newsclips
NOVEMBER 2016
Spread The Word! OCNA Seeking Junior Citizen Nominees Extraordinary young leaders – they’re all around us – in schools, at church and on sports teams. The truth is, there are young people everywhere who are working hard to make their community a better place by volunteering for various organizations, making donations, saving lives and maintaining top grade averages. It’s time to recognize their dedication and nominate them for a 2016 Ontario Junior Citizen Award. Help us celebrate the youth in your community! These awards have been designed as a Public Service Program for Ontario’s Community Newspapers and are sponsored generously by TD Bank Group. The Junior Citizen Awards have also been wholeheartedly supported by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario since inception in 1981. Any Ontario resident aged six to 17 is eligible for the award and can be nominated in one of five areas: • A person involved in worthwhile community service • A special young person contributing to their community while living with a physical or psychological limitation • An individual who has performed an act of heroism in the past year • Excellence in achievement, such as the arts or athletics • Good kids who show a commitment to make life better for others and do more than is normally expected of someone their age
Acknowledge Exceptional. Help us celebrate the junior citizens who make our communities better. Nominate someone age 6–17 for a 2016 Ontario Junior Citizen Award! Maya Burhanpurkar 2010 Ontario Junior Citizen, Shanty Bay, ON
Do you know someone who is involved in worthwhile community service, is contributing while living with a limitation, has performed a heroic act, demonstrates individual excellence, or is going above and beyond to help others? If so, nominate them today! Nomination forms are available from this newspaper, and the Ontario Community Newspapers Association at www.ocna.org or 416-923-7724 ext. 4439. ONTARIO JUNIOR CITIZEN AWARDS
Sponsored by:
A sample of the ads currently running in OCNA member newspapers to promote the program. OCNA_Ad2e_med 10/16.indd 1 16-10-26
2:11 PM
Everyone nominated will receive a Certificate of Recognition from their local community newspaper, but up to 12 individuals will be chosen as final recipients and invited to a special ceremony held in the spring of 2017 to receive their award. Please help us spread the word about this worthwhile program! OCNA members are currently running a series of ads in their publications to promote the Junior Citizen Awards and the association is very grateful! Other ways to help include forwarding information to your list of contacts, including teachers at schools, staff at municipalities, librarians and other community organizations. Newspapers write about these outstanding young people on a regular basis, therefore members are encouraged to submit nominations themselves as well. We suggest looking back on any stories published over the past year to determine if someone is deserving of recognition. The nomination deadline is November 30 and nomination forms are available for download online at www.ocna.org/juniorcitizen or by calling OCNA at 416-923-7724 ext. 4439. For more information please contact Kelly Gorven at k.gorven@ocna.org.
WHAT’S INSIDE: November 2016
CPF AID TO PUBLISHERS UPDATE Applications will be available soon. Deadline to apply is early December.
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HOLIDAY PARTIES AND COMPANY LIABILITY Some suggestions to manage your risk this holiday season.
See Page 5
DESIGN: THINK DIFFERENT Begin to think different about news design - or risk having no design at all.
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PUBLICATION OF THE ONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION 1
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
Introducing OCNA’s New Preferred Partners Program
A Message From Caroline Medwell, Executive Director It is my pleasure to announce OCNA’s partnership with the following companies. As an added bonus of being a member with the association, I encourage you to take advantage of the discounted rates these partners have graciously offered.
NEWSCLIPS VOLUME 05, ISSUE 05 37 Front Street E, Ste 200 Toronto, ON M5E 1B3 P. 416-923-7724 w. www.ocna.org e. info@ocna.org
1-800-Got Junk OCNA Members can receive $25 off junk removal for participating locations.
OCNA BOARD PRESIDENT
Dave Adsett
CHOICE HOTELS Members of the OCNA can save up to 15% off the best available rate at over 325 locations in Canada and 6,300 worldwide.
