Bulletin THE
News and information for the Wisconsin newspaper industry
MARCH 2014
... among the world’s oldest press associations
WNA/AP Convention Recap
Medford’s O’Leary elected WNA president Carol O’Leary, publisher of the Star News (Medford) was elected president of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association (WNA) at the Milwaukee Marriott West during the group’s 160th annual convention, Feb. 27-28. O’Leary has served the WNA since 1998, when she began her first term on the WNA Foundation Board of Directors. She continued on the Foundation board in various capacities, including president, until 2009 when she began her first term on the WNA Board of Directors. In 2011, she became third vice president. She has served on the Inland Press Association Foundation Board and was president of the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors in 2005-06 and is a member of the National Newspaper Association. She is an owner of Central Wisconsin Publications, Inc. and publisher of The Star News and the Courier Sentinel (Cornell and Cadott). She is also the owner of Tristar Printing Co., Inc., a central printing plant in Abbotsford, which prints 10 weekly newspapers. O’Leary’s career in newspapers began in 1964 at the Times Journal in Savanna, Ill. In 1971 she and her late husband, J.A. O’Leary, purchased The Tribune-Phonograph and Record Review weekly newspapers in Abbotsford. In 1981 they started The Central Wisconsin Shopper and in 1986 they purchased The Star News and Shopper in Medford. After her husband’s death in 1997, daughter Kris O’Leary (WNA Foundation president) and her husband Kevin Flink joined the organization. Together they purchased the Tribune Record Gleaner in Loyal in 2010 and the Courier Sentinel in 2012. A native of Savanna, Ill. she has been active in her communities, including serving two terms as president of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce and on the fund raising committee to build a new city hall/library and public safety buildings in that community and a hospital expansion in Medford. She is treasurer of the Medford Friends of the Downtown and serves on the Medford Library Foundation board. For about 35 years she has been active in the Abbotsford Christmas parade, making and repairing hundreds of costumes and received a community service award from the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce in 2005. O’Leary succeeds Kent Eymann, publisher of the Beloit Daily News. Eymann, who has been with the Daily News since 1992, becomes immediate past president. Chris Hardie, editor of the La Crosse Tribune and publisher of the Coulee News in West Salem and other weeklies in the River Valley Newspaper Group (La Crosse) was elected first vice president; Brian Thomsen, publisher of the Valders Journal, was elected second vice president; Genia Lovett, publisher of the The Post-Crescent (Appleton) was elected third vice president. John Ingebritsen, publisher of the Platteville Journal and additional southwest Wisconsin weeklies within the Morris Newspapers group, was elected secretary while Mike Beck, Wausau Daily Herald publisher, was elected board treasurer. The WNA Board of Directors also welcomed three new board members: • Steve Lyles, group publisher, Journal Community Publishing Group; • Pat Reilly, publisher of the Dodgeville Chronicle; and • David Thornberry, publisher of The Daily Press (Ashland). Lyles is group publisher of Journal Community Publishing Group and also director of community sales for Journal Publishing. He manages four publishing entities at Journal
Community Publishing Group Community Newspapers, Lake Country Publications, Mukwonago Publications and Jefferson Living as well as MetroParent Magazine. Combined, the operations produce 17 weekly publications, three monthly lifestyle magazines and corresponding digital media. Reilly will return to the WNA Board of Directors, having served the Foundation’s board since 2009. He has long served WNA in a variety Steve Lyles of capacities, including six years on the association board, from 2003 to 2009. He has also served on the WNA Partners (educational outreach) committee and for many years has faithfully volunteered to judge entries in the professional, collegiate and high school Better Newspaper Contests. Thornberry serves as regional operations and sales director of American Consolidated Media, a post he has held since August of 2012. He has also worked as a multimedia sales manager for GateHouse MediaMultia; a consultant for EBase E2 Marketing Pat Reilly Solutions in Indianapolis; president, Target Media (a Denver newspaper agency); and was a publisher at several Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. newspapers (including the Ottumwa Courier, Commonwealth Journal and Tribune Star). Thornberry served on the Kentucky Press Association Board of Directors from 1999 to 2004. WNA Foundation Kris O’Leary, was re-elected WNAF president. Godfrey and David Thornberry Kahn Attorney James Friedman was re-elected vice president, and George Althoff, communications director for the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, was re-elected secretary-treasurer. Mark Stodder, principal of Watson Campbell, LLC (Milwaukee), was named to the WNA Foundation Board. Stodder is the former executive vice president of Dolan Media Company, which owns The Daily Reporter in Milwaukee and business and law newspapers and digital information platforms in 20 U.S. markets. Prior to taking on leadership of Dolan’s publishing operations, Stodder served as publisher of The Daily Reporter. He left Dolan in 2013 to run his own business consulting firm, Watson Campbell LLC, which provides strategic and operational support to publishing and other information businesses around the country. He also serves on the board of directors of BringMeTheNews.com and the Detroit Legal News Publishing Co.
Carol O’Leary, left, accepts the WNA president’s gavel from outgoing president Kent Eymann at the 2014 WNA/AP Annual Convention and Trade Show held Feb. 27-28 in Waukesha.
Stodder served as the WNA’s Legislative Committee chair for more than a decade, and recently stepped down from service on the National Newspaper Association’s board of directors, a post he held since 2005. He is the former president of American Court & Commercial Newspapers and founded and led the Public Notice Resource Center. He is the former chair of the Student Press Law Center and currently serves as its development committee chair. Mark Stodder Primary foundation goals include public education on First Amendment issues, and support of high school and collegiate journalism education. WNA Services, Inc. Board The five-member WNA Services board of Directors. WNA Services, Inc., is a wholly owned for-profit subsidiary of WNA. Members for 2014 include: • Unified Newspaper Group (Verona) General Manager Lee Borkowski • Courier Press (Prairie du Chien) General Manager Gary Howe • Beloit Daily News Publisher Kent Eymann • Valders Journal Publisher Brian Thomsen • WNA Executive Director Beth Bennett
For many, service to WNA is in their blood
Editor’s note: With a mother and daughter team presiding over the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and its Foundation, it didn’t take long for WNA staff to begin muddling — more accurately melding — their leaders’ names.
Shortly into the 2014 convention Carol (shown at left) and Kris (on the right) had our tongues tied. When referring to them together, we were often tripped up, stammering out a “Krisl” or “Caris.” While WNA has had several father-and-son duos
serving as presidents, the O’Learys have become the first-ever mother and daughter team. It is also believed they are the first family to hold the president’s posts simultaneously. Past father-and-son WNA Presidents include: Charles Graaskamp (1997) and
Peter Graaskamp (2011); Doug Lyke (1980) and Tim Lyke (2006); Palmer Sondreal (1988) and Palmer Sondreal Sr. (1956). Audrey Lyke (Doug’s wife and Tim’s mother) served as WNAF President (1995). There are several families
who have served in a director capacity on both boards over the years, including the Branens (Burlington); Tobins (Tomahawk) and Woods (Green Bay).
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WNA BULLETIN | MARCH 2014
WNA news Green Bay, Ripon are state’s top daily and weekly papers WNA Foundation presented awards to winners of the 2013 Better Newspaper Contest at the Milwaukee Marriott West during the group’s 160th annual convention Feb. 27-28 The 2013 Better Newspaper Contest included 2,806 total entries, including editorial entries from 125 newspapers. Eligible entries were published between Sept. 1, 2012, and Aug. 31, 2013. Top winners included Publisher Tim Lyke and the Ripon Commonwealth Press (Weekly Newspaper of the Year) and Publisher Scott Johnson and the Green Bay Press-Gazette (Daily Newspaper of the Year).
CNA Sales and Marketing Director Susan Patterson Plank shares research results with an audience at the 2014 WNA/AP Convention and Trade Show. Photo courtesy of Joelle Doye
Study: Wisconsin newspaper readership strong
Circulation Division winners were: Best Daily Division A, Green Bay Press-Gazette; Best Daily Division B, The Janesville Gazette; Best Daily Division C, Herald Times Reporter, Manitowoc; Best Weekly Division D, Vilas County News Review, Eagle River; Best Weekly Division E, Ripon Commonwealth Press; Best Weekly Division F, Jackson County Chronicle, Black River Falls. The 2013 Collegiate Better Newspaper Contest winners were
Customized Newspaper Advertising enlisted Scarborough Research to conduct its 2013 Consumer Media Usage Study on behalf of Wisconsin newspapers.
also presented with awards on Friday. The contest included 13 categories and drew 154 entries from 11 campus newspapers.First-place General Excellence winners included The Badger Herald, University of Wisconsin-Madison - Group A winner (published twice per week or more); and The Fourth Estate, UW-Green Bay - Group B winner (published once per week or less). The William E. Branen Scholarships honoring excellence in high school journalism were presented to three newspapers for work completed in the 2012-2013 academic year. School newspapers receiving the $1,000 Branen Scholarship are: • Noctiluca, Appleton North High School, advised by Aaron Ramponi (extra curricular publication, Group B, enrollment of 500 or more) • The Norse Star, Stoughton High School, advised by Ben Tripp (classroom-based publication, Group B, enrollment of 500 or more) • The Prowler, Chilton High School, advised by Zach Platner (Group A, enrollment of 500 or fewer)
WNA members are encouraged to listen to audio recapping and explaining how to make the best use of the results. Download, review and use the following summary: http://www.wnanews.com/ace-files/1-WNANEW-SITE/5Advertise/2013_Research/CNAWisconsinReadership2013.pdf If you would like to download the presentation in Powerpoint format, enabling you to make edits and localize the data for your area, click the following link: http://www.inanews.com/CNA-Wisconsin-Research.ppt Questions about the study? Contact: Susan Patterson Plank, Sales and Marketing Director for Customized Newspaper Advertising at 515.422.9048 or by email at SPattersonPlank@cnaads.com.
Gannett Wisconsin products lead in audience reach Scarborough Research, a top national media and consumer research firm, reported that Gannett Wisconsin print and digital products in Appleton/Fox Cities (Post-Crescent Media), Green Bay (Press-Gazette Media), Oshkosh (Oshkosh Northwestern Media), Manitowoc (HTR Media) and Fond du Lac (Action Reporter Media) combine to reach 64.1 percent of the adult audience in the market each week.
Staff members from the Green Bay Press-Gazette (top) and Ripon Commonwealth Press took the stage to accept Newspaper of the Year Awards Feb.Clip28 in Waukesha. BELOW: How did your paper announce its awards? 2014 Page resized A002 Take58%a look at a sampling of clips, posted on WNA’s Issuu page >>
The data is based on total integrated audience of 144 daily newspapers in 77 Designated Market Areas (DMAs).Mar 05 The nation-leading Gannett Wisconsin group of media organizations — all in the Green Bay DMA — ranked Eagle River, Vilas County News-Review second in the nation in 2012 research. http://issuu.com/wnanews/docs/bncawardsclips 1 2 3 4 Read more >> the Vilas County Commission
mond at (715) 479-3625.
It wasn t windy, so it was-
is attractive to people of all
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Young said Klondike Days
Waupaca, Wisconsin State Farmer 03/21/2014Copy Reduced to 48% from original to fit letter page
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WISCONSIN
STATE FARMER March 21, 2014 8 Volume 58 Number 17 8 Section A
P.O. Box 609, Waupaca, Wisconsin, 54981
Senate passes implement bill Future unclear in Assembly JAN SHEPEL Associate Editor MADISON The original bill to potentially solve the problem of farmers and manure haulers getting cited for overweight equipment has
passed the Wisconsin Senate, but its future isn’t clear in the state Assembly. Senate Bill 509, the Implements of Husbandry (IOH) measure, was amended and passed by the Senate on a voice vote March 11. It was backed by a coalition of farm and commodity groups in the state who say it is important for the coming growing season that farmers be allowed to run
their equipment legally on the roadways. Senate Bill 509, authored by State Senator Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) and State Representative Keith Ripp (R-Lodi,) is the result of discussions between lawmakers, the Wisconsin Counties Association, Wisconsin Towns Association, and a number of agricultural organizations. Support for the Senate bill and
its companion in the Assembly comes from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association, Wisconsin Soybean Association, Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, Wisconsin Pork Association and the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association.
Please see IMPLEMENT, Page 2
WPS Farm Show, March 25-27
EAA Grounds is site for the show See Section D
Farmers can claim ethical high ground
Wisconsin State Farmer becomes WNA member
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PDPW speaker offers ideas on transparency Jan Shepel Associate Editor MADISON Farmers need to “reclaim the ethical high ground” that is lost when animal rights groups shoot undercover video of animal abuse on farms. Charlie Arnot, CEO of the nonprofit Center for Food Integrity, which is dedicated to building consumer trust and confidence in the modern food system, said farmers are not going to win consumers back by railing against those who infiltrated farms and shot the videos. A keynote speaker at last week’s Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, Arnot said farmers can reclaim the ethical high ground by becoming more transparent. There have been 40 undercover videos on farms shot since 2006, and the farms that have had the best outcomes with consumers have quickly responded by saying that what appears on the videos is “inconsistent with our values.” Arnot says that “attacking the attacker” isn’t going to work. Farmers need to continue to earn the “social license to operate” by building trust, or consumers will no longer use the product in question — eggs, pork, milk. Many farmers use science as a defense for what they do, believing that if they can convince consumers of the scientific merit of something, most consumers will be okay with it. Arnot said that’s the wrong angle to take because it won’t work. A survey of 6,000 U.S. consumers over six years found that the perception of “shared values” is three to five times more influential than scientific merit. “We always start with facts and figures, and when we do that, we’re not even speaking the same language (with consumers),” he told the PDPW audience. Farmers will have much more resonance with consumers if they talk about compassion, responsibility, respect, fairness, truth and values simi-
Please see ETHICAL, Page 5
Kristin Olson, Wisconsin’s 66th Alice in Dairyland, taps a black maple tree at the Bear Paw Scout Camp in Oconto County to kick off the state’s spring maple syrup season.
