by Kevin Slimp, The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
stateofnewspapers.com
Young Kansas publisher quickly learns secrets of success
When Tommy Thomason invited me to spend a couple of days at the Texas Center for Community Journalism a few months ago, I was …
by Ed Henninger
Independent Newspaper Consultant
Good news design is the practice of understanding how readers read — then using that understanding to make your newspaper easier, faster and more comfortable for readers to follow.
Part of that calls for …
Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, (INI) will launch its newest monthly publication — the Litchfield Independent — delivered in mailboxes to residents and businesses in the City of Litchfield Park, with its first distribution February 2.
INI also publishes the Daily …
Courtesy: DAILY SUN STAFF
Lee Enterprises, Incorporated, a trusted local news provider and leading platform for advertising in 49 markets, has named Colleen Brady publisher of the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff. Brady succeeds …
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by John Foust
Newspaper Advertising Trainer – Raleigh, NC
Jodi is a sales manager with an interesting philosophy. “We’re all familiar with win-win,” she said. “It’s a common cliché these days. In business relationships – especially any kind of …
Thomas boasts nearly four decades in the industry
Timothy H. Thomas of Mesa, has joined the Arizona Newspapers Association as its new executive director. He starts Wednesday, …
Government Should Put U.S. Workers First and Not Restrict the Reach of Job Opportunities in Local Communities
Arlington, VA – The News Media Alliance (NMA) today filed comments opposing the Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) and the Department of Homeland Security’s …
by Ed Henninger
Independent Newspaper Consultant
Sometimes a design just goes stale. Over the course of even just a few years, inconsistencies creep in, color use gets out of hand, odd typefaces appear. Stuff happens.
But you can turn that …
by Kevin Slimp, The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
stateofnewspapers.com
As far as you know, I’ve got it all figured out
Some of you will remember Facebook. If you’re over 40, you probably visit Facebook on a regular basis. If you’re like …
The Department of Labor (DOL) issued a notice proposing regulatory revisions to its labor certification program. They want to change the way employers inform United States workers about agriculture and non-agricultural temporary jobs – a requirement they must meet before …
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by John Foust
Newspaper Advertising Trainer – Raleigh, NC
David Ogilvy, one of the legends of the advertising agency business, was known for his extraordinary efficiency. I once read that he would often call a client and set an …
News Media Alliance statement:
We are very pleased to learn of Facebook’s announcement that news organizations will be exempt from policies related to advertising of political figures, political parties, elections, and past referenda that are the subject of national debate …
by Ed Henninger
Independent Newspaper Consultant
Those who have read this column over the years have probably seen this quote before:
“If you fail to plan…you plan to fail.”
I believe that so deeply that it has become embedded in …
Senior Jordan Williams wants to be a political reporter one day.
Her dream job? How about covering Congress or the White House for the Washington Post, where her grandfather spent 30 years working in the circulation department.
“I think journalism …
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by John Foust
Newspaper Advertising Trainer – Raleigh, NC
Back in my ad agency days, I learned a big lesson about what to do – and what not to do – in a sales presentation.
I was sitting in …
by Kevin Slimp, The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
stateofnewspapers.com
What are newspaper folks saying about the state of things?
Over the past two weeks, I’ve traveled from coast to coast speaking at newspaper conferences and meeting with Canadian and American journalists …
by Ed Henninger
Independent Newspaper Consultant
Editor Jerry Bellune and I go w-a-y back. We’ve known each other since the mid-90s, when we worked together to breathe new life into a group of newspapers in New Jersey.
Jerry regularly writes …
Kyle Larson, General Manager of Larson Newspapers (Sedona Red Rock News, Camp Verde Journal, Cottonwood Journal Extra) has agreed to step up into the role of president of Arizona Newspapers Association for the 2018-19 fiscal year. He will …
The Arizona Republic (daily newspaper) and Navajo Times (non-daily newspaper) took home the coveted award for Arizona Newspaper of the Year during the Arizona Newspapers Association’s 2018 Better Newspapers Contest. Newspaper of the Year Awards are calculated from honors won …
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by John Foust
Newspaper Advertising Trainer – Raleigh, NC
Back when I was in the ad agency business, I made a logo presentation that turned into a fiasco. It was an uncomfortable reminder of the importance of a presentation …
Local Media Association and Local Media Consortium Announce Strategic Partnership
Two of the most powerful voices in the local media industry join forces to better support local journalism
The Local Media Association and the Local Media Consortium, two of the …
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2018
Contact: Jim Small
jsmall@azmirror.com
602-471-3431
Arizona Mirror, an independent, nonprofit, online news organization dedicated to connecting public policy with the people it affects, launched today. The Mirror will cover Arizona government, policy and politics …
by Kevin Slimp,
The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
Have we ever experienced a time like this in the news business?