FIRST VP
Ray Stanton
SECOND VP
Anne Marie Creskey
SECRETARY/ TREASURER
John Willems
PAST PRESIDENT
Gordon Cameron
DIRECTORS
Abbas Homayed Alicia McCutcheon Darren Murphy Rick Shaver John Willems
ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) Explore one of Canada’s largest museums, where jaw-dropping dinosaurs, glittering gems and mysterious mummies are just a few of the treasures on display. Enjoy 20% off tickets. PARK’N Fly Take advantage of great savings with Park ‘N Fly ‘s ‘Best Value’ in Airport Parking, which can be used for business or personal travel. ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE Save on General Admission and IMAX tickets. Details about each one of these preferred partners is available on the ‘Members Section’ of our Web site. Please note: you must be logged in as a member to access this file. It can be found under ‘Programs and Services’. The OCNA is working to build relationships with even more companies to bring you a variety of discounts and benefits. For more information about the OCNA’s new Preferred Partners Program, please feel free to contact me at c.medwell@ocna.org or 416-923-7724 ext. 4428.
OCNA STAFF
IN THIS ISSUE...
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Caroline Medwell
04 ............................................................CPF AID TO PUBLISHERS UPDATE
MEMBER SERVICES
05 ..........................................HOLIDAY PARTIES AND COMPANY LIABILITY
Karen Shardlow Kelly Gorven
ACCOUNTING
Lucia Shepherd
06 .........................................................GOING TO A NETWORKING EVENT?
AD*REACH
Ted Brewer Pam Portt Carolyn Press Erica Leyzac
07 ....................................UPCOMING ONLINE MEDIA CAMPUS WEBINARS 08 ........................................................................DESIGN: THINK DIFFERENT 09 ...........................................................INTERVIEWS WITH TECH EXPERTS
November 2016
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
Newspapers Canada’s Cross-Country Check-In
OCNA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
The Athabasca Advocate, an award-winning weekly newspaper in Alberta, unveiled a significantly re-designed print product last month. Bearing a new logo and front page design, the newspaper’s updated look is, so far, generating excellent reviews. It has inspired Newspapers Canada to check-in with members across the country, seeking new and innovative projects. The re-design of the Advocate is just one example of many exciting projects newspapers are currently undertaking in order to reach new readers, in fast-growing communities, across the country. Is your publication currently involved in a modernization project that you’d like others to know about? Newspapers Canada wants to hear from you. Tweet a short message, or a link, to @NewspaperCanada and include the hashtag #CrossCountryCheckin. Additionally, you can send an e-mail to: bjolly@newspaperscanada.ca with updates.
LONG-TIME LAKEFIELD HERALD EMPLOYEE RETIRES Andrea Bell, office manager at the Lakefield Herald retired on Oct 7, 2016. Andrea started at the Katchewanooka Herald, where she worked for seven years before moving on to the Lakefield Herald for 14 years.
OCNA MEMBERS TALK IMPORTANCE OF RURAL STORY-TELLING Shawn Louglin, editor of the Citizen in Blyth and Brussels, spoke as part of a panel discussing evolving ways of telling rural stories at the first-ever Rural Talks to Rural (R2R) conference that brought nearly 200 rural leaders from across North America to Blyth for three days in late September. Citizen Publisher Keith Roulston moderated two panels, one on the importance of telling rural stories and one featuring farm and food producers who have found creative solutions to developing niche markets. R2R was hosted by the Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity, a new hub for rural arts and economic creativity located in Blyth. Another R2R is planed for 2018.
Situated in the picturesque, vibrant lakeside community of The City of Temiskaming Shores, Northern Ontario’s premier printing company is
HIRING AN EXPERIENCED
PRESSPERSON
ORANGEVILLE CITIZEN WELCOMES NEW NEWS EDTIOR
The successful candidate is familiar and comfortable with a Community Goss press. You work as a team player responsible for a minimum of eight weekly community newspapers and specialty publications per week in a very busy shop. In addition to the rewards which come with living in a sought-out community, you will enjoy an excellent benefit and pension package.
SPEAKER
Mike Pickford is the new news editor at the Orangeville Citizen in Ontario. A graduate from the Durham College journalism program, Pickford started his newspaper career as a reporter and news editor for a number of community papers in western Canada and most recently ran the newsroom at the Bonnyville Nouvelle in Alberta.