Gloria Hafemeister Correspondent MADISON The 36th annual Wisconsin Women for Agriculture Legislative Brunch in Madison featured a wide variety of Wisconsin’s agricultural
Cheddar cheese shows record highs Class III milk future prices mixed Page B12
National Ag Day, March 25 OVERLAND PARK, KS March 25 is National Ag Day, a time when producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others across America gather to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by American agriculture. As the world population soars, there is even greater demand for the food, fiber and renewable resources produced in the United States. The National Ag Day program believes that every American should: 1. Understand how food, fiber and renewable resource products are produced. 2. Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy. 3. Appreciate the role agriculture plays in pro-
WWA members tackle issues Legislative brunch a success
Dan Hansen
Alice in Dairyland taps a black maple
products. More important, it offered the opportunity for WWA members from throughout Wisconsin the opportunity to visit with state legislators and their aids about the importance of agriculture to the state’s economy. The organization was honored by a formal documentation, presented by Assembly Agriculture
Please see WWA, Page 2
Local produce a state attraction Tourists wine, dine, and pick their way through Wisconsin
The Waupaca-based Wisconsin State Farmer, a weekly newspaper with a circulation of 18,900, has become a full business member of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.
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The newspaper’s application for membership was approved by the WNA Board of Directors at its Feb. 26 meeting at the Milwaukee Press Club.
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The State Farmer is published by Journal Community Publishing Group, Inc. Terry Lodewegen is group publisher, while Trey Foerster is publisher.
Please see AG DAY, Page 2
During the 36th annual Legislative Brunch in Madison on Tuesday, Assembly Ag Committee Chair Lee Nerison (R-Westby) commended the Wisconsin Women for Agriculture. With him is Brunch co-chairs, Diane Qualmann, Iron Ridge and Vicki Coughlin, Watertown.
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Page A11
viding safe, abundant and affordable products. 4. Acknowledge and consider career opportuni-
SIN’S WISCON KLY! E BEST WE Large Weekly Division
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Better Newspaper Contest 8 Firsts 5 Seconds 4 Thirds
BEST PHOTOS IN THE STATE!
FIRST — FIRST — FIRST — SECOND — SECOND — THIRD —
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for some warmer weather.
All Around Newspaper Photography Photo Essay Best Use of Local Photography General News Photo Feature Photo Best Use of Local Photography
March 26, 2014 4:32 pm /
Property of Wisconsin News Tracker and members of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.
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WNA BULLETIN | MARCH 2014
WNA news It’s a Funny Thing: Don’t publish our obituary just yet By Ben Bromley, Baraboo News Republic
Ask us to hold an adorably chubby baby, and we’ll rattle off statistics about Type 2 diabetes. You see a cute puppy: We see shedding dander and rabies.
The room was full of optimistic people wearing nice clothes. This felt strange, because I was at a newspaper convention. For a moment I thought I had wandered into the wrong banquet hall. But as it turned out, I was in the right place at the right time. That’s a rarity for a guy who runs perpetually five minutes late and who chose a career in newspapers just before the Internet took over the world.
Yet somehow, the scribes managed to see a silver lining – smog-induced though it may be – around the newspaper industry, of all things. Sure, the economy has smacked us around for years, but we’re hardly alone there. And yes, we erred in putting our content online for free, and face a long road in acclimating customers to paying for access to our work. Ben Bromley
Friday night brought the Wisconsin Newspaper Association’s annual banquet and awards ceremony. It was carried out in a hopeful spirit that countered the many voices eager to pronounce this industry dead. This marked a refreshing change from constantly spitting out the dirt everyone’s always shoveling on us. Given that print journalists are taught to spot and expose balderdash – “Your mother says she loves you? Get a second source to confirm” – it was surprising to see that so many ink-stained wretches consider their glasses of gin half-full.
But between the printed product and our websites, newspapers – especially local ones – have more readers than ever before. And one look at the winning entries in the state newspaper contest shows a lot of great work is being done from Beloit to Bayfield. You might consider Friday night’s speakers Pollyannas preaching to the choir. “Of COURSE they WANT to convince themselves newspapers have a future,” you might say. Feel free to take it all with a grain of salt, like those of us who had the roast beef Friday night. We recognize our many challenges. With websites and social media proliferating, newspapers face more competition for breaking news.
That wasn’t the only shocker, though. For one thing, almost everyone was dressed up.
But we’d like to think that when consumers want bona fide information, they turn to a reliable source: The local newspaper.
That’s quite a statement for news scribes, who typically show up for work in dirty jeans and old concert T-shirts. For official affairs, such as court hearings, we put on collared flannel shirts without sleeves. You know, something nice, in the interest of decorum.
Rumors of our demise have been grossly exaggerated for generations. First it was the advent of radio, then television, and now the web. Yet we continue to publish. Those eager to sign our death certificate will have to keep waiting.
Also, the group was on its best behavior, which is unlike us. The crowd listened attentively to the speakers and clapped politely for each of what felt like 1.62 million award winners.
We know our heyday has passed. Most cities have one newspaper, instead of several. Those fortunate enough to survive have half the news staff they did a decade ago.
It was as if everyone had just graduated from charm school. Keep in mind, we’re the kind of people who aren’t above interrupting a prayer to point out a split infinitive. Give us a free pizza, and we’ll complain about having to pick off the olives. The greatest surprise of all, though, was seeing a room full of journalists optimistic about something. Point out a gorgeous sunset and we’ll note that the colors are enhanced by air pollution.
But consumers always will want to know what’s going on around them, and the local newspaper – be it on the printed page or on a high-definition screen – will continue to have a place in homes and businesses. So please stop shoveling dirt on us. We’re tired of spitting it out, and we’re trying to enjoy the roast beef. For the third consecutive year, Ben Bromley’s column was named best among those published by Wisconsin’s smalltown dailies.
Download the Better Newspaper Contest Tab >> Want a printed copy of the tab? Send a note with your name and address to MaryKate.Elbow@WNAnews.com.
Take a look at photos from convention on WNA’s Facebook page >> A special thank you to Joelle Doye, editor of the Democrat Tribune (Mineral Point) and Marquette University student Rebecca Rebholz for taking photos.
Huibregtse family, First Weber donate to WNA Foundation Family members of Don and Laurel Huibregtse donated a $15,200 gift to the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation and presented the check during the 2014 WNA/ AP Convention.
of the TribunePhonograph (Abbotsford) said.
The gift comprised of four donations of $2,500 each from families of the couples children: • Don and Azin Huibregtse • Bruce and Diana Huibregtse • David (deceased) and Robyn Huibregtse • Connie and Odin Thorpe
Don and Laurel published community newspapers in Wisconsin from 1953 until their retirement in 1988. They owned The Blair Press, The Monona Community Herald and The McFarland Community Life.
Employees of First Weber Group Realtors® (where son Don is a Broker Associate and Assistant Branch Manager) also contributed. The First Weber Group Foundation matched a portion of those children and employee gifts, bringing the total donation to $15,200 . Don presented the check to WNA President Kent Eymann. Don and Laurel had been married for 62 years when they died within hours of one another on Nov. 27, 2012. Laurel, age 85, died unexpectedly shortly before Don, who was battling cancer. “The generosity and friendship of Don and Laurel’s family will allow the WNA Foundation to better carry out its initiatives, making an impact on future Wisconsin journalists,” WNA Foundation Director Kris O’Leary, publisher
Don served in several board positions in the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and was WNA president in 1986. He twice won Publisher of the Year awards for the small community weekly category in WNAF’s Better Newspaper Contest. WNA Foundation is a not-for-profit organization created in 1980 to improve the quality and future of Wisconsin’s newspapers and the communities they serve. The foundation solicits, manages and disburses funds and other resources for the benefit of Wisconsin’s newspaper industry and, ultimately, the citizens of the state.
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WNA BULLETIN | MARCH 2014
WNA news Ocampo shines as WNAF News Fellow The National Newspaper Association (NNA) ‘We Believe in Newspapers’ summit coincided with the March fellowship in Washington D.C.
By Andrew Johnson My son, U.S. Army Lt. David Johnson, was killed in action on January 25, 2012 in Afghanistan. This event has drastically changed my family.
NNA Foundation Presdient Liz Parker, co-publisher/ executive editor of New Jersey Hills Media Group wrote to WNA, singing the praises of WNAF News Fellow, Polo Rocha Ocampo. Parker wrote: “Polo Ocampo was a true star ... This young man was an ace. Just to give a quick anecdote: We had all learned from our NSA briefing on Wednesday afternoon that most likely Vice Admiral Mike Rogers was to be selected the new NSA head; confirmation hearings were going on during our visit. The next day our Fellow, who had been on his own off at a Congressional interview, finds himself on an elevator and surrounded by military brass. He quickly realizes it is the man himself, Vice Admiral Rogers, and he goes for the exclusive interview. He was denied, of course, but it was a great try. He quickly sent a text to the group telling of his exploits and there were great hoots and hollering. Such fun!!” WNAF sponsored Ocampo’s participation in the News Fellows Program, which took place in Washington, D.C., March 12-13, 2014. News Fellows included eight young journalists from eight states to look at issues from a community newspaper perspective. The Fellows researched and will report on national security issues, including information about implications in America’s hometowns. The Fellows’ work will be completed mid-April and distributed for publication in WNA-member newspapers. NNA’s News Fellows programming coincided with the “We Believe in Newspapers” Leadership summit. Fellows joined WNA reps to the summit (Andrew Johnson and Diane Everson) and additional NNA leaders for portions of the summit. Johnson, a past WNA president and current WNA Foundation director, represented WNA and NNA at the summit for the second straight year. Johnson is Region Six (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin) Director of the National Newspaper Association (NNA). He publishes the Dodge County Pionier (Mayville) and the Campbellsport News. Edgerton Reporter Publisher Diane Everson, a past NNA president, also represented WNA. Johnson and Everson called on Wisconsin’s representatives at the Capitol along with WNA Lobbyist Sean
Papers asked to help gather ‘Faces Never Forgotten’
Andrew Johnson, left, with Polo Rocha Ocampo at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of Stan Schwartz, NNA
Stephenson of Arena Strategy Group. They also joined fellow NNA representatives in discussing the potential impact on newspapers of advertising tax proposals and new copmetitive threats from the U.S. Postal Service. Bob Schieffer, chief Washington correspondent for CBS News and a former newspaper reporter in Texas, spoke to the group during a dinner at the National Press Club. Ocampo is a junior at UW-Madison studying journalism and political science. He’s originally from Tampico, Mexico, but moved to Milwaukee in 2003. He is an intern at Wisconsin Public Television’s “Here and Now” and at Wispolitics.com. He started reporting on state politics his freshman year at The Badger Herald student newspaper, where he was state news editor his sophomore year and is now social media coordinator. He is passionate about covering politics and the state Capitol, and views that work as a way to explain important policy debates or developments to general audiences who may not follow the day-to-day developments in politics. He hopes to report on politics, business or health policy after graduating. “WNAF is proud to have had Polo represent our state in this unique reporting experience,” WNA Foundation President Kris O’Leary, publisher of The Star News, (Medford) said. “Fostering future journalists, especially those with a keen interest in government and politics, is a meaningful part of our mission.”
I have been a small weekly newspaper publisher in Wisconsin for the past 25 years. Four years ago I had the privilege of serving as president of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. Last year, I started serving a three year term as the National Newspaper Association (NNA) Region 6 Director, representing the interests on community newspapers on a national level. A few months ago, the VVMF (Vietnam Vet Memorial Fund) issued a news release about their efforts to locate the photo of all 58,286 soldiers listed on the Vietnam Memorial wall in Washington D.C. They are building a new Education Center at the Wall right near the existing memorial wall on the National Mall. Construction for the facility is planned to start in 2016 and be completed for a grand opening in 2019. The new building will include an electronic “Wall of Faces” corresponding to the names on the wall. So far, the VVMF has collected 34,000 of the photos and still needs to find approximately 24,000 photos of soldiers listed on the wall. Soldiers since 911 will also be honored in the new center. More information about this project can be found at www. vvmf.org As a newspaper publisher and gold star father I knew that newspapers across the country to help find the majority of the missing photos. While on NNA business in Washington, I
David Johnson
along with other NNA representatives met with representatives from the VVMF to see how newspapers could help. It was determined that the best way to get the missing photos was to have each state press association work with their member newspapers. State press associations would then get the photos to VVMF in Washington. Vietnam veterans from home to across the country have been so kind and good to my family during our incredible grieving journey. They have shown great honor to my son as well as all of those killed in action. I am asking every newspaper association and newspaper in the United States to join in the effort in finding the missing photos of our hero’s listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall starting this Memorial Day. We want to get the photos to VVMF to ensure no face is forgotten. It is the very least we can do to show our honor and love for these American soldiers.
Faces Never Forgotten: How you can help WNA Publishers and Editors will receive an email from WNA’ with the names and identifying information about each soldier whose photo is missing. Newspapers are asked to publish ads or editorial content in their communities, seeking help from readers in reaching anyone who may have a photo of the soldier. WNA will collect the photos from member newspapers and provide as many missing photos to the VVMF “Faces Never Forgotten” project as possible. WNA is the first state newspaper association to lead this effort. Help us complete a great tribute to our veterans that can be emulated by other state associations.
Follow that Fellow Search the Twitter hashtag #WBIN14 for more about the NNA Summit and @polorocha18 Fellowship in Washington.
From left: Allyson Shaw, VVMF; Robert Williams, NNA president; Andrew Johnson; Lee Allen, VVMF; and Laura Johnson. Representatives from the NNA and VVMF met in at the VVMF headquarters in Washington D.C. on March 21 to coordinate the effort of newspapers from across the county submitting missing photos of soldiers listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. The group is standing in front of panel 44 from the wall. It had a slight crack on the top so it had to be replaced on the wall.