I’ve been noticing a couple of patterns lately, and I wonder if you have been, too.
More for fun than anything, …
PHOENIX – The Arizona Broadcasters Association (ABA) has named Chris Kline as the organization’s next President and CEO.
In the role, Kline will serve as chief advocate for Arizona’s 200+ radio and television station members, driving both growth and innovation …
By Jim Pumarlo
Newspaper Writing Trainer
My hometown newspaper instituted a new policy requiring that readers “pay” for the First Amendment right to express, and explain why, who or what they support or oppose at the voting booth.
The newspaper …
by Ed Henninger
Independent Newspaper Consultant
I’m a friendly guy. Most people who know me genuinely like me…and I like them.
I can be a strong friend. I can stand by you when you need me to. I can help …
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by John Foust
Newspaper Advertising Trainer – Raleigh, NC
On a visit to my eye doctor for a check-up, I noticed a poster on the wall in the examination room. It featured a series of photographs of the same …
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—August 29, 2018
Contact: Tonda Rush, tonda@nna.org.
The Case of the Crippling Newsprint Tariff
What just happened?
Escalating printing costs driven by tariffs on Canadian newsprint caught many newspapers by surprise this year. Comments about a system …
We applaud the International Trade Commission (ITC) for today reaching a final, unanimous negative determination that Canadian imports of uncoated groundwood paper, which includes newsprint used by newspapers, do not cause material harm to the U.S. paper industry.
The Department …
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by John Foust
Newspaper Advertising Trainer – Raleigh, NC
I was talking to Greg, a veteran sales manager “Our sales team knows the importance of asking questions and gathering the right information,” he said. “But the key is to …
by David Cvern
News Media Alliance, CEO, president
Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced its affirmative final determination on countervailing duties (CVD) and antidumping duties (AD) on imports of uncoated groundwood paper from Canada, which includes newsprint used …
Press Release | Times Media Group
The Scottsdale (Ariz.) Progress will resume publication as a Sunday weekly beginning Sept. 16, 2018.
With an intense focus on local news, community issues and hometown features, the new Progress “will fill a void …
by Kevin Slimp,
The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
Community newspapers who do things right, Kevin picks five
Over the past week or so, I received an email from a publisher asking if I could send examples of community newspapers who are …
Though no final decision has been made by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on reversing the import tariffs on Canadian newsprint at the July 17 hearing, Paul Boyle, senior vice president of public policy at News Media Alliance, remains …
Anderson Cooper, the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning primetime anchor at CNN, will be the recipient of the 2018 Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, Arizona State University.
Cooper, the anchor of CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” and a correspondent for …
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by John Foust
Newspaper Advertising Trainer – Raleigh, NC
Colleen is a veteran ad manager who has worked with just about every type of advertiser. “One of the most challenging prospects was a second-generation owner of a building supply …
by Ed Henninger
Independent Newspaper Consultant
All newspapers run special sections. It’s part of our routine. For some, it seems, there’s a special section every other week. For others, not so much.
Most are tied in with community events. Question: …
In light of the tragic shooting in the Capital Gazette newsroom, here are some safety tips gleaned from numerous journalism and advocacy sources.…
USA TODAY NETWORK is hosting a nationwide series of screenings of the “The Wall,” a feature-length documentary, part of the Pulitzer-prize winning multiplatform explanatory report, “The Wall: Untold Stories, Unintended Consequences.” The project, led by the Arizona Republic and USA …
by Kevin Slimp,
The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
Governor says audiences are interested in stories, not clicks
Disclosure: I have neither voted for, nor endorsed, any political candidate mentioned in this column.
Spring has come to an end. I could have …
By Marie Fasano
Rim Country’s Chapter Secretary, Arizona Professional Writers
For the fourth year the Payson Book Festival, a major literary event in Northern Arizona, has had as its main media sponsor the Payson Roundup. When Gary Tackett, General Manager …
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2018
Arlington, VA – Seven media organizations representing over 20,000 media publishers and professionals in over 120 countries around the world have come together to express concern over Facebook’s new advertising policy that labels quality …
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Arlington, VA – Rep. Kristi Noem, (R-SD) and Charlie Crist (D-FL) yesterday (June 7) introduced legislation to suspend tariffs on Canadian imports of uncoated groundwood paper, which includes newsprint used by newspapers, book publishers, printers and direct …
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by John Foust – Newspaper Advertising Trainer
Raleigh, NC
You may have heard about Volkswagen’s initial ad campaign. At a time when big gas guzzlers were the norm on the roads, a European carmaker had the seemingly impossible job …
by Ed Henninger
Independent Newspaper Consultant
In one of my recent weekly Henninger Helpful Hints, I mentioned that it was important to have a consistent position for the jumps from page 1.
