PressLines ILLINOIS
July-August 2017 Month 2015
Official Publication of the Illinois Press Association
Sales tax exemption reinstated 3 Progressive prospecting for more advertising revenue 6 IPA celebrates excellence in news and advertising 4 Foust: Expectations are like icebergs 14
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IPF busy with traditional and new initiatives Summer has gone by in a blur. I can’t believe we are already through Memorial Day, the IPA convention and Independence Day. The Foundation has had a busy summer, as well, wrapping up some traditional programs, while preparing for new projects in the fall.
Vietnam Veterans' photo search I wanted to take a moment to thank all IPA member newspapers who produced beautiful Memorial Day and Independence Day sections, wrote articles on the search and on individual veterans, and those who are continually running the ads. The Foundation’s goal is to find the remaining 471 missing KATE Illinois photos by Veteran’s Day, RICHARDSON November 11. Please continue to participate in this project as long Director, Foundation & as there are missing photos of Communications veterans in the counties where you publish. Visit http://illinoispress.org/Foundation/WallofFaces.aspx for more information or to download content for publication.
Mini-Grants This is the eighth year the Foundation has offered the mini-grants program, where high school journal-
ism programs apply for grants of up to $1,500 to purchase equipment including computers, monitors and cameras, as well as Adobe Creative Suite licenses and paper for printing. This fall, the Foundation will award $25,000 in mini-grants to 21 Illinois High Schools.
IPF Journalism Camp at EIU This summer, the IPF was proud to again sponsor the IPF/Eastern Illinois University journalism camp under the direction of EIU journalism faculty, Joe Gisondi and Amanda Bright. Students just completed their 11-day stay at the Charleston campus. The first week of the camp was devoted to instruction and related exercises, including newsgathering field trips. Professional journalists provided most of the instruction. Students then practice what they have learned. For two days, students drove to newspapers where they worked with reporters and other journalists on assignments. The remainder of the second week was devoted to producing a news website. Students also traveled to Springfield where they interviewed newsmakers and news journalists at the state capitol. Camp attendee Corryn Brock said, “The IPF Camp at Eastern Illinois University was hands down the best experience of my life. I learned so much valuable information that I feel will benefit as I transition into college publications/broadcasts and more.”
IPF Director Kate Richardson (far right) had a quick visit with the IPF/ EIU camp students while they toured the state capitol.
IJEA luncheon The Foundation also celebrated some of the best young journalists in the state by sponsoring the annual IJEA All-State luncheon on Saturday, June 3. The IJEA and IPF hosted the event at the State Journal-Register in Springfield and recognized 13 students for their effort and work in 2017. The Foundation will be busy this fall with several projects including the continuation of the Vietnam veteran photo search, planning high school journalism adviser bootcamps, the implementation of a mentoring program and more. I look forward to updating you on these projects in the next issue of PressLines.
ON THE COVER: Three-year-old, Katelyn Patchak tears into a slice during a watermelon eating contest at Thursday's evening's National Night Out event in Barrington, August 4, 2016. Photo by Brian O'Mahoney/Pioneer Press. Photo originally appeared in the Barrington Courier-Review (From the collection, IPA Contest Images).
OFFICERS Sandy Macfarland | Chairman Law Bulletin Publishing 900 Community Drive Springfield, IL 62703 Ph. 217-241-1300, Fax 217-241-1301 www.illinoispress.org Illinois PressLines is printed and distributed courtesy of GateHouse Media, Inc. in Peoria and Springfield.
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DIRECTORS Matt Bute Chicago Tribune Media Group Darrell Garth Chicago Citizen Newspaper Group Jim Kirk Sun-Times Media, Chicago Karen Pletsch Daily Chronicle / Shaw Media, DeKalb
Todd Sears The State Journal-Register, Springfield Jim Shrader Civitas Media, Alton Jim Slonoff The Hinsdalean, Hinsdale Scott Stone Daily Herald Media Group, Arlington Heights
John Reed The News-Gazette Group, Champaign
Sue Walker Herald Newspapers, Inc., Chicago
Don Craven, Interim President & CEO Ext. 222 – dderossett@illinoispress.org
IPA STAFF | PHONE 217-241-1300
Owen Irwin, Assistant V.P. of Government Relations Ext. 224 - oirwin@illinoispress.org
Josh Sharp, Vice President, Government Relations Ext. 238 — jsharp@illinoispress.org
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Ron Kline, Technology & Online Coordinator Ext. 239 - rkline@illinoispress.org
Carolyn Austin, Business Manager Ext. 237 - caustin@illinoispress.org
Jeffrey Holman, Director of Advertising Ext. 248 — jholman@illinoispress.org
Kate Richardson, Director of Foundation & Communications Ext. 227 – krichardson@illinoispress.org
ILLINOIS PRESSLINES (USPS 006-862) is published bimonthly for $30 per year for Illinois Press Association members by the Illinois Press Association, 900 Community Drive, Springfield, IL 62703. Kate Richardson, Editor © Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. Volume 23 July/August/2017 Number 4 Date of Issue: 7/17/2017 POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to ILLINOIS PRESSLINES, 900 Community Drive, Springfield, IL 62703. Periodical postage paid at Springfield, Ill. and Peoria, Ill.