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WNA BULLETIN | MARCH 2014
WNA news Take Notice Wisconsin
WNA, Governor partner to inform citizens A weekly advertising campaign called “Take Notice Wisconsin” aims to increase awareness of State of Wisconsin public notices and statewide readership of all notices. With help from WNA members, this campaign will do even more to leverage our audiences statewide and better inform citizens of government
actions, said WNA President Carol O’Leary, publisher of the Star News (Medford). WNA members and the State of Wisconsin benefit when citizens are aware of public notices and engaged in government activity.
through his social media channels.
Gov. Scott Walker is supporting the campaign and will help bring awareness to the program
WNA advertising managers will receive customized weekly print ads by email, along with the weekly network display ads distributed by Customized Newspaper Advertising, WNA’s advertising partner. The ads will be sent via email every Thursday. Each week’s ad will contain a brief summary of the state’s recently published notices. The ads call on readers to “Take Notice Wisconsin” and include a URL to find and read the complete notices online at www.WisconsinPublicNotices.org, as well as notices from all communities in the state.
GOV. SCOTT WALKER AND THE STATE OF WISCONSIN
want you to be aware of the following public notices published in the state newspaper the week of MARCH 11, 2013:
Notices: Dept. of Financial Institutions Division of Banking: Application was filed on Feb. 27, 2014, by Stephenson National Bancorp, Inc., Marinette, Wisconsin, an in-state bank holding company, to acquire PWB Bancshares, Inc., Wausaukee, Wisconsin, an in-state bank holding company, and thereby indirectly acquire Bank North, Wausaukee, Wisconsin, an instate bank.
Newspapers and their digital products serve as the independent, third-party vendors to deliver government’s public notices to citizens.
“Keeping citizens aware of Public Notices should be an important part of every WNA member’s mission,” WNA Executive Director Beth Bennett said. “The goal of this campaign is to further strengthen newspapers’ foothold as the best vendor for distribution of public notices statewide and in communities across Wisconsin.” The weekly print ads will be customized and include a summary of notices placed by the state within the past week. Those ads be included in your weekly download email from CNA.
Dept. of Natural Resources: Public Notices of Air Pollution Permit Application Reviews: De Pere Cabinet, located at 1745 E. Matthew Drive, De Pere, Brown County; U.S. Veterans Admin Medical Center, located at 500 East Veterans Street, Tomah, Monroe County; Generac Power Systems, Inc., located at Highway 59 and Hillside Rd, Town of Genesee, Waukesha County; Waupaca Foundry, Inc., Plant 1, located at 406 North Division Street, Waupaca, Waupaca County; Wisconsin Public Service Corp - JP Pulliam Generating Station, located at 1501 Bylsby Ave, Green Bay, Brown County; Hi-Crush Augusta LLC, located at S 11011 County Road M, Augusta, Eau Claire County;
In addition to your print products, there are three sizes of generic web ads, which may be downloaded for use in your digital products.
DNR: Notice of Natural Resources Board repealing, amending, recreating and creating rules.
Be sure to link each ad to your newspaper’s own public notices, posted online through wisconsinpublicnotices.org >>
View these notices and search all public notices from state communities online at:
Files for these ads have been distributed to publishers and ad managers via email. If you did not recieve them, please send a note to Mary.Callen@ WNAnews.com to request the ad files.
WisconsinPublicNotices.org is a public service made possible by the members of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.
Link to your notices
It’s easy to make your newspaper’s public notices the first notices that your readers see when they access the Wisconsin statewide public notice website: http://www. WisconsinPublicNotices.org. By posting your own unique link to the public notices that you upload to the WisconsinPublicNotices.org website, you’ll make reviewing public notices easy and fast for your readers. With just one click your readers will be able to view all of the notices your newspaper has uploaded. Below is the link to incorporate on your newspaper’s website. The sample link below will show the notices from the Antigo Daily Journal. http://wna.eclipping.org/ee/nmum/ public/freesearchtest/search/index/ psetup/wiadj To customize the link to your newspaper’s notices, simply change the last three letters in the search string by inserting your newspaper’s three-letter code. Look up your paper’s code here >> Public notice reminder: Always include the “WNAXLP” code at beginning and end of each public notice your newspaper runs. This will help us capture the entire notice on the website, especially when copy is continued over multiple columns or pages. If you need assistance, contact WNA Media Services Director Denise Guttery by phone at (608) 772-2479 or by e-mail at Denise. Guttery@WNAnews.com.
Wisconsin FOIC will honor Opee, Watchdog winners The Opees The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, as part of national Sunshine Week (sunshineweek.org), March 16-22, recognized extraordinary achievement in the cause of open government in this year’s Openness Awards, or Opees. “This was a year of almost constant threats to the state’s openness laws,” said Bill Lueders, council president. “We had local law enforcement agencies suppressing drivers license information, a state senator claiming immunity from all civil suits to evade the Open Records Law, and a spate of attempts to deny public access to records of circuit court cases and university research.” All of these threats were met with opposition, and none of these battles has yet been lost. But, Lueders said, “The year served to remind us that the price of protecting our state’s traditions of open government is eternal vigilance.” It was also a year in which records pried into the public domain contained new revelations about how some public officials and their staff have connived to circumvent the Open Records Law.
Watchdog Awards: April 23 WNA Foundation is proud to be the lead sponsor of this event: Register online at http://bit.ly/2014watchdog • • • •
Media Openness Award (“Mopee”): Ellen Gabler and Allan James Vestal, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Open Records Scoop of the Year (“Scoopee”): David Wahlberg, Wisconsin State Journal. Whistleblower of the Year: David Salkin, Milwaukee. No Friend of Openness Award (“Nopee”): Sen. Glenn Grothman.
This is the eighth consecutive year that the Council has presented Opee Awards.
For 2013-14, the Council is bestowing six Opees to individuals and groups. Five of the awards are positive; the No Friend of Openness Award is not.
Umhoefer named Distinguished Wisconsin Watchdog Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigative reporter Dave Umhoefer, winner of a Pulitzer Prize for his 2008 investigation into pension padding in Milwaukee County, has been named the 2014 recipient of the Distinguished Wisconsin Watchdog Award.
The winners were: • Political Openness Award (“Popee”): Dan Ault, Oconto Police Chief. • Citizen Openness Award (“Copee”): Becky Kostopolus and Marilyn Bartelt of Appleton.
The award is a highlight of the fourth annual Wisconsin Watchdog Awards reception and dinner, presented jointly by the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council and the Madison Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
The April 23 event, a celebration of open government and investigative journalism, is open to the public, with proceeds supporting the nonprofit and nonpartisan Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism. “For more than 25 years, Dave Umhoefer has held the powerful accountable for their actions and provided insights into key issues facing Wisconsin communities,” said Andy Hall, executive director of the investigative center. Past winners of the award are Dave Zweifel, editor emeritus of The Capital Times and a founder of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council; the late Dick Wheeler, founder of the Wheeler Report newsletter; and U.S. District Court Judge Lynn Adelman, chief author of the state’s open records law. Umhoefer, a La Crosse native and University of WisconsinMadison graduate, received the School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Distinguished Service Award in 2009. Umhoefer is a member of the Journal Sentinel’s Watchdog Team, where his work includes PolitiFact Wisconsin. He also is an instructor at Marquette University, where he teaches an investigative reporting class. Lead sponsorship of the event is provided by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation. Additional support is provided by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, Wisconsin State Journal and two law firms — McGillivray Westerberg & Bender and Schott Bublitz & Engel.
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WNA BULLETIN | MARCH 2014
WNA news Lovett announces plans for retirement Genia Lovett, WNA Board of Directors third vice president and co-chair of the Government Relations Committee, has announced her plans for retirement. Lovett, president and publisher of Post Crescent Media (Appleton) and Central Group Regional President for Gannett Wisconsin Media, will retire on June 18, 2014. Lovett, 57, started her career with Speidel Newspapers as a sports reporter with the Chillicothe (OH) Gazette, her hometown newspaper, in 1975, while attending Ohio University. She held various positions in advertising there from 1979 to 1987 when she became advertising director in Fremont, Ohio. She also served as advertising Director in Battle Creek, Mich., before moving to Wisconsin with Gannett in November 2000. She was publisher in Fond du Lac from 2000 to 2004, Wausau and Midwest Group Vice President from 2004 to 2007, and moved to Appleton in 2007. She was a four-time President’s Ring winner. “Genia has had a successful and impactful career. For more than three decades she led successfully through many changes and iterations within our business; always adaptable, resilient and always delivering on her commitments and results. Genia was engaged and worked hard in the communities she’s served. She always kept her focus on our most important assets: our customers and our employees. We will miss Genia for some time to come,” said Laura Hollingsworth, Central Group President for the Gannett Company. Lovett also serves on the United Way Fox Cities Board of Directors and was Campaign Co-Chair in 2012 and 2013. Genia and her husband, Jerry, will relocate to Northwest Ohio in the coming year to be near their son and grandson. Her last day in the Appleton office will be June 3.
Genia Lovett introduces a speaker to audiences during the 2014 WNA/AP Convention and Trade Show. Photo courtesy of Joelle Doye
You asked the questions Here are your answers WNA members call or email the office seeking guidance and resources on a daily basis. Here’s a sampling of recent questions and answers to provide you with information you could benefit from, too:
QUESTION: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has changed regulations for industries using solvent wipes. What does this mean for newspapers?
TONY SMITHSON ANSWERS: In a nutshell, this new rule says that rags used for cleaning no longer have to be treated and manifested as hazardous waste. Even if the solvents used are classified as hazardous waste, the rags are excluded if they are in a closed, labeled container, if there is no free liquid, and if the user
(newspaper, in our case) doesn’t keep them around for more than 180 days. Most newspapers use rags provided by a uniform service, so chances are slim that any members are currently manifesting their rags as hazardous waste. However, it should reduce the cost to the service provider (uniform company), so some of that savings should be passed along to member newspapers if they request it. I’m sure it won’t be much, but every penny counts these days. Here’s a link to a pretty good press release from EPA: http:// yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/bd4379a92ceceeac8525735900400c27/c8f3d2b0b74 0904b85257bb0005cfd6d!OpenDoc ument Tony Smithson is vice president of printing operations for Bliss Communications (parent company of The Gazette, Janesville) and represents WNA on the Department of Natural Resources Printing Council. He can be reached at tsmithson@gazetteextra.com.
specific public business which requires a closed session-action.
BETH BENNETT ANSWERS: The citation given by the city council for adjourning to executive session was not sufficient under Wisconsin law. Please refer to page 18 in the Attorney General’s guide to the open meetings law >> I would recommend that your reporter provide the city council with a copy of the guide for future reference. The following is taken from the guide and applies to your question: B. Procedure For Convening In Closed Session. Every meeting of a governmental body must initially be convened in open session. Wis. Stat. §§ 19.83 and
QUESTION: Is the following item on a city council agenda sufficient notice to go into executive session? Do they need to be more specific about the subject and topic of discussion?
Tony Smithson
11) Enter into closed session to Section 19.85(1)(e) to deliberate, negotiate or bargain concerning
Beth Bennett
? 19.85(1). Before convening in closed session, the governmental body must follow the procedure set forth in Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1) which requires that the governmental body pass a motion, by recorded majority vote, to convene in closed session. If a motion is unanimous, there is no requirement to record the votes individually. Schaeve, 125 Wis. 2d at 51. Before the governmental body votes on the motion, the chief presiding officer must announce and record in open session the nature of the business to be discussed and the specific statutory exemption which is claimed to authorize the closed session. 66 Op. Att’y Gen. 93, 97-98. Stating only the statute section number of the applicable exemption is not sufficient because many exemptions contain more than one reason for authorizing closure. For example, Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1) (c) allows governmental bodies to use closed sessions to interview candidates for positions of employment, to consider promotions of particular employees, to consider the compensation of particular employees, and to conduct employee evaluations—each of which is a different reason that should be identified in the meeting notice and in the motion to convene into closed session. Reynolds/Kreibich Correspondence, October 23, 2003. Similarly, merely identifying and quoting from a statutory exemption does not adequately announce what particular part of the governmental body’s business is to be
considered under that exemption. Weinschenk Correspondence, December 29, 2006; Anderson Correspondence, February 13, 2007. Enough specificity is needed in describing the subject matter of the contemplated closed meeting to enable the members of the governmental body to intelligently vote on the motion to close the meeting. Heule Correspondence, June 29, 1977; see also Buswell, 301 Wis. 2d 178, ¶ 37 n.7. If several exemptions are relied on to authorize a closed discussion of several subjects, the motion should make it clear which exemptions correspond to which subjects. Brisco Correspondence, December 13, 2005. The governmental body must limit its discussion in closed session to the business specified in the announcement. Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1). The Wisconsin Attorney General’s Guide to the Open Meetings Law is online here >> http://www.doj.state.wi.us/sites/ default/files/dls/open-meetings-lawcompliance-guide-2010.pdf Beth Bennett is the executive director of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. She can be reached at Beth.Bennett@WNAnews.com and by phone at 608-283-7621.
