephani Finley, Creston Publishing Company Creston, IA 641-782-2141
Gerry Burke, Morris Publishing Company Morris, IL 815-942-3221
Andy Karr, News Printing Company Newton, IA 641-792-3121
S
haw Media has a truly good Brand Promise. Providing Relevant Information, Marketing Solutions and being Community Advocates is what we do. Our challenge is to do it effectively and profitably every day even as we operate in these tumultuous times. We have seen a lot of change in the local news landscape and we are guaranteed to continue to see it change at an increasing pace. Whether it’s a new device or a new online community, our readers and business community are constantly finding new ways to connect with us and connect with each other. We’re now publishing our unique content to print, to our websites and increasingly to mobile and tablets. Eventually our digital revenue will profitably surpass our print revenue, but that is not to say that print is dead or dying. It is changing, and, at Shaw Media, for the better. We are working hard to make sure
that this major shift between print and digital works to our advantage. Our content strategy is not to go digital-first or to put up a barrier to our digital product’s growth. Shaw Media’s content strategy is to maximize each platform’s potential. Each platform is very special, but no more special than another. Rather than worrying that one of our own products is making another less effective, we will focus our efforts on tailoring our content to maximize the effectiveness of each of our platforms. We will focus on making each one of our core platforms the most read and used product of its kind within our local marketplaces. Shaw Media’s Content Strategy is to tailor our content to create unique publishing platforms that effectively engage our audiences. We will continue to transform our organization to execute our content strategy, profitably grow our business, and strengthen our brand.
Allison McCaleb, Suburban Group Crystal Lake, IL 815-526-4485
Kris Boggs, Sauk Valley Media Sterling, IL 815-625-3600
2 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
The First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. www.ShawMEDIa.com
SIX STAR UPDATE — Volume 26, No. 1
UPDATE
Face to Face ........................................ pg. 2
Performance
Cover Story ......................................... pg. 4
2011 ended on a positive note, which is amazing in these times. Although
Human Resources/Safety ..................... pg. 6
sales were off 3.6%, we reduced expenses 2.6%, kept our productivity margin at target, reduced debt, met all our obligations, and produced a
Technology ........................................... pg. 7
bottom line that was up a modest 1/2% over prior year.
New Logo In concert with the One Great Company Strategy, we created and
Graphically Speaking ........................... pg. 8 Multi-Media ......................................... pg. 9
are using a revised Shaw Media logo. We kept similar elements, but made changes. Have you noticed? See John Rung's column on page
In Focus .............................................pg. 10
36.
New Name We have retitled this column the "Six Star Update" to honor its
Sauk Valley Media .........................pgs. 11-15 Suburban Group .............. pgs. 16-17, 20-23
origin. When the Reporter launched twenty-six years ago, there were five stars in the company logo. Now there are six. It is a
Pets on Parade ............................pgs. 18-19
reference to the six generations of Shaw family members who have been actively involved in the leadership of the company.
Bureau County Republican .........pgs. 24-25
Content Strategy
Creston Publishing Co. ............... pgs. 26-27
Shaw Media will tailor our content to create unique publishing platforms that effectively engage our audiences. We will continue to transform our organization to execute our content strategy, profitably grow our business, and strengthen our brand.
Pedal to the Metal Digital sales efforts are ramping up. Paula Dudley, our new Director of Digital Marketing, is working with all our sales leaders to better provide our clients with marketing solutions through digital media. Welcome aboard, Paula.
News Printing Co. ......................pgs. 28-29 Service Anniversaries ................pgs. 29-35 New Faces .........................................pg. 35 New Responsibilities ..........................pg. 35 The Back Page ...................................pg. 36
"Great By Choice" Shaw Media's entire leadership team is reading and commenting on this excellent book. Stacia Hahn shared... "We cannot predict the future, but we can create it. Some companies and leaders navigate
On The Cover
Top Sales Leaders from the Blinder Digital this type of world exceptionally well. They don't merely react - they Sales Blitz in Crystal Lake, DeKalb, Newton and Creston, and PlanIt Sales Blitz in Crystal create. I believe we are this, do this, and we do it well!" Lake, DeKalb and St. Charles. Cover design by Allison LaPorta, DeKalb. www.ShawMEDIa.com
Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012 • 3
COVER STORY
Digital Blitzes Spark Big Sales By Ben Shaw, Shaw Media Chief Digital Officer and J. Tom Shaw, Kane County Chronicle Publisher
I
n October 2011, online marketing expert Mike Blinder was invited to present to small businesses in McHenry and DeKalb Counties. The week following the presentations, three of Mr. Blinder’s consultants joined the local sales teams and went on a series of sales calls. The goal for the blitz was to generate $50,000 in digital revenue for DeKalb, and $100,000 in revenue for McHenry. McHenry surpassed the goal, achieving $123,000 total commitments. DeKalb more than doubled their goal, realizing $112,000 in commitments for the year. The Blinder program was launched in conjunction with our web site redesign. The redesign drastically reduced the amount and variety of ad spaces we had for sale. By reducing inventory, we were able to create demand, and increase the value of the existing ad spaces we had left. Mr. Blinder’s message to local businesses fit perfectly with our new inventory strategy: Reach your target audience with the right frequency and right message. By offering our prospects a simple, effective advertising solution with a limited time offer for only a certain amount of participants, we found a winning combination. As part of the program, our account executives will visit with each client at least once per month to review the ad creative and analytics for each campaign. Shawn Lowe, account executive for DeKalb County, said that the Blinder program was not only affordable, but effective. “Having a seasoned veteran of the sales industry along side made each presentation seamless and streamlined. The package was well thought out in terms of online impression numbers, 4 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
Team DeKalb takes home "Bragging Rights" for selling the most showcases during the contest period. From left, back row: Lisa Angel, Dustin Davis, Shawn Lowe, Rob Dancey, Bill Braksick. Front from left, Kristin Pesko and Julie Smith. and price. This was really the key selling point. The pre-blitz training and customer seminar also helped immensely by providing a 1-2 punch that created a positive buzz about the program. Overall, the Blinder online program was well received in the DeKalb market and continues to deliver positive results for my customers.” “What I like most with the Blinder seminar,” Cheryl Kranz, account executive for McHenry County, said, “is that my customers who attended walked out educated about the importance of electronic advertising.” She said when she followed up with them days later, they where excited about it and eager to hear more and get started.
Blinder visits Iowa In early January, the Newton Daily News and the Creston News Advertiser agreed to bring Mike Blinder in for a joint engagement. He trained our sales associates and presented to local busi-
nesses in each market. Blinder’s associate sales expert came to each market during the following week. The companies surpassed their goal to generate over $50,000 in new, online revenue. Creston was so successful with the digital program that they completely sold out their web site inventory.
Creston has great success also Rich Paulsen, Publisher of the Creston News Advertiser, said, “The Blinder sales blitz was a great thing for the Creston News Advertiser and our customers. We had a wonderful turnout at our community seminar with Mike Blinder leading the discussion. The follow up with Barb from the Blinder group did a world of good for both our staff and our clients. We were able to sell out our site with both a number of new clients and several up-sells on some of our existing clients. The education on web selling for our entire staff was very valuable, not only for www.ShawMEDIa.com
COVER STORY
Frank Dorf (right) of the Blinder Group congratulates Shawn Lowe of DeKalb after a successful day of selling. Shawn sold 10 of the available packages resulting in over $53,000 in digital advertising. Eager attendees at Newton listen carefully as Mike Blinder shares key information on how to successfully market their business in today's rapidly changing media environment. our current sales, but for future sales. Both the Blinder staff and our staff did a great job of making this project come together. We sold over $20,000 in new sales to the site.” Craig Mittag, Creston’s Advertising Director, said, “I feel that Mike Blinder did an outstanding job educating our community business leaders and sales reps on internet advertising with the workshop. Then when Barbara joined up with our sales team to make it all come together, it was a huge success. It was great the way we were able to emphasize the fact that both print and web advertising are essential to their businesses' survival. Newspapers are "Alive and Well" and the digital message can be added to reach that market they are missing out on.”
Planit gets new showcases From October through January, Shaw Media hosted a sales contest for Planit in McHenry, DeKalb, and Kane. Each sales team had the chance to win a shopping spree to Best Buy, as well as an individual cash prize. The goal was to start 40 new showcase pages in each market. A showcase page is a cost-effective way for local restaurants and retailers to stay in front of local consumers with money to spend. The showcase pages feature vouchers for sale at a special discount, contact info, maps, coupons, menus, photos, videos, and anything that the business would like to get in front of potential customers. This marketing solution is popular www.ShawMEDIa.com
with this category of business because it requires little to no cash up front. They can pay for the showcase page by providing the vouchers, which Shaw Media can then sell and keep the proceeds. Each market had surpassed the target goal. McHenry had sold 86 new showcases, DeKalb 90, and Kane 69. Many of the new Planit partners are high profile, well-recognized restaurants. The volume and quality of offers and partners we now have in each market will significantly contribute to the digital revenue growth we anticipate for 2012. Shannon Misukanis, account executive for Kane County, said that for her, the Planit program was a "no risk" pay for performance for businesses. “Stupid simple, crazy not to try as a business. ‘No brainer’ was the term clients used when signing up.” Shawn Lowe said the Planit contest really made his customers the actual winners. “The customers having, in some cases, a 100% trade option, really grabbed their attention and made them take a closer look. Customers virtually had no reason to decline our invitation to join this online revolution. For many customers, this will become a secondary web site that will allow easy updates and more traffic, which will result in increased revenue. This new package was a great launching point for continued Planit success.” Cheryl Kranz said, “Every call I made the customer either knew what it was or was at least familiar with it. Customers mentioned that other com-
Cheryl Kranz (left) seals a deal with Countryside during the Blinder Blitz conducted by the Northwest Herald and DeKalb Daily Chronicle.
Rick Peterson (left) closes a deal with Reprographics. panies out there have sites like this, but not nearly as in-depth as Planit. They liked that it offered deals from local businesses and had local content.” From Blinder programs, to Planit, getting the advertisers on board is only the beginning of a continuous sales process. As our digital portfolio expands and our audience grows, our account executives will work side by side with our business partners to ensure we are delivering eyeballs and sending foot traffic. The products change, but our goal remains. Shaw Media delivers results for our clients. Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012 • 5
HUMAN RESOURCES & SAFETY UPDATE
Staying Motivated With Your Fitness Routine Exercise routine leaving you inspired—or just downright tired? You're not alone. Many people have good intentions about exercising but stop when it gets boring or doesn’t show quick results. Here are some tips to help you “get up and go” for the long-term:* • Set simple, realistic goals and then progress to longer-range goals. • Start slowly to help avoid pain and injury that could interfere with your fitness program. • Choose an activity that fits your lifestyle. • Add a variety of physical activities to your routine to help prevent boredom. • Make exercise fun so that you’re more likely to stick with your program. • Fit exercise into your daily routine, such as walking at lunch time or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. • Weigh the pros and cons of continuing your program with the risks of dropping out. • Get support by exercising with a friend, family member or co-worker. • Assess your fitness level at regular intervals to help work toward your goals and track your progress. • Reward yourself both internally by acknowledging feelings of accomplishment, and externally with something new like a pair of walking shoes or a new compact disc. • Be flexible and adapt your exercises to fit your schedule.