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Graphic Arts & Machinery Equipment sales tax exemption reinstated
JOSH SHARP Vice President, Government Relations
OWEN IRWIN Assistant Vice President, Government Relations
After nearly three years without a full state budget, the General Assembly passed a budget and revenue package in the recent overtime session. Included in the revenue package was a provision that reinstated the Graphic Arts & Machinery Equipment sales tax exemption– EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. The credit is now PERMANENT and exempt from the state’s automatic sunset laws. In addition, the Graphic Arts sales tax exemption has become part of the Manufacturing Machinery & Equipment exemption effective July 1, 2017. The restoration of this credit means no sales tax is due upon purchase of graphic arts equipment. These savings will encourage newspapers and commercial printers to invest more in their businesses and to offer the most competitive pricing. Prior to the reinstatement of this credit, Illinois was the only state in the country without a similar exemption. Graphic arts equipment is defined in Illinois as, “graphic arts machinery and equipment, in-
cluding repair and replacement parts, both new and used, and including that manufactured on special order, certified by the purchaser to be used primarily for graphic arts production, and including machinery and equipment purchased for lease. Equipment includes chemicals or chemicals acting as catalysts but only if the chemicals or chemicals acting as a catalyst effect a direct and immediate change upon a graphic arts product.” The restoration of this credit has been a truly staggering effort. Since 2014, the IPA government relations staff has worked with the General Assembly on this issue, educating legislators about the importance of print manufacturing in Illinois and the jobs created by the sector. Lobbying for this tax credit occurred at difficult time in Illinois’ history; the last three years marked a period of fiscal duress for the state. With no full state budget, huge unfunded pension liabilities, mountains of unpaid bills and numerous credit downgrades, legislators were reluctant to discuss tax issues outside of
the framework of a complete budget. However, because of the action of the legislature in the overtime session, the newspaper industry and the printing industry received a major win – a crucial tax credit has been restored that will help add new jobs to a lukewarm economy and bolster economic activity. The IPA government relations staff will work with the Illinois Department of Revenue on the
implementation of the exemption. It is expected that the Department of Revenue will incorporate the existing Graphic Arts regulations (Title 86 Part 130 Section 130.325) into the current Manufacturing Machinery & Equipment exemption regulations (Title 86 Part 130 Section 130.330). The government relations staff will monitor the situation and keep IPA members informed on the implementation process.
IPA members honored with Distinguished Service Awards
Photos by Andrew Drea
The IPA honored four longtime members at the Gala Dinner during the Annual Convention and Trade Show: (Left to right) Darrell Garth accepting on behalf of his father, William Darrell Garth Sr., Citizen Newspapers, Chicago; Thomas Oakley, Quincy Media Inc.; J. Tom Shaw accepting on behalf of his father, Tom Shaw, Shaw Media, Crystal Lake; Cheryl Wormley, The Woodstock Independent. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes IPA members for their exceptional service, involvement and support of the IPA, the Illinois Press Foundation and the Illinois First Amendment Center.
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IPA celebrates excellence in news and advertising
Photo by Andrew Drea
Photo by Stanley Schwartz
The IPA honored advertising (top) and editorial (bottom) excellence at the awards luncheons, held in conjunction with the Annual Convention & Trade Show. To see more photos from convention or a complete list of winners, visit http://illinoispress.org/Events.aspx. All images are available to member newspapers for reprinting.
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IPA honors advertising professionals
Photos by Andrew Drea
(Above left) IPA Director of Advertising Jeff Holman awards Mary Ellen Nelligan, Wednesday Journal Inc., with the 2016 Advertising Sales Representative of the Year award for a weekly newspaper. Associate Publisher Dawn Ferencak said in her nomination, Mary Ellen's "ability to streamline tasks and manage clients has given our newspaper the opportunity to grow and thrive.� (Above center) Tom Van Ness, Quincy Herald-Whig, accepts the 2016 Advertising Sales Representative of the Year award for a daily newspaper on behalf of Eric Wait. Wait's largest account decreased overall spending by 35 percent in 2016; however, he was still able to increase his overall revenue by 6 percent. (Above right) Holman awards Vicki Selby, Jacksonville Journal-Courier, with the 2016 Advertising Manager of the Year award. Journal-Courier Publisher David Bauer said of Selby, "She is a cheerleader, a partner and a relationship builder and her vision and approach has made the difference in the office and the community."
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Progressive prospecting for more advertising revenue By Stanley Schwartz Managing Editor, Publishers’ Auxiliary Editor's Note: This article is reprinted with permission from the July 2017 edition of Publishers' Auxiliary. When it comes to selling ads for your newspaper, sitting around and waiting for something to happen is a sure guarantee nothing will happen. During a workshop session at the Illinois Press Association convention, Randy Schoults, a sales trainer with ProMax Training and Consulting Inc., motivated the audience to return to their papers
with some solid training ideas and tools to help them increase their advertising. He advocates progressive prospecting, because the best way to get ad sales is to prospect for them. Even if a newspaper has a strong and stable ad base, he noted, eventually those advertisers will go away, leaving one with fewer advertisers and less revenue to run one’s operation. In a lively interactive session, Schoults helped the audience learn that of all the work-related things they have to do every day, the most important aspect of their jobs is selling, because that’s why they were hired—to sell ads into the pa-
per, and online. Schoults asked the audience what they did the first thing after getting into the office. Most said they check emails. He said the first thing one should do is make two prospecting calls. “Do two at the start of your day and two at the end,” he suggested. That way, every day you will have at least four prospecting calls under you belt. At the end of the week, that amounts to 20 prospects you’ve reached out to. Everything needs to be planned and structured, he said, because when it comes down to it, your paper should be a sales organization, not a service organization. Schoults calls it the law of a slight edge. “How we sell is just as important as what we sell,” he said. When contacting a prospect, you first have to sell yourself then, your publication. It’s what you’re offering the prospect that makes the difference.
