Editor and Publisher Reports

Since the beginning of the crisis, research company Magid has been assessing changes in advertiser and consumer attitudes, opinions, and needs in order to deliver insights that can help news publishers focus on their business strategy better so they can manage through it all. In their latest study, Magid reveals data that shows information on news consumption, concerns and behaviors, what emotions advertisers and readers are feeling, and projections on what comes next. Moreover, deep in this data is valuable information on how publishers can better position their sales teams to approach the re-opening of America. Mike Blinder, E&P publisher, explores the entire report with Magid vice president Bill Day.

During the pandemic, people are staying apprised of national statistics and recommendations, but they also are seeking their local news outlets for information about their community. With this large surge in local news consumption, the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association (PNA) has launched PACoronaNews.org, a new website that aggregates the COVID-19 content from more than 200 publications throughout the state. In one place, Pennsylvania residents can find stories of local interest that range from ideas about how to stay healthy and active at home, to teaching activities that busy parents can share with their children, to heart-warming tales about the acts of kindness that neighbors are performing to help those in need, and more. Mike Blinder, publisher of E&P, speaks with PNA president Brad Simpson about the new site as well as how his members are dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. 

Kelly Wirges has trained more than 200,000 sales professionals during her 27 years as president of ProMax, and even through the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis, she is still helping media companies find practical techniques that can be applied immediately for increased sales success.  Mike Blinder, publisher of E&P, chats with Kelly about what advice she is giving today to sales managers and their reps on how to maximize performance during this economic downturn. She even offers suggestions to those who have been downsized on how to get back in the game.

It's a three-prong approach. First, offer any local business that is open to advertise for free in both print and online. Then, have your sales force perform a “needs analysis” to learn marketing needs. And third, offer them a tailored solution where you match their investment, dollar-for-dollar. The result for the Adams Publishing Group's Florida market is more than 160 new local advertisers, resulting in millions of dollars in new revenue. Learn more about this effective stimulus program and gain access to the marketing materials used as E&P publisher Mike Blinder goes one-on-one with Mike Beatty, president of APG Media of Florida. 

We all know that there will be a backside to the crisis we are trying to manage through, but are you making time to realign your management structure so you're poised to recruit the best on the backside of this down-turn? Plus, if you’re currently furloughed or downsized out of your job, what are you doing now to ensure you will be at the top of the list when media companies find they need to infuse new talent into their teams? To help answer those questions is Laurie Kahn, president/CEO of Media Staffing Network, who has helped media people connect to the right job and recruiters make the right hires for over 20 years. E&P publisher Mike Blinder speaks with Laurie about all facets of media staffing and how to manage through it during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“Local newspapers and their journalists are also among the front-line workers dedicated to serving their communities, ” says Dean Ridings, CEO of America’s Newspapers, an organization that just rolled out a new marketing campaign called "Newspapers Have Your Back." All newspapers are invited to download and use the free marketing materials that stress how important local newspapers are to the community. http://newspapers.org/americas-newspapers/marketing-campaign/    E&P publisher Mike Blinder goes one-on-one with Dean Ridings to learn how newspapers can best use these materials to not only increase their brand awareness, but also help build subscription and membership revenue during these critical times.

Most of us know Ken Doctor, the president of Newsonomics, who in 2010 predicted many of the industry disruptions that occurred over the last 10 years. Now he is working on “Lookout," a wide-reaching new model for local news that will launch later this year. Ken just released a new paper, based on intensive reporting, that predicts where the industry will be in 2025. As Ken looks forward to where we may be in a few short years, some may call his findings eye-opening and even sobering. E&P publisher Mike Blinder goes one-on-one with Ken Doctor as he predicts where our industry is heading with reader revenue, newsroom staffing, print frequency and more.

Alternative news publishers are feeling the impact of COVID-19 in a number of ways, especially since a large part of their advertising base comes from restaurants, clubs and performance venues. However, some are seeing major increases in membership revenue, and others are finding new revenue streams from offering new products. John Heaston is publisher and editor of The Reader, the alternative publication in Omaha. He is also president of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia and serves on the board of the National Association of Hispanic Publications. In this one-on-one interview with E&P Publisher Mike Blinder, John maintains a very positive attitude about the alternative news industry’s ability to truly define itself during this crisis and come out of the pandemic even stronger.

The Association of Free Community Publications (AFCP) represents publishers of community papers from coast to coast who offer free circulation. AFCP’s executive director Loren Colburn has been in touch with hundreds of members during the Coronavirus pandemic to learn how they are coping with a number of different challenges, including the loss of revenue and key distribution points from the large number of restaurants and entertainment venues they conduct business with.   AFCP’s Loren Colburn goes one-on one with E&P’s publisher Mike Blinder discussing the new ways that free papers are dealing with COVID-19.