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WNA BULLETIN | MARCH 2014
WNA news Fitchburg Star returning under agreement with city officials Unified Newspaper Group (UNG has added a new print publication to its stable of community newspapers. The Fitchburg Star is a new, independent newspaper covering Fitchburg and a companion to the existing ConnectFitchburg.com website. It will take the place of the city newsletter that preceded it, the Fitchburg Update. The city will spend more than $30,000 this year to mail the monthly Fitchburg Star free to all 12,600 residences and businesses in Fitchburg, according to a Wisconsin State Journal story. David Enstad, general manager of Unified, is quoted as saying: “It was understood from the getgo that we would require complete editorial independence.” City leaders, community groups, and former readers and advertisers have been pushing to regain an independent editorial voice in the community ever since the previous version of the Star ceased publication in September 2009. Eventually, the Fitchburg Star will transition to a subscriber-based weekly model for long-term stability, but its contract with the city runs through 2014, comprising 10 monthly issues of the Fitchburg Star, each delivered to more than 12,600 businesses and residents. It will be published the second Friday of each month. City leaders and community groups approached UNG several times since 2009 about publishing a newspaper in Fitchburg, but it was not feasible until UNG proposed the elimination of the Fitchburg Update, meaning the two products would not compete for ad revenue.
Membership categories renamed: IN
OUT:
Group Sustaining
Affiliate
Individual Sustaining
Sustaining
Emeritus
Golden
Several WNA membership categories have been renamed. WNA members approved the changes at the association’s annual meeting, held Feb. 28 at the WNA/AP Convention and Trade Show in Waukesha. The former “Affiliate Membership” has been renamed to “Group Sustaining Membership” and the “Sustaining Membership” is now “Individual Sustaining Membership.” “Golden Membership” has been renamed to “Emeritus Membership.” Group Sustaining membership may be granted to representatives of trade journals or other enterprises allied to or connected with the newspaper publishing industry. Individual Sustaining membership may be granted to any person not actively engaged in the publishing industry but who has formerly been so engaged or who is interested in the welfare of the Wisconsin publishing industry.
Grant seeds training program The Evjue Foundation in Madison has awarded a $5,000 grant to the Wisconsin Newspaper Association to support an investigative journalism training program. WNA, the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism and Investigative Reporters and Editors are seeking to create Wisconsin Investigative Journalism Fellowships. This program will offer intensive classroom training, culminating in certification of the fellows (two each from five news organizations) supplemented by a year of intensive
collaboration with WCIJ on production of high-impact investigative reports. The organizations are seeking $57,000 in annual support from national and local foundations, corporations and individuals for this innovative program, which we believe will increase the quality and amount of investigative journalism in Wisconsin as the program continues year after year. Interested in supporting this initiative? Please contact Andy Hall, WCIJ executive director, at ahall@wisconsinwatch.org.
APG purchases seven Wisconsin newspapers Adams Publishing Group LLC (APG) has purchased three newspaper divisions from American Consolidated Media (ACM). The newspaper divisions include the Superior Publishing Group, Ohio Publishing Group, and Chesapeake Publishing Group. The purchase includes a total of 34 print publications, special print products, digital media assets and commercial printing facilities. Following the acquisition, APG Media will consist of four regions: APG Media of Wisconsin LLC, APG Media of Minnesota LLC, APG Media of Ohio LLC, and APG Media of Chesapeake LLC.
APG Media of Wisconsin LLC consists of six paid newspapers and one controlled-distribution publication including the Ashland Daily Press, Sawyer County Record, Sawyer TMC, Spooner Advocate, Phillips Bee, Park Falls Herald and Bayfield County Journal. We are excited to be a part of the Adams Publishing Group and we look forward to the new opportunities that will be available to us as part of this successful media company. We will continue to focus on providing the most up-to-date and complete local news and advertising products for our readers and subscribers in the communities we serve. Our strong
commitment to our employees and the communities of our area will continue as our primary focus”, said Chris Knight, President and Publisher of the Minnesota and Wisconsin group. APG Media of Minnesota LLC consists of five paid newspapers and three controlled-distribution publications. APG Media of Ohio LLC consists of eight paid newspapers and two controlled-distribution publications. APG Media of Chesapeake LLC consists of six paid newspapers and four controlled-distribution publications.
Danielle Moe, left, accepts her scholarship from WNA Foundation President Kris O’Leary.
WNAF awards scholarships to two journalism students Two Wisconsin journalism students each received a $1,500 Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation scholarship at the group’s annual convention, Feb. 27-28 in Waukesha. The scholarships are awarded annually to journalism students working toward associate or baccalaureate degrees. Danielle Moe was recognized Friday, Feb. 28, during the convention’s Student Awards and Professional Networking Luncheon, held at the Milwaukee Marriott West. Becker was unable to attend.
Abigail Becker
Becker is a junior in the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication while Moe is a reporter for the Washburn County Register, owned by the Inter-County Cooperative Publishing Association in Frederic, Wisconsin, completing final credits toward her degree from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn. A native of St. Louis, Becker hopes to start a long-term journalism career upon her graduation in 2015, starting with a focus in hyper-local reporting. She joined the staff of The Daily Cardinal independent student newspaper during her first year at UW-Madison. At the Cardinal, she has worked as a news reporter, daily news desk editor, social media manager and is currently the editor in chief. “I believe the future of journalism lies in strong reporting packaged alongside online story versions, multimedia components and digital elements,” Becker said. Moe is nearly one year into her reporting job at the Washburn County Register, owned by the Inter-County Cooperative Publishing Association (ICCPA) in Frederic. Her writing can also be found in the Inter-County Leader (Frederic), a newspaper also owned by the ICCPA. Moe attended college at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn. from 2006 to 2010 and will use the scholarship toward completing final credits needed for her degree in journalism. In addition to reporting Moe manages the Washburn County Register’s Facebook page and website wcregisteronline.com. In 2009 Moe received the Gannett Foundation-Times Media Don “Chief” Casey Scholarship for the potential she displayed in her coursework at St. Cloud State. She was a contributing writer for the college’s newspaper the University Chronicle and interned for the Sawyer County Record in Hayward, during the summer of 2009. “Danielle has a rare gift of being naturally curious coupled with a talent for storytelling, capped off with a humble and wonderful personality. We are fortunate to be part of her early career in journalism,” Inter-County Leader Editor Gary King wrote, in recommending Moe for the scholarship.
Programs provide opportunities for U.S.-based journalists Several exciting opportunities are available for U.S.-based journalists through the International Center for Journalists. Read program descriptions and links:
Justice Reporting for a Global America Program. Apply by Feb. 3, 2014. http://www.icfj.org/our-work/social-justice-reporting-global-america
U.S.-based journalists can report from Japan in 2014, covering topics including the economy, the environment, and social policies. Apply by Jan. 6, 2014. http://www.icfj.org/japan2014
U.S.-based minority journalists can report from abroad on the subject of their choice as a fellow in ICFJ’s Bringing Home the World Fellowship. Apply by Feb. 3, 2014. http://www.icfj.org/our-work/bringing-home-world-fellowship
U.S.-based journalists can report on a social justice issue from a country of their choice as a fellow in ICFJ’s Social
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WNA BULLETIN | MARCH 2014
WNA news WNAF-sponsored training
Minority Communities: Develop Sources, Uncover Stories In a recent essay discussing the portrayal of Asians in mainstream media outlets, Tom Huang, Sunday and enterprise editor for the Dallas Morning News, suggests that “what’s missing in our coverage are the everyday acts and opinions, quirks and foibles, that make Asians individuals, that make them human.”
Want to attend for FREE? Email Mary.Callen@WNAnews. com. Several complimentary registrations are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
He might very well have been talking about AfricanAmericans, Latinos, Native Americans and members of other racial minority groups. Too often, stories involving racial minorities fit stereotypes rather than reflect the richness of ordinary life. To help journalists in Madison and across Wisconsin better incorporate the voices of racial minorities in their stories and newscasts, the Madison chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists invites you to a unique, day-long training session. WNA Foundation is proud to be among the sponsors of “Developing Sources and Uncovering Stories in Minority Communities,” set for Friday, April 11, in Room 226 of the UW-Madison Pyle Center, 702 Langdon Street,
Madison. It will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m., with registration starting at 9:30 a.m. It is free for SPJ members and high school and college students; there is a charge of $30 for non-members. A catered lunch and snacks are included.
The training is sponsored by WNA Foundation, Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, WISC-TV-Channel 3, the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism and the Wisconsin State Journal. To register, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spj-madison-minority-communities-training-tickets-10903614003a. College and high school journalists should contact Mark Pitsch, Madison SPJ president, for complimentary registration; 608-252-6145, mpitsch@madison.com. Direct questions to Pitsch at 608-252-6145 or mpitsch@ madison.com.
AP Stylebook update: A sign of our times
Explain, if necessary, to the county representative that Wisconsin statute now requires that all legal notices published in newspapers also appear on the WNA hosted public notice website. Each legal notice must include the code WNAXLP in order for it to be posted to the WNA public notice website. The coding must appear on each page of a multiple page public notice---the ballot is in most cases a multiple page legal notice. If the ballot is published ROP it must contain the WNAXLP coding on all pages where ballot information is printed. The WNA coding for every public notice is: WNAXLP If the county provides you with a pre-print insert that does not include the WNAXLP coding---please forward a copy of the insert, either electonically or by USPS, to the WNA for coding. The WNA will code and post the ballot to the public notice website. Your time and attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.
The first issue of the Action Project looked into racial, ethnic, sexual, gender and geopolitical issues permeating UW-Madison’s campus and how they affect students, faculty members and other groups.
For the uninitiated, until this update, “more than” was used when referring to numbers. “Over” was appropriate when talking about the physical relationship of two objects.
You can follow the project on Twitter using the hashtag #dcactionproject. The project is made possible in part by a grant from the Evjue Foundation. For more information, please email edit@dailycardinal.com.
On this issue, you could divide the world into three categories of people. There are those who believe that words are tools and that if you are going to craft something substantial you must use the right tool. You wouldn’t pound a screw in with a hammer, would you?
UW-Madison’s Center for Journalism Ethics has named Associated Press reporters Adam Goldman and Matt Apuzzo and editor Ted Bridis are the recipients of the 2014 Anthony Shadid Award for Journalism Ethics.
Contact your county clerk and determine the method of publication that the county intends to use for the ballot. If the county plans to publish the ballot as an insert---and the insert will be provided to your newspaper as a pre-print--please request that the county include on each page of the ballot the WNA public notice coding---WNAXLP.
The Daily Cardinal is publishing three special issues this semester dedicated to exploring topics challenging to the University of WisconsinMadison and the surrounding community. The publications will form a series called The Daily Cardinal Action Project, an effort to inform the campus community about pertinent issues and spark action.
Not all people are freaking out, of course. But a lot of people are, especially journalists, and also English majors. The people who love word craft are visibly upset. You can tell by tracking #ACES2014 on Twitter.
... Shadid Award will go to AP reporters
It is time to prepare for the publication of the upcoming primary election notices. Specific care must be given to the publication of the ballot as an insert or ROP in the newspaper.
... Daily Cardinal examines campus social climate
By Kelly McBride, Poynter.org — People are freaking out over an update to the AP Stylebook, the equivalent of canon law for journalists. AP Style now tells us that “more than” and “over” are interchangeable. It’s as if Big Brother has just suggested that what was true yesterday, is no longer true today.
Then there are those who are aware of these nuanced differences, but they believe that words are flexible and democratic. I count myself in this category. While I prefer to build something eloquent, I don’t always get there. And I’m not above using a blunt object when I can’t find my drill. Read more >>
Elections are here: WNAXLP coding reminder
... Surveillance, Security & Journalism Ethics Green Bay Press-Gazette News Editor Amy Bailey was among those reacting on Twitter, top. Read a collection of reactions on Storify >>
The team collaborated to produce investigative reports showing that Robert Levinson, an American businessman who had disappeared in Iraq, was employed by the CIA, even though the spy agency denied this to the White House, Congress and the FBI. The award is named for a UW-Madison graduate who died in 2012 while crossing the Syrian border on assignment for The New York Times. Shadid won two Pulitzer
Prizes for international reporting. It will be presented at the Center’s sixth annual conference, set for Friday, May 2, in Madison. Registration is free. Details are available here: https://ethics.journalism.wisc.edu/ conference/
Sixth Annual Conference: Friday, May 2, 2014 • 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
(Keynote) •Lew Friedland, Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor and Director, Center for Communication and Democracy, University of WisconsinMadison •Dee Hall, co-founder, Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism •Alex Howard, fellow at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University and Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University •John Keefe, editor, WYNC Data News •Fergus Pitt, fellow at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University •Jay Rosen, professor, New York University and author of the blog PressThink.org •Gabriel Schoenfeld, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute •Jason Shepard, associate professor of communications, California State University, Fullerton •Jonathan Stray, director of Overview, a project of The Associated Press and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation •Marisa Taylor, investigative reporter with McClatchy DC
Join the UW Center for Journalism Ethics in a discussion of issues facing 21st century journalism in a world of Wikileaks, NSA sweeps, corporate cooperation, whistleblowers, drones, file dumps and data mining.
•Stephen J. A. Ward, professor and director, George S. Turnbull Center, University of Oregon
Registration deadline is April 15 •
With generous sponsorship from the Evjue Foundation and the Gannett Foundation, we are pleased to offer free registration. Please register by April 15, as space is limited.
Featured speakers include: •Eric Lichtblau, investigative reporter for The New York Times, recipient of the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting and author of Bush’s Law: The Remaking of American Justice
•Sisi Wei, News Applications Developer, ProPublica
Details are available here: https://ethics.journalism.wisc.edu/conference/
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WNA BULLETIN | MARCH 2014
Industry news NNA survey: Small town residents depend Summer in New England? on their community paper Watchdog training
COLUMBIA, MO—Two-thirds of residents in small towns across America depend upon their local newspaper for news and information, according to the National Newspaper Association’s most recent newspaper readership survey. NNA, founded in 1885, represents 2,200 members across the U.S. Its mission is to protect, promote and enhance America’s community newspapers. Most of its members are weekly or small daily newspapers in smaller or niche communities.
