Remember the Sustain the Foundation of Arkansas Journalism capital campaign in your year-end giving
Guest Column:
7 Arkansas Press Association PUBLISHER WEEKLY
Ad-libs: Don’t ghost your clients
By John Foust
Johnsons purchase newspapers in Forrest City and Marianna
Local ownership has returned to the Forrest City/Marianna newspaper market in the Arkansas Delta.
Operating as Johnson Media Group, Tamara and Rob Johnson acquired the Times-Herald in Forrest City and the Courier-Index in Marianna from Horizon Publications, headquartered in Marion, Illinois. The first editions under the new ownership were published last week.
Tamara just completed her 34th year at the Times-Herald, rising to the position of editor and publisher. Rob currently is serving as general manager of the two local radio stations and will continue in that role.
Tamara explained that a representative from Horizon recently visited Forrest City to inform her that the newspapers were slated to no longer be published and asking if she wanted to acquire them. “We literally had about two weeks to make a decision,” she said, adding that she just couldn’t bear to see the community without a newspaper.
The Johnsons held a “family meeting” with their two children and their spouses to ask for their support and to get their input as they knew it would have a huge impact on the entire family.
And it truly will be a family endeavor. Tamara will continue as publisher, with Rob providing background support while continuing his radio career. Their son, Brodie Johnson, who will serve as managing editor, has been working at the newspaper for about seven years as a reporter. Their daughter, Hilary Johnson Trickey, has joined the staff as director of digital operations. The Johnsons have six grandchildren.
“They were all very supportive and excited to take this step with us,” Tamara said. “Without their support we could not do what we’re doing. I’m excited about the ideas they are sharing to help us grow the business.”
The Times-Herald publishes each Tuesday and Friday and generally runs about 10 to 12 pages. The Courier-Index contains an average
of 6 to 8 pages each Wednesday. Numerous promotions and special sections throughout the year provide additional reader interest and revenue. The Times-Herald will continue in its present office location in downtown Forrest City.
One factor that helped the Johnsons in their decision is the presence of an experienced and supportive staff. They include advertising director Bill McCloud, office manager Teresa Wall, press operator Teresa McCrary, composition director Mae Watson and circulation director Billy Teal. All have served at least five years with the newspaper. McCrary was named a 2022 Small Markets Operations All-Star by Editor & Publisher magazine, the first in Arkansas to receive the honor.
The Marianna newspaper operates through the contributions of several paid and volunteer stringers. “We have a lot of good local people who help,” Tamara said. “The people of Lee County are still
Tamara Johnson in the press room at the Times Herald in Forrest City.
Johnson Media
Continued from page 1
happy to have their own local newspaper.”
Tamara said the response from the Forrest City community has been encouraging and, in fact, overwhelming.
“Since the announcement that we’re now locally owned and returning to family ownership, the response from the community has been extremely positive,” she said. “Our community wants and needs a local newspaper, and our businesses and residents realize the importance of the service we provide.
“We’ve had people stop by our office to say thank you, and we have talked with a lot of people while out and about in the community and the response has all been positive. Our Chamber of Commerce even sent the office a snack basket, congratulating us all on the change.
“It will take some work over time to get the newspaper where we want it to be. We’re hoping, of course, to increase our advertising revenue, in print and online, along with our print and digital subscriptions. To do that, we have to provide the community with what they want and that’s local news coverage.”
Tamara said it should be a relatively smooth transition because she knows the St. Francis County community and they also know her. “I’ve always had the belief in putting in a good hard day’s work and that’s what I plan to continue doing.”
Both Johnsons believe having ownership that understands and relates to the local community is crucial to success. The radio stations where Rob is employed are owned by local stockholders, and they have been supportive of his involvement in the newspaper operation because they also believe in local ownership. He plans to avoid any “conflicts of interest” by not being engaged in the day-to-day operation of the newspaper company.
“I have worked for two outstanding newspaper families in my career,” Tamara said. “I started working part-time at the Brinkley
Argus when Mason Clifton, along with his daughter and her husband, Frank and Flora Jean Elledge, owned the Monroe County newspapers. I later worked for the McCollum/Lewey families here at the Times-Herald. Through those relationships I learned a lot more than how to write news.