Photo by Andrew Drea
Randy Schoults, sales trainer with ProMax Training and Consulting Inc., presents at the IPA Annual Convention & Trade Show. Some people are born to sell, he said. They have the ability to face each day with a positive outlook and want to help prospects succeed in their business through advertising in the newspaper.
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PROSPECTING Continued from Page 6
That takes research on each prospect
with a single prospect before making a
watch is right twice a day, but in the end,
you reach out to. Staying positive is ex-
sale.
it is still a broken watch.
tremely important, he emphasized, be-
You cannot wait for ads to come to
“Having a positive or productive
cause it can take from five to 12 contacts
you. One might say that even a broken
mindset will serve you better,” Schoults
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told the audience. Everyone faces hot, mild and cold prospects. It’s important to know what
See POSITIVE on Page 13
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te n a W
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IPA President/CEO
The Illinois Press Association, one of the largest and most active newspaper associations in the country, seeks a president/CEO to lead the organization and further the cause of an independent and thriving press. The IPA provides association management services to the National Newspaper Association and technology services to more than 15 state press associations. The duties of the president/CEO include member relations and development; government relations and lobbying; sales, marketing and fundraising; community and industry relations; public speaking; programs and event planning; and staff, P&L and administrative management. Meaningful experience in each of these areas is a job requirement, as are strong communications skills, superior organizational ability and professional polish. We will show preference to candidates with a background in journalism and media issues, association management and government relations. The president/CEO manages a 15-member staff, with duties spread among the Illinois Press Association, the Illinois Press Foundation and the National Newspaper Association. The president/CEO reports to the IPA Board of Directors. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse state. Please send your resume, a cover letter that addresses how you fulfill each of the above criteria and any other supporting materials to ipapresident@illinoispress. com. No phone calls please. The deadline for submission of resumes is July 24.
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Kevin Slimp answers design and technology questions
Convention season has been a lot of fun for me this year. I just returned from visits with associations across the Midwest U.S. and Western Canada and there is a definite intensity brewing among community newspaper publishers. There were more publishers wanting a private moment to discuss their thoughts, KEVIN SLIMP and longer lines of folks waiting to talk to me afDirector, Institute of ter sessions. Newspaper Technology As I entered the ballroom at the Illinois Press Association Convention, I couldn’t help but smile. Scheduled to speak on the topic, “What’s Going on at Newspapers Today,” I had a feeling there would be a need for more chairs and it was inspiring to see every seat filled and more chairs brought into the room as I spoke. Still, a dozen or so folks stood in the back area to hear what I had to say about the mood of the industry. In the vendors area at the same convention, I was greeted by Virginia publisher Matt Paxton and Wisconsin publisher Andrew Johnson, both representing the National Newspaper Association. We probably could
have talked for hours, but time was limited as I had to lead a session. We continued the discussion, centered on the crucial need for more honest conversations about the state of the industry, during breaks over the next two days. Like so many places I visit, both Matt and Andrew are at healthy newspapers and weren’t surprised to hear that most of the papers I visit are reporting steady or improved health over the past three years. I have a feeling we will meet together soon to continue that discussion. Stan Schwartz, editor of Publishers’ Auxiliary was also in the audience in Illinois. At one point, while helping me distribute some materials, he said, “You know what people like? They love your Question & Answer columns.” Stan knows what he’s doing. If he says readers like Question & Answer columns, I believe him. Here are some of the questions I’ve received from readers and friends recently: From Janet in Tennessee I know you’re on the road, but we really need your help. Our production Mac has a white screen and we’ve tried restarting it. Nothing seems to work. Please help. In the old days, Janet, it seemed like restarting a computer fixed most problems. It still fixes some, but in this case it takes a lit-
When black text prints on all four plates, causing registration problems, the culprit is usually incorrect settings in Acrobat or InDesign.
Photo by Stanley Schwartz
Kevin Slimp (far right) chats with National Newspaper Association President Matt Paxton (left) and NNA Treasurer Andrew Johnson about the state of the newspaper industry while at the Illinois Press Association Annual Convention & Trade Show in Springfield, June 7-9. tle more work. When restarting a computer doesn’t work, unplugging the computer for several minutes, then restarting, sometimes does the trick. Both Macs and PCs sometimes need to be unplugged. These are the steps I sent to Janet that got her computer up and running: Turn off the computer for several minutes, then restart while pressing the Option+R keys immediately after hearing the Apple chimes. When the computer starts up, you should see the OS X utilities menu. Select “Disk Utility” and click “Continue.” Select your start up disk and click “Repair Disk.” Then reboot your Mac. From Mark in Ohio We have “lost” an important folder of InDesign pages on our Mac server. This is the only thing missing. We do use the Amazon backup service every night. We were using the folder four nights ago, but now it has vanished. Is there any “back door”
way to find this file? Or anything else you can think of? I’m glad you have the daily backup, Mark. As long as the folder is there, you’ve lost a few hours at the most. My conversation with Mark highlights the importance of running Time Machine, which creates an hourly backup of your Macs, and the importance of having an offsite backup. There are many good cloud backup services out there, and most cost approximately $5 (US) per month per computer or even less if you subscribe for an entire network of computers. From Ken in Manitoba What’s the best way to backup our email? If we ever lose it, we’d be in a bind. If you take a look at Mark’s
See QUESTIONS on Page 13
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is proud to sponsor the 2017 Illinois Press Association Annual Convention
Congratulations to All Awards Winners! #DoJournalismWithImpact
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QUESTIONS
Continued from Page 8
Continued from Page 10
the peak seasons are for different industries, and then contact those businesses well in advance of those seasons. Fear of rejection is a big stumbling block for many salespeople, he noted. To deal with this, he provided the audience with handouts that addressed objections a salesperson might face when approaching a new prospect. When faced with a strong no by a sales prospect, an unprepared ad rep could be stopped in his or her tracks. But with some planning and a script, a sales rep can overcome various rejections. He suggested using a bridge to span the gap between the salesperson and the prospect. He said first agree with, compliment or empathize with the prospect. With a second no from the prospect, Schoults said the salesperson should pivot by asking a question, providing some needed information about sales or providing testimonials from current advertisers.