The survey noted that more readers are using mobile devices to shop, read and communicate. The number with smartphones jumped from 24 percent to 45 percent and 39 percent said they used the phones to access local news. Newspaper websites remained the leading provider of local news, followed distantly by a local TV station’s site and then by national aggregators, such as Google and Yahoo. The annual NNA Community Newspaper Readership survey was completed in 2013 in partnership with the Center for Advanced Social Research of the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri. Surveyors reached 508 households in communities where a local newspaper of circulation of 15,000 or less served the communities. The survey began in 2005. It has consistently shown the community newspaper to be the information leader in smaller communities. Trust in the local newspaper remains high, the survey found.
Overall, readers in the 2013 survey gave high ratings to the accuracy, coverage, quality of writing and fairness of news reporting of the local print newspapers. In “coverage of local news,” “quality of writing” and “fairness of reporting,” their combined ratings were higher than in 2012.
•94% of readers agreed that the newspapers were informative. •80% said that they and their families looked forward to reading the newspapers. •78% relied on the newspapers for local news and information. •72% said the newspapers entertained them. Local readers also like to share their newspaper with others. The “passalong rate” of the primary subscriber’s sharing with others rose in 2013 to 2.48, compared to 2.18 in 2012 and 2.33 in 2011, possibly indicating continued economic pressure from the fallout of the Great Recession as families economize by purchasing fewer individual copies. Striking was the finding that nearly one-third of households still do not have Internet access at home. The finding parallels similar conclusions from the U.S. Census Bureau and others that continue to report slow growth in Internet penetration across smaller, and particularly rural communities. NNA President Robert M. Williams Jr., publisher of the Blackshear (GA) Times, remarked that the RJI research
consistently shows the community newspaper as the dominant information medium in their communities.
“We know that it is very difficult for a good community to survive without a good newspaper and vice versa,” Williams said. “The high levels of trust, the consistent pass-along rate and the desire to find the newspaper in whatever medium the reader wishes to use—whether mobile, print or Web—demonstrate the value of good community journalism.” Williams’ theme during his presidency has been the interdependency of local communities and local newspapers. “As I often say, if you want a Big Mac, you go to McDonald’s. If you want local news in Blackshear, you go to the Blackshear Times. That high quality news franchise is replicated across America—particularly in smaller communities—in ways that electronic media can only enhance, not supplant. As our electronic mission develops, we remain strong in print and proud of it. We are thankful for America’s readers, who use our news and information and make our communities strong,” he said. Jerry Lyles with Athlon Media Group, said “Newspapers are the eyes, ears and hearts of communities across America. They provide local news and information important to their residents that can’t be found anywhere else.” Full survey results are available to NNA member newspapers at www. nnaweb.org.
Pulse reader purchasing surveys available to papers
Pulse Research conducts an ongoing national purchasing survey to provide current shopping research to its clients. The Pulse of America survey is being conducted in all 50 states and therefore will provide an accurate, representative sample of newspaper reader shopping plans. WNA member newspapers are invited to participate in the Pulse of America reader purchasing survey and, in turn, benefit by free access to the group’s free quarterly research reports. Participating is simple. Publish Pulse ads as often as you can, but at least once during the promotion period and put a link on your website. Print and banner ads (http:// www.pulseresearch.com/poa/print.html) promote Pulse’s ongoing national purchasing survey to provide current shopping research to our clients. The Pulse of America survey is being conducted in all 50 states and therefore will provide an accurate, representative sample of newspaper reader shopping plans. In appreciation for newspaper’s support, Pulse will send participating papers a complimentary copy of its quarterly Pulse of America reader shopping results that can be used in effective sales presentations. Pulse of America promotion materials can be found at www.pulseresearch.com/poa.
costs covered by grant
What- Follow the Money: Fraud and the Affordable Care Act is a workshop designed to teach participants where to look for fraud connected to the massive new government program, how to uncover it, and how to present the findings in a compelling and understandable way. When- June 15-18, 2014 Where- The New England Center for Investigative Reporting at Boston University Cost- The cost of the program is generously covered by a grant from The McCormick Foundation. Hotels, airfare, meals and tuition will be covered by the grant. Incidentals and spending money is not covered. Who- Application is only open to journalists reporting within the United States. Requirement- To participate in this training you’ll need to secure an agreement from your editor that he/ she will meet with you after the workshop to discuss a plan for coverage of fraud associated with the affordable care act. Application- Click here to apply Deadline- April 15, 2014 Details- Obamacare is destined to be THE major story of 2014 and one of the major issues of the mid-term elections. With trillions of taxpayer dollars at stake it’s imperative for journalists to approach this topic with a watchdog mentality. Understanding where fraud might occur and how to uncover it within a very complex program requires specialized training. Reporters need to understand how insurance companies can manipulate the system for their own benefit, how individuals can scam the system, the limitations of government oversight, which documents will be crucial to investigating fraud in the program, how to analyze documents, and much more. FacultyDavid Donald is data editor at the Center for Public Integrity, where he
oversees data analysis and computerassisted reporting. His work has ranged from an investigation into the top sub-prime lenders behind the financial meltdown to the under reporting of campus sexual assault to the methods Medicare providers have used for years to overcharge the government healthcare program. Byron Harris has been a news reporter for more than four decades, primarily with WFAA-TV in Dallas. As an investigative reporter, he has been noted for his work with two George Foster Peabody Awards, as well as six DuPont Columbia Batons, including the only Gold Baton ever awarded to a local commercial television station. Al Tompkins is the Poynter Institute’s senior faculty for broadcasting and online. For almost 10 years, thousands of people a day read his online journalism story idea column “Al’s Morning Meeting” on Poynter.org. Tompkins is the author of the book “Aim for the Heart: A Guide for TV Producers and Reporters,” which was adopted by more than 75 universities as their main broadcast writing textbook. Fred Schulte is a senior reporter at the Center for Public Integrity. He is a four-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, most recently in 2007 for a series on Baltimore’s arcane ground rent system. Schulte’s other Pulitzernominated projects exposed excessive heart surgery death rates in veterans’ hospitals, substandard care by health insurance plans treating low-income people and the hidden dangers of cosmetic surgery in medical offices. Louis Saccoccio is CEO of the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association. The Washington D.C.based association protects and serves the public interest by increasing awareness and improving the detection, investigation, prosecution and prevention of health care fraud. Lou is responsible for the successful undertaking of the association’s overall strategic objectives, as well as the management of all activities, operations, and staff. His background includes legal, operational and business management expertise.
Newspaper Toolbox launches new web-based services to boost sales Think of the AdSeller as an almost free survey we conduct on your behalf twice a year. All you have to do is promote the survey and we do the rest. Pulse Research was founded in 1985 by John Marling, a University of Wisconsin graduate, to provide publishing clients with research based advertising sales and marketing programs designed to get results. The company provides research and marketing services for daily and weekly newspapers, shopper publications and other special interest publications across the US and Canada. For more information visit http://www.pulseresearch. com or send an e-mail to Andrew Dove at dove@paper.net or call him at (503) 626-5224.
Newspaper Toolbox launched four new Web services to help daily and weekly newspapers boost ad sales.
Along with a new logo and new look for both its print and online publications, Newspaper Toolbox now offers subscribers tailor made Web options that will make selling ads and building ad campaigns easier than ever before. 1) The smart ad campaign The new Personal Sales Calendar allows advertising directors to fill in their sales calendars with a click of the mouse while they browse original advertising ideas and page templates in Toolbox’s current issue and online archives.
2) Tailored searches The new Search by Advertiser search option enables sales reps to plan optimal ad campaigns for every category of advertiser they service. 3) My Page Our new My Page feature offers sales tips, website tutorials, recorded webinars, and ideas from people in the industry to help inspire publishers and sales and marketing departments. 4) PayPal Our new payment option will make subscribing and paying easier, directly from the Newspaper Toolbox home page. For more information, visit newspapertoolbox.com.
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Among your friends Photo showcase Visit WNA’s library on issuu.com to browse this month’s collection of photos gathered from WNA-member newspapers. Want to submit a photo for next month's gallery? Send the photo or newspaper name, date and page number where the photo appeared to MaryKate. Elbow@WNAnews.com Browse WNA member photos on issuu >>
Wisconsin State Journal
The Journal Times, Racine
Staff News MADISON Joe Allen has joined Madison Newspapers Inc. as vice president of advertising, sales and marketing. In that leadership role, Allen will further develop the organization’s sales force while expanding digital and print advertising solutions for its customers. Allen comes to Madison with more than 15 years of experience at the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. In that time, he held significant roles in marketing research, marketing leadership, sales and sales leadership. Most recently, he led efforts with major retail and national accounts.
MADISON Mara Budde has joined the Agri-View team as dairy editor where she will be responsible for reporting industry news and events, along with informational articles for dairy producers. Budde grew up on a small hog farm in Beaver Dam. Budde is a December graduate of UW-Madison, where she earned degrees in dairy science and life sciences communication. As a student, she was active in the National AgriMarketing Association, Badger Dairy Club and Association of Women in Agriculture. Additionally, she interned at a number of agricultural businesses, including Agri-View from May 2012-2013.
WITHEE On Feb. 28 the O-W Enterprise was sold to NJL Media LLC, owned by former editor Nathan J. LePage. After working a couple of years for the O-W Enterprise, LePage and TuMarx Inc. (Mark Gorke and Mark Renderman) agreed to a first option for LePage to purchase the O-W Enterprise newspaper in the event it would come up for sale. Both parties agreed and accepted the option. LePage plans to continue to provide a quality newspaper to the community as has been done for over 108 years. Gorke and Renderman had owned the newspaper for more than 16 years.
DEFOREST Lisa Kueter-Anderson recently joined the team at the DeForest
Times-Tribune. She will work in sales at the paper. She is in charge of ad sales, printing services and special projects. Prior to joining the Times-Tribune, Kueter-Anderson worked as a youth activity director at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, Sun Prairie. Prior to that position, she worked at a Catholic publishing company in Dubuque, Iowa. Kueter-Anderson studied communications at UWPlatteville.
EDGERTON After more than 40 years of faithful and friendly service, Edgerton Reporter receptionist Betty Hegglund officially retired on Feb. 27. She served as the point person for customers, offering a smile and warm greeting to anyone who stopped in the office.
FREDERIC Maurice Crownhart died Feb. 26, 2014, in Frederic, Wisconsin where he and his wife Hildur resided for the past 2 ½ years. They were blessed with 73 years together as husband and wife. Hildur and Maurice, legend has it, met when they were four years old in Sunday School at English Lutheran Church and have been attached at the hip ever since. They graduated from Grantsburg High School in 1936, enrolled together in Grantsburg’s one-year teacher training class and began to teach in area country schools at age 19. Maurice was born on May 10, 1918 and had a productive life over 95 years. After teaching school for two years, Maurice went to work for the “InterCounty Leader” in Frederic where his father worked. In 1950 Maurice, his dad, and brotherin-law Grant Christopherson left the Leader to start a new Grantsburg newspaper, “The Times.” Two years later the competing newspaper, the “Journal of Burnett County,” was purchased with Maurice serving as editor. Over the years Maurice got into many different aspects of the printing business which lasted into the late ‘60’s. Read more >>
ELROY William K. Smith, age 84 years, of Elroy, passed away Feb. 22, 2014. Smith
was the co-owner, co-publisher and editor emeritus of The Messenger of Juneau County. In the late 50’s and early 60’s, Smith was publisher and editor-in-chief of Mt. Pulaski Times newspaper in Mt. Pulaski, Ill. He was owner/editor of the Democrat Tribune in Mineral Point, Wis. from 1963 to 1977, as well as for the Poynette Press in Poynette, Wis. and Rio Press from 1977 to 1988. Smith then became editor of the Elroy Tribune-Keystone in Elroy, Wisconsin. When the Tribune-Keystone’s owners closed the newspaper in 1999, Smith turned down a position with its sister paper. Instead, he started the Trail Communities Messenger in Elroy. In 2002 he partnered with a Messenger reporter and a former colleague to expand the Messenger’s coverage area county-wide, changing its name to The Messenger of Juneau County.
MANITOWOC Kevin Anderson has been named executive editor of Sheboygan Press Media and HTR Media in Manitowoc. Anderson is a native of Illinois but has lived in Great Britain for the last nine years where he worked for the BBC and The Guardian newspaper. Anderson got his start in journalism as a regional reporter for the Hays Daily News in western Kansas. After that, he was the BBC’s first online journalist to work outside of Britain, working from 1998 to 2005 in the BBC’s largest international bureau in Washington D.C., covering U.S. politics, current affairs and culture. Anderson was also the Guardian’s first blogs editor from 2006 to 2009 and the newspaper’s digital research editor in 2009 and 2010. He also has operated as a digital and online consultant with many news organizations, including CNN International, Czech TV and European Union television.
DODGEVILLE Todd Novak, Mayor of the City of Dodgeville, has announced that he will be seeking the office of state representative in the 51st Assembly District as a Republican in the fall election. The district is currently represented by Howard Marklein who is
running for state senate. Novak has spent the last 24 years as government and associate editor of The Dodgeville Chronicle and was elected mayor in 2012. Novak cites his vast knowledge of the issues facing local government and taxpayers as a driving force for running in this election. “In the past 24 years I have attended over 600 school and city council meetings and over 400 county board meetings. I have spent over two decades holding local government accountable to the people and I want to continue to do that by going to the capitol,” he said.