The Shaw Media “Don’t Take Safety For-Granted” contest for safety committee members had a drawing in January with four chances to win $50. The winners were Laurie Claytor and Dorine Peterson from Creston News Laurie Claytor Dorine Peterson Advertiser, Nancy Banasiak from the Suburban Group (DeKalb) and Bev Rogman from the Suburban Group (Crystal Lake). In order to be eligible for drawings, safety committee members must attend safety committee meetNancy Banasiak Bev Rogman ings, and their organizations must report accidents in a timely manner to the insurance carrier, or be accident-free. Safety committees play an important part in keeping employees safe by promoting safety, taking precautions to prevent accidents from occurring, training, and helping the company comply with safety rules.
Log on to Blue Access® for Members at www.bcbsil. com for more ways to put the thrill back into your fitness program. *Source:The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. A Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. 6 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
During the months of September, October, November and December, there was only one incident throughout the entire company that required medical attention, at the Bureau County Republican.
www.ShawMEDIa.com
TECHNOLOGY
The Three R's of IT By Matt Woodstrup Digital Production Coordinator Shaw Media Corporate As of January 1, it is now illegal to throw out a larger list of electronic products. This is due to Illinois' new and improved electronic Recycling and Reuse Act. Some of the items listed by the State include: Televisions, Monitors, Printers, Computers (laptop, notebook, netbook, tablet, desktop) Electronic Keyboards, Facsimile Machines, Videocassette Recorders, Portable Digital Music Players, Digital Video Disc Players, Video Game Consoles, Small Scale Servers, Scanners, Electronic Mice, Digital Converter Boxes, Cable Receivers, Satellite Receivers, and Digital Video Disc Recorders. There are three rules that govern the process of stuff - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
REDUCE Being a smart consumer means getting as much life out of our electronics as we can. By making some minor upgrades or changes to electronics, we can make them last longer. As a general rule, we should be able to work with the same computer for 5-7 years.
REUSE One way to give new life to that old computer, for example, is to use it as another workstation in the house or garage. Manuals, recipes or other reference materials can be stored on this machine. Another option is to donate to someone that may need something newer. Placing a free ad in the newspaper works. Ask your relatives, church, library or schools if they know of anyone that could use the equipment. Make sure they understand what the equipment is and how old it is. Cell phones are another good example of something that can be reused. Donating to a charity is a good way to help someone out and keep electronics out of recycling drums. Who knows? It may even save someone's life. Even www.ShawMEDIa.com
without a wireless service plan, donated cell phones are reusable because any working mobile phone can dial a 911 call center (an FCC requirement). http:// aboutus.verizonwireless.com/communityservice/hopeLine.html
RECYCLE What can't be reused electronically can be stripped apart. Metals like gold, silver, copper, and platinum are separated out and reused. They have little value in a landfill. The new Illinois law doesn't provide for garbage police checking your trash, but if caught, the law calls for a first-time $25 fine. The law also contains requirements for electronics manufacturers. They must collect a volume of electronic waste that is proportionate to what they sell. It is called "extended producer responsibility." If they don't meet the
requirement, they have to pay more. Many manufacturers now have recycling programs. Retail stores may even provide rebates on core charges as incentives to recycle. Local county governments provide free electronic recycling days. Proof of residency is usually required. Limits may apply. Some clubs or non-profit groups collect electronics as fundraisers. They collect for free and receive funds from manufacturers or recycling centers. Before you donate or recycle, remember to erase or remove any data from the item. Cell phones, computers or other mobile devices may have valuable information we don't want to share with someone. When it comes to computers, the easiest way to make sure the data is destroyed is to erase the drive and then drill holes in it. Some recycling centers may help with this. Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012 • 7
GRAPHICALLY SPEAKING
Ad Proofing Made Easy With XpanceNET By Brian Hurley Media Applications Coordinator Shaw Media Corporate I’ve been working with our Suburban papers on a new online proofing system named XpanceNET. Working in conjunction with Xpance, an ad tracking system in use at some properties, XpanceNET allows advertisers to quickly view and proof their ads online. This will speed turnaround time between advertisers and properties, and will give advertisers 24/7 access to their ads and accounts. Here’s a quick trip through this great new system.
The recipient will receive an email similar to the example. They can download a PDF or proof the ad by clicking the Download PDF link. The advertiser clicks on the Proof Ad link to go to the ad on the shawadservices.com website. On the shawadservices.com site, from the buttons on the right, the user can download a PDF, preview the ad or select Proof Ad to open the viewer. The advertiser can then click on the ad to add notes, corrections and upload files. When closed, numbered buttons will be visible. Once the advertiser is done, he selects an appropriate button across the top of the page: Approve Ad: Sends ad back to queue with no changes. Grayed out once changes are requested. Submit Changes, NO Proof Needed: Once changes are made, designer sends to complete. Submit New Changes, Send New Proof: Once changes are made, designer resends proof. When button is clicked, message appears to the advertiser. That’s all there is to it. The ad is then sent back to production for changes or to be moved on to a complete status.
8 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
www.ShawMEDIa.com
MULTI-MEDIA
Websites Growing, Mobile and Tablet Exploding By Ben Shaw Chief Digital Officer Shaw Media Our award-winning websites have really come into their own in the past few years. We have seen excellent growth and a serious improvement in the quality and timeliness of their designs. We actually increased our unique visitors by 9.3%! What started out years ago as promising experiments and add-ons to the paper are quickly becoming key to delivering on Shaw Media's Brand Promise. Yet just as easily as some people used to not think of our websites while designing and delivering our editorial and advertising to market, we now run the same risk with mobile. Nationally, mobile traffic is surging and
www.ShawMEDIa.com
ad dollars are following. Mobile and tablet will be our key audience growth areas in the coming years and if we establish ourselves as the market leaders immediately, we have the opportunity to grow revenue in these spaces accordingly. Over the past year, our traffic to mobile and tablet sites has increased by a massive 490%. At this time last year, we were excited to see that mobile had become 3% of our total digital unique visitors. They are already at 15% and climbing rapidly. Our mobile and tablet templates have served to establish our presence, but in order to capitalize on this opportunity, we will dive into the world of mobile and bring our readers relevant news and utility, as well as offering our advertisers unique advertising solutions on multiple platforms and marketplaces.
Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012 • 9
IN FOCUS Every person at Shaw Media plays an important part in the success of this corporation. This segment is designed to introduce you to an associate in the company. It features one of many who makes a difference by striving for excellence.
MEET : Rob Dancey
Above, Rob Dancey proudly displays the three books he's written. At right, Rob sits at the computer with illustrator, Mike Olson.
Lifetime reader turns to writing By Debbie Behrends Valley Free Press DeKALB – A life-long lover of reading and history, Suburban Group sales rep Rob Dancey has channeled his passions into writing about history. Along with illustrator Mike Olson of Waterman, Dancey has published three books written primarily for children. "When the Wild West Came to Town is about Dancey's great-grandfather, Oscar Dancey, and his real-life adventures with Pawnee Bill's Wild West Show. "Young James Hickok and a Girl Named Hannah" is about some of the adventures of James "Wild Bill" Hickok, who was born in Troy Grove, Ill. His latest book, "I Found a Monster Today," is about a girl learning about fossils who plans an adventure with her father and then finds examples of the state fossil, the Tulley monster. "We focus on Illinois-based history. I want to make reading exciting and pro10 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
vide an opportunity to learn about something close to where we live," Dancey said. He said writing for kids is rewarding, but he intends for his stories to be shared by the whole family. "When I grew up, I read stories all the time (with my parents). We read stories together. I want the books to be an interactive thing; not just for the kid, but the whole family." Dancey said his own children, 15-year-old Liam and 10-year-old Claire "love the stories. They think they're cool. They love to read. My wife (Cathy) and I are both readers and we've created that environment at home."
Between work and home responsibilities, Dancey said he jots notes for his stories whenever an idea occurs to him. "I write in the morning, on my lunch break. I carry a notepad with me. And I try to set aside 30 minutes in the evening to focus on writing," Dancey said. He provides a rough draft to Olson to start the artwork. Then the two meet to discuss Olson's ideas for illustrations. Dancey said he hopes that finding stories in Illinois history will advance children's desires to learn about their hometowns. "History can be so dull and boring, but there is so much there that if you knew a little more about it, it could get kids really interested." www.ShawMEDIa.com
SAUK VALLEY MEDIA Our mission is to become an indispensable source of information and advertising for our region.
Ladies Mix and Mingle at Sauk Valley Media's Special Events By Jenny Young Sauk Valley Media's Ladies Night Out and Bridal Fair entertained women with shopping and shows. Such events allow the staff to build relationships with readers, support local businesses with vending opportunities and generate revenue for the company through ticket and booth sales. The 4-hour Ladies Night Out took place in October at the Brandywine Banquet and Conference Center in Dixon. Women browsed about 40 vendor booths related to beauty, fashion, health care, food, crafts and other areas of interest. Katy Olds, then marketing coordinator, said Ladies Night Out gives the Sauk Valley Media's advertisers another option, besides print and online ads, to promote their products and find customers. “It's a great way for our advertisers to advertise in a different form.” In addition to shopping, women enjoyed free hors d'oeuvres provided by SVM; free samples and door prizes, including a $150 gift certificate to spend with any vendor; and four shows. A local florist gave a decorating demonstration; Colleen Garza, an SVM classified sales representative and licensed Zumba instructor, led a dance and exercise class; Grace Whitten, SVM's food editor, gave a cooking demonstration; and a local surgeon spoke about breast cancer. At the cooking show, women sampled zesty ranch oyster crackers, ginger chicken and apple stir fry, cupcakes and peanut butter bars. Whitten enjoyed leading the demonstration. “We always have standing-room only,” she said. “I love it.” The event generated $9,200 in revenue for the company. Employee volunteers included Bridget Flynn, Linda Berogan, Kiran Sood, Jennifer Green, Tammy Burkholder, Robin Norburg and Lucas Pauley. Sood collected tickets and greeted ladies when they arrived. “I really like to mix and mingle with people,” she said. “There's no reason www.SaUKVaLLEY.com
Ed Bushman, general manager of the Telegraph, and Jennifer Baratta, Sauk Valley Media's advertising director, announce door prize winners at the SVM Bridal Fair, held Feb. 5 at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon.