Please forward your resume to: Lois Perry Temiskaming Printing 18 Wellington St. New Liskeard, Ontario POJ 1P0 or email loisperry@northernontario.ca
GLENGARRY NEWS NEARS 125th BIRTHDAY The Alexandria Glengarry News will turn 125 years old in 2017. Celebration plans are preliminary at the moment, but staff at the paper are particularly excited about a project that will see all past issues digitized by the Glengarry County Archives. This will make the early years of the paper available through the archives web page. Publisher Richard Mahoney also hopes to publish portraits of some of the most famous and/or infamous Glengarrians of the past 125 years.
Printing, Publishing and Promotions
November 2016
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ASSOCIATION NEWS
CPF Aid To Publishers Funding Update The OCNA has received many phone calls and e-mails from members inquiring about the 2017-2018 Canada Periodical Fund’s Aid to Publishers application over the past few weeks. Using a formula based on eligible copies sold or circulated by verified request over a 12-month period, the Aid to Publishers provides financial assistance to eligible Canadian weekly newspapers. Publishers are able to use funding to support the creation of content, production, distribution, online activities or business development. Unfortunately the application forms are not currently available, but Canadian Heritage states they will be online later this month. The deadline to submit will be early December. The OCNA will be sure to notify members when additional information is released.
Media Vehicle Of The Year Industry Ad Newspapers Canada has updated its popular ‘Media Vehicle of the Year’ industry ad for member newspapers to use in their publications. The ad has been designed to promote the association’s 2016 Automotive Research and focuses on newspapers’ strength in the category. Ads are available for members in both print and digital formats online - animated versions as well - and can be downloaded online at: http://newspaperscanada.ca/ ad-resources/industry-campaign/vehicle-the-year/. If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Levson, Director of Marketing and Research, at klevson@newspaperscanada.ca.
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OCNA’s Annual Spring Convention and Awards Gala FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017 @ THE TORONTO AIRPORT MARRIOTT HOTEL Join Ontario Community Newspapers Association for its Annual Spring Convention next year. Discover innovative strategies, practical ideas, and creative ways to serve and connect with your community. In addition, the coveted BNC Awards Gala will be held in the evening. First, second and third place winners of the competition will be announced and recognized during a funfilled, celebratory night.
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November 2016
Mark Your Calendar:
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OCNA is still coordinating details and sessions for the event. Stay tuned for more details, but be sure to mark the date in your calendar! We hope to see you there! For more information please contact Karen Shardlow at k.shardlow@ocna.org or 416-923-7724 x 4432.
www.ocna.org
HUMAN RESOURCES
Holiday Parties And Company Liability A TwoGreySuits Article by Ron Guest, Co-Founder Over the years I have personally seen and have dealt with, as an HR professional, the after effects of inappropriate behaviour at company holiday parties. Careers are put in jeopardy, marriages are challenged, law suits often are a result. For some reason, employees are even more comfortable around co-workers when alcohol is involved. Go figure. In my experience people familiarity and alcohol combined can breed contempt and the effects can be hard hitting and long lasting, usually not in a good sense. It is around this time every year when companies start to think about the annual holiday party. We offer the following pointers and remind TwoGreySuits’ HR Power Centre members that they can download the ‘Drug and Alcohol Use Policy’ which will help everyone enjoy a safe and joyous holiday party. This policy also deals with how to properly manage an intoxicated employee who attempts to drive home. Any non-members wanting this policy please send an e-mail to info@twogreysuits.com and we will respond by sending you the policy. Employers may be held responsible for other consequences that can arise out of alcohol consumption at work related events. For instance, in a case that has gone before the courts where an employer was liable to pay damages for injuries sustained by an employee who had been the driver in a single car accident that occurred after the employee had been drinking at an office party. Despite the fact that your office party may take place outside of working hours, employers and employees should be mindful of the fact that an office party is still a work-related activity. For employees, business codes of conduct and appropriate behaviour are still applicable, even if your office party is not at your business premises. For employers, you may be liable if you fail to take reasonable steps to protect your employees against sexual harassment or other offensive conduct that may occur during these events. (and they do occur!) Employee’s negative behaviour at off-site meetings, conferences, and weekend retreats can be the subject of scrutiny, even if the conduct took place ‘off-duty’. Work-related activities are considered part of the ‘work environment’. For example, sexual harassment complaints can arise from off-site parties and attract liability. Any breach of company policy during holiday parties may be cause for discipline, depending on the circumstances and seriousness. Employers will want to remind employees of acceptable and appropriate behaviour at these social events, and that any complaints regarding inappropriate behaviour will be followed up by the employer.