FORT ATKINSON The Daily Jefferson County Union stepped toward a more colorful future as it rolled off the press in Janesville for the first time in the Fort Atkinson newspaper’s 144-year history. In an effort to improve print quality for readers and advertisers, the Union contracted out its printing and inserting operations to Bliss Communications in Janesville. The change concluded 106 years of printing the newspaper at 28 W. Milwaukee Ave. in Fort Atkinson. However, the ownership has not changed, and the news, advertising, circulation, graphics and distribution remain at the Daily Union offices in Fort Atkinson. Read more >>
CLINTON Frederic N. Wagner, 80, of Clinton, diedJan. 22, 2014. Following stateside service in the U.S. Army from 1956-58, Fred’s lifetime career was in the newspaper business. He owned and published the Mirror-Democrat in Mount Carroll, IL, then became editor of the Sheboygan Press, followed by becoming editor of the Belvidere Daily Republican. He then purchased The Clinton Topper, which he published for 16 years. Upon semi-retirement in 1994, he continued to write part-time for the paper for a number of years. Read more >>
WAUTOMA The Waushara Argus recently named Katie Schaefer its news editor. Schaefer is familiar with the paper and Waushara County having worked as a proofreader over the past year and as a reporting intern while studying at Michigan State University. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in December of 2005, Schaefer moved to Washington, DC to pursue a career in journalism/public relations. While there she served as the staff writer for the association nonprofit newsletter, CEO Update, and as the communications/public relations specialist for the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, Inc.
WAUPUN Capital Newspapers has closed its office in Waupun, making its news reporting and ad sales staff mobile. The Waupun staff includes reporter Hank Snyder and ad sales representatives Susie Heuer, Francine Weatherwax and customer service representative Pat Reifsnider.
SEYMOUR Greg Ylvisaker joined the staff of the Advertiser Community News & Times Press, Seymour. Ylvisaker is a Watertown native who served in the US Navy from 1999 to 2003. He earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from UWWhitewater in 2009. He freelanced for the Watertown Daily Times and has worked as a proofreader in Los Angles.
AMERY Tom Stangl, editor and publisher of the Amery Free Press, has been named publisher of the Burnett County Sentinel, Country Messenger and Osceola Sun. Stangl will serve as group publisher for the Free Press, Sentinel, Osceola Sun and Country Messenger. He joined the company in August of 2012 when the Amery Free Press was purchased from the Sondreal family. The Stangls moved to Amery from Le Mars, Iowa, to be closer to their two adult daughters, son-in-
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Among your friends Staff News law and five-year-old granddaughter, who live in the Twin Cities. Stangl and his wife, Diane, have been involved with newspapers for most of their adult lives. They owned and operated three weekly newspapers in Northwest Iowa for 10 years. Tom worked for the Le Mars Daily Sentinel for 15 years, as general manager. He served as editor, production manager, circulation manager and sold advertising. In 2005, Stangl was named group publisher, overseeing two five-day daily newspapers and three weekly newspapers.
WEST BEND Heather Rogge, advertising director for the Daily News in West Bend, has been promoted to publisher of the Daily News and the Cedarburg News Graphic. Rogge has been the general manager of the Sunday Post since 2003 and the new year marks her 20th with Conley Publishing Group. Rogge will remain the advertising director for Lakeshore Newspapers. She grew up in Washington County and returned after attending Ripon College.
CORNELL Monique Westaby of rural Cornell, began working as the Cadott Sentinel office manager in May of 2012. By November of 2013, she was promoted to Courier Sentinel staff writer at the Cornell office and in 2014 was named the paper’s managing editor. Because of her interest in writing, Westaby was quickly given writing assignments in addition to her Cadott office duties. That’s also when her real writing education began, she said. “I quickly learned that everything I had
been taught in my English classes (at UW-Eau Claire) was the opposite of reporting,” Westaby said. Objective news reporting, she learned, meant that she couldn’t insert her own opinion or speculate on events. She couldn’t say things like ‘all-in-all the event was a great success’ to summarize a story.
News Limited Partnership, a group of weekly newspapers primarily located around the eastern and northern sides of Madison, with headquarters in Sun Prairie. The Daily Union is owned by W.D. Hoard and Sons in Fort Atkinson, but both companies share many of the same owners from the same family.
MILTON
MIDDLETON
Denise Derry has been named the new advertising sales representative for The Milton Courier. Derry takes the place of Paul McMurray, who is on family medical leave to assist his wife in regaining her health. McMurray plans to return to the Courier in a part-time sales capacity for special projects.
Karin Henning has joined the Middleton Times-Tribune as a media sales consultant. She brings more than 25 years of sales experience and a strong commitment to the Middleton area.
Derry comes to the Courier from the Daily Jefferson County Union in Fort Atkinson and the Good Morning Advertiser in Whitewater. She was a sales and marketing representative for the Daily Union in the Fort Atkinson and Whitewater markets for more than 14 years. In addition to her role at the Courier, Derry will continue to be the sales representative for the Good Morning Advertiser. Both papers are owned by Hometown News Limited Partnership and managed by the Daily Union.
MILTON Robb Grindstaff has been named general manager of the Milton Courier. Grindstaff, the business manager of the Daily Jefferson County Union in Fort Atkinson and will be keeping an eye on the dollars-and-cents side of the Courier, along with the Good Morning Advertiser in Whitewater. The Milton Courier and Good Morning Advertiser are owned by Hometown
Henning assists advertisers in branding and promoting their products and services through the the variety of media options offered by News Publishing Co. She has been an active member of the Middleton Chamber of Commerce for 11 years, serving as an ambassador for the last eight years. She is also a member of Dane Buy Local, and one of the founding members of the charitable group 100+ Women Who Care, Dane County.
WATERTOWN David Radcliffe has joined the staff of the Watertown Daily Times and is concentrating his work in the area of sports coverage. Radcliffe will be regularly seen at local sports events and his byline will be a regular part of the sports pages. He is working closely with Kevin Wilson, Daily Times sports editor, incompiling the local sports stories and photos readers enjoy. Radcliffe, a native of Sussex, is a May 2012 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh where he majored in journalism with an emphasis on writing and editing.
COTTAGE GROVE/ MONONA Erin Vander Weele has been named assistant editor of the HeraldIndependent. Vander Weele will cover community events and news in the Cottage Grove and Monona communities.
Irish American Post. In addition to his duties at The Chronotype, Urban teaches a journalism course at UWBarron County.
BLACK RIVER FALLS The Banner Journal welcomes Ryan Spoehr to its staff. Spoehr hails from Lake Mills in southern Wisconsin. He wrote for Madison College’s Clarion student newspaper and was also among the first group to participate in the WNA Foundation internship program, working for newspapers within Hometown News Group.
POYNETTE The Poynette Press office will move into a combined office with the Lodi Enterprise at 105 S. Main St., Suite H in Lodi, effective April 1.
A Sheboygan native, Vander Weele earned her degree in journalism from UW-Milwaukee.
Although the papers will share space, the Poynette Press will remain its own unique and separate newspaper. Poynette editor Rachelle Blair can be reached at rblair@hngnews.com, (608) 729-3366, or from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of the month at the Poynette Public Library, 118 N. Main St., Poynette.
Kenneth H. “Ken” Behrend, 75, Allouez, passed away Jan. 25, 2014. Behrend had been a news reporter and photographer for the Marinette Eagle Star and later, the Green Bay Press Gazette, until his retirement.
RICE LAKE
MENOMONIE
Ryan Urban has rejoined the news staff of The Chronotype. Urban will take over the duties of city editor, replacing Gene Prigge, who is retiring.
After nearly a year on the market, the Main Street home of The Dunn County News has been sold to a local church.
FLORENCE/CRANDON
Urban started his career at The Chronotype in October 2010 as a reporter. He worked two years before becoming news editor at The Chetek Alert, where he has been for 1 1/2 years.
The offices have moved to a suite on Schneider Avenue, on Menomonie’s east side, in Stout Technology Park.
ALLOUEZ
Editor/Publisher Hank Murphy recently announced that The Florence Mining News and The ForestRepublican in Crandon has changed its publication date from Wednesday to Thursday. The change will help in providing more timely coverage of news and events that occur on Tuesday evenings.
Urban, 25, graduated from the UWStevens Point in 2010. He worked at the college’s student newspaper, The Pointer, and completed internships at the Portage County Gazette and
WFOIC offers open government resources The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council has updated two resources:
Among the WNA Foundation 2013 Internship Program participants recognized at the 2014 WNA/AP Convention and Trade Show, from left: Andrew Hanlon, Clintonville Chronicle intern; Clintonville Chronicle Publisher Tricia Rose; Courier Sentinel (Cadott) Publisher Carol O’Leary and intern Nate Beck; Dodge County Pionier Publisher Andrew Johnson (intern Haley Walters is not pictured).
Applications for summer of 2014 interns being sought through April 7 The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation’s Summer Internship Program supports students and WNA-member newspapers alike. The program offers financial support to newspapers seeking to hire an intern and also assists in placing top-notch journalism students with some of the state’s most progressive news businesses. Deadline for applications is April 7, 2014.
Apply online >> Click here to read about the 2013 interns >>
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How to Use the Open Records Law >>
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Open Government Problem Areas >>
Be sure to download copies of these updated guides for your newsroom. The council also distributes a monthly column, “Your Right to Know” for publication in WNA-member newspapers. Visit http://www.wisfoic.org/ for more information. The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council is a non-profit group dedicated to open government and is comprised of five members representing the public plus representatives from each of the following: • • • • •
Wisconsin Newspaper Association Wisconsin Broadcasters Association/Broadcast News Council Wisconsin Associated Press Society of Professional Journalists--Sigma Delta Chi Wisconsin News Photographers Association
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Member Exchange/About For sale
Help Wanted Advertising Sales Manager - The Chippewa Valley Newspaper Group, which includes the Chippewa Herald, Dunn County News and several weekly shopper publications, is looking for a dynamic, creative and energetic sales manager to provide leadership in the advertising sales division. Responsibilities: · Provide direction and motivation through planning, training and development of the sales staff to achieve departmental and company goals. · Assist Regional Advertising Director in the development of strategic plans, including online revenue, retail and classified revenue. · Develop skills and abilities of sales staff through leadership and training to ensure maximum professionalism and effectiveness. · Develop aggressive print and online strategies, sales promotions and incentive programs to meet sales goals, competition and changing market conditions. · Make sales calls on a regular basis with each member of the sales staff. · Facilitate and help coordinate sales efforts with the rest of the Regional Sales offices Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree preferred, or related work experience Previous sales management experience preferred Deep knowledge of online advertising programs such as SEM, SEO, social media, behavioral targeting, email marketing Team player Strong work ethic and ability to perform under pressure Ability to communicate with clients
and staff through exceptional verbal and written skills Proficiency with MS Office Suite Ability to multi-task and prioritize projects Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail Valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and vehicle in good operating condition The Chippewa Valley Newspaper Group offers a great benefit package to its full-time employees, which includes medical, dental and vision plans, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, and long-term disability. For consideration, please complete our online application at Chippewa. com. Equal Opportunity Employer. (13-17) Business Manager - Our business manager is retiring after many years with EagleHerald and we are seeking another organized and energetic individual to lead our newspaper’s business team in Marinette, WI. Primary duties include managing our local accounting and human resources functions and working with local and corporate staff as a liaison. We need a hands-on manager who will keep our business operation running smoothly while also managing their own heavy workload and playing a key role in the overall management of the company. Qualified candidates should have a significant financial background, human resources and payroll background, strong Excel skills, ability to learn industry-specific databases and software systems, supervisor y experience and great communication abilities. A commitment to keeping confidential company and employee information private is a must. This manager will have contact and influence with all EagleHerald employees, vendors and business and consumer customers so customer service, negotiating and problem-solving skills are also required. The EagleHerald
is part of Bliss Communications Inc., a family-owned media company, and offers an expansive benefits package, including health insurance, 401K program, paid vacation, dental insurance, and a competitive salary. To apply, please send resume and salary requirements by April 11 to: EagleHerald Publishing LLC, Human Resources, P.O. Box 77, Marinette, WI 54143-0077. Email: humanresources@ blissnet.net. (13-16) Reporter/Photographer - We are now accepting resumes for someone who has writing skills to join our weekly newspaper team! This flexible full-time position requires the ability to write news and feature stories on assignment from the Group Editor. Photography skills preferred but will train. Having a B.A. in communications training, or previous communication experience, also preferred. Familiarity with Mac computers is necessary. Valid driver’s license needed. For consideration, apply online at www. wcinet.com/careers (12-16) Reporters - Freedom Publishing, Inc., an award-winning newspaper publisher, is accepting resumes for Freelance Reporters and a Part-time Reporter for sports, features, school news and general news. Experience in newspaper style and accuracy is a must. Also seeking resumes for a Part-time Graphic Designer/Page Designer with skills in Photoshop and Quark. These positions could expand into full-time work. Applicants will be considered for two small community newspapers in the Green Bay and Freedom, Wis. area. Please send letter of interest, resume and any pay requirements to thefreedompursuit@ yahoo.com. (12-16) Sports/News Reporter - The Tribune Phonograph, an award winning family owned weekly newspaper in central Wisconsin, is looking for a reporter to cover local high school sports, community events, city council, and school board meetings. Duties also include page design, photography, feature and editorial writing. Web and
FREE FOR WNA MEMBERS: There is no charge for members of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association to place ads in the Free Member Exchange. WNA’s Free Member Exchange features “Help Wanted,” “Give Away” and “For Sale” ads submitted by WNA member newspapers. The Free Member Exchange is updated frequently and available online on the Employment page in the Industry Resources section of the WNA website and also distributed through a weekly email, sent to more than 800 subscribers with an interest in the Wisconsin newspaper industry. Members may submit ads via email to: Mary.Callen@WNAnews.com. Member-submitted ads will appear on this page for four weeks and are included when Bulletins are distributed. WNA members may also list help wanted and internship ads in the Iowa Newspaper Association Bulletin at no cost. Send your ad to jhulbert@inanews.com Ads from non-members are 25¢ per word with a $50 minimum per month of publication.