“Decide where your jumps will go,” I said, …
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (June 1, 2018) — Members of the Certified Audit of Circulations voted unanimously to support a merger with the Alliance for Audited Media. One hundred percent of the votes cast were in favor of the merger with …
Professor, former National Geographic editor will replace Cuillier
Carol Schwalbe has been appointed the next director of the University of Arizona School of Journalism, becoming the second woman to lead the school since its inception in 1951.
Schwalbe will replace …
Dangerously blurs the lines between real reporting and propaganda
The News Media Alliance today sent a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg strongly opposing its plan to label quality news as political advocacy beginning Tuesday, May 22. View the letter …
Bill Would Suspend Newsprint Tariffs While Government Studies Effects on U.S. Industries
May 14, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Arlington, VA – Today, in an effort to protect printers and publishers from unwarranted tariffs, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King…
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by John Foust – Newspaper Advertising Trainer
Raleigh, NC
Carla has been selling advertising for many years. She has researched and tried a variety of techniques to answer objections. “Just about everybody knows the Feel-Felt-Found formula,” she said. “When …
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2018
News Media Alliance Calls on Duopoly to Stop Filtering Quality News, Take Responsibility for News Content on Its Platforms
CEO Testifies before Congress, Says Platforms Are Not Neutral and Should Be Held Accountable
Arlington, …
by Kevin Slimp,
The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
Industry trends spur publishers to give serious thought about the future of newspapers
So much to write about, so little space. It’s been a whirlwind of a week for me, beginning in Knoxville, …
SPJ’s Code of Ethics states that ethical journalism is truthful, compassionate, independent and transparent. We need ethical journalism — and journalists who work each day with the profession’s highest standards in mind — now more than ever.
The goal of …
by Ed Henninger
Independent Newspaper Consultant
“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done…”
The words are spoken by Sydney Carton in the climactic scene of Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities.”
This…is …
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by John Foust – Newspaper Advertising Trainer
Raleigh, NC
Carl is a marketing manager who has been on the receiving end of hundreds of media presentations. He knows a thing or two about effective sales techniques. “Most of the …
Publishers and other newspaper executives know more than anyone about the impact of newsprint tariffs on your newspaper’s ability to provide news and information to your local community. You are in the best position to explain the impact on your …
The Arizona Newspapers Association led the host committee of journalists that brought APME’s NewsTrain workshop to Phoenix on April 6-7.
Sixty-seven journalists, journalism educators and journalism students attended the 1.5 days of journalism training at Arizona State University’s Cronkite School …
by John Foust – Newspaper Advertising Trainer
Raleigh, NC
Sometimes it’s a good idea to feature a boss in an ad. Sometimes it’s not.
Two ads come to mind. One shows a plumbing company’s president seated at the head of …
by Ed Henninger
Independent Newspaper Consultant
I first heard it years ago…and I’ve remembered ever since: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
Some say it originated with Benjamin Franklin. Others aren’t so sure. Regardless, the quote is …
APME’s NewsTrain is bringing affordable training in digital-journalism skills to downtown Phoenix on April 6-7.
For just $85, get a day and a half of training in social, mobile, data, graphics, writing, open records, digital reporting tools and more.…
INNOVATION IN FOCUS – MARCH
Each month the Reynolds Journalism Institute’s Futures Lab launches a series of video segments as part of “Innovation in Focus” showing journalists how to tell stories using emerging tech. Below are March’s three segments on …
by Kevin Slimp,
The News Guru
kevin@kevinslimp.com
A closer look indicates significant changes in health over past three years
I’ve noticed a definite trend lately. It might be related to the increased number of industry activities I’m involved in these …
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2018
Arlington, Va. – Today, members of the printing, publishing and paper-producing industries, which employ more than 600,000 workers, are announcing the formation of Stop Tariffs on Printers & Publishers (STOPP), a coalition to fight …
by John Foust – Newspaper Advertising Trainer
Raleigh, NC
A friend told me about the time his mom took him to the shopping mall to help her pick out a birthday present for his father. He was about six years …