“That's our group working together." – Ed Bushman, Telegraph General Manager Commenting on SVM's sister location, the Daily Chronicle in DeKalb, who also promoted the fair by running an ad.
not to do it. You know, you get to spend some time outside the office and chit chat with some different ladies. … It's pretty fun.” Several employees also helped at the Bridal Fair, which was held Feb. 5 at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon. They were Kate Hoffmiller, Becky Reilly, Joanne Doherty, Jill Reyna, Colleen Garza and Jessie DeMay. Ed Bushman, general manager of the Telegraph, and Jennifer Baratta, advertising director, coordinated the event. The 4-hour fair had more than 40 vendors representing decorations, formal wear, reception venues and more. DJ vendors provided music; and cake and catering vendors handed out samples, Bushman said. “It's fun. It's not a stuffy event,” he said. “Everybody eats and has a good time.” Brides also registered for prizes. Sauk Valley Media provided winners with gift certificates in the amounts of $75, $150
Jessie DeMay, a Sauk Valley Media classified sales representative, chats with guests at the SVM Bridal Fair registration table. and $300 to spend at the vendor of their choice, and vendors also gave away door prizes. The fair featured a style show put on by a local bridal shop and a tuxedo rental store. It was booked solid with 200 guests. In all, the fair drew in 450 people, including brides, their mothers and friends. Some even traveled across state lines, Bushman said. “A bridal fair is a great way for a media company to built a relationship with a younger demographic", he said "These brides are coming to our show because they have heard about the event from one of SVM's many advertising platforms including print, digital and social media." "I think it's great we are engaging some of our younger readers.” Baratta also was happy with the turnout. “I thought it was a successful event,” she said. “Our attendance was up quite a bit over last year.” There were fewer vendors, though, Bushman noted. “Because of the economy, people are spending a little bit less on weddings, and so that's affecting some of the vendors,” he said. Even so, one vendor booked 60 weddings at the fair, which will result in $60,000 to $90,000 in business; and the event generated more than $15,000 in revenue for Sauk Valley Media. Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012 • 11
SAUK VALLEY MEDIA
Sauk Valley Media recognized as advocate for freedom of information rights By Jenny Young Sauk Valley Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society recognized Sauk Valley Media's crusade for open government. Members admired SVM's coverage of Freedom of Information Act issues, so the president asked reporter David Giuliani to give a presentation to the group in November. Giuliani, known for his FOIA advocacy, happily accepted. His byline has appeared on many FOIA-related stories, and he has investigated how well local government offices follow the laws. “They said they were inspired by the fact that the newspaper was really kind of in the trenches, you know, trying to get information,” Giuliani said. “They appreciated it.” Each year, society members choose a project to research – one that will help society – and this year they chose open government. The newspaper staff should be a leader in that effort, Giuliani said. If they do not pursue it, in many cases, no one else will, he added. “Sometimes, people accuse the paper of having an agenda, and it's true,” Giuliani said. “We do have an agenda; the agenda is open government.” While the law states that records are presumed open to the public, with some exceptions, some government officials act like records are presumed closed with some exceptions, Giuliani said. Although many do follow the act, a problem does exist, Managing Editor Jeff
Rogers said. “I've been doing this for many years, and it still surprises me how many meetings and documents are not handled correctly by public bodies,” Rogers said. “That's a fight that I don't think is ever going to go away, but it's certainly an important one.” Violators are not always acting maliciously – often they simply aren't aware of the act's provisions, Rogers said. He appreciates David Giuliani Giuliani's determination to get the information to which he is legally entitled. “I don't think a day goes by when Davey doesn't think, say or do something in relation to openness and freedom of information,” Rogers said. “It's obviously a crusade for him, and I think that's great. I think that's really helped us as a newspaper.” During his presentation, however, Giuliani stressed that records are available to everyone, not just reporters. The average person may feel intimidated to make a request or may worry about how to properly submit a request, he said. “People think they have to do it a certain way, or maybe they need to get a lawyer to help. No; anybody can do it.” “Actually, in the state of Illinois, you could write it on a cocktail napkin," he said. He also told the group that a govern-
Welcome to the 15 Year Club Marla Seidell, niche publications editor, and Mary Near, community pages assistant, get a little crazy at Seidell's 15-year service anniversary party held Jan. 17 in the Sauk Valley Media breakroom. 12 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
Joanne Doherty pals it up with boss Trevis Mayfield during her 15-year service anniversary celebration. Joanne serves as finance director for Sauk Valley Media.
ment office's staff cannot ask why a request is being made. After the Nov. 9 presentation, society members went to agencies to make requests and experience the process for themselves. Rogers appreciates opportunities to educate the public on open government and motivate them to get involved. Even when reporters pursue information, it should be with the public in mind, he said. “We're getting that information for our readers, not for ourselves,” Rogers said, “and I think Davey's really good at keeping that perspective.” Larry Lough, executive editor, was happy that the society recognized Giuliani's work on behalf of the public interest. Giuliani joked that he had to be on his best behavior because Lough attended his presentation. “As it turned out, he didn't need any support from me,” Lough said. “He did well.” Lough appreciated that Giuliani did not teach from a textbook, but engaged his audience with personal experiences and “war stories,” and took time to answer questions. Giuliani believes the presentation was great publicity for the newspaper. Lough agrees. “We'd encourage reporters to do that kind of thing, and certainly welcome invitations from local clubs or groups that want a speaker to talk about the newspaper – what we do, and how we do it, and why we do it.”
Name/Position: Larry Lough, Executive editor, Sauk Valley Media Presentation Subject: Discussion of Richard C. Longworth's book, ”Caught in the Middle: America's Larry Lough Heartland in the Age of Globalism”. Audience: Dixon Kiwanis Club www.SaUKVaLLEY.com
SAUK VALLEY MEDIA
Reporter gets creative with unemployment coverage, 'office hours' By Jenny Young Emily Coleman, a Sauk Valley Media reporter, thinks outside the box. Instead of filling all her office hours behind a desk, she mingles with readers at a local coffee shop to build relationships, earn trust and gather feedback and suggestions. She also amped up SVM's unemployment coverage by profiling real people behind the statistics, and allowing them to share their struggles through audio diaries. It is new territory for Coleman, who covers mostly government. The idea to schedule time at Books on First, a coffee house and book store in downtown Dixon, came to her when Executive Editor Larry Lough challenged newsroom employees to make a journalistic New Year's resolution. Coleman, who covers Dixon, wanted to be more available to Telegraph readers. She does not live in Dixon; she divides her time between SVM's main office in Sterling and the Telegraph office in Dixon and often is out on assignments. "People can't just stop by the Telegraph and expect to find me there, even though I'm the Dixon reporter," she said. Therefore, Coleman published her resolution to be available from 1 to 2 p.m. every Wednesday at the coffee house. She started the experiment in January. www.SaUKVaLLEY.com
"It's been pretty successful, in that people seem to want to chat,” Coleman said. “I definitely got story ideas out of it, which is great." Coleman wants to be approachable, and thinks the coffee house is a less intimidating meeting place than the newsroom. "You meet people who never would have called the newspaper with a story idea,” she said, “but now they know me, and they're a lot more comfortable calling me." Lough encourages those kind of personal interactions. In the past, readers did not know much about reporters, he said. “All readers knew about us was an anonymous, cold, black byline at the top of a news story. If they're going to interact with us, they need to know us; they need to trust us; we need to extend ourselves to them.” Coleman sips coffee with readers and enjoys many productive conversations that last past 2 p.m. Jeff Rogers, managing editor, likes that she hears what is going on in the community. “That's a trait of a good reporter,” he said. “News doesn't happen in the office. It happens out there.” While mingling, Coleman's recent unemployment coverage has come up in conversation. Often, unemployment articles focus on monthly statistics. "That's pretty much it; it's numbers," she said. "And
SVM reporter Emily Coleman chats with a pair of local citizens at Books on First in downtown Dixon. Coleman holds "office hours" at the local book store/coffee house to meet with residents for comments and story ideas. most people don't even read them. You know, I think number stories are very hard for readers to really get, especially numbers as flawed as unemployment numbers.” Rogers agreed that a problem existed with coverage based solely on statistics. “They don't humanize the issue, and I think that's really important,” he said. Coleman wanted to show the “real people behind those numbers.” She profiled two men and two women ages 22 to 47 who were unemployed in the Sauk Valley – a former teacher's aide who lost her job due to late state payments; a woman with a criminal history living in a homeless shelter; a man laid off from a landscaping store now living with his parents and struggling to pay child support; and a veteran who lost his factory job for sexual harassment. Coleman likes that the series features typical people struggling through life – not those who have experienced extreme fortune or extreme crisis, who more commonly attract media attention. She gave each of them a voice recorder, and they are keeping verbal diaries that
are being posted online at www.saukvalley.com – something SVM has never done before. Coleman's goal is to let readers listen to the unemployed tell their stories, so they can judge for themselves how much their actions figured into their circumstances. "That's the limitation with print,” she said. “It's very hard to judge how sincere someone is. I mean, you have word choice, but you can tell a lot from tone of voice." Lough said, traditionally, news goes through a media filter. Reporters and editors choose what is important enough to include in a story to make it concise. The recordings, however, make more information available. “There's nothing wrong also with giving them, sometimes, the unfiltered version as well, so they can make up their own mind about what's important and what's not,” he said. Rogers and Lough both expect to use audio recordings in future projects. Coleman has enjoyed expanding her horizons. "I think it's making me a better reporter," she said, “but it's definitely not easy."
Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012 • 13
SAUK VALLEY MEDIA
Down under
By Jenny Young
Kiran Sood, a reporter for Sauk Valley Media, ditched the snowy Midwest at year end for kangaroo country. Excited to explore a new part of the world, she boarded a flight Dec. 21 and traveled to Australia and New Zealand. Sood spent more than 2 weeks vacationing there with her two sisters, parents and some family friends. She returned Jan. 7. Although off work, Sood continued to wear her reporter's hat. When she was not smiling at playful dolphins jumping by her cruise ship; gazing at lush, green rolling hills “dotted with white sheep” or admiring the breathtaking design of the famous Sydney Opera House, Sood was checking out newspapers and interviewing locals for her SVM blog at www.saukvalley.com called “Twin Cities Talk”. “I talked to people about their views on America and American politics,” she said, “and people were very welleducated about our government system.” In her blog, which is published in print and on SVM's web site, she shares their comments about the president, the economy and other topics. “It was nice to try to see their points of view about the world,” Sood said. She also observed and admired their political system. “They just don't seem to have the same sort of petty issues that our government is going through right now,” she said. Sood also photographed newspaper offices and picked up a couple of newspapers wherever she went to show
SVM to have promising New Year By Jenny Young
Kiran Sood, Sauk Valley Media reporter, visits the famous Sydney Opera House during her year-end cruise touring Australia and New Zealand. her coworkers. She especially admired the many sections of Australia's largest newspaper in Sydney. One or two locals told her they usually read news on their smart phones, she said. During her stay, Sood toured the large cities of Sydney and Melbourne in Australia, Auckland, New Zealand and other towns, visiting places such as an animal reservation, an orchard, a beach and a harbor. She enjoyed a 4-mile river walk, saw the bridge where the first bungee jump took place, admired the destination where “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” were filmed, and tasted what the locals call “hokey-pokey” ice cream. She also visited the island of Tasmania, including a remote, unpopulated area. “It just boggles my mind that there are parts of the world where there's absolutely no one there,” she said. Overall, Sood had a wonderful time, and as she says in her blog: "It was a great experience to see how people on the other side of the world live and think.”
