APG Newsletter February 2020

ASSOCIATE NEWSLETTER

3D Chalk Gnome, Venice Chalk Festival Diane O’Gorman, Sun Coast Media Group, Inc.

FEBRUARY 2020

CONTENTS

SHARE YOUR AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS! Did you take a photo that you love for an article, a project you are working on, or from your last adventure? Send your image with a description to AskHR@adamspg.com and it may be featured in the next newsletter.

“Sand Sculptures at Siesta Key, FL” Photo by Diane O’Gorman - Sun Coast Media Group, Inc. 2

FEBRUARY 2019 NEWSLETTER

Human Resources

APG East

APG Central

APG West

W-4 HELP, SAFETY TRAINING, MINUTE WITH MARK

HURRICANE DORIAN, ABOVE & BEYOND, WINNERS

LOTTERY, RETIRING, REMEMBERING SYLVIA, TOP JOURNALIST

RECORD SETTING GROWTH, SPORTS AWARD

PAGE 04

PAGE 08

PAGE 10

PAGE 12

WEST DIVISION

Regions: Washington, Oregon, Montanta, Idaho, Utah Divisional President: Eric Johnston

CENTRAL DIVISION

Regions: Minnesota, Wyoming, Wisconsin Divisional President: Jeff Patterson

EAST DIVISION

Regions: Michigan, Ohio, Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Florida Divisional President: Nick Monico

West Division Central Division East Division

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HUMAN

5 BASIC STEPS FOR THE NEW W-4 1

ENTER PERSONAL INFORMATION

Similar to the 2019 W-4, Associates enter their names, addresses and tax filing status.

What’s new: The 2020 W-4 eliminates the checkbox for married, withhold at the single rate, but adds a checkbox for heads of households. However, married couples can still check the box in Step 1c for single, married filing separately (even if they’re joint filers) if they want to increase their withholding, since there’s no mandate that Associates change their W-4 status once they get married. Divorce is different: Couples who divorce must refile their W-4s within 10 days, if they were claiming married status.

2

DO YOU KNOW YOUR

PAID TIME OFF BALANCE? IT MAY BE TIME FOR A VACATION!

MULTIPLE JOBS OR SPOUSE WORKS

This step is optional for Associates to complete.

Associates may account for up to two jobs (either their own second job or their spouse’s job) by checking the box in this step. By checking this box, Associates will increase their withholding on a pay period basis by about 50%.

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CLAIM DEPENDENTS

This step is optional for Associates to complete.

Associates who choose to take advantage of child and dependent care credits and other credits (e.g., the education credit) may complete this step. This is an annual reduction in Associates’ tax liability for the year, and ultimately, their pay period withholding. Warning: The figures in Step 3 are geared toward claiming dependent credits. Associates who want to claim other tax credits should estimate the value of those credits.

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(OPTIONAL) OTHER ADJUSTMENTS Associates account for other income, like capital gains, on Line 4a and other deductions on Line 4b. Associates increase the annual amount of wages subject to withholding by the amount shown in Line 4a and decrease the annual amount of wages subject to withholding by the amount shown in Line 4b.

Associates indicate any additional withholding to you on Line 4c. Currently, Associates indicate additional withholding on Line 6.

Associates may claim an exemption from withholding by writing the word Exempt underneath Line 4c. Currently, Associates write the word Exempt on Line 7 to claim an exemption from withholding.

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SIGN HERE

Associates sign the form under penalties of perjury. Associates also date the form.

We know how hard you work and recognize the importance of providing you with time for rest and relaxation.

View PTO Policies online at: hr.adamspg.com/handbook

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE APG TEXT BREAKING NEWS TEXT ADAMSPG TO 41411

RESOURCES

INDUSTRY SAFETY

TR AINING

A MINUTE WITH MARK ADAMS: What Does New Product Development Look Like?

Watch this month’s video: hr.adamspg.com/minute Submit your question: AskMark@adamspg.com

JEFF ROWTON, APG SAFETY MANAGER

The Mount Airy News (NC) Safety Committee completed OSHA 10 hour for General Industry training in January.

TOPICS COVERED INCLUDED: • Introduction to OSHA • Walking – Working Surfaces • Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, and

What Does New Product Development Look Like?

