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Five ANF summer interns selected for newspapers Costa takes on new role with GateHouse Live
ARKANSAS
PRESS
Ar kansas
Publisher Weekly
ASSOCIATION
Vol. 14 | No. 21 | Thursday, May 23, 2019
Serving Press and State Since 1873
Pumarlo to bring recipe for newspaper success to APA convention Almost like a balanced diet, Jim Pumarlo’s recipe for successful newspapers requires feeding consumers a healthy dose of locally-grown content they want to read with a side of what they should.
Jim Pumarlo
Pumarlo, a former community newspaper editor and author, believes a blend of local news of interest and local news of importance helps newspapers remain relevant. Pumarlo will bring his advice and strategies for engaging readers and for writing editorials to this year’s Arkansas Press Association annual convention. This year’s convention will be June 26-29 at the Hotel Hot Springs in Hot Springs.
“At their best, community newspapers are stewards of their communities,” he said. “The news columns should be a mix of stories people like to read and what they should read. I still believe that local newspapers can have the franchise on local news through a variety of platforms. The bottom line is that an energized newspaper is the foundation of an energized community.”
Pumarlo has 27 years experience in newspapers, including more than two decades as editor of the Red Wing Republican in Red Wing, Minn. He is currently the director of communications for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. While “clearly the landscape is changing,” he said newspapers have the advantage in telling local stories that keep a community engaged. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter may serve as conduits for superficial information about sports scores or civic topics, but it’s newspapers that can provide context and thoughtful commentary. “A trained journalist can sift through and filter through and give a behind-thescenes perspective on something that’s happened in the community,” Pumarlo Continued on Page 2
Register now for APA’s annual convention The Arkansas Press Association’s 2019 Convention is just a month away, so register now for the annual event scheduled for June 26 -29 at the Hotel Hot Springs in Hot Springs. Registration materials and a complete schedule are included in this week’s edition of Arkansas Publisher Weekly and are available online at ArkansasPress.org. To make room reservations at the Hotel Hot Springs, call (877) 623-6697. To receive the APA’s special rate, mention group code APA2019.
Following Thursday’s sessions is a dinner and behindthe-scenes tour of Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. Friday features a luncheon honoring the APA’s Headliner of the Year, Louis Cella of Oaklawn and installing new APA President John Bland of Walnut Ridge. Friday is also the day of the annual trade show and the Kids’ Press Camp That day concludes with the annual APA Honors Banquet.
BET ON US
The convention kicks off Wednesday, June 26, with a luncheon and golf tournament at the Hot Springs Country Club.
The event concludes Saturday with the APA Better Newspaper Editorial Awards luncheon at noon.