14 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
Forget dieting. Sauk Valley Media's newsroom staff made New Year's resolutions to better their work. For greater transparency and accountability, Larry Lough, executive editor, asked staff members to make one journalistic resolution to be published in his Dec. 31/Jan. 1 weekend column. “In all the years I've written a column, I've never done that,” Lough said. He received 16 responses from the staff and liked what he read. Employees promised to make better use of new methods of delivering information, such as Facebook, Twitter, text alerts and video; to use more descriptive language in reporting; to increase availability to readers; to include more local content in special secLarry Lough tions and magazines; to improve accuracy; and more. The column was one of many efforts to let readers know something about the people behind the bylines. Readers want to know who they are, Lough said. “I thought that might be a good idea to help, again, build that bridge or strengthen that bridge between the news staff and our readers – to let them know a little bit about some individuals through their resolutions to do their jobs better in 2012.” Jeff Rogers, managing editor, said Lough's challenge helped him take time to set goals. “I think sometimes you just get so busy with your job that you don't spend a lot of time thinking and planning and kind of figuring out about where you want to go,” he said. Rogers wants to develop procedures to ensure that the staff uses social networks and technology to the best of their ability. Now that the column has appeared in print, Rogers realizes he, and everyone else who came forward with a promise, is accountable to thousands of readers to follow through. “It shouldn't take that," he said, “but, you know, it does help.” Some employees promised to do something specific. For example, Jim Dunn, opinion page editor, pledged to recognize a Freedom of Information Act “hero” or “someone who goes above and beyond the call to make government records available.” He or she will be featured with an editorial and photo during Sunshine Week [March 11-17]. Phil Marruffo, photographer, identified with readers on a more personal level by promising to quit smoking. Lough believes his resolution showed similarities between readers and the news staff. “We're not a lot different from our readers,” Lough said. “We have the same issues. We drive the same streets. We pay the same taxes. Our kids go to the same schools. … A lot of people among our readers, I'm sure, had that same resolution to try to quit smoking in the new year.” Lough's resolution? To make sure newsroom employees “follow through on their resolutions.” www.SaUKVaLLEY.com
SAUK VALLEY MEDIA
SVM employees help animal shelters By Jenny Young Make no bones about it: Sauk Valley Media's accounting staff loves shelter dogs. Wanting to help these homeless pets, they held an in-house bake sale and accepted donations, raising nearly $200 for local animal shelters during October, Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month. Tammy Klingberg, accounting associate, and Jennifer Green, credit and collections associate, organized and promoted the fund-raiser. In addition to money, they also wanted to raise awareness about animal adoption. Many dogs need homes, and they want people to rescue them instead of buying from breeders. The bake sale took place Oct. 21 in the accounting conference room. People brought in fudge, cookies, popcorn balls, pumpkin bread and other treats. Green and Klingberg were impressed by the number of employees outside the
From left, Tammy Klingberg, accounting associate, and Jennifer Green, credit and collections associate, show Green's basset hound bank. The "dog" collected donations for animal shelters throughout October in the SVM accounting department. Klingberg and Green, with the help of other employees, also hosted a bake sale, raising the total to nearly $200.
accounting department who offered to bake and donate goodies. “Everybody was so excited,” Klingberg said. “They took pride in helping out.” They also were happy so many people bought baked goods, which were available by donation. Green also set out a large, basset hound bank in the accounting department so people could donate
all month long. She has owned the bank since childhood and considered it the fund-raiser's mascot. The accounting staff also set out candy. Overall, the effort generated about $98 each for the Granny Rose and Happy Tails animal shelters. Green never expected to raise so much money. “I was expecting we'd maybe get $50 at the most,
so yeah, I was really surprised,” she said. They plan to do the fundraiser again next year. Green said the entire accounting staff loves animals, and everyone has or has had pets at one time. She herself has 14 cats and two dogs; all were strays or came from a shelter. Klingberg has two dogs, one adopted from a rescue organization.
Feeling festive Current and former SVM employees shared plenty of food and fun at the holiday party held in December. Exec team members in Santa hats and reindeer antlers served the luncheon meal to staffers and returning retirees. Shaw Media 2011 service anniversaries were recognized, and numerous retirees reunited with their former co-workers.
www.SaUKVaLLEY.com
Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012 • 15
SUBURBAN GROUP Northwest Herald • Kane County Chronicle • Daily Chronicle The MidWeek • Valley Free Press • Lake County Journal Business Journal • Great Lakes Bulletin • Morris Daily Herald
Cover Genius Northwest Herald Features Editor Scott Helmchen creates great cover designs. Both the Muppets and Twilight spreads were featured on Charles Apple's design blog on the American Copy Editor's Society website (http://apple.copydesk.org/). Plus, the Twilight spread was a first for the Northwest Herald. It was a double-truck spread of the front and back covers of the Screen section (as opposed to the usual centerspread).
Chicago Bear Gabe Carimi signed autographs during the Northwest Herald Toys for Tots/Cans for Christmas food and toy drive.
Making the holidays beary and bright Chicago Bear Gabe Carimi helped make a difference for those in need this holiday season by signing autographs during the Northwest Herald Toys for Tots/Cans for Christmas event. Hundreds of people came to see him on Dec. 6, receiving an autograph in exchange for an unwrapped toy or non-perishable food item. At 6’7” and 318 lbs, Carimi was an ominous presence. But it was his easy-going, friendly personality that actually towered over his stature. He joked with kids, shook hands and took photos with many and wished all a happy holiday, thanking them for coming. In the end, a carload of food and toys was donated. Toys for Tots representatives collected the toys, and the food was distributed to McHenry County food pantries. Thanks to Suburban Group employees Cheryl Kranz, Autumn Siegmeier and Kim Vanderstappen (and family) for helping at the event.
Cheryl Kranz (left) and Autumn Siegmeier get a "Bear Hug" from Gabe Carimi at the Northwest Herald Toys for Tots/Cans for Christmas event held at Joseph's Marketplace in Crystal Lake.
16 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
www.NwhERaLD.com • www.KCChRONICLE.com • www.DaILY-ChRONICLE.com
SUBURBAN GROUP
From left to right: Photo Editor H. Rick Bamman, Features Editor Scott Helmchen, Web Producer Erick Ward, Sports Videographer Les Johnson, News Editor Kevin Lyons, Senior Web Producer Adam Nekola (holding the EPpy), Community Editor Joan Oliver, Editor Dan McCaleb, Sports Editor Eric Olson.
AN EPPY(IC) ACHIEVEMENT For the second time in three years, a Northwest Herald web site has been recognized by its peers as the best in the country. Editor and Publisher magazine awarded NWHerald.com the EPpy Award as the best daily newspaper site with fewer than 250,000 monthly visitors. NWHerald.com was one of two finalists for the award in the category, beating out the The Daily News Publishing Co. It is the third time that NWHerald.com has been named a finalist in the category, and the first time it has won the award. The EPpy awards, in its 16th year, honors the best media-affiliated web sites in 43 categories and is regarded as the most prestigious award nationally for online sites. NWHerald.com competed in the 2010-11 contest in the Under250,000 monthly unique visitors
category. Although the site began the annual contest period with monthly traffic below 250,000 unique visitors, its traffic has risen above 250,000 monthly uniques in current analytics. Shaw Media, Northwest Herald's parent company, won its first EPpy award three years ago, when McHenryCountySports.com won the 2009 EPpy as the Best Sports Site with fewer than 250,000 monthly viewers. McHenryCountySports. com, Northwest Herald's prep sports web site, again was named a finalist in that category this year. The KCChronicle.com, also a Shaw Media family web site, was named a finalist in the category of Relaunch/Redesign with fewer than 250,000 monthly viewers. Voting was done by Editor and Publisher magazine and a panel of 54 judges.
The EPpy award that NWHerald.com won from Editor & Publisher for best daily newspaper site with fewer than 250,000 monthly visitors.
www.NwhERaLD.com • www.KCChRONICLE.com • www.DaILY-ChRONICLE.com
Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012 • 17
SHAW MEDIA
18 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
www.ShawMEDIa.com
SHAW MEDIA
www.ShawMEDIa.com
Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012 • 19
SUBURBAN GROUP
Ages 2-6 winner
Ages 7-12 winner
Ages 13-17 winner
Beyond a shadow of a doubt Groundhog Decorating Contest a hit! The Northwest Herald recently hosted a Groundhog Decorating Contest. Based off its popular annual Turkey Decorating Contest, the Groundhog contest encouraged kids from age 0-18 to decorate a picture of Woodstock Willie, the city
of Woodstock's groundhog mascot. To hype the 20th anniversary of the filming of the Bill Murray movie, "Groundhog Day" that was shot in Woodstock, the Groundhog Days committee approached the Northwest Herald to host the contest. The committee supplied prizes including gift certificates, movie passes, a book and a commemorative t-shirt. One winner in each of three age categories took
home a prize package. Woodstock celebrates the movie each year with a week-long celebration including a chili cookoff, walking tour, groundhog prognostication and more. The Decorating Contest may wind up being an annual addition to the lineup of events. Kudos to Sam Zito for selling the contest sponsorship to Mercy Health System. About 120 entries were received.
On the road again
Ashley Rhodebeck, Kane County Chronicle reporter, recently joined St. Charles police officers to brush up on her driving skills. 20 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
Kane County Chronicle reporter Ashley Rhodebeck recently joined St. Charles police officers in brushing up on their driving skills. Along with writing a traditional news story about the driving exercises that the officers went through, Ashley took an unmarked squad car for a spin and wrote a first-person piece about the experience. “Sure, I took out a few cones while going in reverse on two courses,” Ashley wrote, “but I expected that. I got better with each attempt — I tried each course twice — and ended with a bright spot: getting a high-five from (traffic safety officer Rich Clark) after nailing the controlled braking course.”
www.BIZ-JOURNaL.com • www.VFPNEwS.com
SUBURBAN GROUP
Booth on the loose Northwest Herald visual journalist Lance Booth’s photo placed second in the sports feature category of the College Photographer of the Year Contest. The photo shows Eric Schoffen, of Crystal Lake, as he waits for a tow truck after placing 2nd in the Mini Class at the Demolition Derby at the McHenry County Fairgrounds in Woodstock. The College Photographer of the Year Competition was founded by Cliff and Vi Edom in 1945. The University of Missouri administers the contest with support from its co-sponsor, Nikon Inc. 600-plus students from the 130 colleges and universities entered the contest.
Halloween Hoopla Halloween came and went in all its glory (or should I say “gory”) again this year at Northwest Herald. Each department contributed by decorating and handing out candy to fellow employees’ children as they toured the building trick-ortreating. A terrifyingly huge potluck lunch was enjoyed by all and a haunting number of employees carved or decorated pumpkins. Listed are the eerie winners of this year’s contests:
BEST COSTUME: First, Allison McCaleb (iPad); Second, Janine Jordan (Recycle); Third, Cristin Nackoney (Witch)
BEST PUMPKIN: First, Norm Fossmeyer (Hamburger); Second, Debbie Legenza (Witch); Third, Megan Hampton (Mummy Sticking Out Tongue)
www.MIDwEEKNEwS.com • www.LaKECOUNTYJOURNaL.com
BEST DEPARTMENT DECORATING: Circulation (A Nightmare On Circ Street) — Department Pizza Party
PARTICIPATION PRIZES: Grand Prize, JoAnn Smith ($100 Walmart Gift Card); Second Prize, Sue Arnold ($75 Gas Card); Third Prize, Kathy Danielson ($50 Menards Gift Card); Jessica Murray ($15 Merlin Voucher); Teresa Spence ($10 Country Donuts Voucher). Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012 • 21
SUBURBAN GROUP
30 Under 30 recognized
Giving back Catherine Wierz (third from left), chief development officer for the Delnor Foundation, receives a $500 check Tuesday, Nov. 22, from J. Tom Shaw, publisher of the Kane County Chronicle. The check was presented as part of the Chronicle's effort to educate the community about breast health through its second annual "pink paper" edition, which was published in October. Also pictured are Kelsey Rakers (far left), promotions manager for the Chronicle, Teri Koehn (second from left), manager of women's imaging for the Delnor Center for Breast Health, and Kathy Gresey, editor of the Chronicle.
The Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles Chambers recently put out a call to find the best and brightest young professionals to honor at its “30 Under 30” recognition dinner in October. Among those honored were Kathy Gresey and Ashley Rhodebeck of the Kane County Chronicle. Congratulations, ladies, for such an honor.
Kathy Gresey
Ashley Rhodebeck
Up, up and away!
Of more than 70 contestants, 10-year-old Brianna from Elburn took home the $50 Visa gift card prize for her Scarecrow coloring entry sponsored by the Kane County Chronicle and St. Charles Bank and Trust.
The 6-month FAS-FAX was released by ABC in November. The Shaw Media suburban dailies reported yearover-year growth across the board: Northwest Herald: Daily: up .78%, Sunday: up .80%
If I only had a crayon Kane County Chronicle recently partnered with St. Charles Bank and Trust on a kids coloring contest for Scarecrow Fest. Of more than 70 contestants, 10-year-old Brianna from Elburn won the contest, receiving a $50 Visa gift card and a prize pack. St. Charles Bank and Trust was thrilled with the response, saying it was the most response they had ever received for a contest. Kids had to drop off their contest pages in person at the bank, creating a great opportunity for the client to get more families through their doors! 22 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
Kane County Chronicle: Daily: up 5.17%, Saturday: up 10.25% Daily Chronicle: Daily: up 12.9%, Saturday: up 10.95% Shaw Media publications crushed the competition by being the only papers in the Chicago market to report growth in the Daily number. Just one other paper reported a small growth on Sunday.
www.NwhERaLD.com • www.KCChRONICLE.com • www.DaILY-ChRONICLE.com
SUBURBAN GROUP
Kristin Burke is proud of her accomplishment. Ryan Lindley has also just finished. Mary Ellen Darm tries to figure out the number of pennies in each can while Eric Croegaert, the Sarah Aye (left) and Perri winner of the Noodling Around game. Erickson look on. Doug Harrington works on stacking bolts.
Rich Ponulak is caught cheating.
Kathy Woods shows off the picnic bag, her prize for winning the Oh Nuts! game.
Winner Carol Oesterle is shown evaluating the number of M&Ms in the jar. Behind Carol is (l-r) Eric Croegaert, Iva Jean Iva Jean Voelcker works to Voelcker, and Patrick pick up a noodle. Diane Washburn shows Graziano. the mugs and tea set she won for winning the Play It By Ear game.
Fun at Work
In recognition of January 28 being National Fun at Work Day and to thank the Morris Daily Herald (MDH) staff for all their hard work and to gear up for Visions, MDH held a funat-work-week January 23-27. Each employee could play up to 3 different MinuteToWinIt games. Each challenge had to be completed in one minute or less. Congratulations to those with the best scores and times: Noodling Around – Eric Croegaert –24 seconds. (Objective: pick up 6 penne noodles with a piece of uncooked spaghetti. Contestant cannot use hands.) Play It By Ear – Diane Washburn –20 seconds. (Objective: Place cans with between 5 and 40 pennies in www.MORRISDaILYhERaLD.com
order using just their sense of sound and judgement of weight.) Oh Nuts! - Kathy Woods – 8 bolts –60 seconds. Kathy was the only one who was able to complete this challenge within the one minute time limit. (Objective: Stack 8 nut/bolt pairs vertically from freely rolling off a ruler.) Wii was set up for a bowl off. Each employee got to bowl 10 frames. The winner, with a score of 188, was Mark Johnson. Guess the number of M&Ms in the jar was won by Carol Oesterle. Her guess of 685 was only 8 away from the correct amount of 677. During the week, all were invited to join in on the Morris Daily Herald treasure hunt. Thanks to Tim
Humbert for developing the treasure hunt. This year's clues were hidden in a word search and then once they were found, all had to look for letters on the objects throughout the building. This building has a LOT of telephones! Congratulations to winner, Perri Erickson. Everyone who participated received a box of flavored tea and, on Friday, everyone came in to find prizes at their work stations. A special thank you to Tim Humbert, Diane Washburn & Kristin Burke for overseeing the games. Thank you also to Diane Washburn for handling the majority of the photography during the week. And thank you to Gerry Burke for making all the provisions for us to have a funat-work-week. Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012 • 23
BUREAU COUNTY REPUBLICAN Our mission is to provide information (news and advertising) that meets the needs of, and represents value to, our readers and advertisers in Bureau County and surrounding communities. In so doing we must be profitable and provide a secure and rewarding environment for our employees.
Terri Simon Kromphardt.
(left)
and
Barb
Brand Promise Champions 25 years BCR Sports Editor Kevin Hieronymus celebrated 25 years of service in November. Pictured with Kevin is BCR Editor Terri Simon (left), and Kevin's wife, Kami, and daughters Brooke and Brynn.
Every day we come across people that make our job a little easier, our load a little lighter, and our outlook a little sunnier. They walk the walk; they talk the talk. The Bureau County Republican recognizes an employee each month who demonstrates the Brand Promise criteria, which is an employee who: provides relevant information; aggressively sells marketing solutions; is an aggressive community advocate. Recent Brand Promise Champions are Barb Kromphardt and Dave Johnson. The winner's name is engraved on a plaque which is located in the office lobby. They also receive a traveling trophy to display in their work area and a special parking spot for the month.
5 years BCR employees Terry Himes (left) and Dave Johnson were recognized for five years of service. 24 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
Sam Fisher (left) and Dave Johnson. www.BCRNEwS.com
BUREAU COUNTY REPUBLICAN
BCR online contests Online contests are proving to be a new and powerful multi-media promotion whose opportunities are endless. From the generation of revenue to the generation of information for future use, they are fast, easy and fun promotions for advertisers and participants alike. Check out the details of some of our successful online programs. Then, if you are not currently offering online contests you must ask yourself, "Why in the world am I not"? pets receiving the most votes. Calendar sales revenue brought in $2,500, along with $273 in extra calendar sales. The project was definitely a bark up the right tree! We look forward to considerable growth in this project's revenue this year, due to additional features being added and a few 'tricks' up our sleeves.
Tattoos – Pure Body Art
Pet of the Year Calendar
An online Pet of the Year contest was held during the months of November/ December. Pet owners could submit their pet photos and readers were encouraged Phyllis Fargher takes to vote for the pictures for the BCR's pet of their 2012 Pet Calendar choice. Many with the assistance of contestants Pam Pratt. The calendar featured the 12 posted the BCR contest pets receiving the most link on their votes in the BCR's Pet of the Year calendar/ Facebook pages, which online contest. contributed to the contest going viral and our contestants receiving more than 6,000 votes! Seventy-nine photos were submitted and 693 users registered to enter a pet or vote. These registrants were all added to our email data base for future eblast and revenue generating opportunities. The winning pet received a $100 doggie gift basket and a cover shot on our annual calendar, of which additional copies were made available for a nominal fee. The calendar featured the 12 www.BCRNEwS.com
An online Tattoo contest was held during the month of November. Twentythree tattoo photos were submitted. The winning tattoo won a $75 gift certificate donated by a local tattoo artist. This was not designed to be a revenue-generating contest, but 53 registered email addresses were added to our email data base, in a category not previously expounded upon - new reader and advertiser potential! This contest stimuThis tattoo was lated positive feedback chosen from the on a decidedly contro- 23 entries in versial subject, draw- the BCR's Pure ing reader interest in Body Art online both our newspaper contest. and website. Overall, it was positively accepted and successful. It caused our readers to ponder what the Bureau County Republican would be up to next!
Pro-Pigskin Challenge
Our 22-week ROP/Online football challenge began in September of 2011. Over the duration of the program, approximately $8,000 in easy selling revenue was generated for digital media. The contest sold out in three days, and door prize sponsors were filled within
24 hours. Advertisers showcased their products and services in a 2x3 full-color ad on a double truck appearing each Thursday in our TMC product. These advertisers were listed as VIP's and supplied their team picks each week. They also received sig ads on our online contest page. Door prize sponsors received recognition in a small ad on our online contest page during the week in which their prize was awarded. Our contest participants played online weekly and were eligible for weekly prizes and our grand prize of a weekend getaway at a log cabin retreat at nearby Lake Thunderbird, not to mention a chance at the cool national prizes that included Fatheads and a Hawaiian trip for two. One hundred fifty-one participants registered online to play, growing our email data base significantly. Twenty-one weekly prizes were awarded and one overall grand prize winner was selected along with one 'survivor pool' winner. The program never lost momentum and advertisers are eagerly requesting more information on future contests.
College Bowl Contest
The College Bowl Contest was a short-term program that generated 49 registered users and $550 for our digital media budget.
IN SUMMARY Online contests completed - 4 Online registered participants (email addresses) - 946 Revenue generated to-date $11,243 Digital Media revenue growth potential - priceless.
Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012 • 25
CRESTON PUBLISHING CO. Creston Publishing Company is a company engaged in producing and distributing quality community newspaper and shopper publications. Our products are designed to inform, enlighten and entertain our readers, meet the changing needs of our advertisers and promote the interests of the communities we serve.
CNA wins five firsts in INA contests The Creston News Advertiser staff won five first-place and four secondplace awards in the Iowa Newspaper Foundation's 2012 Better Newspaper Contests. The CNA advertising department was named second-place overall in the coveted Best of Class category for daily newspapers of circulation less than 10,000. The ad Larry Peterson that won that award was designed for Creston Automotive. The advertising department also won first-place awards for best ad featuring automotive, boats, aircraft, tires, gasoline, etc., for the Creston Automotive ad.; best ad idea for a community promotion or event for an ad designed for South Central Iowa Community Foundation; best advertising featuring agriculture for an ad designed for Stalker Chevrolet and best web advertising for a Stalker Chevrolet ad. CNA Sports Writer Larry Peterson won a first-place award for best sports photo for an action photo taken at a Creston High School softball game. Assistant Managing Editor Kyle Wilson took second place in the best breaking news photo category and best breaking news story, for a photo and story published after a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway accident near McPherson. Peterson Kyle Wilson also won a secondplace award in the best news feature story category for a story he wrote after riding with a city worker in a snow plow during a snowstorm last year. 26 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
Betty Retires CNA Inserter Betty Abel retires after 11 years at the News Advertiser.
Ugly Sweaters Ad Designer Dennis Kuyper, left, and Advertising Director Craig Mittag placed first and second, respectively, in the Creston News Advertiser Ugly Sweater Contest held in December.
Employee of the Year CNA Advertising Representative Mary Jo Borcherding, left, stands with CNA Advertising Director Craig Mittag after she was named CNA's 2011 Employee of the Year. www.CRESTONNEwS.com • www.OSCEOLaIOwa.com
CRESTON PUBLISHING CO.