Fire Prevention

• Bloodborne Pathogens • Safety & Health Programs • Hazardous Materials • Material Handling • Personal Protective Equipment • Ergonomics • Hazard Communication • Machine Guarding

Roger Kirk, Press Operator Chris Jeffries, Graphic Designer Beth Johnson, Mailroom Cynthia Johnson, Production Manager Sandra Hurley, Publisher

Associates Contribute to the APG Newsletter We want to hear what is going on in your neck of the woods. submitnews.adamspg.com

Visit the HR Portal to subscribe and to receive the monthly newsletter in your inbox.

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APG EAST

GREENEVILLE SUN ANNOUNCES WINNER IN ONLINE CONTEST Karen Hardin is the winner of The Greeneville Sunís ìHome for the Holidays Sweepstakes,î hamming it up here with Sun Ad Director Artie Wehenkel (left) and Online Director Brian Cutshall. Hardin won a three-day, two-night getaway at her choice of hundreds of vacation destinations. For 14 days through New Yearís Eve, contest entrants could input a different daily codeword onto the Sunís contest website for additional chances to win in the random drawing.

Wehenkel said more Greeneville Sun contests would follow in 2020.

(Sun photo by Cameron Judd)

Photo by Brian Cutshall

AN AD(D)AMS FAMILY HALLOWEEN GREENEVILLE SUN Greeneville Sun staff celebrate Halloween 2019. Seated, from left, are Kelly Pickering as The White Queen; Jayme Pressley, a well-dressed skeleton; and Hala Watson as Morticia Addams of ‘The Addams Family’. Standing are Paul Mauney, fisherman; Dalton Lamb as Pugsley Addams; Ghable Hobby, honorary Sun staffer, as medical staff; Artie Wehenkel as Lurch, Addams Family butler; Sandi Blalock as Wednesday Addams; and Cousin Itt as itself.

CONGRATS CECIL WHIG! The Advertising Team at Cecil Whig in the Upper Shore of Chesapeake celebrated with sweet treats surpassing 41k goal of Cecil Approved section!

ABOVE & BEYOND As part of their NIE Cutest Pets Contest, Keys News awarded Keys SPCA a check for $4,000. The contest netted over $30,000.

The SPCA worked with the Dogwood Foundation who generously hosted a match campaign for their Clinic Fund.

This means the $4,000 donation became $8,000!!!

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Pictured Left to Right: Lisa Minto, Tracy Mulcahy, Amy Bennett, Kim Spencer and David Murch.

BODY DOUBLE Our own editor of The Dundalk Eagle, Mike Ursery, doing a “body double” in the Dundalk Christmas parade over the weekend of December 7th!

APG EAST

HELPING AFTER HURRICANE DORIAN VENICE GONDOLIER

By Scott Lawson, Venice Gondolier Editor

Florida paid attention to the devastation of Hurricane Dorian because The Bahamas are a common vacation spot for its residents.

In Venice, Fla., a nonprofit that for 40 years has reached out to countries from Haiti, Domincian Republic, the Bahamas and Cuba focused its energy on Abaco Island and Grand Bahama after Hurricane Dorian inundated those islands.

That nonprofit, Agape Flights, invited Venice Gondolier Editor Scott Lawson on a flight to Abaco and Grand Bahama in October so he could report on the situation a month after the Category 5 storm struck.

Lawson's bosses gave him a quick go-ahead for the trip.

From that, Lawson reported six stories for The Sun newspapers in Sarasota and Charlotte counties - including one about The Mudd: a community of thousands that was completely washed away as 15-25 foot storm surge - and cargo containers from a nearby port - flowed over it. The death toll is likely more than 1,200, but because those victims were largely undocumented Haitian refugees, they will never be a part of the official count of missing and dead.

The UN estimates 76,000 lost their homes throughout the islands.

What was supposed to be a day trip became a two-day stay after storms grounded the small plane in Freeport.

Agape Flights normally operates with missionaries throughout the Caribbean but continues to work emergency flights to assist with recovery operations through churches in Abaco and the area around Freeport.

The stories can be found at https://www. yoursun.com/storm/ under the After The Storm section.