Get WNA’s Free Member Exchange delivered to your inbox: Subscribe to the Free Member Exchange email list >>
social media skills a plus. A bachelor’s degree in journalism or related fi eld is required. Must have a valid driver’s license, good driving record and vehicles with proof of insurance. Benefit package included. Send cover letter, resume, and writing samples to: Kris O’Leary, TP Printing, P.O. Box 677, Abbotsford, WI 54405. Email: krisoleary@ centralwinews.com (12-16) Reporter - If you are an experienced and curious reporter with a skeptical eye, we’d like to talk with you. The Daily Reporter, published daily Monday through Friday, offers statewide construction, business and legislative coverage and is based in Milwaukee, Wis. We’re looking for a reporter who can find stories on his or her own and thrive under a daily deadline crunch. If your idea of an adequate story is a re-written press release, this is not for you. Qualified candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field, at least two years of daily newspaper experience, strong writing skills and knowledge of AP style. The Daily Reporter offers a 401(k) along with insurance and vacation benefits. If you are interested in joining our fun and creative newsroom, please send a cover letter, resume, salary requirements and at least 3 news clips to Editor Chris Thompson: chris.thompson@dailyreporter.com (11-15) Computer and Network Support Technician - Bliss Communications’ corporate office is seeking a professional with good communication skills who will analyze, troubleshoot, repair and maintain computer systems and peripheral equipment. Requirements and experience include: · All support routines to maintain backups, control virus threats and maintain server and databases · Network cabling, testing, and configuration · Installing hardware and software on Microsoft, Apple, and other platforms and installing and operating applications from Microsoft, including
Windows and MS Office Familiarity with software from Apple and Adobe and telecommunications systems such as VOIP, MPLS, and WANS are desirable. Candidate must have the ability to travel to multiple sites, work non-standard hours when required and physically handle the movement and installation of normal PC equipment and peripherals. Full-time position offers insurance, 401k and paid leave benefits. If interested, please send resume and salary requirements to humanresources@blissnet.net. (10-14) 2014 WNAF Newspaper Internships — The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation is seeking journalism majors to participate in paid internships during the summer of 2014. Internships will be awarded to journalism majors or candidates interested in reporting, editing, advertising, marketing, photography or other newspaper-related careers who are enrolled in accredited colleges and universities. While all divisions of newspaper careers are welcome, heaviest consideration will be given to newspaper journalism majors (including advertising and others) who show professional promise. Each intern will earn approximately $3,200 for an eight-week program (based on a 40-hour week at $10 per hour - final schedules may be worked out with host newspapers). Apply online no later than April 7, 2014 >> Publisher - Want to be your own boss? Due to health issues, a northcentral Wisconsin paid weekly newspaper and shopper is looking for a buyer and/or owner-operator to take the reins. Perfect for an experienced all-around newspaper person who is familiar with all facets of publishing. Earn an equity position while living and working in the beautiful Northwoods. Interested? Reply to Mary. Callen@WNAnews.com
ABOUT The Bulletin is a published by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. Subscribe/unsubscribe to The Bulletin The Bulletin Archives Submit news and editorial Send feedback Join the WNA group on LinkedIn Like WNA on Facebook Follow WNA on Twitter INTERESTED IN RECEIVING MORE FROM WNA?
Click below to sign up for: • WNA’s Government Update, distributed monthly. • Press Notes, a daily e-mail of industry news compiled by the Society of Professional Journalists and re-distributed by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association as a service to WNA members. • Free Member Exchange, job listings and items for sale. Not getting The Bulletin by email? Send your request, including your name, business name, title and email address to Mary.Callen@ WNAnews.com.
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WNA BULLETIN | MARCH 2014
Member Exchange/About For sale
Wanted to buy
For Sale
Wanted - an 11X17 laser monochrome printer, such as an Epson, HP, or Xante. Must be able to produce a 75-85 lpi dot for reproduction purposes. Contact Edward Mikkelson at 608-931-9484. Wanted - The Iron County Miner in Hurley, Wis. would like to purchase a 35mm SLIDE SCANNER: High-capacity, high-resolution. Common models include: Nikon CoolScan 4000, 5000 or others (with autofeeder); Pacific Scan PowerSlide 5000, 3600 or other model; or Braun Multimag Slidescan. Features include: Automatic slide feeder (if it accepts a Kodak Carousel, that’s even better); Automatic dust removal (known as Digital-ICE or Magic Touch); and a USB or Firework connection. Email details to Michael Moore at stuporglue@gmail.com Wanted to buy: Used string tie machine in good working condition. Prefer B.H. Bunn co model or brand compatible with Poly/ Cotton Twine #12. Please fax information and pricing to (906)932-5358 or call (906)932-2211 ext. 113 leave message. WANTED: License for Quark 8.0. Contact Greg Mode, systems director, Daily Jefferson County Union, at (920) 563-5553 ext. 132, or gmode@hoards.com.
Give Away To Give Away - To anyone still in the printing business, a big box of staples for Bostich stapler heads Nos. C6250A, C6200B and E6200B. Sizes 25 1/2, 25 3/8 and 25 1/4. My Bostich stapler is now in the local museum and no longer needs the refills. Contact Frank Eames at 262-723-6144. You can pick up at the old Elkhorn Independent building if you’re close by or pay only the shipping cost if further away.
For Sale - 6 unit Goss Community press, with SC folder and two high, very clean and in good operating condition as well as ECRM Mako 4 CTP system and plates. If Interested please call Tim Garant or Robb Grindstaff at the Daily Jefferson County Union, (920) 563 5553. Nikon D700, camera only, one owner, $1,400. Serious inquiries only. Contact Michael McLoone for more information, mtmcloone@gmail. com.
Seeking work JOURNALISTS SEEKING JOBS POSTED FEBRUARY, 2014 Arnie Tucker - Editorial POSTED DECEMBER 2013 Amanda Graham — Reporter POSTED NOVEMBER, 2013 Steve Wilson - Reporter
The Daily Globe of Ironwood Michigan has for sale: AB Dick 9850 Offset Press. Twocolor, Chain Delivery, Swing-away T-51 Head. Good condition. $3,000.00. You haul. (906) 932-2211 ext. 115.
Publishing for sale PUBLISHER - WANT TO BE YOUR OWN BOSS? Due to health issues, a northcentral Wisconsin paid weekly newspaper and shopper is looking for a buyer and/or owner-operator to take the reins. Perfect for an experienced all-around newspaper person who is familiar with all facets of publishing. Earn an equity position while living and working in the beautiful Northwoods. Interested? Reply to Mary.Callen@ WNAnews.com (44-52)
POSTED SEPTEMBER, 2013 Dale Bowers - Photographer Cecil Foster - Circulation Specialist POSTED AUGUST, 2013 Greg Ylvisaker - Editor/Journalist POSTED JULY, 2013 Mario Koran - Journalist POSTED MAY, 2013 Bridget Cooke - Journalist
FREE FOR WNA MEMBERS: There is no charge for members of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association to place ads in the Free Member Exchange.
Submit your ads WNA’s Free Member Exchange features “Help Wanted,” “Give Away” and “For Sale” ads submitted by WNA member newspapers. The Free Member Exchange is updated frequently and available online on the Employment page in the Industry Resources section of the WNA website and also distributed through a weekly email, sent to more than 800 subscribers with an interest in the Wisconsin newspaper industry. Members may submit ads via email to: Mary.Callen@WNAnews.com. Member-submitted ads will appear on this page for four weeks and are included when Bulletins are distributed. WNA members may also list help wanted and internship ads in the Iowa Newspaper Association Bulletin at no cost. Send your ad to jhulbert@inanews.com Ads from non-members are 25¢ per word with a $50 minimum per month of publication. Get WNA’s Free Member Exchange delivered to your inbox:
Subscribe to the Free Member Exchange email list >>
Submit your resume If you are seeking work in the Wisconsin newspaper industry and would like to have your resume included, please: E-mail your name, the type of position you’re seeking (i.e., editorial, advertising, business, etc.), and your resume in PDF (preferred) or MS Word. Include “Resume” in the subject line of your e-mail. Your resume will remain online for up to three months, unless you request removal sooner. The Wisconsin Newspaper Association reserves the right to decline resumes, and is not responsible for inaccurate resume information sent by applicants.
DOWNLOAD A PDF of all three ads >>
Help report, prevent Medicare fraud The Wisconsin Newspaper Association has partnered with Wisconsin Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) to assist its outreach efforts to detect Medicare fraud in the state. WNA is distributing public service advertisements, requesting members place the ads as space is available. Your response has been super! A BIG THANK YOU to our member newspapers for running the ads. If you haven’t run these ads, we’d like to respectfully request that you consider using them as space allows. Please consider running one of the following 2x2 or 2x4 ads in your
paper, as a public service and contribution to your newspaper association, as space permits. Your newspapers have also received news releases from Wisconsin SMP through WNA’s release service (Wisconsin News Tracker) and will receive more releases in the future. Thank you to the newspaper editors who have chosen to run the releases. Please consider printing and posting future SMP releases to inform your readers about the programming available to seniors and caregivers. Wisconsin has 918,344 Medicare beneficiaries among the approximately 47,672,971 in the nation.
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WNA BULLETIN | MARCH 2014
Member Exchange/About We’re here for you! The Wisconsin Newspaper Association exists to strengthen the newspaper industry, enhance public understanding of the role of newspapers, and protect basic freedoms of press, speech and the free flow of information. First Vice President: Carol O’Leary, Publisher, The Tribune-Phonograph, Abbotsford
The Wisconsin Newspaper Association (WNA) was established in 1853 and is among the oldest press associations in the world. Over the years, the association has established a number of services for its members, advertisers and the general public. Created by and for Wisconsin’s newspapers, WNA exists to strengthen the newspaper industry, enhance public understanding of the role of newspapers, and protect basic freedoms of press, speech and the free flow of information. WNA is the single point-of-contact for working with newspapers in Wisconsin. In addition to serving 223 member newspapers (31 dailies and 192 weeklies), WNA serves advertisers through advertising placement programs (Customized Newspaper
Second Vice President: Chris Hardie, Executive Editor, La Crosse Tribune
Advertising) and additional clients through WisconsinNewsTracker.com (news tracking and release services). Supporting WNA goals is the WNA Foundation, a not-for-profit organization created in 1980 to improve the quality and future of Wisconsin’s newspapers and the communities they serve. The foundation solicits, manages and disburses funds and other resources for the benefit of Wisconsin’s newspaper industry and, ultimately, the citizens of our state.
Third Vice President: Bill Johnston, Publisher, Wisconsin State Journal, Madison
Contact >>
Visit us at: 1901 Fish Hatchery Road, Madison, WI Phone: (608) 283-7620 or (800) 261-4242 Fax: (608) 283-7631 Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Secretary: Brian Thomsen, Publisher, Valders Journal Treasurer: Genia Lovett, Publisher, The Post-Crescent, Appleton
WNA Board of Directors
Past President: Steve Dzubay, Group Publisher, RiverTown Multimedia, River Falls
President: Kent Eymann, Publisher, Beloit Daily News
Mike Beck, Publisher, Wausau Daily Herald
Sidney “Skip” Bliss, Publisher, The Gazette, Janesville John Ingebritsen, Regional Publisher, Morris Newspapers, Lancaster Jennifer Peterson, Media Counsel and Deputy General Counsel, Journal Communications, Inc. Phil Paige, Group Publisher, Conley Media, Waukesha Ann Richmond, Publisher, The Daily Reporter, Milwaukee Paul Seeling, Publisher, Woodville Leader Gregg Walker, Publisher, The Lakeland Times, Minocqua
WNA Executive Director Reach Beth by email at Beth.Bennett@WNAnews.com Direct line: (608) 283-7621 Director of WNA/WNA Services/WNA Foundation operations and policies; legislative advocate
BETH BENNETT
Does your paper comply with public notice laws? The Wisconsin Newspaper Association has been taking steps to ensure all newspapers are in compliance with Wisconsin law, which now requires that every public notice published in a newspaper appear on the searchable statewide website - WisconsinPublicNotices.org. The site is maintained by WNA and uploading of all public notice content will help to preserve the industry’s communications leadership and revenue streams. To ensure compliance with the law, WNA changed its bylaws pertaining to newspaper membership to reflect the reality of digital record keeping. The change was approved by the WNA membership at its 2013 annual meeting, held in February.
WNA Staff
BONNIE FECHTNER
DENISE GUTTERY
WNA Foundation Director Bonnie.Fechtner@WNAnews.com Direct line: (608) 283-7622
Media Services Director Denise.Guttery@WNAnews.com Direct line: (608) 772-2479
Communications Director Mary.Callen@WNAnews.com Direct line: (608) 283-7623
WNAF contests, scholarships, internships; Trees Retreat; WNA Member services;
News Tracker – monitoring services and press releases; WNA newspaper archive; WisconsinPublicNotices.org; WisconsinNewsTracker.com
WNA newsletters; Wisconsin Newspaper Directory; promotions and communications;WNAnews.com; collegiate and high school journalism outreach
RUZICA DZANIC
DIANNE CAMPBELL
Communications Specialist Search Technician MaryKate.Elbow@WNAnews.com Direct line: (608) 283-7620
Wisconsin News Tracker Search Technician Ruzica.Dzanic@WNAnews.com Direct line: (608) 283-7626
Wisconsin News Tracker Team Leader Dianne.Campbell@WNAnews.com Direct line: (608) 283-7625
WNA member information; search technician; Wisconsin Openness Report; Member Exchange
News Tracker search technician
News Tracker account manager; search technician supervisor
As a condition of membership, all WNA members are now required to send their publications to WNA electronically. All PDF pages of your publication must be uploaded to the association via FTP (file transfer protocol). These PDF files are used by WNA for tear sheets, archiving and also to meet legal requirements for the Wisconsin Public Notice website. When you send your pages electronically to the WNA, you will also gain access to a free, searchable electronic archive for your newspaper. Each newspaper has been assigned a specific code and login information to upload pages and access the paper’s archive. To get your newspaper’s coding and login information, please contact WNA Media Services Director Denise Guttery at Denise.Guttery@WNAnews.com.