Dake selected for High Lakes Leadership Initiative program Courtney Dake, newsroom assistant at the Creston News Advertiser, was recently accepted to the High Lakes Leadership Initiative program organized by Union County Development Association in Creston. Dake, 26, was one of only 12 selected from southwest Iowa. The program's mission is to challenge individuals in all sectors of the community to build capacity for identification of local issues, engagement in positive community change and shared leadership. "This program will allow us to become more aware of what Union County has to offer and identify what areas of the community need improvement," Dake said. "It also gives me the chance to get to know Courtney Dake people from different backgrounds and gain leadership skills that will make me a better member of the community." Wayne Pantini, executive director of Union County Development Association, said the program exposes individuals to a variety of personal, community and work development skills. It builds constructive relationships with local leaders and supports them to identify and act on ideas that contribute to community and regional economy. Dake started the program Jan. 25 at Supertel Inn and Conference Center. She will participate in nine, four-hour meeting sessions with other members of her class at various venues across Union County. Pantini said Dake and her class will complete one "legacy project" that will leave an impact on the community. Last year's High Lakes Leadership selected Rainbow Park as its legacy project, beautifying the park by replacing park benches, painting and fixing the park's fountain. Dake, in the third annual High Lakes Leadership class, was nominated for the program by Creston News Advertiser Managing Editor Stephani Finley. Dake's commencement for the program is slated in May 2012 at Three Mile Lodge in Afton. "Courtney is absolutely the kind of person we're looking for," Pantini said. "We're looking for people new to the community, who have moved back and/or are seasoned professionals. This is a great opportunity for Courtney and others to get a 360 view of Union County and also investigate how we can improve the community." Dake is a 2004 graduate of Creston High School and 2008 graduate of Northwest Missouri State University. She returned to Creston and became a member of the Creston News Advertiser staff in July 2009. www.CRESTONNEwS.com • www.OSCEOLaIOwa.com
Happy New Year Greater Regional Medical Center’s first baby of the year, Wyatt, is shown with parents Alexis and Mike Swanson of Orient, as well as Creston News Advertiser Advertising Director Craig Mittag (behind). Items from the Creston News Advertiser, along with several from other Creston businesses, were awarded to the Swansons for having the first baby of the year.
Extravaganza Creston News Advertiser Systems Administrator Dorine Peterson, left, and CNA Office Manager Rose Henry direct traffic during the 2nd annual Holiday to Holiday Extravaganza held in October at Southwestern Community College. The event, hosted by the CNA staff, helped prepare local citizens for all holiday events, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, whether it be cooking, decorating or style.
Halloween Several members of the Creston News Advertiser staff dressed up for the newspaper's 1950s dinerthemed Halloween celebration in October. Pictured from left are Amber Hayes, Lori Fletcher, Sandy Allison, CarolWallace,CourtneyDake, Dawn Drake, Laurie Claytor and Brooke McIntosh.
Workshop Several members of the CNA advertising department and area business owners and managers listen to Mike Blinder of The Blinder Group speak during a digital advertising workshop held in January at Southwestern Community College in Creston.
Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012 • 27
NEWS PRINTING COMPANY The News Printing Company is a communication/printing company which publishes and distributes newspapers and shoppers, operates a commercial printing department with both phases of the operation committed to excellence and designed to fully meet the needs of readers, advertisers and commercial accounts.
Gronauer earns young journalist award Newton Daily News staff writer Amy Gronauer was honored Friday, Feb. 3, during the Iowa Newspaper Association's annual awards banquet. Gronauer received first place in the Genevieve Mauck Stoufer Young Iowa Journalist contest. The award is given to journalists under 30 years of age who have worked for their current publication for at least a year, and who have been recommended by their supervisors as exhibiting outstanding writing skills. "It's nice to be recognized for your hard work by people who don't see it everyday," Gronauer said. "It's also a nice surprise to be the recipient of a fairly prestigious award in the journalism community." In addition to covering the Newton Board of Education and
Amy Gronauer writing stories of general interest, Gronauer is the niche publications editor for the Daily News. "Amy's been a great part of our team here at the Newton Daily News," said NDN Editor Andy Karr. "She shows remarkable versatility,
excelling at everything from creating eye-popping designs for our niche publications to explaining the intricacies of the school district's budget to our readers. I'm thrilled that the INA recognized Amy as an outstanding young journalist."
Iowa Newspaper Association Awards The Newton Daily News won several awards during the 2012 Iowa Newspaper Association banquet on February 3. In addition to the Genevieve Mauck Stoufer Outstanding Young Iowa Journalist award won by Amy Gronauer, the Newton Daily News took home eight editorial awards. The paper placed first for Best Front Page, Best Website, Coverage of Business and Best Slideshow among daily Iowa Newspapers with circulation under 10,000. On the Best Front Page entry, judges wrote "The pages are clean. Layout is organized and pictures tell a story all on their own. Overall these front pages do a good job of pulling the reader in to find out more." The paper also took second place for Best Feature Page and Coverage of Education and took a third place spot for Coverage of Government. Former NDN Sports Writer Ben Frotscher placed third for Best Sports Story for his feature on a troubled student who turned to wrestling to help him beat an addiction to drugs and alcohol. Judges said it was "a nice, uplifting story, eloquently told, yet with no punches pulled. ... Congratulations to the writer." Entries this year were judged by members of the Nebraska Newspaper Association.
28 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
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NEWS PRINTING COMPANY
Pictured here with the gifts are (from left): Staff Writer Amy Gronauer, Graphic Designer Judy Stevenson, Advertising Account Executive Pam DeBruyn and Business Manager Brenda Lamb.
The holiday spirit Scrap A Thon 2012 On Jan. 28, the Newton Daily News held its second annual Scrap A Thon. The 12-hour event was held at the DMACC conference center and had a larger number of attendees than in 2011. The Newton Daily News partnered with Scrap It Plus and Creative Memories to co-sponsor the event and sell merchandise during the event. The participants enjoyed three meals, snacks and beverages throughout the day. More importantly, they got to enjoy 12 hours of scrapbook fun, with no family interruptions!
Staff at the Newton Daily News made Christmas a little brighter for one Newton family this holiday season. The Daily News adopted a family through the St. Nick's Christmas Club, a nonprofit organization that matches donors with needy area families for Christmas. Donors receive a Christmas wish list, shop for items on the list and then donate them to the club to be distributed anonymously to the adopted family.
NDN Happenings On Jan. 9, the Newton Daily News held an advertising conference with Mike Blinder of the Blinder Group. The Blinder Group has helped more than 50,000 businesses get online. We held the conference at the DMACC conference center, where more than 25 local businesses attended with their staff. Mike gave an in-depth presentation of mar-
keting on the internet, including information about the Newton Daily News site and search engine optimization. The following week, his associate, Barbara Wickman, went out with our staff to re-visit with the businesses that attended the seminar. The result was 7 new internet packages sold, generating another $23,660 in brand new online rev-
enue and has come very close to selling out all of our online internet inventory. Publisher Dan Goetz said, "Mike provided our staff with valuable sales training and armed them with knowledge they could immediately use in the field. Our clients who attended Mike's seminar found it to be informative and helpful."
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Rebecca Tool Newspaper: Newton Daily News Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 5 Position: Mailroom Inserter Job description: Inserting inserts into the shopper and daily paper. Prepare paper for postal mailing, distribute papers and shopper to front office and circulation office. Use strapper and stitcher when needed. What I like best about my job: My co-workers and friends. Family: My parents, 2 brothers, 1 sister-in-law, 4 nieces, 4 nephews, 3 great-nephews, and a great niece on the way. Hobbies/Interests: Reading, listening to audio books, watching comedy movies, and spoiling my many nieces, nephews, Rebecca Tool and great-nephews. Fun fact: I have an indoor cat named Smokey. I got Smokey when he was 7 or 8 weeks old. He is the only cat I have had and I think I have seen most of his 9 lives. I've been told Smokey has the greenest eyes and longest whiskers witnessed on a cat.
www.NEwTONDaILYNEwS.com • www.JaSPERCOUNTYaDVERTISER.com
Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012 • 29
PEOPLE OF SHAW MEDIA
10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Michele Parks Newspaper: Northwest Herald Years of Service: 10 Years in the newspaper business: 10 Position: Credit & Collections Associate Job description: I work closely with the Kane County sales reps. in the setting up of new accounts, collections for their advertising clients and assisting with account questions/ issues when they arise. Work closely on a daily basis with order entry, sales, and design to resolve Michele Parks any issues with past due clients to get new advertising running before deadlines. I assist all sales reps. on a daily basis when they need assistance with accounting issues for their clients. I take daily incoming customer calls about payments, billing questions and make outbound calls daily to Classified and Display customers to collect on past due accounts. I handle incoming customer call disputes and follow them to resolution. I reconcile accounts as needed when problems arise with customer accounts and process monthly Classified adjustments. I'm always willing to help anyone with a question and always try to be helpful if I can. What I like best about my job: What I like best is the great people that I work with. One thing that I have always thought about the place that I work is that we tend to hire friendly people. People make all the difference! Family: My husband Todd, daughter Caitlyn (7 1/2), son Rylee (5), daughter Shianne (1), and yellow lab dog Kramer. Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my kids and being as involved as I can be in their daily lives, events at school and extracurricular activities. Fun fact: I teach Pre-K/Kindergarten Sunday school.
40 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Doug Harrington Newspaper: Morris Daily Herald Years of Service: 40 Years in the newspaper business: 40 Position: Production Foreman Job description: Print daily and weekly publications, order supplies as needed and manage production and mailroom operations. What I like best about my job: All of it, from the challenges that come with producing the finished product, such as color registration and Doug Harrington print clarity, to the changes in technology that increase our ability to produce a quality daily newspaper. I also enjoy the opportunity to work with a great group of people. Family: Married for 37 years to my wife GeorgeAnn and we have two children, Chad and Alecia and one granddaughter Abbigail. Hobbies/Interests: Hunting and fishing, riding motorcycles, tending to my vegetable garden, enjoying my gold fish pond, and spending time with my children and granddaughter. Fun fact: When I was a kid, I remember every Corn Festival Parade being lead by a "dune buggy" (that I so dreamt of having), later to find out the owner was my wife's uncle. I now have the "dune buggy" and, along with my son and son-in-law, are restoring it and hope to someday have it in car shows.
30 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Mary Jo Borcherding Newspaper: Creston News Advertiser Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 5 Position: Advertising Sales Rep. Job description: I sell all of the Shaw Media products to accounts. What I like best about my job: I love coming up with advertising solutions for my customers. No two days are alike and most of the time that is great! Mary Jo Borcherding Family: Married – Gary; son & daughter-in-law – Kory and Dena; daughter & son-in-law – Kelly and Scott; 3 granddaughters, Grace, Paige & Jenna. Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Iowa Hawkeyes, traveling and spending time with the granddaughters. Fun fact: I come from a family of 9 kids and I am the only lefthanded one.