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APG EAST

RYAN RUDNICK

SUN ASSOCIATE OF THE MONTH PORT CHARLOTTE RYAN RUDNICK DOESN’T SAY “THIS ISN’T MY JOB.” Even when others might utter those words, Rudnick steps up to help where it’s needed.

He works in the warehouse, but handles extra duties along with his warehouse work.

That kind of dedication and drive doesn’t go unnoticed, and it’s why Rudnick has been named the Sun’s Associate of the Month for November.

“With the elimination of many positions in production, an Associate like Ryan is invaluable,” said his supervisor, Production Manager Robin Marotta. “If he is asked to help with any job. he just smiles and says ‘we will get it done.’”

Marotta said she can’t remember him ever calling in sick.

HERE ARE JUST SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT RYAN DOES:

• Greases the press on the weekends.

• Has been delivering mail to the post office, since the courier position was eliminated.

• Helps hand fold a weekly commercial job.

• Keeps the plates filled in the easels in the plate room.

• Delivers a night commercial job when

VISIT FROM SANTA Santa, aka Waterline Publisher Josh Olive, visited the Charlotte Sun in Port Charlotte.

Parker, 4, grandson of Anita Leach, told Santa what he wished for this year.

transportation is down drivers.

Thank you, Ryan, for all you do.

TOURING THE PRINT PLANT

JAYCEES CHRISTMAS PARADE Left to Right: Anna Helms, Pat Helms, Val Sandmeier, Bryan Sandmeier

This year The Daily Times gave out 1,200 news papers (with a subscription offer) and lot’s of candy.

There were over 120 entries in the parade including walking groups, dignitaries, floats, bands, old cars, new cars, and small vehicles.

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Henry Cloutier, Circulation Marketing Specialist (*picture middle back) conducted a plant tour at Easton, MD’s Print Plant for a group of 19 emerging learners from St. Michael’s Middle High.

APG EAST

HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS IN CHESAPEAKE

The Star Democrat, Chesapeake Publishing, and APG Media of Chesapeake held a holiday celebration on Wednesday, December 18th, 2019. The event was hosted by the CRAB Committee. The Press guys were first in line as they have multiple deadlines during the day.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS SHOW ASHE POST AND TIMES

More than a dozen local businesses and organizations convened within the gym of the Ashe County Parks and Recreation Family Central facility for the inaugural Home for the Holidays Show, sponsored by Ashe Post & Times and Third Day Market, Friday, Nov. 22.

The event served as a way for local businesses and organizations to network with the community and showcase their products and programs, while offering

a wide selection of holiday gifts, home decorating ideas and ways of remodeling or winterizing homes.

Claus as a special guest, stopping to hear Christmas wishes and take photos with those in attendance.

“It was our first event like this. Overall, we were pleased with the participation of the community,” said Teresa Roark-Laws, general manager of Ashe Post & Times. “We had a steady flow throughout the day.”

Businesses and groups who participated in the event included Hole Lotta Doughnuts, The Farmhouse Juice & Wellness Shop, Badger Funeral Home, Northwest Tree Service, the Ashe County Republican Party, Liquidation Station and several more.

In lieu of admission cost, food pantry items were taken as donations for Ashe Really Cares. The event also featured Santa

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APG CENTRAL

REMEMBERING SYLVIA FITZSIMMONS EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA

for the work ahead, especially those that were going to involve the Post Office. Quite the contrary. Her typical response was, “Well, Jim at the Post Office is gonna’ love this. But I’ll smooth it over,” she’d say with a wink and a promissory smile, “I know how to handle him.”

That blue collar work ethic served her well in the many days and weekends she spent preparing and ensuring papers left the press on time.

As many of you know, we recently lost a friend and colleague to cancer, Sylvia Fitzsimmons. Sylvia was a long-time Associate of APG, serving the latter years of her career as the company’s circulation manager.

Anyone who has logged time working in circulation knows just how challenging every day can be. There is a seemingly endless supply of issues that always need addressing, from missed deliveries, labeling headaches, annual audits, constantly changing postal regulations, to a sea of paper work dedicated to renewals, subscription holds, marketing and targeted subscription saturations.