codes of conduct still apply at holiday parties, that excessive drinking is discouraged, designated drivers encouraged and that under no circumstances should employees drink and drive • If possible, hold social events outside of regular working hours, off premises and at a time in which employees will not be paid to attend • If alcohol is going to be served, attempt to limit consumption by avoiding ‘open bars’ • Provide drink tickets, have a cash bar, or have the bar cease serving at a certain time • Ideally, it is best to have a professional bartender serving alcohol who is experienced in identifying intoxicated persons. Make it clear to the bartender, or other server, that he or she should not continue to serve employees who are visibly impaired • Offer food and non-alcoholic beverages • During the event, have announcements reminding employees not to drink and drive • Distribute free taxi passes, and deal with intoxicated employees immediately, not when they are about to leave • Designate someone at the party to monitor drinking and assist if someone is impaired • Ensure it is clear that attendance at social events is clearly voluntary • Reinforce the nature of the celebration by avoiding denominational entertainment, music or announcements during the event that have a religious overtone
TwoGreySuits is a leading edge provider of on-line human resource management information, processes, tools and forms servicing the North American market.
Here are some suggestions to manage your risk this holiday season: • Send a reminder to employees by e-mail specifying that November 2016
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ADVERTISING
Going To A Networking Event? By John Foust Raleigh, NC 7. Meet new people. Get out of your comfort zone and resist the temptation to spend your time around people you already know – people who aren’t in position to send business in your direction. The worst use of your time is to hang out with people from your office.
A lot of newspapers encourage sales people to attend networking events. When one of these events pops up on your calendar, here are a few things to keep in mind: 1. Have realistic expectations. C-level executives and sales people go to different events. As a sales person, you probably won’t meet many decision makers from your target companies. Frankly speaking, top ranked decision makers don’t like to go to events where they will meet one sales person after another. 2. If possible, get a list of attendees (and/or their companies) in advance. This will allow you to develop a strategy. Whom should you meet? What would you like to learn in a brief conversation?
8. Keep it simple at the hors d’oeuvre table. People are on their feet at most networking events. Although that’s not an ideal eating arrangement, it’s a good way to meet a number of people. The best host-like behaviour is to be unencumbered as you move around the room, because it’s not easy to shake hands while holding a plate filled with crab puffs and cantaloupe cubes in one hand and a glass in the other.
3. Don’t expect to make a sale at the event. This is not the right place for a sales presentation. Your job is to circulate. Find key people you would like to meet, get to know them, and – if it’s appropriate – ask if you should contact others at their company.
9. Understand business card basics. Exchange cards, then write notes about your conversations on the back of the cards you receive. This is especially important if you promise to provide information about your paper.
4. Act like a host. Keep the focus on others, not yourself. If you see someone standing alone, strike up a conversation and help them feel comfortable. If you know two people who could benefit from knowing about each other’s businesses, introduce them. And keep in mind that a good host never lingers in one place too long.
10. Follow up right away. Don’t give a new contact time to forget your conversation. If you promise to send information – or if you run across an item of special interest – get back in touch as quickly as possible. Then stay in touch.
5. Prepare an elevator speech. Brevity is important, 30 seconds or less. Keep it simple and stay away from minutiae. Relate your point to what you know about the other person’s business.
(c) Copyright 2016 by John Foust. All rights reserved.
6. Listen more than you talk. Don’t join the crowd of networkers who talk only about themselves. That’s tedious and boring. When you are sincerely interested in what others are saying, they will enjoy your company. And they will be more likely to remember you.