“When you work for smaller family-owned publications, you learn how to do everything from writing, to selling ads, inserting papers and running paper routes. Over the years, I’ve had my hand in all aspects except operating the press. I believe you also have a stronger bond and commitment to customers when you are a family operation.”
Tamara grew up in nearby Wheatley and graduated from high school there. She earned a degree in journalism from the University of Central Arkansas, working summers and some weekends at the Brinkley newspaper.
After a stint as editor of the Newport Daily Independent, she landed at the Times-Herald and has been there ever since.
Rob grew up in Clay County and graduated from Piggott High School in 1981. He got his first taste of the newspaper business while in junior high, helping in the mailroom at the Piggott Times. He worked briefly in news and sports at the newspaper at one point but eventually focused on a career in radio.
He worked at stations in Kennett and Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and in South Carolina before starting with his current employer, Forrest City Broadcasting, in 1990.
“Tamara and I joke that we met at the police station,” Rob said. She was covering the police beat for the newspaper and he was doing the same for the radio station. They married in 1992.
Rob later went to work for the radio stations in nearby Helena for several years to gain management experience. He was then back in Forrest City as advertising director for a time before becoming See JOHNSON MEDIA Page 3
A small fraction of the many awards won by the newspaper staff over the decades are displayed on Johnson’s office wall.
Johnson received APA’s FOIA award at the 2024 convention. Pictured with Johnson is FOIA Attorney John Tull.
Johnson Media
Continued from page 2
general manager about eight years ago.
He is excited about the opportunity to be involved in bringing local family ownership back to the Times-Herald. “I just asked Tamara if this is something she really wanted to do. When she assured me it was, then I said I’m all in.”
“I strongly believe every community should have a good newspaper,” he added.
“If you do not know what is going on in your community you can’t grow your community, and the newspaper plays a very important role in that,” Tamara said. “It’s our job to tell everyone how their tax dollars are being spent, but it’s not just about being a government watchdog.
“We also want to promote all the good things in the community through feature stories and helping civic groups and other organizations spread the word about their activities. We have that good, local support because we have built good relationships with people in the community over the years.”
She said doing business locally is important and the newspaper does all it can to use local merchants for its goods and services.
Looking forward, the Johnsons know they are facing a challenge in today’s newspaper environment, but they are facing it with confidence as a family and the belief the community recognizes the importance of a good local newspaper.
“The challenges we face with the newspaper are not any different than any other small business,” Tamara said. “A lot of times, people forget the newspaper is, in fact, just a small business that is also trying to continue operations. To do that, we must have the support of the community, just like the gift shop on the corner or the insurance company down the street.
“Going forward, I believe we have to build on the momentum we have after announcing the purchase. We have to basically show the community that we are here to stay and, if everyone really wants to continue having a local newspaper, we need their support and we all have to support one another.”
Mike Freeman, former owner of Pea Ridge Times, dies at 82
Edward Michael Freeman of Bella Vista died November 13 at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville. He was 82.
A lifelong newspaperman, Freeman began his career at the Decatur Daily in Decatur, Alabama before becoming editor of The Montgomery Advertiser and Alabama Journal in Montgomery, Alabama. He then became editor of the Selma Times Journal in Selma, Alabama before becoming publisher of the Raton Range in Raton, New Mexico.
In 1987, he and his wife, Barbara Williams Freeman, purchased the Pea Ridge Times of
Northeast Benton County from then-owner Mary Lou Beisner, fulfilling his lifelong dream of newspaper ownership. The Freemans published The Times until 1999, when they sold the newspaper to Community Publishers Publishers Inc., in Bentonville.
In addition to his wife, Freeman is survived by his children Michael Freeman, Jr. (Yvonne) of Destin, Florida; Patrick Freeman (Yvette) of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Andrea Mills (Rodney) of Montgomery, Alabama, stepchildren Rob Baugh (Kim) and Benjamin Baugh (Becky) of Springdale and Marie Denise Knapp of Minneapolis, Minnesota; 21 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and a niece. Burial was last Saturday at Pea Ridge Cemetery.