And if you work here, as Sylvia did, you would be welcomed by a rather robust diet of publication modifications and transformations. Since 2017, this region has experienced 22 different mergers, free to requester, requester to paid or free to paid transitions.

Each time we made one of those changes, Sylvia was involved. Never did she balk or suggest she was not up

As we planned for our first round of requester transitions in 2017 many of us were understandably nervous about how the first week would unfold, Most importantly, would the papers get to the post office on time and would they be in the hands of our loyal readers by the Thursday publication date? Sylvia seemed unfazed about the challenge she faced.

Going from a model that was built on independent carriers, to one that would move that responsibility to the post office, it seemed fraught with pitfalls. But not in her eyes. It was all very straightforward for Sylvia, as were most challenges.Truth be told, I think she viewed most “challenges” as opportunities.

Sylvia rarely minced words. Most days, what she was thinking managed to cross her lips almost as quickly as it was conceived. I empathize with the person who stood between her and the completion of an important commitment. You were either with her or “about to be kicked in the butt,” as she liked to say. She took no prisoners and would not rest until the task was tightened down. Anything short of that could mean she did not hold up her end of the bargain, and that simply was not acceptable to her.

Sylvia defeated cancer a couple times, but this last bout was just too powerful, even for her. Even though the last year was spent receiving treatment, she continued to honor work commitments, up until just a few weeks

ago. That was her character. She did not want to let others down. And she clearly did not enjoy being idle.

Her final days were spent in the hospital and ultimately at home. Even then she was asking about work, trying to make sure her transition out would not be disruptive to deliveries.

We’ll miss Sylvia and her straight-talking style, her commitment, her work ethic and her determination. But mostly, we’ll just miss Sylvia for the person she was: somebody we loved, who cared about others, who always had a joke, a smile or a hitch in her step that made those around her just a bit happier.

People always say that any one of us can be replaced.

That may be true for many of us, but in Sylvia’s case, probably not completely accurate. I like to think she had so much energy bundled up inside that it was simply too much for her body to contain in a typical lifespan.

Although her life was ended prematurely, her journey made those of us who walked part of it with her much better people.

That deep appreciation of life is her lasting contribution to this company and to her colleagues who recognized it. That is a gift that will live on for years to come with those who knew and worked with her.

Sylvia R Fitzsimmons (56) of East Bethel, passed away on November 25, 2019 after a courageous fight with cancer. Sylvia was an 11 year Associate of ECM publications. Survived by husband of 11 years, Larry Fitzsimmons; mother Sandra Sceli; sister Christine (Michael) Thornton and Son Joseph Fitzsimmons. Sylvia left us early and will be missed by all who knew her.

WYOMING PRESS ASSOCIATION AWARD The Wyoming Tribune Eagle, an APG newspaper in Cheyenne, recently was awarded first place in Editorial Leadership among the seven dailies in the state by the Wyoming Press Association.

mayor, but finds a way to bring it home through context. Consistently pointed, direct, easy-to-read writing, with strong advocacy for the community it serves. Never minces words.”

The award was presented to the WTE on Jan. 25, along with 19 other honors, during the annual WPA winter convention in Casper.

After the awards were announced, Martin said, “I am so blessed to have Regional President Rory Palm and a great group of community representatives on our editorial board to help shape our editorial position each week. Along with constant answered prayers for the words God wants me to use, this is clearly a team effort. I definitely couldn’t do it alone.”

The Editorial Leadership award was based on a portfolio of 10 editorials written by Managing Editor Brian Martin, with input from the WTE editorial board, between Nov. 1, 2018, and Oct. 31, 2019. Judges were previous winners of the National Newspaper Association’s editorial excellence competition.

Of the entry, judges said, “Consistently great, consistently clean editorial entries with strong arguments on a variety of issues related directly to its readership. Bold presentations, well-written. Practical. The two-parter on homelessness, in particular, shows what makes this paper special. Part I is a good, heartfelt grabber of a story. Part II offers a practical breakdown once it has readers hooked. Diplomacy also shows how well the editor anticipates the paper’s audience, treading on tough ground in how it criticizes the

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The traveling trophy, which was last in Cheyenne in 2013, will remain in the state capital for (at least) a year.