If this has worked, he noted, the salesperson could advance to close the sale or encourage a meeting. But he also cautioned that if the prospect continues to object, the salesperson should go back to the bridge and start again. If the prospect is still not receptive, the salesperson should have a professional exit strategy and make contact another way. Before launching into a sales pitch, Schoults said, a salesperson should do a thorough needs analysis on the prospect’s business to help in developing a customized campaign so the business can achieve its goals. Schoults said it’s important to always anticipate your next move. Schedule your workweek by blocking out time for your various tasks. Know ahead of time what prospects you’re going to call on and script out what you want to say. Being proactive will go a long way to improving one’s sales, he said.
question, you’ll find your answer. It’s important to use Time Machine or some other local backup, in addition to an off-site backup. Many cloud (off-site) systems offer both off-site and local backups (to a USB drive or other device). Carbonite (carbonite.com) is one of many such systems. From Buddy in Georgia I’d like to pick your brain for a moment. Many of our printing customers are having a similar problem: black text printing on all four plates. Do you have any suggestions to help with this issue? Yes, Buddy, I do. Most folks see
Make Sales Soar Like Magic
a file like this and think the problem was caused by using “registration” instead of black in the text. That’s usually not the case. This happens primarily when the text has been converted to RGB. This can happen in two places, but usually happens when converting the file to PDF. Check the settings in either InDesign or Acrobat and make sure nothing is set to convert to RGB. The safest setting is “Leave Color Unchanged.” Kevin Slimp is the CEO of newspaperacademy.com and director of The Newspaper Institute. Contact Kevin at kevin@newspaperacademy.com
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Expectations are like icebergs
Saundra’s experience as a sales manager has given her a unique perspective on client relationships. “Most salespeople in the advertising business are taught to discover problems and prescribe solutions to those problems,” she said. “Too often, a salesperson hears about a problem and says, ‘We can fix that. Just advertise with us, and everything will be fine. It’ll be JOHN FOUST fantastic.’ I think that’s a flawed apRaleigh, N.C. proach, because it sets unrealistic expectations. “A long time ago, I heard that expectations are like icebergs,” she explained. “Only 10 percent is above the surface. It’s the 90 percent you can’t see that can sink your boat. The obvious things are above the surface: when the ads run, how much they cost, and copy that has been proofed for typos. The hidden expectations – the things below the surface – are their expectations on the results the ads are supposed to generate. “Expectations can be our best friends or our worst enemies,” she said. “When we meet – or exceed – advertisers’ expectations, they feel good about our product and want to run more ads. But when the ads let them down, they might move their ad dollars somewhere else.” Saundra went on to say that she teaches her team how to bring hidden expectations above the surface. “Advertisers are going to have expectations whether or not we bring up the subject. The key is to have some control over those expectations. We want our advertisers to understand that an image campaign is not going to make their cash registers ring right away. And we want them to know that a response campaign has to make the right offers in order to create immediate results.”
Here are some key points: 1. Ad results drive ad sales. An old friend in the advertising business once said, “When you’re catching rabbits, don’t move the box.” In other words, when an ad strategy produces good results, it makes sense to continue that strategy. On the other hand, if a merchant’s ads in a particular media outlet produce disappointing results, he or she may think, “Ads in the Gazette don’t work.” When ads start running, there’s a lot riding on results. 2. Go for measurable outcomes. The surest way to convey the value of running ads with you is to measure results. It’s hard to believe a statement like, “Car dealers get good responses from advertising here.” It’s more convincing to say, “Ace Motors ran a two-month campaign with us last year, and they generated x-percent increase in sales over that same period in the previous year.” 3. Look for comparisons. On one level, you can compare ad response rates within your own paper. (“When Advertiser A changed from image ads to weekly specials, their response rates increased x-percent.”) On a deeper level, you can compare results with other media outlets (“Advertiser B moved their ads from XYZ Media to us and generated x-percent increase in traffic.”) Selling requires us to manage expectations. That’s a good way to melt a few icebergs. © Copyright 2017 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 videos to save time and get quick results from in-house training. E-mail for information: john@johnfoust.com
AROUND THE STATE
Q-C Times owner purchases Dispatch • Argus • QCOnline Lee Enterprises Inc., the owner of the Quad-City Times, announced June 19 that it reached an agreement to purchase the assets of The D i spatc h•A r g u s• Q C O n l i ne .c om , serving Rock Island, Moline and other communities in western Illinois. The sale closed June 30. According to the Quad-City Times, the purchase price was $7.15 million, including an adjustment for working capital. Lee Enterprises provides local news, information and advertising in 49 markets. The Dispatch publishes seven mornings a week, with a combined average daily circulation of more than 25,000. It was previously owned by the Small Newspaper Group, based in Kankakee. Kevin Mowbray, Lee president and chief executive officer, said Debbie Anselm, publisher of the
Quad-City Times and the Muscatine Journal, will become publisher of the Dispatch•Argus, succeeding Gerald J. Taylor. "Lee is honored for the Dispatch•Argus to be joining our media family," Anselm said. "Our newspapers share rich histories of community leadership dating to the mid1800s. "In Moline, Rock Island, Davenport and Muscatine, we have embraced the same values for more than 150 years, an enduring commitment to strong local news and unfailing dedication to our readers and advertisers," she said. "That commitment and dedication will continue. The Dispatch•Argus will maintain its editorial independence and distinct voice as an indispensable community asset." Tom Biermann has been named general manager of the Dispatch•Argus, Ms. Anselm said.