WNA members: Please promote WisconsinPublicNotices.org in your print and digital products. Download ads here >>
MARY KATE ELBOW
MARY CALLEN
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WNA BULLETIN | MARCH 2014
Industry columnists JOHN FOUST
ED HENNINGER
Ad-libs
Design for Readers
John Foust has trained thousands of newspaper advertising professionals. Many ad departments are using his training videos to save time and get quick results from in-house training.
Ed Henninger is an independent newspaper consultant and Director of Henninger Consulting. He offers comprehensive newspaper design services including redesigns, workshops, design training and design evaluations.
For information, contact: John Foust, PO Box 97606, Raleigh, NC 27624. E-mail: john@johnfoust.com Phone: 919-848-2401.
Strange things I’ve heard around ad departments In my years around newspapers, here are a few statements that made me say, “Huh?” 1. “Let’s run the ad one time to see what happens.” People who run an ad one time would get just as much for their investment by throwing it down a storm drain. This advertiser didn’t realize – perhaps because no one had told her – the power of reach and frequency. How many people do you reach? And how often do you reach them? 2. “It’s recyclable.” A sales person said this in response to the question, “What is the number one reason to advertise in your paper?” It didn’t occur to him to talk about how advertising is good for business. 3. “You should support your local paper.” The same sales person offered this as the second reason to advertise. He didn’t realize that most businesses are looking for ways to sell product, not support the local media. 4. “The only reason to cultivate relationships with people is to get money out of them.” This was said by a sales manager in a staff meeting. While it revealed a shallow and manipulative approach to customer relations, it was worsened by the fact that several people on his staff were in their first job. What a lousy introduction to the sales profession. 5. “White space is a waste of money.” An advertiser said this, while reviewing the proof of an ad which featured some white space between illustrations. She insisted on adding more pictures, which resulted in an uninviting glob of clutter on the page. 6. “My office building is brown. So print my logo in brown ink.” This advertiser was hung up on color, even though he had not built his brand on color (like Coca-Cola’s red or McDonald’s golden arches). When an advertiser has the freedom to pick any color, it’s best to base the decision on what will look good on the page. Read the rest of this column on the WNA website >>
Visit www.henningerconsulting.com or ed@henningerconsulting.com
Are you giving… or giving in? I’ve been a consultant for almost a quarter century. Before that, I worked at newspapers for almost another quarter century. I’ve heard “I’m only giving the customer what he wants” more than just a few times during those years. And every time I hear it, I cringe— because I’m convinced that the person who says it is not doing what he/ she says. In fact, I believe the person who says “I’m only giving the customer what he wants” is doing just the opposite.
JIM PUMARLO
Community Newsroom Success Strategies
A lesson in reporting tragedy
Upton Sinclair wrote, “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.”
A student commits suicide and, understandably, it’s a shock to many people. A story documents the community’s response; the family relives the episode, blow by blow. A child is murdered. Within days, an interview with the grieving parent is published.
Tragedies are some of the most readable stories but also the most difficult to write. It’s probably the toughest assignment for any reporter – rookie or veteran.
OK, I’m exaggerating…but you get the point. Some advertisers are stubborn. They claim to know what they want and they won’t advertise with us unless they get it.
It’s difficult to predict how the people will respond – when approached for the story, during the interview and after it’s published for all to read. Anger, bitterness, remorse, guilt – people may react with any of these emotions.
We create traffic for that advertiser by using our skills and experience to give him an ad that does the job—not one that satisfies his need to be “creative.” It’s our job to write and design an ad that will generate traffic for the advertiser. To do that, we sometimes have to convince the customer that what he thinks he wants isn’t what he really wants. Read the rest of this column on the WNA website >>
Jim Stasiowski, the writing coach for The Dolan Co., welcomes your questions or comments.
You’re not going to like it
They want a one-column by twoinch ad. And they want it to contain at least 3,000 words. With 12 illustrations. And four colors. And a 12-point border. Reversed.
What your advertiser really wants is traffic. He wants you to help get buyers to his store or to his phone or to his web site.
Kevin Slimp is a speaker and trainer in the newspaper industry.
He can be contacted at www.pumarlo.com.
Yes, there are customers out there who will tell us precisely what they want the ad to say—or precisely how they want it to look. And they can be very difficult to work with.
We’re not. We’re giving the customer what he thinks he wants.
Writing Matters
Visit www.kevinslimp.com or e-mail kevin@kevinslimp.com.
A family’s farm is devastated by a tornado. A reporter is on the scene moments afterward to record the events, including talking with family members.
A reporter from another newspaper, who was involved in such an incident, wrote about a letter to the editor his newspaper received describing the reaction of the family of a man killed in a car-truck collision. It was written by a member of the man’s family. “To be honest,” the family member wrote, “our first reaction was anger and dismay that a reporter would violate our family’s privacy during a time of grief. The reporter, however, handled the contact with tact and concern that was not upsetting to our mother. “The result was an article that provided your readers with some small comprehension of this man who died in the crash. For many readers who wondered why they were late to work, your paper let them know it was because a decent, hardworking man lost his life that day, and this man had a family that is now grieving its loss.” Read the rest of the column on the WNA website >>
JIM STASIOWSKI
Newspaper Technology
Jim Pumarlo writes, speaks and provides training on Community Newsroom Success Strategies. He is author of “Votes and Quote
All three stories were handled during my tenure as editor of the Red Wing Republican Eagle. All three dealt with tragedies and involved interviews with family, friends or others close to the situation. All three probably put people in an unfamiliar – and uncomfortable – spotlight.
So, we run an ad like the one in accompanying this column. It’s just awful—and we know it. But we believe we are “…only giving the customer what he wants.”
KEVIN SLIMP
Call him at 775- 354-2872, or write to 2499 Ivory Ann Drive, Sparks, Nev. 89436. He has coached reporters at newspapers and magazines in dozens of states.
‘Algorithm’ on the move
I don’t remember putting off writing a column as long as this one. I’ve talked to industry experts, polled editors and publishers, and spent the past four days thinking about what I would write. I even thought about skipping the topic altogether.
My prediction: The next hot word among journalists will be “algorithm.”
Why the delay? Because some people aren’t going to like what I have to say. If you have a vested financial interest in getting your newspaper brethren to believe that print is as good as dead, stop reading right now. You’re not going to like it. And I might even talk about you.
Bernstein, the onetime dictator of style in THE NEW YORK TIMES, was thinking ahead when pointed out, in his excellent (but dictatorial) book “The Careful Writer,” that writers become addicted to what he called “fad words.”
There was a time when I was one of the few national figures speaking and writing about the role of “converging media” in journalism. Folks like Jack Lail, Rob Curley and I were spreading the word about the world beyond print. I remember walking into a room, set up for maybe 200 folks, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. in the early 2000s and watching the room fill to the brim. Publishers, editors and other journalists were sitting on the floor, standing against the outside walls and squeezing in wherever they could to hear me speak on the relatively new topic, “Converging Media and Newspapers.” I knew it was an interesting topic, but I was surprised by the crowd. Surprised, that is, until a publisher sitting in the front row asked me a question just before I stepped up to the microphone. “Are you going to tell us the same thing the luncheon speaker told us?” he asked. “I don’t know,” was my response. “What did the luncheon speaker tell you?” “He told us we’re all going to be out of business within five years if we don’t drop print and move everything online.” I assured him that my presentation would be entirely different. My purpose was to show these industry leaders how to utilize digital tools to enhance their products, not replace them. Read the rest of the column on the WNA website >>
Actually, it’s Theodore M. Bernstein’s prediction, even though he died in 1979.
His explanation: Journalists’ word choices are “symptomatic of a present-day desire for supercharged writing, in which writers pounce upon any piece of jargon they can find in specialized fields and convert it into a fad word.” As for “algorithm,” it has great relevance in two “specialized fields”: In mathematics, it is “a systematic method of solving a certain kind of problem”; in computers, it is “a predetermined set of instructions for solving a specific problem in a limited number of steps.” Nowadays, it’s not unusual to see “algorithm” as a synonym for “formula,” “technique,” “method,” “function,” “calculation,” “process,” “system,” “mechanism,” “program,” “tactic,” etc. Soon we’ll read about “algorithms” for ordering pizza and clipping fingernails. “Algorithm” will join a ragged roster of words unworthy of their ubiquity. We adopt them, then overuse them, because: (1) As Bernstein noted, they come from specialized fields; (2) they sound distant, and thus make the writers who use them appear intellectual; (3) readers probably aren’t confident enough to challenge the specious usages. Here is an incomplete listing of current fad words: Initiative: When we write, “She took the initiative while everyone else was dawdling,” it’s an excellent noun meaning “responsibility for beginning or originating.” Read the rest of the column on the WNA website >>
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WNA BULLETIN | MARCH 2014
Education & Training SPJ Training: Minority Communities: Develop Sources, Uncover Stories WNA Foundation is proud to be among the sponsors of the following training program and will offer free registrations to the first two members to claim them. Take a look at the following agenda. Want to attend? Reply to Mary.Callen@WNAnews.com to reserve your spot — available to the first two WNA members to respond. MADISON -- In a recent essay discussing the portrayal of Asians in mainstream media outlets, Tom Huang, Sunday and enterprise editor for the Dallas Morning News, suggests that “what’s missing in our coverage are the everyday acts and opinions, quirks and foibles, that make Asians individuals, that make them human.” He might very well have been talking about African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and members of other racial minority groups. Too often, stories involving racial minorities fit stereotypes rather than reflect the richness of ordinary life. To help journalists in Madison and across Wisconsin better incorporate the voices of racial minorities in their stories and newscasts, the Madison chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists invites you to a unique, day-long training session. “Developing Sources and Uncovering Stories in Minority Communities” will take place Friday, April 11, in Room 226 of the UW-Madison Pyle Center, 702 Langdon Street, Madison. It will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m., with registration starting at 9:30 a.m. It is free for SPJ members and high school and college students; there is a charge of $30 for non-members. A catered lunch and snacks are included.
Capital Times discuss the newspaper’s approach to covering race in Madison and commitment to providing a forum for the discussion of race relations. 3:15-3:30 pm: Wrap up and evaluation To register, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spj-madison-minority-communities-training-tickets-10903614003a. College and high school journalists should contact Mark Pitsch, Madison SPJ president, for complimentary registration; 608-252-6145, mpitsch@ madison.com. Journalists can also join the Madison chapter of SPJ for $75 annually and attend the Minority Communities training and future training opportunities for free. Go to www.spj.org to become a member. On-site training registration may be available depending upon the number of advance registrations. Room capacity will limit the number of registrations. The Pyle Center has wireless access, but attendees may want to consider bringing a wireless air card or hot spot. Parking is available at the Lake Street Ramp, 415 N. Lake St. Direct questions to Mark Pitsch at 608-252-6145 or mpitsch@ madison.com.
Learn at your convenience Online Media Campus provides high-quality, lowcost online training to media professionals. More than 20 programs are offered annually on writing and editorial topics, print and online advertising sales, technology, social networking, management
Generous sponsorship is offered by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, WISC-TVChannel 3, the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism and the Wisconsin State Journal.
issues and much more. Each program runs approximately 60 minutes
The training session schedule is as follows:
and is designed to be interactive. A post-webinar
9:30-10:00: Registration
follow-up by presenters is included to ensure that
10-10:10: Welcome
all questions are answered. Registration is typically
10:10 am-11:15 am: How diverse are your sources? UW-Madison Prof. Hemant Shah discusses his research on race and the media and walks journalists through how to conduct a sourcing audit. The audit will provide journalists with a baseline for one month of the racial makeup of their sources.
$35.
11:15 am-12:15 pm: Lessons from the minority media. Ray Allen, owner, Madison Times; Derrell Connor, host, Outreach, WIBA, Madison; and Luis Montoto, owner, LaMovida Radio; Deana Wright, host, reporter and acting producer, Madison Magazine TV, discuss their work and what the mainstream media can learn from it.
Iowa Newspaper Foundation and the Wisconsin
Online Media Campus is a partnership of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association, the
Newspaper Association Foundation — in addition to press associations throughout the United States and Canada.
12:15-1:00 pm: Lunch and Networking
Online certificate programs are offered as more
1:00 pm-2:15 pm: Enriching words and images: Sources and stories.
in-depth trainings which go beyond the typical onetime webinar. Each program is individually designed
Brenda Gonzalez, community marketing equity manager, Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, board of directors, Urban League of Greater Madison; Nichelle Nichols, chief academic officer, Boys and Girls Club of Dane County; Anne Thundercloud, owner, Thundercloud Communications, former spokeswoman, Ho-Chunk Nation; and Peng Her, vice president of promise zone and partnerships, Urban League of Greater Madison, share strategies to incorporate minority voices in every day work and find stories in minority communities
to fit the subject matter and training requirements.
Find out more http://www.onlinemediacampus.com
2:15 pm-3:15 pm: Case study: The Capital Times Katie Dean, city editor, and Jason Joyce, news editor, of The
Be sure to take advantage of special rates from WNA’s partners The Wisconsin Newspaper Association is pleased to offer a variety of quality educational programs at reduced rates by partnering with regional and national media associations. To help de-clutter your inbox, WNA is now sending a weekly summary of upcoming top-notch training opportunities. Be sure to indicate you are a WNA member when registering and take advantage of reduced rates on these offerings!
Visit http://bit.ly/18r2ywy to sign up for the Tuesday TuneUps messages (click General Interest messages) and also for WNA’s Government Update, Wisconsin Openness Report and/ or Press Notes newsletters.