Photo: Brian Martin holding the Editorial Leadership Award

APG CENTRAL

COON RAPIDS OFFICE LOTTERY POOL WINS $1 MILLION COON RAPIDS

By Jonathan Young, Managing Editor

Dustin Uran describes himself as an “eternal optimist.”

“That’s probably why I’m a Vikings fan,” he said.

Since 2013 that optimism and a shot at winning big have motivated Uran to organize a lottery pool at the Coon Rapids office of Adams Publishing Group (the parent company of ABC Newspapers), where he works in the production department.

This week his optimism was rewarded; one of the tickets he purchased for the pool won $1 million in the Powerball.

Although the drawing took place Saturday, Jan. 25, Uran didn’t realize he had a winner until Monday morning.

As usual, he went to the gas station and started scanning in the tickets to claim any prizes. When he scanned one ticket, the machine said “winner” and instructed him to contact the lottery office to claim the prize.

“I thought maybe it was a glitch,” he said.

So he scanned it again.

Same result.

That’s when his heart started racing.

“I came back to the office, and I checked the numbers on the website, and I saw that was a million dollar ticket,” he said.

The ticket’s first five numbers matched the drawing — only the Powerball didn’t match.

Rather than simply tell everyone in the pool they had won, Uran sent an email saying to

check the bottom left ticket on the email so they could discover it themselves.

“I was kind of just pacing around my cube, waiting for people to check their emails,” he said. “Slowly but surely, everyone else realized, and then the office was abuzz. ...

No one could believe it.”

“It’s one of those things that comes once in a lifetime,” ABC Newspapers sales representative Jan Thompson said.

With 28 people in the pool, $1 million works out to almost $36,000 apiece before taxes.

Thompson said she has a couple vacations planned but also expects to use some of the money for practical projects.

“It’s still hard to believe,” sales representative Colleen Carlisle said. She plans to pay down debt and put some in savings, but she’ll probably also buy an entertainment center she and her husband have wanted.

As for his share, Uran said he’ll pay off some bills, and beyond that, he doesn’t know.

“It’s not retirement money,” he said. “But it’s good.”

Uran purchased the winning ticket at the Speedway at 11872 Round Lake Blvd. NW, Coon Rapids. The group claimed the prize at the Minnesota Lottery office in Roseville Tuesday, Jan. 28.

Uran plans to continue buying tickets and keep the office pool going whenever the jackpot is high.

PILOT INDEPENDENT HAS A NEW ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Luke Schmitz, a recent graduate of Bemidji State University, is a new account executive at The PilotIndependent in Walker.

Schmitz grew up in Alexandria with a big, extended family. He and his brothers spent most of their time hunting, fishing and trapping around their father’s hunting land. If he’s not wearing camo in a tree, then he’s probably wearing snow bibs on the ice. Those passions, along with a deep interest in communication, brought him to Bemidji State University in 2016. He graduated in December with a bachelor’s degree in marketing communication and a minor in political science.

Schmitz enjoys living in northern Minnesota and he’s excited to join the team at The Pilot and fulfill the advertising needs of the area.

General Manager Terri Fierstine welcomes Luke Schmitz to The PilotIndependent team. Photo by Dean Morrill

He expects more people will join now.

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APG CENTRAL

TOP JOURNALISTS HONORED AT ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA

APG of East Central Minnesota held its annual Better Newspaper Contest editorial awards ceremony Thursday, Dec. 12 at Green Haven Banquet Center in Anoka, Minnesota.

Hosted by Director of News Keith Anderson, it was a celebration of outstanding writing, photography and design by the group’s talented and dedicated journalists.

“You are the objective communicators of truth, the analysts of issues, the reporters of decisions, the watchdogs of misdeeds and the champions of our communities,” Anderson told reporters and editors in attendance.

“Your enthusiasm, passion and commitment are appreciated by all of us at APG, but most importantly, by our readers who rely on you to keep them informed.”

This contest garnered strong participation from the central and southern Minnesota locations, with judges from St. Cloud State University reviewing more than 500 entries in 20 categories.

The Mille Lacs Messenger took top honors for General Excellence. Messenger Editor Traci LeBrun was also an award winner for her coverage of meetings, while reporter Evan

Orbeck captured third in the feature photo category and sports reporter Bob Statz was named top columnist.