Chicago Reader staff authorizes strike, demands higher pay With hopes of higher pay, the unionized staff of the Chicago Reader voted unanimously May 12 to authorize a strike. The move acts as a formal threat to the weekly newspaper's owner, Wrapports, that it's time to get serious in negotiations, music editor Philip Montoro said. Employees are paid so little that many freelance or rent out their apartments to bring in extra income, or they leave the paper, Montoro said. He's been with the paper about 20 years and in his position for 13. He said he makes $42,000 a year. "It's a free paper, and when you come to work for the Reader, you understand your salary will probably be below market," he said. "The problem is the salaries that were set below market 10, 12, 13 years ago haven't budged.
"It makes it hard to survive." Wrapports, the owner of the Chicago Sun-Times, bought the Reader in 2012 for about $3 million, according to a Chicago Tribune report. It has not offered increased salaries or benefits since the union, which represents 17 editorial staffers at the Reader, proposed a contract 16 months ago, Montoro said. Wrapports spokeswoman Marisa Kollias wrote in an email that the company has been negotiating with the Chicago News Guild for several months over a contract and has made progress in some areas. It remains "committed to negotiating in good faith," she said. "While we remain apart on some issues, we continue to hope we can keep negotiating to a positive resolution," Kollias said. "It is unfortunate that the Guild has taken this step."
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Congratulations to our 2017 Pulitzer Prize Winner & Finalists We’re immensely proud of the work you’ve done and continue to do
PULITZER PRIZE WINNER
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
“Tavon and the Bullet” E. Jason Wambsgans
“For a superb portrayal of a 10-year-old boy and his mother striving to put the boy’s life back together after he survived a shooting in Chicago.” – Pulitzer Prize Board
PULITZER PRIZE FINALISTS PUBLIC SERVICE
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
“Dangerous Doses” - Chicago Tribune
“Suffering in Secret”
COMMENTARY
For work led by
Ray Long
Karisa King
Sam Roe
Michael J. Berens
Patricia Callahan
Dahleen Glanton
JULY-AUGUST 2017
Benton Evening News transitions to weekly newspaper
On May 17, Benton Evening News Managing Editor Geoff Ritter announced the paper would be going from a daily publication to a weekly publication effective immediately. Paddock Publications purchased the newspaper and several other southern Illinois weeklies last summer.
Daily Herald subsidiary buys Lawton Publishing Town Square Publications, a subsidiary of Paddock Publications, announced May 24 that it has purchased the assets of Lawton Publishing, the chamber publishing division of Lawton Printing in Spokane, Wash. The purchase broadens Town Square's national footprint in chamber of commerce publishing. Town Square, which already has strong chamber publishing relationships in Illinois, California and Texas, will now absorb Lawton Publishing's Businesses in the West and Northwest U.S. Daily Herald Chair, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer Doug Ray said the purchase is in line with the company's strategic plan to increase Paddock Publications' business in new and different ways. The growing Town Square business contributes significantly to the company's revenue and profitability, he said. "The decision to expand into the nondaily newspaper business nearly 10 years ago has proved to be an excellent one," Ray said. "Combined with the strength of the Daily Herald brand in print and digital, events, other specialty products and commercial printing, Paddock continues to be a more diversified company, helping to sustain a brighter future for the company and its employees." Ray's son, Scott Ray, is vice president of Town Square Publications.
ILLINOIS PRESSLINES
AROUND THE STATE
Union group led by Eisendrath outduels Chicago Tribune owner to acquire Chicago Sun-Times An investment group led by former Chicago Ald. Edwin Eisendrath that includes a coalition of labor unions acquired the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Reader on July 13, staving off a competing bid for the papers by the owner of the Chicago Tribune. “A great group has come together and made sure that a genuine voice with honest and good reporting that connects with working men and women thrives,” Eisendrath said shortly before the deal closed. “The Sun-Times has been an important part of Chicago for our whole lives,” Eisendrath added. “We are inspired by the writing and reporting, and a group of civic-minded leaders wanted to save that.” Eisendrath said he didn’t yet have permission to identify all the members of his investment group. Besides Eisendrath, it includes corporate restructuring expert William Brandt, the Chicago Federation of Labor, other local labor unions and about a half-dozen other individuals. A press conference to announce the deal is set for July 13. “Our investors include more than half-a-million hardworking people around Chicago, and you can bet we’ll be talking with a voice that resonates with the working class,” Eisendrath said. “We’re going to organize around that to raise circulation.” Terms of the sale weren’t disclosed. But a source involved in the transaction said the purchase price of SunTimes parent Wrapports LLC totaled only $1. The Eisendrath group, called ST Acquisition Holdings LLC, won over the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division — which is responsible for investigating newspaper mergers and oversaw the sale — by securing more than $11.2 million in operating funds to bankroll the company for an undisclosed period.