Borrell Associates is the nation’s leading provider of advertising trends and data for the media industry. Each month, hundreds of local businesses and advertising agencies are researched and compiled into ongoing reports. With this information at hand, Gordon Borrell, CEO of Borrell Associates, reveals what trends we can expect--and more importantly--what tactics and practices we can adopt to help stem the tide of revenue loss due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As the coronavirus spreads across the world, news media companies are grappling with so much more than coverage: work-from-home plans, coronavirus-related product development, advertising declines, and the impending fallout on the economy and advertising revenues. With more than 7,000 members in 80+ countries, the International News Media Association (INMA) is conducting ongoing research and outreach to its members to help advise on best practices in dealing with pandemic.   Mike Blinder, publisher of E&P, goes 1-on-1 with INMA CEO Earl Wilkinson to learn more about their findings.  

Make Sure You Are Deemed "Essential" By Your Local/ State Government. In Italy, which is currently under lockdown in an effort to halt the spread of the coronavirus, a debate is waging about the importance of print newspapers. Here in the US some states and cities are making sure that local newspapers have "essential" status in order to publish their products in this time of crisis. Essential to this initiative is the News Media Alliance (NMA) as they have put together all the tools needed to make sure that we stay in business to serve our communities. Mike Blinder, Publisher of E&P, speaks with Dave Chavern, CEO of the NMA on what they are doing to help us and what resources are available for you to make sure your town, city or local government gives you "essential" status to publish. Mike also asks Dave about two other important initiatives that NMA is working on in our behalf: The News Impact Project and the Safe Harbor Bill.

The Facebook Journalism Project is partnering with the Lenfest Institute for Journalism and the Local Media Association (LMA) to offer a total of $1 million in grants to support US and Canadian local news organizations covering the coronavirus. These grants will help fill immediate gaps for resource-constrained newsrooms covering the impact of the coronavirus in their communities. Mike Blinder, Publisher of E&P speaks with Jed Williams, Chief Strategy Officer of the LMA about the program Apply for the great, here: http://bit.ly/33uB9dZ

The Financial Times understands what it’s like to be a digital leader. It launched its first paywall in 2002 and over the last decade, the paper has focused on a “north star” metric based on reader engagement. In April 2019, the FT reached 1 million paying readers, one year ahead of schedule. Due to its digital success, E&Precently named the FT as one of their 10 News Publishers That Do It Right. E&P editor-in-chief Nu Yang goes 1-on-1 with FT chief data officer Tom Betts to discuss their formula, the launch of their boutique consultancy firm FT Strategies, and how publishers can find their own metric "north star."

The 2nd Google NorthAmerican Innovation Challenge is now open for submissions focusing on projects that showcase diversification, equity and inclusion in journalism. “Googler” LaToya Drake, Global Outreach Lead for the Google News Initiative, chats with E&P Publisher Mike Blinder about this year’s challenge and how any publisher—no matter what size market—can enter.    Applications are now open, and the deadline to submit is May 12, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. PT.  In addition, over the next 10 weeks, Google will hold workshops and bootcamps to get the word out and answer questions about the challenge. The first town hall will be on March 18 at 9 a.m. PT. Tune in using this link.

In 2018, Paxton Media Group acquired the Kentucky New Era and four smaller newspapers (Dawson Springs Progress, Princeton Times Leader, Providence Journal-Enterprise and Oak Grove Eagle Post). Since then, the New Era has experienced big changes like getting a new publisher, editor and a new office to call home. Publisher Brandon Cox shares what it was like to adopt these changes and what’s next for the group of newspapers.   

Peter Newton was a huge part of GateHouse Media’s expansion into the digital service sector with the launch of their Propel and ThriveHive initiatives. But Newton was a big part of driving the entire industry into selling more than just advertising solutions to their customers. It was during those six years in senior management that the company had its most growth in market acquisitions. Now that Newton has left the country’s largest newspaper company, he continues to work within our industry consulting some of our digital partners as well as leading a drive to innovation through the Local Media Association’s Accelerate Local Project.  Mike Blinder goes one-on-one with Newton as the former GateHouse COO speaks about where he thinks the industry has been and where it is going today in our challenging times. He also gives advice to independent newspapers who lack some of the resources that large company company ownership can provide.

Joey Young purchased his first newspaper at the age of 27. Seven years later, his company, Kansas Publishing Ventures, owns six award-winning community publications with more than 30 employees that is growing audience and revenue against some big company dailies. Moreover, thanks to his passion for local journalism and keen ability to hire and maintain a motivated team, KPV continues to grow and prosper.

This week, E&P editor-in-chief Nu Yang and Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Brad Simpson discuss this year’s America East News Media Summit March 30-April 1. The PNA has combined their three signature events: America East, PNA Advertising Conference and Publishers’ Convention, to build one robust conference. Simpson will go over what sessions he’s excited about and why news publishers should attend this premiere event. This year, E&P also joins the PNA in honoring the next generation of newsroom leaders with a 25 Under 35 awards ceremony. 

ProPublica has become a leader in the industry when it comes to collaboration between newsrooms.Rachel Glickhouse, who managed ProPublica's three-year Documentating Hate project, talks to Editor & Publisher about getting newsrooms to work together, convincing readers to contribute, and plans to bring back Electionland to cover the 2020 presidential election. E&P's Rob Tornoe goes 1-on-1 with Rachel Glickhouse