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
Affordable media insurance for Canadian Community Newspapers Service includes: Libel, Invasion of Privacy, Plagiarism, Piracy, Infringement of Copyright, Pre-Publication Hotline Contact us for a quote: 416-923-7724
November 2016
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We want to hear from you! Please share your news and/or opinions with us: newsclips@ocna.org
www.ocna.org
TRAINING
ONLINE MEDIA CAMPUS WEBINARS: OCNA has teamed with the Online Media Campus to help the association fulfill its mission of providing affordable and relevant training to members. ▄▄
Friday, November 11 - Prospecting That Pays
This session provides a proven prospecting methodology that not only creates sales opportunities, but is also easily implemented and enjoyable. It will provide guidance on proactively preparing a sales strategy each month and determining your individual ‘magic prospecting number’ to achieve your goals and give yourself a raise. You will learn how to successfully approach prospects in a manner that opens doors, and keeps them open, even if prospects initially tell you they are not interested. This session is a must for those who sell, and those who lead sales teams! ▄▄
Thursday, November 17 - Integrating Snapchat And Instagram Into Your Newsroom
With platforms like Snapchat and Instagram growing explosively, but offering little or no referrer traffic back to a site, how should newsrooms approach them? GateHouse editors are using these tools to connect with audiences, and we’ll walk through several examples of what works and what doesn’t. ▄▄
CLASSIFIED AD
Friday, December 9 - Selling Strategically: How To Manage Your Time And Territory
Do you have too much work and not enough time in the day to get it done? Do you find yourself changing the date on your to-do-list? Are you doing more driving than selling? If you answered yes to these questions, then this practical, real–life situational seminar is for you! We will help you clarify your territory goals are as well as you own, start the goal setting process from the end to the beginning, prioritize what is really important vs. what someone else thinks is ‘ASAP’. You will learn how to get the most out of your weeks and days, organize your work environment, deal with interruptions, and the people that stop by to say ‘hi’ and never seem to leave. Learning objectives for the day: - Clarify objectives and plan for results - Set up your goals and priorities - How to have more time for prospecting - Eliminate the time-wasters in your life - How to say “no” - How to use technology to achieve results - Respond rather than react - Reduce the stress in your life ▄▄
Thursday, December 15 - Clean Up Your Copy
AP style — it’s the industry standard, and an ever-evolving set of rules that journalists need to understand and follow. Amber Krosel, a member of the American Copy Editors Society, will get you caught up on recent changes to the stylebook, as well as old standards that routinely trip up reporters and editors.
For more information and to register, visit: www.onlinemediacampus.com.
November 2016
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www.ocna.org
DESIGN
Think Different
By Ed Henninger Henninger Consulting “THINK DIFFERENT.” It was a slogan developed in 1997 by the advertising agency working with Apple Computer, Inc. (now just Apple). Apple dropped the slogan in 2002 when it shifted to a new advertising approach. But the slogan worked well then. Apply that slogan to news design today and it still works. We have to think different about news design - or risk having no design at all. Here are some particulars: SOME THINK design is about creativity. It’s not. It’s about using our creative skills to design packages that attract readers—and make sense to them. SOME THINK design is about typography. It’s not. It’s about using text type that’s highly legible in a format that’s highly readable. It’s about using display typography that’s clear, classic and straightforward. It’s about using type to communicate, not to ‘prettify’. SOME THINK design is about scattering odd column widths throughout the newspaper, on some pages using a different text width in all four stories on a page. It’s not. It’s about using a text width that works well throughout the entire newspaper, giving readers a stronger sense of structure. SOME THINK design is about giving readers something new in every issue. It’s not. It’s about giving readers a sense of consistency,
Someone thought this was creative. Nope...it’s just bad design.
taking special care to anchor content where readers are used to finding it. SOME THINK design is about creating new labels, new logos, new standing elements. It’s not. It’s about creating a format for standing elements that will last for the long term—and then fitting any new standing elements to that format. SOME THINK design is about putting more things on the page. It’s not. It’s about taking things away. To create newspapers that work better for our readers, we need to take a closer look at how our design is—or isn’t—working. We need to think different.
ED HENNINGER is an independent newspaper consultant and the Director of Henninger Consulting, offering comprehensive newspaper design services at: www.henningerconsulting.com.
FOR SALE ACCUFAST SERIES 7205 LABELING MACHINE
Want to contribute to NewsClips? If you have news you would like to share about your paper - it could be a new project, recognition from the community, awards you’ve won or an upcoming anniversary, please send them to newsclips@ocna.org. Photos are also welcome!