Cartoonist Jan Eliot presented Johnson with this signed and personalized copy of her strip, “Stone Soup”, in 1998.
Eward Freeman
Remember the Sustain the Foundation of Arkansas Journalism capital campaign in your year-end giving
As we reach the end of the year, supporters of APA are encouraged to remember the Sustain the Foundation of Arkansas Journalism capital campaign.
The three-year campaign’s fundraising goal is $3 million to retire the note on the APA building in the Capitol District of Little Rock and establish a firm foundation from which to continue the work of supporting the Arkansas newspaper industry and ensuring the freedoms of press and free speech for decades to come.
APA Past President Mark Magie announced the campaign in October at the annual Press Freedom Gala.
“The APA motto says it all: Free Press, Free People,” said Magie. “But freedom is more than a word. We remain active in the fight for the future of newspapers and journalism, advocating for the need for fair and truthful reporting, education for the next generation of journalists in an evolving industry, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act and transparency at all levels of government. We must keep the APA strong because it stands in the gap and leads the fight for transparency and a viable free press.”
To pledge your support, fill out and return the pledge form to Arkansas Press Association, 411 South Victory Street, Little Rock AR 72201. For more information email ashley@arkansaspress.org or call (501) 374-1500.
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“I think journalism is a great way to do public service, to have an impact on your community.” — Bob Schieffer
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As we prepare for 2024, APA needs your current rate cards and media kits. Please send rate cards, circulation info and demographics, if available, to rebecca@arkansaspress.org so that we can make sure we have the most up-to-date information on file.
Tidings Transparency &
4 P.M. | SATURDAY | DEC. 7
ARKANSAS PRESS ASSOCIATION 411 S. Victory St. Little Rock
Kick off the evening with us and get your exclusive SPJ
“Seek Truth and Report It” ornament, then stroll over to the Capitol steps for the 86th Capitol Lighting Ceremony & Fireworks Show — the perfect holiday finale!
COOKIE DECORATING • HOT COCOA BAR SPIKED EGG NOG • FESTIVE FOOD • GREAT COMPANY
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Proceeds benefit the printing of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act Handbook.
Ida B. Wells Society invites applications for 2025 fellowship
The Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting invites professional journalists looking to expand their investigative reporting skills under the guidance of some of the top reporters and editors in the industry to apply for its 2025 Investigative Reporting Fellowship.
This no-cost, intensive program will bring professional journalists to Atlanta to sharpen their investigative reporting skills under the guidance of some of the most accomplished reporters and editors in the industry. The fellowship is intended for journalists not presently assigned to investigative teams. Up to 12 fellowships will be awarded.
During training, participants will work on projects they have proposed for publication in their respective newsrooms. The program is open to U.S.-based print, broadcast, online and multimedia journalists. Applicants must have at least three years of professional news reporting experience. Freelance journalists also are invited to apply. Fellowship applications close on Friday, December 6 at 10:59 p.m. CST. For more information, application guidelines and to enter, visit https:// idabwellssociety.org/news/2025-investigative-reporting-fellowship/.
The Center for Journalism & Liberty at Open Markets urges DOJ to break Google’s search monopoly and address AI
The Center for Journalism & Liberty at the Open Markets Institute on Wednesday submitted a detailed letter to the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division, advocating for decisive action to dismantle Google’s monopoly over online search and search text advertising. The letter outlines essential remedies to address Google’s unfair and illegal practices, particularly in the context of emerging artificial intelligence technologies.
This follows the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia’s ruling that Google violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act by maintaining illegal monopolies over online search. CJL calls on the DOJ to ensure the proposed final judgment provides robust solutions to restore competition and mitigate future harms, particularly to prevent Google from leveraging its dominance to control AI-assisted search markets.
Key recommendations from the CJL Letter include:
1. Structural remedies: CJL supports DOJ proposals to divest critical Google assets, including Chrome, the Play Store and Android, to prevent further monopolistic entrenchment.