From the judges: “Content is priority one for any newspaper. The Messenger identifies the key community issues and gives strong coverage to those topics in each of the three submitted issues. Fishing, environment and crime/safety all get hard-edge coverage.

Editorial pages reflect the community and add local faces on the second page. The design makes the most of the tabloid format to pack in plenty of local news. Bravo.”

Numerous individual awards were handed out for outstanding writing and photography.

The Edina Sun Current’s Andrew Wig was named Writer of the Year.

“Wig hits on all cylinders. His writing is crisp.

He is intuitive in story selection and angle.

Very well done.”

Wig has been with Sun Newspapers for eight years, first covering Richfield before becoming the community editor for Edina.

Wig was also honored with the Community Leadership Award for his work focused on the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Mille Lacs Messenger staff, along with winners of the reporter and writer of the year pictured with APG of East Central Minnesota Regpional President Mark Weber. From left: Tim Hennagir, Evan Orbeck, Traci LeBrun, Carmen Meyer, Sophia Khori, Mark Weber, Andy Wig and Bob Statz.

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The Stillwater Gazette’s veteran sports journalist Stuart Groskreutz was named Sportswriter of the Year. Judges praised the variety in Groskreutz’s sports coverage and his story development.

“Consistently strong, thorough writing and reporting is the cornerstone of the Gazette’s extremely thorough, vibrant sports section,” the judges wrote.

Sophia Khori is the 2019 Rookie Reporter of the Year. Khori, a graduate of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, is a reporter for the Press, covering the cities of Champlin and Dayton. She also received an honorable mention for her photography portfolio.

The judges wrote: “This year’s winner shows versatility in coverage and an obvious knack getting to the centerpiece of a given story.

Keep up the solid work for a newspaper sporting a talented reporting crew.”

The entire event was dedicated in memory of circulation manager Sylvia Fitzsimmons, who died Nov. 25 after a courageous battle against cancer. She had been employed by APG of East Central Minnesota for 11 years.

Writer of the Year Andrew Wig.

Rookie Reporter of the Year Sophia Khori.

APG CENTRAL

PRESIDENT OF MINNESOTA NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION MESABI DAILY NEWS

Chris Knight, publisher of the Mesabi Daily News, Hibbing Daily Tribune and Chisholm Tribune Press, was elected president of the Minnesota Newspaper Association at the organization’s annual meeting Friday.

worked for Skoglund Outdoor Advertising.

He became advertising director at the Mesabi Daily News in 1995, then publisher in 2005.

Knight also serves as regional president and publisher for Adams Publishing Group’s MN northern region. Knight began his career at Manney’s Shopper in Virginia and later

Pictured with Chris receiving the presidential gavel are past president Karin Ramige, Chris’ wife Marci Knight and MNA Executive Director Lisa Hills.

DIGI-KNOW

Knight replaces Karin Ramige of McLeod Publishing in Glencoe.

HAPPY RETIREMENT, MIKE! After 40+ plus years at the Princeton print facility, Mike Ehman (production manager) retired Dec. 1. Mike’s final day was spent working the inserter the day before Thanksgiving publications went out the door.

Mike has seen the facility grow from a onepress operation during the first years to today’s production with three press lines. He plans to spend retirement in Florida away from the sunny white winters of Minnesota so he can increase the rounds of golf he can play. The team threw Mike a well-deserved luncheon and many former staff members stopped by to wish him well. His expertise and talent will be missed.

Ever feel like you’re missing out on the digital conversation? Things seem too complex? Just don’t know where to start your digital sales journey?

JOIN US EVERY MONDAY AT 4EST/3CST/2MST/1PST FOR DIGI-KNOW.

A company-wide call that allows our digital marketing experts from all markets across the company to share knowledge, success stories and how they are keeping digital revenue at the forefront of their discussions with clients and an opportunity to ask your questions.

CALL IN INFORMATION IS:

DIAL IN: 605-313-5111 | CONFERENCE ID: 446335 13

APG

Q4/Q1 DIGITAL BUNDLES SALES CONTEST SURPASSES EXPECTATIONS We are excited to announce that the Q4/Q1 Digital Bundles Sales Contest has exceeded our expectations as our first company-wide initiative was a tremendous success!