The Eisendrath group edged out Tronc Inc., which owns the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Baltimore Sun and several other newspapers across the country. Tronc Chairman Michael Ferro — the principal owner in Wrapports before he assumed a controlling interest in Tronc and donated his Wrapports shares to a charitable trust — had long expressed an interest in single ownership of both the Tribune and SunTimes. Tronc, short for Tribune online content, had announced its intent to buy the Sun-Times in May, setting forward the process overseen by the Justice Department by which others could bid. Traditionally, the federal government has frowned on a single entity controlling multiple media operations in the same market. So the sale process required Wrapports to sell to a bidder other than Tronc if that bidder could prove it had the money to operate the Sun-Times, hence the $1 purchase price. The Eisendrath group’s deal preserves two independent newspaper voices in Chicago, one of the last two-newspaper towns in America. Tronc had vowed to operate the Tribune and Sun-Times as independent titles, though media observers had expressed skepticism over how long that would last. The Chicago News Guild, which represents unionized newsroom employees at the Sun-Times and Reader, had been vehemently opposed to Tronc buying the Sun-Times and Reader. The Guild is not one of the unions involved in the planned purchase. “We’re thrilled with this development,” News Guild consultant David Roeder said. “We look forward to working with Edwin Eisendrath and his backers in charting a new course forward for the Sun-Times and Reader.”
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Tribune Media selling stations to Sinclair Group Ninety-three years of history will come to an end for "Chicago's Very Own" with the sale of Tribune Media, owner of hometown icons WGN-Channel 9 and WGN AM 720, to the politically connected Sinclair Broadcast Group. Baltimore-based Sinclair will acquire Tribune Media at $43.50 per share for a total price of $3.9 billion, according to an agreement announced May 8. Pending regulatory approval, the deal is expected to close near the end of the year. Among Tribune Media's 42 TV stations in 33 markets is WGN Television, which has been owned and operated out of Chicago since 1948. Also sold is WGN Radio, launched by the Chicago Tribune in 1924. Tribune Media also owns cable network WGN America, digital multicast network Antenna TV, and minority stakes in TV Food Network and CareerBuilder. Sinclair was able to make the deal only after the Federal Communications Commission voted to ease limits on broadcast TV ownership in April 2017. When the deal closes, Sinclair will cover up to 72 percent of the nation, including 233 television stations, plus radio properties in Chicago and Seattle/Tacoma, Wash.
Illinois newspapers celebrate anniversaries
100 175
Forest Park Review
Pike Press, Pittsfield
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Review hires new reporter
ILLINOIS PRESSLINES
PRESS PEOPLE
Thomas Vogel has joined the staff of the Forest Park Review and Wednesday Journal as a staff reporter. Vogel has worked as a freelance reporter for the Review and recently earned John Foreman, president of of Professional Journalists project on his master's degree from the Medill News-Gazette Media, retired at the access to government called “Project School of Journalism at Northwestern end of June after 39 Sunshine.” University. years with the company. He was the first recipient of the A native of the Oak Park and River He's worn many hats “James C. Craven Award for Freedom Forest area, he is a graduate of Oak over the years, includ- of the Press” from the Illinois Press Park and River Forest High School. ing city editor, manag- Association and the second recipient In his new post, Vogel will be the ing editor, editor, gen- of the Illinois AP Editors’ “Lincoln lead reporter for the Review, covering eral manager, publisher, League of Journalists” award. He has village government, District 91 and president. And now, he been named to the Journalism Hall of Foreman District 209 schools, the park district takes on the role of ed- Fame by the faculty at Eastern Illinois and local business. In addition, he itor emeritus. University, and in 2006, he was named will cover River Forest for Wednesday Foreman is past chair of the Illinois Illinois Journalist of the Year by the Journal. First Amendment Center, the Illinois faculty at Northern Illinois University. Press Association, Illinois Associated In 2016, the Illinois Press Association Press Editors and the Mid-America honored Foreman at their annual conPress Institute. In addition, for many vention with a Distinguished Service years he served as chair of a Society Award. Don T. Bricker has begun his second tenure with Shaw Media as publisher of Sauk Valley Media. Effective June 1, Jim product on three radio stations and Bricker assumed leadRossow was promot- all digital counterparts. ership of the Telegraph, ed to the new posiRossow is a 24-year veteran of Daily Gazette, Ogle tion of vice president The News-Gazette. He spent 17 County Newspapers and of news. At the same years as the sports editor. In 2013, Prairie Advocate on May time, Jeff D'Alessio he was named executive editor, and 16. He succeeds Sam R. was promoted to editor promoted to editor a year later. Fisher, who continues Bricker of The News-Gazette. As editor, D'Alessio is responsible to be publisher of the Rossow Additionally, longtime for the entirety of The News-GaBureau County Republican, Putnam photographer Robin zette print and online content. County Record and Tonica News. Scholz has been proD'Alessio served as the UI men's Bricker will be based in Sterling. moted to photo editor. basketball writer for The News-Ga"I'm grateful and excited to join In his new role, Roszette from 1994-2000. He rejoined Sauk Valley Media and rejoin Shaw sow heads up the toNews-Gazette Media in 2013 as a Media," said Bricker, who worked for tality of the news-promanaging editor after senior-levthe company from 2008 to 2014. "The ducing organization, el management stints at Sporting company understands the