November 2016
Accufast Series 7205 (Phase 1/ 10amp. H2-60) labeling machine for sale. The Accufast is a great table top labeling machine, which has been previously used for a weekly newspaper’s out of town subscribers. This machine productively applies labels. Canadian built. Inquire for more details or make an offer by calling 450-458-5353 or by email at: lechampignon.ca@gmail.com.
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PRESS IDENTIFICATION CARDS OCNA can provide you with laminated, business card-sized Press Cards. The cost is $10 each for the first three, and $5 for each one thereafter. PRESS CARD
DAVE ADSETT Publisher
2016
2016
This certifies the individual identified has been awarded Press Credentials by the Publisher of this newspaper, and is to be used for identification purposes.
Fergus Wellington Advertiser 519-843-5410 905 Gartshore St. Box 252 Fergus, ON N1M 2W8
This newspaper on the reverse side is, as of date of issue, a member in good standing of the Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA) www.ocna.org
Caroline Medwell, Exec. Director
July 20, 2016 Date
To place an order, please contact Kelly Gorven at k.gorven@ocna.org or call 416-923-7724 ext 4439 for the Publisher’s Authorization Form and instructions.
November 2016
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TECHNOLOGY
Interviews With Experts Yields Valuable Information By Kevin Slimp
I live a charmed life. Last week, I spent four days with nine of the top newspaper experts in the business, along with journalists from 22 states at the Newspaper Institute in Knoxville, Tennessee. When attendees get home, they often write me about their experience. More times than not, they mention the thrill of spending time with these leaders they’ ve followed for years. In addition to spending time with these ‘big names’ at the Institute, I often get to visit and work with them at other times. In September, I began an experiment that has turned out quite nicely. As part of a project a group of us began working on last year, I created an online radio station and began interviewing folks I thought would be of interest to journalists. The results have been fascinating, and I decided to share quotes from a few of the interviews in this column.
just shoot action pictures,” he warned. “Sometimes the storytelling picture is not the action picture.” Chris Ashfield, September 30, 2016 Chris is a community publisher in Saskatchewan. I learned during the interview that he had just purchased a paper previously owned by a large national corporation. He told us how things were coming along after transforming the newspaper from a corporately-owned paper to a community paper. He described the transformation when he said, “We’re getting more and more subscribers every day. We’re seeing advertisers come in and sign year-long contracts.” I thought I might be hearing things, so I asked, “People are subscribing to the newspaper?” “Believe it or not, people actually want to read the newspaper,” Chris noted. “And advertisers see that we are serious about covering the community and they like it. They’re coming back to community newspapers as well.” Chris told us the secret is all about keeping things local. “We want to keep our local base of readers and advertisers happy. Because of that, we do a lot of things differently than a corporation would. I think that’s why we’ re starting to see a resurgence of community papers in Canada.”
Ed Henninger, September 13, 2016 Having developed a close relationship over the past ten years, I invited Ed Henninger to be my first guest on ‘News Guru Radio’. I expected the conversation to revolve around design, but as is often the case during these interviews, the subject turned to more pressing matters. Ed brought up the topic of ‘synergy’, sharing memories from his days as a daily newspaper editor. “Even before the web, larger papers started chasing their tails. ‘Synergy’ was where we all of a sudden decided to join efforts with the television newsroom. I remember sitting in meetings and thinking, ‘this is just so much garbage. Who came up with this?’” Ed shared his concern that too many larger papers are more interested in cutting than growing. “Too many stopped looking for ways to generate revenue and started looking for ways to cut costs. Not all are that way. But a lot of larger companies are no longer looking for ways to generate revenue. So the first thing they do when they buy a paper is to start firing people.”