The contest, which covered November and December of 2019 and January of this year, was created to make an immediate impact on Digital Sales revenue and influence it in the future. It also showcased the ability of our sales teams to utilize a “Campbell’s Soup” approach (just add water and you have a product ready to serve) to produce presentation and package creation.

The overall contest revenue was $1,060,389, which means we not only reached our goal but surpassed it, coming in not just at 100 percent but at 106 percent! The total amount was sold by 136 of our associates, averaging out to $7,796 per active rep.

Across the company, 53 percent of our listed associates had at least one sale.

Taylor Smith (East Idaho Group) took top honors in Individual Sales with a total of $105,000, while Levi Durighello (Klamath Falls) was second with $59,100 and Joshua Cash (APG Ohio and Michigan) was third with $45,339 in sales.

First place in the Grand Prize drawings went to Pam Spittel (Chesapeake-Upper Shore), who won a travel package worth $14,000.

Second place went to Taylor Smith (East Idaho, $8,000), and third place went to Kessly Lovec (Bozeman/Belgrade/Klamath Falls, $4,000).

large part because our associates were familiar with them and that they could be bundled with print. By giving the local markets flexibility to add to these packages, or combine them with current promotions, it gave the reps examples of how all of our products work together. It also highlighted how products can be paired with audiences and messaging so that they can be the most effective, and identified lead-ins for reps so that they recognize when to lead with print and when to lead with digital.

Congratulations to all of our winners and top finishers for a job well done and for making this contest such a success!

We chose to focus on these packages in

DIGI-KNOW

The top Sales Team was the Bozeman/

Belgrade/Klamath team, which was the only group to have every one of their reps sell a qualifying package! Congratulations to team members Cindy Sease, Ann Harms, Rick Brown, Carol McQuiston, Markus Heinrich, George Hoffman, Kessly Lovec, Kate Burgan, Levi Durighello, Susan Belden, Casey Fullem, and Steve Rosen.

Ever feel like you’re missing out on the digital conversation? Things seem too complex? Just don’t know where to start your digital sales journey?

JOIN US EVERY MONDAY AT 4EST/3CST/2MST/1PST FOR DIGI-KNOW.

A company-wide call that allows our digital marketing experts from all markets across the company to share knowledge, success stories and how they are keeping digital revenue at the forefront of their discussions with clients and an opportunity to ask your questions.

CALL IN INFORMATION IS:

DIAL IN: 605-313-5111 | CONFERENCE ID: 446335 14

APG WEST B.J. RAINS WINS IDAHO SPORTSWRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR IDAHO PRESS-TRIBUNE

B.J. Rains has done it again.

The Idaho Press Boise State beat writer was named the 2019 Idaho Sportswriter of the Year for a third consecutive year by the National Sports Media Association on Monday.

Rains, 34, has been the Boise State beat writer for the Idaho Press since 2013. He is the only Idaho Press reporter to win the award since it began in 1959.

For Rains, 2019 represented another banner year of stories. Among his top stories was a long form feature about Boise State women’s

basketball coach Gordy Presnell, detailing who he is and his life journey; a behind the scenes look at the Boise State men’s basketball program on a return flight from a game; and he chronicled the Boise State football team’s season from camp through the Las Vegas Bowl.

Rains has established himself as the go-to source for all things Boise State athletics. He is also the editor of BlueTurfSports.com and hosts the Bronco Report Podcast and Bronco Legends Podcast.

In

addition

to

being

named

Idaho

Sportswriter of the Year, Rains has won multiple Idaho Press Club awards. He is also a voter in the Associated Press Men’s College Basketball Top 25 poll and makes weekly appearanced on KTIK radio.

Bob Behler was voted the Idaho Sportscaster of the Year. Behler, who is in his 12th season as play-by-play broadcaster for Boise State football and men’s basketball, earned the honor for a fifth time.

Rains and Behler will be honored at the 61st NSMA Awards Weekend, June 27-29, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

RECORD SETTING GROWTH IDAHO PRESS In June of 2018, the Idaho Press launched an aggressive expansion effort to increase its coverage area to include Boise and the surrounding areas. The support the Idaho Press has received from new Boise area readers has been overwhelmingly positive. Since March 2018 the Idaho Press audited circulation has increased 64% daily and 42% Sunday. Over 7,523 new subscribers have signed up to receive the Idaho Press in this new expansion area.