10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Karla Ahr Newspaper: Northwest Herald Years of Service: 10 Years in the newspaper business: 10 Position: Group Manager/Human Resources Job description: People-related services! These include, but are not limited to: recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, compensation and benefits administration, employee safety, training, documentation, management support, and beyond! Karla Ahr What I like best about my job: I enjoy the people! We have an extremely talented leadership team and truly great associates! Family: Husband, Kevin and two daughters, Sami (17) & Haley (14). Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy fishing, on a lake, in a boat, with a motor, so we can get to all the good fishing spots in one afternoon! : ) Right now, I'm enjoying every minute watching my girls participate in their sports: Basketball, Volleyball and Softball. There is never a dull moment at my house! Fun fact: I can't think of anything really cool. I used to ride dirtbikes and I'm distantly related to Andrew Wyeth.
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Tom Kloster Newspaper: Bureau County Republican Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 5 Position: Mailroom inserter Job description: Insert ads into papers and bundle for carriers. What I like best about my job: The rest of the staff. Family: Wife, Marilynne of 30 years, sons - Tony (29), with wife, Heather, and son, Hudson; Mitch (27); Ethan (20); and daughter, Madison (11). Hobbies/Interests: Sports and reading.
Tom Kloster
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PEOPLE OF SHAW MEDIA
15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Jill Reyna Newspaper: Sauk Valley Media Years of Service: 15 Years in the newspaper business: 15 Position: Major Accounts Manager/Niche Publications Job description: Major Accounts – I work with agencies for the most part, negotiating contracts (trying to get rate increases when I can, or at least a rate hold). NSA is my favorite agency. Niche publications – I manage and sell, Jill Reyna along with 2 reps, our 37 niche publications. What I like best about my job: My customers. After 15 years, I still enjoy meeting with clients and helping them plan their advertising. I love the pace and that every day is different. Family: Bob, husband of 9 years, daughters Arianna 4 and Taylor 5 (6 in May). Hobbies/Interests: Working out (when I can), reading (when I can), spending time with my friends & family. Fun fact: I had worked at SVM for 4 hours and was sent to train in the Quad Cities for 2 days. At the training, they talked about r.o.p. and column inches. I had no idea what they were talking about and wondered what I had gotten myself into. It has obviously worked out though!
15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Nancy Zadworny Newspaper: Northwest Herald Years of Service: 15 Years in the newspaper business: 15 Position: Credit Manager Job description: In a nutshell, to protect Shaw Media’s investment in Accounts Receivable, partnering with Sales to maximize revenue, minimize bad debt losses, using a diplomatic, preventative approach in the credit extension and collection process. Nancy Zadworny What I like best about my job: Checks that ARE “in the mail”. All kidding aside, in this current economy, collections can be very challenging, however, rewarding at the same time. I enjoy the variety of clients I work with. During the last few year’s, many clients have had a tough time meeting their obligations, I like working out re-payment plans and seeing them through to conclusion. There’s more, low DSO’s, Bad Debt Write-offs below budgeted reserves; I could go on and on. Most importantly, I have two awesome ladies on my credit team, Michele Parks and Debora Jauregui, who I truly enjoy working with each and every day. Family: Mom, Dottie, Sister, Janice. No pets, no kids…. Ahhhhhhh, Life is good. Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy all types of music, reading, comedy clubs, concerts, mini get aways at different Bed & Breakfast Inns. Most of all, I enjoy my small seasonal business helping clients decorate for the holidays, and special events – weddings etc… my specialty is ribbon work and bow making. Fun fact: I am a classic movie fan and have quite a collection of old black & whites. I almost forgot…. I LOVE when it SNOWS !
www.ShawMEDIa.com
10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Justin Shuman Newspaper: Sauk Valley Media Years of Service: 10 Years in the newspaper business: 10 Position: Senior Advertising Account Manager Job description: Manage all auto and real estate accounts. What I like best about my job: Building relationships with my customers. Family: Wife, Tonya of 11 years, son, Jaydon, and three cats, Cassie, Cookie and Peppers. Justin Shuman Hobbies/Interests: Golf, watching my son play sports, and working in my yard. Fun fact: I once worked at Pearl Harbor building steel shelving for warehouses. It was only a two-week job, but it was an all-expenses paid job in "paradise".
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Dave Rossetti Newspaper: Northwest Herald Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 7 Position: Copy editor Job description: I edit stories and design pages for the sports and news sections. What I like best about my job: The satisfaction I get from finishing my TPS reports. Family: My wife, Amy. Hobbies/Interests: Too many to list, but I spend Dave Rosetti the majority of my downtime savoring the sweet sounds of Michael Bolton. I celebrate the man's entire catalog. Fun fact: Enjoyed a career as a competitive knife thrower – before "the incident."
15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name : Kim Pippin Newspaper: Kane County Chronicle Years of Service: 15 Years in the newspaper business: 15 Position: Classified Sales Representative / Receptionist Job description: Mostly what I do are legal notices for Kane and DeKalb County, not to exclude taking classified ads and all the receptionist duties. What I like best about my job: The variety Kim Pippin of duties. Relationships I have built with my customers. Family: Husband Jeff. Hobbies/Interests: Cutting hair. Watching or attending football & baseball games. Playing cards & bunco. Hosting parties. Fun fact: I have seen 12 major league baseball teams in their home park, 18 to go. I have also seen 13 different NFL teams in their home stadiums, 19 to go.
Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012 • 31
PEOPLE OF SHAW MEDIA
10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Mandi Lamb Newspaper: Newton Daily News Years of Service: 10 Years in the newspaper business: 10 Position: Reporter/Page Designer Job description: Page design, obituaries, community news, writing. What I like best about my job: The best part of my job is getting to work with an outstanding staff of intelligent, fun people. Family: My mom, Deena; my late father, Ken; Mandi Lamb two brothers; two sisters; and seven nieces and nephews. Hobbies/Interests: Reading, writing, movies and time with family and friends. Fun fact: During a trip with my church to tour Israel, a Christian Palestinian store owner offered my mother 500 camels for me to marry his son. I'm pretty sure she was considering the offer.
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Debbie Linderman Newspaper: Creston News Advertiser Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 5 Position: Ad/Graphic Designer Job description: Creating and designing advertising for area businesses. What I like best about my job: Working with a great group of co-workers who I count as friends....and the freedom to be creative with my designs. Debbie Linderman Family: Husband – Dick; daughter – Amanda; son-in-law – Jarrett; grandson – Chase; and son – Joshua. Hobbies/Interests: Perennial flower gardening, cross stitch, quilting and spending time with my family. Fun fact: My husband asked me to marry him before we had our first date...32 years ago!
30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Ed Bushman Newspaper: Sauk Valley Media, Telegraph and Daily Gazette Years of Service: 30 Years in the newspaper business: 30 Position: Telegraph General Manager Job description: Oversee daily operations of the Telegraph office in Dixon. Work with the SVM ad staff on achieving Digital Media Revenue goals. Assist in community events and promotions. And I even fix leaky toilets, sweep Ed Bushman floors and shovel snow; I think that falls under "other assigned duties". What I like best about my job: The people I work with who put their hearts and souls into this company. Family: Married to Janet for 37 years, 2 children, Eric (33) and Jennifer (30), plus 4 amazingly wonderful grandchildren. Hobbies/Interests: Travel, travel and more travel.
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Sarah (Sutschek) Strzalka Newspaper: Northwest Herald Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 9 Position: Courthouse reporter Job description: All crime, all the time. What I like best about my job: The things I overhear people say at the courthouse. Family: Husband, Greg, and dachshund/miniature pinscher Lexi. Hobbies/Interests: Napping, annoying prosecu- Sarah (Sutschek) Strzalka tors with my questions, and librarianship. Fun fact: In grade school, I once lost a spelling bee because I misspelled "misspell."
32 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Brian Weidman Newspaper: Sauk Valley Media Years of Service: 20 Years in the newspaper business: 24 Position: Sports writer Job description: Mostly covering high school sports with gamers and/or features. What I like best about my job: Knowing thousands of people will be reading my articles the next day. Family: Wife, Gwen; cats, Itchy and Smokey. Brian Weidman Hobbies/Interests: Golf, golf and more golf. Fun fact: I've been to 40-plus Jimmy Buffett concerts; that tattoo on my right shin is a shark fin, not a sailboat.
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Tara Branscum Newspaper: Sauk Valley Media Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 5 Position: Accounting Supervisor Job description: I supervise the accounting staff, perform month end reconciliations, and I have recently taken over payroll processing. What I like best about my job: Working with the wonderful group of girls in my department. Family: Husband Ryan, 18 month old daughter Tara Branscum Rylin, 2 beagles Peyton and Daysie. Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy reading, being outdoors with my family, and I've recently taken an interest in quilting and cake decorating.
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PEOPLE OF SHAW MEDIA
10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Mike Mueller Newspaper: Suburban Group Years of Service: 10 Years in the newspaper business: Over 11, if you count my time as a carrier Position: Circulation Outside Sales Manager Job description: Using traditional and nontraditional methods to increase circulation and create newspaper awareness. What I like best about my job: Working with and representing multiple publications. It is Mike Mueller interesting how different the markets can be. Family: Daughter, Bess, and my best friend, Snarla (Chihuahua Mix). Hobbies/Interests: Reliving my youth by making models of the classic horror characters. Fun fact: I am a huge fan of the prog-rock band YES. I have seen them well over 30 times (lost count).
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Angel Roberto Sierra Hernandez Newspaper: Sauk Valley Media Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 5 Position: Online editor Job description: I'm responsible for the daily maintenance and continuous improvement of the SVM online product. I get to shoot video, manage our social and online web presence, and work on multimedia projects and presentations. Angel Sierra What I like best about my job: The creative space and support to create and develop ideas from concept to delivery. It's great to work with people who are passionate. Family: My wife, Christina, and dog, Cici. Hobbies/Interests: Travel, Technology, Food, Music and Console gaming (Xbox360). Fun fact: I'm originally from the Caribbean.
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Tom Long Newspaper: Bureau County Republican Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 5 Position: Distribution and Packaging Mgr. Job description: Oversee mailroom, carriers, motor route drivers, vend boxes. What I like best about my job: All the interesting people I meet and talk to while doing my job. Family: Single, have several brothers and sisters. Tom Long Hobbies/Interests: Cubs and Bears fan, work with Guardian Angel Basset Rescue. Fun fact: Attended the first night playoff game in Cubs history.
www.ShawMEDIa.com
20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Eric Croegaert Newspaper: Morris Daily Herald Years of Service: 20 Years in the newspaper business: 20 Position: Head/Lead Pressman Job description: Make sure daily and weekly papers are produced with quality and in a timely manner. I also run the inserting machine on an average of once a week. Many other duties are performed on a daily basis, which is quite common for all employees. Eric Croegaert What I like best about my job: Conquering issues or problems that come up on the press. Family: Wife-Kelly, one son, Austin, 4, and one daughter, Allyana, 6 months. Hobbies/Interest: Watching or playing sports, riding motorcycles, watching TV (though tough these days with 2 kids under 4 years old), doing activities with my family. Fun fact: Had the opportunity to play Junior College basketball. We were horrible as a team, but it still was quite an experience.