imporwhich includes 65 News, Florida Today and the AtlanD'Alessio tance of community journalism and professional journalta Journal-Constitution. the role we play in broader service to ists and support staff. Scholz succeeds former Photo Edcommunity. His responsibilities itor John Dixon, who retired May Bricker has worked in the newspaexpand beyond the 31. per and media business for more than daily newspaper and Scholz started at The News-Ga40 years, in Illinois, Ohio, Califorits website to include zette in 1991, and before that nia and Colorado. With Shaw Media, executive oversight worked at her father-in-law's chain he has been publisher of the Daily of seven community of weeklies in central Illinois and at Chronicle in DeKalb and the Kane Scholz newspapers, the news the Waterloo Daily Courier in Iowa. County Chronicle, and eventually was responsible for overseeing Shaw MeHave a position to fill or looking for a new position? dia's suburban Chicago operations. For the past 3 years, Bricker worked Check out our job bank to post or find job openings! for Colorado College in Colorado illinoispress.org/Services/JobBank.aspx Springs.
News-Gazette president retires after 39 years
Bricker rejoins Shaw as Sauk Valley Media publisher
News-Gazette announces promotions
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Elliott appointed publisher Veteran newspaper executive Mark C. Elliott has been appointed publisher of the Mt. Vernon Register-News and the McLeansboro Times-Leader, effective June 3. Elliott has been the advertising director for the Anderson, Ind., Herald Bulletin for the last two years, and the Goshen, Ind., News for two years before that. Previously, he also served Elliot in executive advertising and marketing roles for newspapers in Arkansas, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont and Connecticut. The Register-News publishes three days a week – Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The McLeansboro Times-Leaders publishes weekly on Thursdays.
Rosenberger named managing editor of Times News Group The Times News Group named a new managing editor, Tim Rosenberger, who began his new role on May 30. Most recently, Rosenberger worked as a police, fire and general assignment intern reporter for The Peoria Journal Star. He has also worked for the Peoria County Chronicle Rosenberger and The Peorian magazine. Rosenberger graduated with a bachelor's degree in news editorial journalism from Illinois State University in 2013. He also received a master's in magazine reporting from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in 2016. Rosenberger was born and raised in Peoria. The Times News Group publishes the Pekin Daily Times as well as five weeklies in Tazewell, Woodford and Peoria counties.
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Hosey named Joliet Herald-News news editor Joe Hosey returned to The Herald-News in June to lead the daily news staff as the news editor. Hosey comes from Patch, where he was the field editor. Prior to that, he spent 11 years at the Herald-News, where he was everything from a crime reporter to metro columnist to member of the Sun-Times investigative Hosey reporting team. In 2015, the Northern Illinois University journalism department named him the Illinois Journalist of the Year. In 2014, the National Press Club awarded him the John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award. Hosey also authored the book "Fatal Vows: The Tragic Wives of Sergeant Drew Peterson," published in 2008.
Rotary Club honors Hinsdalean owners Pamela Lannom and Jim Slonoff were two of five honored for their community leadership by the Rotary Club to commemorate the Rotary Foundation’s 100th anniversary at a luncheon on May 12. The Rotary Club awarded each Lannom and Slonoff a Centennial Paul Harris Fellow for their community leadership in founding and deLannom veloping The Hinsdalean, an outstanding means of enhancing and focusing the sense of community in Hinsdale. The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary International, dedicated to advancing Slonoff world understanding, goodwill and peace. A Paul Harris Fellowship is the foundation’s way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian, educational and civic goals.
ILLINOIS PRESSLINES
PRESS PEOPLE
Herald-Whig Advertising Director Van Ness named TV sales executive, Loftus to succeed Tom Van Ness, advertising director of The Herald-Whig since June 2015, was been named a sales account executive with WEEK and WHOI TV in Peoria. The Herald-Whig and WEEK and WHOI are owned by Quincy Media Inc. Van Ness began work June 19 in Peoria. A graduate of Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., Van Ness joined The Herald-Whig as an advertising account executive in 2008 after working for two years as an automotive account executive and major/ national account executive for the Denver Newspaper Agency, publisher of the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News. He was named marketing and promotions manager of The Herald-Whig in 2010 and general sales manager in 2012. Van Ness has overseen the development and launch of three websites The LocalQ.com, WhigMotors. com. and WhigHomes.com and Q Magazine, which is published six times a year. Ron Wallace, vice president of newspapers and general manager of The Herald-Whig, announced the ap-
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pointment of Gary Loftus to succeed Van Ness. Loftus began his career as Loftus Van Ness cla ssif ied advertising manager for the Hastings (Neb.) Tribune in 1976. He has worked as a retail sales director, general manager, revenue developer and publisher for a variety of newspapers, magazines and other publications. Loftus most recently was publisher of the Fremont Tribune and Plattsmouth Journal in Fremont, Neb., publications owned by Lee Enterprises. Before that he spent seven years as chief revenue leader for both the Fence Post and Countryside magazines in Greeley, Colo. The Fence Post is a twice-weekly agriculture-livestock publication distributed in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming. Countryside is a nationally distributed rural-lifestyle magazine.