This map shows new Idaho Press subscribers in Ada County since June 2018

One of the strategies implemented flattened our rate structure for digital and print subscriptions. The paper set the new customer price at $10 per month for 12-months. That price is good for 6-day home delivery + digital, weekend print + digital, and Sunday only print + digital. The goal was to pivot the focus away from subscribers paying for a print newspaper towards customer paying for access to our local news. Once they have access, they choose their personally preferred format for receiving their local news.

7,409 New Subscribers in Ada County 15

HUMAN

CHECK OUT THE APG HR PORTAL HR.ADAMSPG.COM HR STAFF | BENEFITS CONTACTS | JOB OPENINGS | NEWSLETTERS To help simplify your employment at APG, we have built this Associate portal as a resource for you. Inside, you will find quick links and easy access to: human resources staff, benefits contacts, job openings, newsletters and more…

This is a great place to start when you are searching for HR information. Of course, if you can’t find what you are looking for or need additional help, our HR team is always available to assist you. You can find their contact info at hr.adamspg.com/contact or you can send them a quick message to AskHR@adamspg.com.

LOOKING FOR A DIFFERENT POSITION WITHIN APG? CHECK OUT AVAILABLE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES ON THE HR PORTAL.

AskHR!

Have a question, but don’t know whom to ask? The Human Resources staff is listening! You can always send an email to Ask HR if you have questions or concerns. Emails will be kept confidential and, if we print your question in the APG newsletter, we will not use your name.

Questions may be emailed to AskHR@adamspg.com or sent interoffice to your regional HR representative.

DON’T KNOW WHOM TO CALL? CONTACT HUMAN RESOURCES. JO ANN HOPSON, PHR, SHRM-CP, CEBS

HR Manager – APG Media Central Division, Minnesota, Wisconsin 763.712.2412

TOM CLOUTIER

HR Manager - Greenville, Rocky Mount, Elizabeth City,NC and Key West, FL gdavis@apgenc.com | 252.366.8139

DEB BROOKS

APG Media of Southern Wisconsin HR Generalist – APG Janesville, Antigo and Beloit, Wisconsin sluebke@gazetteextra.com

Talent Acquisition Director for APG HR Manager – APG Maryland/Ohio tcloutier@adamspg.com | 410.770.4159 HR Manager – APG Midwestern Division, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Utah dbrooks@skagitpublishing.com | 360.416.2187

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CHARLENE VOLD

APG Vice President of Human Resources All states, Based in Tennessee/North Carolina joann.hopson@adamspg.com | 423.620.8771

GWEN DAVIS

STEPHANIE LUEBKE

RESOURCES

SUBMIT TO YOUR REGIONAL HR REP.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ASSOCIATES WHO HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE APG REFERRAL BONUS FOR NEW HIRES! * Matthew Crabtree referred Fallon Lee for an account executive position at the Daily Post Athenian (APG East).

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MOVIE NIGHT

MOVIE NIGHT NOW PLAYING: CASABLANCA

For your chance to be the lucky winner of an APG Swag and Movie Bag, answer the trivia question below correctly:

FINISH THIS FAMOUS CASABLANCA QUOTE: “WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE ________.”

All answers should be submitted to AskHR@adamspg.com.

The winner will be drawn on Thursday, February 28, 2019.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR JANUARY WINNER – TOM SHERLIN, THE DAILY TIMES The Question Was:In In “Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle,” What are Spencer, Bethany, Martha and ‘Fridge’ doing when the get sucked into the Jumanji game? *Contents of winner’s prize pack may vary.

The Answer Was: In Detention

DO YOU HAVE A BRIGHT IDEA FOR OUR COMPANY NEWSLETTER?

WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Submissions are due on the 10TH OF EACH MONTH at submitnews.adamspg.com.

Submission guidelines: provide photo and story, include photo credit and names of people in the photos, original content only (no copyrighted material).

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*Please note, there is limited space in the newsletter and not everything will be printed.