professional services // MEDIA
A JOSH SCHIMMELS Publisher // AZ Big Media // azbigmedia.com As the publisher of eight magazines — Az Business, AZRE (Arizona Commercial Real Estate), Ranking Arizona, Az Business Leaders, Az Business Angels, Experience AZ, PTK (People & Projects To Know) and the Cactus League’s Play Ball. AZ Big Media also hosts 11 business events, delivers five weekly digital newsletters, and publishes a news website — azbigmedia.com —that BuzzFeed said, “Everyone in Phoenix should know about.” Source of pride: “As a cancer survivor, being on the Board of Trustees for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society allows me the opportunity to impact cancer patients and families throughout Arizona.” Professional advice: “If you can’t do it with passion, change what it is you are doing. Surround yourself amongst people whose passion is even greater than yours.”
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B NATASHA BEAL Owner and publisher // Eculeus Group Publishing // myhyperlocalnews.com Beal has given Phoenix residents a sense of community and belonging by founding Eculeus Group Publishing, which focuses on hyper-local news both in print and online in the Phoenix metro area. Eculeus Group Publishing currently produces six publications - the Deer Valley Times, North Tatum Times, North 32nd News, Scottsdale North News, The Scottsdale Standard and The Upper Westsider. Personal strengths: “I am a serial entrepreneur. I am lucky in this life to share my passions with my husband and business partner Brian Beal. I am a huge believer in the power of connections and find that it is rare to meet someone and not learn something from them.”
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C DEAN DITMER President and general manager // 12 News // 12news.com
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Ditmer has been president and GM of 12News since January 2017. He began his career at WKEFTV and WHIO-TV in Dayton, where he was an Emmy-nominated sportscaster. He serves on the Endowment Board of ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Personal strengths: “I think spending most of my time in sales has taught me the value of versatility in my communication style. In my industry, to lead you have to connect with all types of people from different generations and walks of life.” Professional advice: “Buckle up. Media has and will continue to evolve so much in the coming years. Commit to being a student ongoing to adapt to all of the changes. Content is king. If you can create compelling content in our digital world and wild information age, you will cash in.”
D LINDA LITTLE Phoenix market president // iHeart Media // iheartmedia.com During her 20-year career, Little has become known for using a combination of broadcast, digital and event marketing assets to create and execute marketing solutions that drive results. Since becoming market president in 2015, she has created a community impact initiative called #iHeartPhxProject, which incentivizes her team to get involved in the community and support causes that are important to them. Professional advice: “Never stop learning. Our industry has changed dramatically with digital and social media adding to the complexity of reaching consumers and getting your message heard. My advice is to never remain in the past, focus on new ways to integrate media and keep learning to stay ahead of your competition.”
E STEVE STRICKBINE President // Times Media Group // timespublications.com Strickbine grew up in the Valley and attended Arizona State University. As a CPA, he ran a small accounting practice before entering the publishing business. Today, he is the president of Times Media Group, the company he founded in 1997. Times Media Group publishes several community newspapers and magazines throughout the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas. Personal strengths: “I commit to my team members. I get up when I fall down. I swim upstream. Most importantly, I believe in this country, and in the many opportunities it provides its citizens to freely pursue their ideas and passions.” Industry outlook: “My outlook for the community news industry is extremely bullish. With so many online media hacks roaming the Web, I don’t believe the need for community news and facts has ever been more vital.” 168 ABL | Nominate at azBIGmedia.com
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