Joey Young, October 12, 2016 Joey is the 32-year-old Kansas publisher I wrote about two months ago. He came up with a crazy idea of beginning print-focused community papers and the world is taking note of his success. We learned in the interview he didn’t inherit the papers or the money to start the papers. He did it through luck and hard work. “It’s been nuts. I didn’t realize we were in a really good position. My friends were questioning what I was doing because they don’t understand the newspaper business.” I asked how things were going after three years. “We’ve just kind of blown up,” Joey answered. “We’re up to four weeklies, one monthly, and a glossy magazine.” Joey was quick to share his thoughts concerning investing in digital publishing. “Publishers think they should be doing more digitally than they are. They throw things at the wall to see what sticks. I didn’t have any idea how many people were going to call me, trying to sell me the next great digital product to make me rich. To be honest, I haven’ t found one that works yet.” I asked why, after 20 years, newspapers still think there is a fortune to be made on the digital platform. “I think everybody lives in their bubble and thinks ‘somebody’s got to be making money with this or they wouldn’t be selling it.’” He was quick
Karl Kuntz, September 27, 2016 Karl is a household name in photojournalism, and I wasn’t surprised we had a big audience for the interview. We spoke for 30 minutes, and Karl gave some much needed advice on getting great pictures. “Speaking of sports photography,” he said. “I search for a different way of looking at a picture. Once, when preparing to shoot a big game, I knew if Ohio State won, everyone would storm the field. I got to the stadium two hours before the game, got in my position, and stayed in the same spot the whole game to get two pictures. One was a six-column front page picture of the team carrying the quarterback off the field. Later, people would say, ‘That’s kind of a lucky picture’. It wasn’t luck. It was planning.” He went on to advise listeners to look for a story off the field. “Don’t November 2016
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TECHNOLOGY
to add, “I’m not sure anybody is.” Joey, who owns both paid and free papers, went on to praise two associations his paper is a member of: Midwest Free Community Papers and Kansas Press Association.
eight years, most have seen no or little growth in their online readership.” I learned something new when she discussed similar research taking place around the world. “I’ve conducted research in Hong Kong and Taiwan,” she told me. “Other researchers are reaching the same conclusions in the U.K., so I can say this has been a fairly universal pattern.” Honestly, sometimes I feel like my head might explode from hanging around all these really smart people. Dr. Chyi seems to be very popular at the moment as major organizations are taking note of her research. She talked to me about ‘group think’, the notion that large groups can share an ideology simply because so many people believe it, whether it’s true or not. She concluded our visit by sharing an interesting example of ‘group think’ that occurred when she wrote an essay for a national press association whose membership included many of America’s metro papers. “A well known newspaper association invited me to write an essay about my research, but after a few days told me they couldn’t run my story. Many of their metro members were pursuing a digital-first strategy. It struck me how this ‘group think’ can be so pervasive.” I asked, if so much independent research indicates digital-first isn’t working, why so many large papers continue to push forward down that path. Her answer was notably honest. “I don’t have any idea,” she said. “You will have to ask them.” Maybe that will be in a future interview
Dr. Isis Chyi, October 17, 2016 Sometimes you just get lucky. That was my case on October 17 as I interviewed Dr. Iris Chyi of the University of Texas School of Journalism. Just one day later, on October 18, my inbox was flooded with links to a story on Politico.com from journalists at newspapers, primarily metro papers, all over the country. The link was to an interview with Dr. Chyi, discussing her research into the biggest newspapers in the U.S. Many of the messages began with “You’ ve been telling us this all along,” or, “I guess you can write to all the metros and tell them you told them so.” I wrote about Dr. Chyi in this column two months ago. For the past two years, she and I have been discussing our research – mine focusing on newspapers as a whole, while her research focuses on metro papers exclusively – which lead us to the same conclusions. Discussing the popularity of digital newspapers, Dr. Chyi told me, “Since day one, the digital-first thinking has become an ideology that’s been getting stronger every day. However, the audience response has been really underwhelming..” “Hang on,” I asked, “Did you just say that the audience response to digital-first has not been as huge as we might have been led to believe?” “That’s correct,” she answered. “Since day one.” She reminded my listeners this isn’t a new development. “It’s been 20 years. This is 2016. It’s been 20 years that newspapers have been experimenting with digital. We’ve found that, as of last year, each of the 51 metro papers we’ve studied had far more print readers than online readers in their local markets. Not only that, during the past
You can find a listing of upcoming interviews at newspaperacademy.com. KEVIN SLIMP serves as director of the Institute of Newspaper Technology. He is a faculty member of the University of Tennessee College of Communication and Information. www.kevinslimp.com
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