2. AI oversight: Emphasizing the role of AI in search, CJL advocates for remedies
addressing how Google uses its data monopoly — built from vast quantities of copyright-protected and private data — to dominate AI-assisted search through Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and foundation models.
3. Opt-in approach: CJL urges a shift to opt-in data collection for AI training, ensuring that publishers have control over their content while protecting them from retaliatory practices, such as being demoted in search ranking systems.
4. End discriminatory standards: CJL highlights Google’s use of Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) to impose harmful publishing standards, urging the DOJ to prohibit Google from penalizing publishers who resist such schemes with less visibility in search products.
5. Disgorgement of improperly obtained data: CJL recommends the destruction of algorithms or AI models trained on data obtained through Google’s monopolistic
risks
practices, ensuring fairness in AI competition.
“Google’s dominance in search and its aggressive leveraging of that power into emerging AI markets pose a clear danger to competition, innovation and the integrity of our information ecosystem,” said Dr. Courtney Radsch, director of the Center for Journalism & Liberty. “The remedies outlined by the DOJ must not only address past harms but prevent future abuses that could further entrench Google’s power over innovators, content creators, news publishers and consumers worldwide.”
CJL’s letter emphasizes that the stakes of this case extend beyond search markets to the very foundation of the digital economy and democracy. By addressing Google’s systemic anticompetitive behaviors and their impact on news publishers, CJL underscores the urgency of bold, far-reaching action to break up its monopoly.
For more information or to access the full letter, please visit www.journalismliberty. org/
Guest Column: Ad-libs: Don’t ghost your clients
By John Foust
Eric is an advertiser who has dealt with a number of media salespeople. “In all of my years of placing advertising, I have only one pet peeve,” he told me. “I don’t like it when salespeople ghost me.”
Although “ghosting” is most frequently associated with personal relationships, it also occurs in business relationships. Eric is as cheerful as any advertiser you’ll meet, but it bothers him when a salesperson ignores him after an important appointment, after his store has featured a big sale, or after a new campaign starts. At those crucial times, he may need to discuss tweaks to the ad schedule or new offers to generate more interest. “I’m definitely not high-maintenance, but not promptly returning phone calls or not replying to emails and texts is wrong. That tells me they are disorganized, they are procrastinating or they are deliberately ignoring me.”
Poet Maya Angelou famously wrote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
How do you think Eric’s ghosters make him feel? Whether their inaction is intentional or not, he may feel that – after he becomes a regular advertiser – they don’t see him as worth their time any more.
Is that the way you want your clients to see you? Your answer should be a resounding “no.” The solution is to make it a standard practice to follow up regularly with every single one of your advertisers. Eric has a few words of advice:
1. Use the right method. “Some people like emails, some like texts, some like phone calls. While it’s human nature to use the
form of communication that we prefer, things are different in the world of sales. When you’re dealing with prospects and customers, think about their likes and dislikes. Reach out to each individual the way they want to be contacted. In fact, they’ll appreciate it if you ask about their preference.”
2. When you say you’re going to do something, do it. “Nobody likes broken promises. If you tell me you’ll send a proposal or an ad proof by next Tuesday, please do it. If something unexpected happens and you can’t deliver on time, please let me know as soon as you find out. I understand that delays happen, and I’ll respect you more for keeping me informed. For goodness’ sake, don’t avoid me and make me call to ask what’s taking so long.”
3. Don’t always be in sales-mode. “If someone contacts me only when they want me to buy something, their calls become an annoyance. In my business, I work to build relationships with my customers, so I appreciate it when salespeople do the same thing with me. My best piece of advice is: Show your customers that you care about them and their businesses. When they know you care, they’ll be more likely to trust you and they’ll be more likely to invest in what you’re selling.”
That advice is hard to ignore.
(c) Copyright 2024 by John Foust. All rights reserved.
John Foust has conducted training programs for thousands of newspaper advertising professionals. Many ad departments are using his training DVDs to save time and get quick results from inhouse training. Email for information: john@johnfoust.com