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Jarrod Rice Newspaper: Kane County Chronicle Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 8 Position: Copy editor/designer. Job description: Mostly designing pages and editing news stories. What I like best about my job: The opportunity to be creative every day. Family: A brother and a sister. And many, many other family members. Jarrod Rice Hobbies/Interests: Playing basketball, golf. Watching Arrested Development re-runs over and over again. Fun fact: I can juggle as long as no one is looking. Kind of. Actually, I can't juggle very well at all.
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Bo Harris Newspaper: Sauk Valley Media Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 5 Position: Graphic Designer Job description: I build all the automotive and real estate advertisements. What I like best about my job: I'm happy to work in my field of study. Hobbies / Interests: Medieval Recreation/ Living History, Camping, Drawing, Painting, Leatherworking, and other Arts & Crafts. Fun fact: I have designed, printed, and packaged my own deck of playing cards.
Bo Harris
Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012 • 33
PEOPLE OF SHAW MEDIA
40 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Bob Fenwick Newspaper: Sauk Valley Media Years of Service: 40 Years in the newspaper business: 40 Position: Pressman Job description: Press operator and maintenance. Family: Wife, Janice; sons, Chad, Mike and Andy; daughters, Susan and Kim. Hobbies/Interests: Farming. Fun fact: Hoping to enjoy retirement later this year.
Bob Fenwick
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Jonathan Bilyk Newspaper: Kane County Chronicle Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 13 Position: Reporter Job description: Originally hired as business reporter in the Tri-Cities, I've since branched out to cover a wide spectrum of people, organizations and events in St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Elburn, Sugar Grove and anywhere else my day takes me. My current beat assignments center Jonathan Bilyk on covering business, finance and jobs in the Fox Valley, and covering Kane County government. What I like best about my job: The chance to learn and tell great stories every day. I never know where my day is going to take me. Family: I am married to my wife of 12 years, Teresa, and have a daughter, Chaela, who will be four years old this year. Hobbies/Interests: When I'm not on duty at the Kane County Chronicle, you can usually find me reading, spending time with my family, working with teens through my church, bicycling or playing drums somewhere. Fun fact: I like vacations, but hate being unproductive.
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Christine Green Newspaper: Northwest Herald Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 5 Position: Operations Coordinator/NIE Job description: Process reports for production, process reports for managers, manage the NIE delivery accounts, post payments, post returns, manage mailed subscriptions. What I like best about my job: I am constantly busy and always learning something new. Christine Green Family: Father David Green; brother Will, and his wife Heather, their daughter Claire Wiley; sister Emily, and her husband Whill, their son Timothy Hall; brother Tim, and his wife Kristin, their son Easton Green; my 3 cats & 1 dog. Hobbies/Interests: Going to Galena, music, going to the movies, spending time with all of my family, browsing at stores. Fun fact: I became an Aunt 3 times within 8 months in 2011!
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Lois Williams Newspaper: Northwest Herald Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 5 Position: Staff Accountant Job description: Order entry for scheduling and billing of retail advertising. What I like best about my job: The people I work with. Family: Kile, my husband of 25 years. Hobbies/Interests: Music (singing; playing piano, oboe, harp), reading, fishing, painting & drawing, nature photography, beadwork.
Lois Williams
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Name: Pam Eggemeier Newspaper: Sauk Valley Media Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 24 Position: Assistant managing editor Job description: Production process: copy editing, page design, wire editor. What I like best about my job: News allows you to continually learn in many different areas. Family: 5 cats. Hobbies/Interests: Sports, business, pets. Fun fact: I started my journalism career in the sports department.
34 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
Pam Eggemeier
Name: Michelle Linke Newspaper: Corporate Services Years of Service: 5 Years in the newspaper business: 5 Position: Director of Financial Services Job description: All things financial! What I like best about my job: The variety of the work, being able to help people out, and the people I get to work with. Family: Husband, Gus. We have 2 boys - Augustus (11 years) and Colton (9 years). Michelle Linke Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with family and trying to keep up with the boys' sporting activities. Fun fact: Our oldest son's real name is Clarence Augustus Linke V.
www.ShawMEDIa.com
PEOPLE OF SHAW MEDIA
S
ERVICE ANNIVERSARIES 5 YEARS
Rebecca Tool David Rossetti Christine Green Lois Williams Debbie Linderman Bo Harris Jonathan Bilyk Michelle Linke Mary Jo Borcherding Angel Sierra Jarrod Rice Tom Kloster Sarah Strzalka
N
12/14 4/16 4/23 4/23 4/29 4/30 5/7 5/14 5/14 5/17 5/21 5/25 5/29
Newton Crystal Lake Crystal Lake Crystal Lake Creston Sterling St. Charles Dixon Creston Sterling St. Charles Princeton Crystal Lake
Pamela Eggemeier Tara Branscum Tom Long
6/4 6/18 7/16
Sterling Sterling Princeton
10 YEARS Michael Mueller Mandi Lamb Michelle Parks Karla Ahr Justin Shuman
4/29 7/17 7/17 7/22 4/29
St. Charles Newton Crystal Lake Crystal Lake Sterling
15 YEARS Jill Reyna Nancy Zadworny
5/5 7/21
Kimberly Pippin
7/28
St. Charles
20 YEARS Eric Croegaert Brian Weidman
5/4 6/1
Morris Sterling
30 YEARS Ed Bushman
7/30
Sterling
40 YEARS Bob Fenwick Doug Harrington
4/24 6/1
Sterling Morris
Nathaniel Mallinger Susan Jones Paula Dudley Jennifer Billock Daniel Mott
1/16 1/17 1/23 1/23 1/30
Sterling Crystal Lake Crystal Lake Grayslake Crystal Lake
Sterling Crystal Lake
EW FACES November
Raymond Swanson Rose Anne DeLeon Inga Munro Tammy Damman Jason Kutz Shawna Creveling Nichole Kulas Elizabeth McKee Lisa Pesavento Melinda Drexler
11/2 11/7 11/14 11/18 11/21 11/22 11/28 11/28 11/28 11/30
December Princeton Crystal Lake Grayslake Princeton Sterling Creston Sterling Morris Morris Crystal Lake
Timothy Allen Robert Corcoran Ross Jacobson Renee Tausch Scott Vicker Dustin Allison
12/8 12/12 12/13 12/14 12/26 12/26
Sterling Crystal Lake Crystal Lake DeKalb Creston Creston
January Mary Lyons Shirley Snell
1/2 1/16
Newton Creston
February Ashley Davis Christopher Cashman Phillip McPeck Denise Philyaw Vinus Williams
2/1 2/20 2/20 2/20 2/20
Princeton Crystal Lake Crystal Lake Crystal Lake Sterling
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EW RESPONSIBILITIES
Michele Klimczak, Advertising Sales Assistant, Northwest Herald .................................................................9/1/11 Kristin Pesko, Digital Advertising Specialist, Suburban Group ........................................................................9/1/11 Dan Woessner, Sports Editor, Sauk Valley Media .............................................................................................10/16/11 Tanner Randall, Web Press Supervisor, Sauk Valley Media............................................................................10/16/11 Christine Green, Circulation Operations Coordinator, Northwest Herald ..................................................10/30/11 Stephanie Grimoldby, Magazine Editor, Suburban Group ..............................................................................11/28/11 Lonnie Retherford, Packaging and Distribution Manager, Sauk Valley Media ...........................................12/18/11 Kelly Nudera, Niche Products Manager, Suburban Group.................................................................................1/9/12 Jeff Levine, Part-time Sales Rep and Part Time Pressman, Creston News Advertiser ............................ 1/16/12 Rob Szekely, Graphic Designer, from Morris Daily Herald to Northwest Herald .........................................2/6/12 Autumn Siegmeier, Planit Brand Manager, Northwest Herald ......................................................................2/14/12 Kimberley Harisis, Northwest Herald, Staff Accountant .................................................................................3/5/12 Meredith Schaefer, Executive Assistant, Northwest Herald ...........................................................................3/5/12 Dan McCaleb, Senior Editor, Northwest Herald..................................................................................................3/5/12 Jason Schaumburg, Senior Editor, Daily Chronicle ...........................................................................................3/5/12 Kate Schott, Managing Editor, Daily Chronicle ..................................................................................................3/5/12 www.ShawMEDIa.com
Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012 • 35
THE BACK PAGE
One Great Company By John Rung Shaw Media Senior Vice President of Media Operations
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rmed with a new name and busy implementing our One Great Company strategy, Shaw Media found early 2012 as the opportune time to introduce a new corporate symbol. Our new logo (seen at right) was unveiled in January. Allison LaPorta, John Rung graphic designer and marketing assistant at our DeKalb operation, designed the logo. She actually designed many different logos. The officer team of Shaw Media boiled it down to a few options, and we reviewed those options at the company's annual leadership meeting in September. That group settled on a favorite, and – after a few tweaks – we had ourselves a new logo! (Allison might argue that there were more than a "few" tweaks.) The new logo is basically an update of the previous version, which had served the company well since 1986. We retained our green and gold colors, along with the same basic font style and traditional stars. We added a sixth star to denote the sixth generation of Shaw family leadership currently serving the company. The simplicity and shape of the new logo should be more conducive for branding purposes, such as embroidery on company apparel. Other than the six stars signifying the generations of Shaw family that have served our company, the logo is not necessarily rich in symbolism. If you are searching for deeper meaning, however, there was some discussion concerning the stars and how they seem to be advancing – perhaps pushing forward – the word media. A case could be made that this element of the logo symbolizes our embracing the role of a multimedia company. 36 • Volume 26 — No. 1 • Spring 2012
Although our roots are in printing, we provide information to readers in the formats they prefer. We evolve as technology advances and consumer behavior shifts. In 2010, we changed our name from Shaw Newspapers to Shaw Media and followed up with our One Great Company initiative in 2011. With a new name, a new logo and a clear direction, it's time to get down to work ... and One Great Company is in full swing. On January 3, Morris Publishing Company moved to the suburban group. With its proximity to Chicago's designated market area, and given the characteristics of the region it serves, the Morris operation will benefit from the infrastructure in place at the suburban group. The work of integrating Morris into the suburbs is under way and will continue throughout 2012. On January 23, Paula Dudley joined the company as Director of Digital Marketing. Paula comes to us from the Chicago Tribune with a wealth of digital media sales experience. She will work with the ad teams across Shaw Media to increase revenue through digital media opportunities. In February, our company held its first meeting of the Digital Leadership Team. This digital team will work with leadership at our local operations to set the course for Shaw's digital future.
Our company is making a major investment in sales training through our involvement in the sales accreditation program of Local Media Association (formerly Suburban Newspapers of America). Some folks in the suburban group began the program in February. We plan to have all Shaw sales managers and account executives participate in the training program within the next 18 months. In February, we launched our own, private social network called Shaw Media Connect. Other initiatives that will launch this year include sales proposal software and audience research by market. Many more projects are set for the future. The purpose of One Great Company is to give operations across Shaw Media access to all company resources. We believe that performance will be boosted by the implementation of best practices and optimum sharing. Successfully executed, One Great Company will increase efficiency in support functions to allow our company to devote more resources to advertising, marketing and news. As the stars of Shaw Media, you are pushing us forward in our pursuit of a prosperous future. Thank you for your continued dedication and terrific work! www.ShawMEDIa.com