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Weaver promoted at Mattoon/Charleston newspaper Mattoon Journal Gazette/Charleston Times-Courier Publisher Craig Rogers announced June 5 the newspaper's editor, Penny Weaver, has been promoted to associate publisher. Weaver continues her role and duties as the newspaper's editor, while having taken on expanded responsibilities to assist Rogers as he handles regional Weaver tasks for the JG-TC and The Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale. Both newspapers are owned by Lee Enterprises. A Shelbyville native, Weaver is a 1992 graduate of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston with a bachelor of arts in journalism and a minor in creative writing. She has worked at newspapers in cities including Lawrenceville, Effingham and Vandalia in Illinois; Atlanta, Georgia; and Houston, Texas. She has been employed at the JG-TC since July 2003.
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Norman Schaefer
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Norman B. (Norm) Schaefer, 75, died June 18 at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. He had been fighting a second bout of lung cancer, The Journal-Standard Advertising but the cause of death was a head injury from a fall at an assisted living facil- Director Michele Massoth died June 16 in a car crash near ity, according to his daughter, Aimee Wausau, Wis., a family Schaefer. member said. He was born March Massoth worked in 7, 1942 in Chicago and advertising at the Rockhad been a resident of ford Register Star for Libertyville for the past more than 34 years be10 years. He was a forfore assuming a manamer graphic designer for Massoth gerial role at The JourPlayboy Enterprises and Sun Times Media. Schaefer Surviving are his wife of 33 years, Holly Schaefer; three children, Wren Gordon, Gary W. Koehler, 66, of Bartlett, Nicholas (Shannon) Schaefer and AiTenn., formerly of Peru, died Monmee (Rob Gallagher) Schaefer; and day, June 5, 2017. Koefive grandchildren. hler was stricken with a massive stroke while at his summer home in Minocqua, Wis. Roger N. Warkins, a DeKalb naKoehler was the tive and former publisher of the Daily sports editor for the Chronicle known for his business savLaSalle News Tribune vy and fun-loving spirit, has died. He Koehler for 13 years. His career was 77. then led him to a writer position on Warkins climbed the ladder in his the staff of Duck’s Unlimited magacareer from a paperboy to execuzine. He was also a featured writer tive vice president of Scripps League in nationally recognized hunting, Newspapers Inc., a comdog and sports magazines. pany that owned 51 small Upon his retirement 3 years ago, newspapers, including the Chronicle. Warkins, born Oct. 28, 1939, died Monday, June 5, 2017. He lived in Navarre, Fla. Warkins Warkins, a member of DeKalb High School’s Class of 1957, was named publisher of the Daily Chronicle in August 1980, after serving in that role for six years at The Dalles Chronicle in The Dalles, Ore. It was a return home in more ways than one – Warkins was the Daily Chronicle’s circulation manager before taking the job in Oregon. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Judith Warkins; two sons, Michael and Timothy Warkins; and three grandchildren.
Michele Massoth nal-Standard in Freeport in May 2012. She also was active in the Freeport Downtown Development Foundation, the Freeport Fish Tank entrepreneurship competition and the newspaper's editorial board. A 29-year resident of Winnebago, Massoth leaves behind her husband of 35 years, John Massoth Sr.; a son, John Jr.; and grandchildren Payton Massoth and Reganne Massoth.
Gary Koehler
Roger Warkins
Koehler continued as a freelance writer in the hunting and fishing fields. He also was instrumental in establishing the national Duck’s Unlimited Museum, located in the Bass Pro Shop in downtown Memphis. Koehler graduated from LaSalle–Peru High School in the class of 1969, graduated from Illinois Valley Community College in 1971 and received his bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1973 at Southern Illinois University. Survivors include his wife, Nancy, three daughters and two grandchildren.
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Donna Jean Matthews Carver Donna Jean Matthews Carver, 65, of Pawnee, died, Saturday, May 20 at her home. Carver retired as the executive assistant to the publisher of the State Journal-Register, where she worked from 1985 to 2011. As a gifted writer, she also served as editor of The Bulldog, which Carver was a well-loved newsletter for the employees and supporters of the SJ-R. Carver enjoyed traveling with her family, friends, and her pet companion, Cozy. She is survived by her husband, Jim.
Michael Sisti Michael E. Sisti, 63, of Williamsville, died Tuesday, May 16 at Memorial Medical Center. Sisti worked for 23 years in the technology department at The State Journal-Register. His wife of 28 years, Lisa Sisti, is the clip department supervisor at the Illinois Press Association. Sisti Michael was a resident of Williamsville for 29 years and enjoyed photography. He is survived by his wife and two sons, Jonathan and Tyler.
IL newspapers have helped locate over 100 missing photos of Vietnam veterans so far! Please keep promoting the Vietnam Veterans Wall of Faces to your communities. More than 500 photos of servicemen and women killed in Vietnam are still missing from the Wall of Faces (http://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/). Customizable ads and an editorial are now available for download at http://illinoispress.org/Foundation/WallofFaces.aspx Thank you to all the newspapers participating in this effort!
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