City Pages Media Kit

T he Waus au Area News & Enter t ainment Weekly What we’re all about

2 Demographic & Circulation

3 Why the market loves CP

4 Seasonal special sections & magazines

5 How to place your ad

6 Mechanical measurements

8

FOREVER FREE

ADVERTISING GUIDE MEDIA KIT

We belong in your marketing plan.

Here’s why – Here’s how.

IT’S MORE THAN A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER.

To find out what’s going on in Wausau and Central Wisconsin, people reach for City Pages. Insightful, in-depth local news keeps readers informed. It’s the go-to resource for the best, most complete local calendar of entertainment and events. And it’s all delivered with a modern, lively, magazine-style attitude.

One reader’s recent thank-you note (we get those) sums it up best: He appreciated how City Pages “packs a big informative punch… You cover upcoming events, movie and show reviews, entertainment, and issues that affect our Central Wisconsin communities … issues that I would not have been aware of if not for your publication.”

THE “WHAT’S HAPPENING” SOURCE, EVERY THURSDAY City Pages fosters a deep connection with its readers by reflecting the heart and soul of the community. The company is 100% locally owned and staffed by people who cherish the area. Excuse us for bragging, but we’ve often been told that Wausau would not be the same without City Pages. Several people have said that our paper even influenced their decision to relocate to the area, observing that, if Wausau has a paper like this, something good is happening here.

Make your advertising part of that conversation, in a print media that remains a proven, steady way to reach 35,000+ people every week.

City Pages created and remains an organizing partner in the popular summer series, Concerts on the Square, held every Wednesday night from mid-June to late-August. The event typically draws 2,500+ people each week, with each show introduced onstage by City Pages Publisher Tammy Stezenski.

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City Pages Advertising Guide

• Published every Thursday morning (except between Christmas and New Year’s Day) since 1993.

• Our hard-working staff includes a news team, graphic designers, advertising account reps, circulation staff, a marketing manager, and administrative support.

• Offices located in downtown Wausau, in the historic Washington Square building: 300 N. Third St., Ste 200 Wausau, WI 54403 PHONE 715-845-5171 WEBSITE: www.TheCityPages.com INQUIRIES: advertising@thecitypages.com PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Tammy Stezenski

• Member of: Wisconsin Newspaper Association Association of Alternative News Media National Newspaper Association

DEMOGRAPHICS

Education

City Pages reaches a large, targeted market of people who tend to be well educated, professional, active, and have expendable income.

38%

4-YEAR COLLEGE DEGREE

(Stats via data of a reader survey June-July 2015).

POST-GRAD DEGREE 18%

AGE

HIGH SCHOOL ONLY 10%

20%

8% 18-25 26-34 35-44 45-54 55-65

WEEKLY CIRCULATION

17,800

WEEKLY READERSHIP

00 000 , 000 0 , , 0 00+ 0 5 0 0 , 5 7 1 0 $25 $50 $75 $10

000 , 5 <$2

13%

20%

34%

14%

25%

SOME TECH/COLLEGE

66+

10%

21%

26%

21%

22%

Household Income

WIDELY READ. WILDLY POPULAR. A PRINT MEDIA THAT’S STRONG AND GROWING!

35,000+ City Pages is everywhere. People seek out and pick up their free copies at 350+ carefully selected, high-traffic sites throughout the Wausau metro area, Merrill, and Stevens Point: grocery stores, convenience stations, large employers, restaurants, schools, libraries, shopping centers, etc. Your ads reach the people who are out and about, active and engaged. Unlike other print media, City Pages circulation has continued to grow—up 7% from five years ago, up 30% in the past 10 years!

AUDITED CIRCULATION

monitored by the national firm Verified Audit Circulation.

With numbers and drop sites carefully tallied each week, this data reflects the average number of papers people actually pick up. We maintain consistent readership by making City Pages convenient, free and accessible at hundreds of reliably well-traveled sites. City Pages distributes approximately 19,000 total papers to maintain a targeted 95%-plus pick-up rate. Circulation is not “forced”; every copy counted is actively sought out by consumers.

 merrill

 Wausau  stevens point

Readership identifies the total reach—including pass-along readership, such as family members and roommates sharing the paper—based on the industry standard of 2.0–2.5 readers per copy.

City Pages Advertising Guide

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COVERING

A LOOK AT

Why is City Pages such an integral part of our market? Because we know that life isn’t just about serious stuff. It’s also about having fun, connecting with others, and feeling enriched by the arts, recreation and community events.

A quick scan of any City Pages issue reveals a range of advertisers, from some of the area’s largest employers and event venues, to small businesses and restaurants. Here’s a sampling of company types and organizations that regularly use City Pages as a key marketing vehicle to help drive their success.

THE NEWS

Local news, local staff City Pages reporters are on the ground, uncovering the latest from City Hall, County Board, and local organizations, and highlighting the area’s movers and shakers. We provide timely, in-depth news that your audience cares about, and presented in lively, creative ways.

OUR ADVERTISERS

• Restaurants and bars • Major health care providers, individual clinics • Entertainment venues • Colleges and other educational institutions • Local government • Chambers of Commerce and similar groups

Arts & Entertainment Tens of thousands of people rely on City Pages each week to tell them what’s going on. With everything from bar bands to outdoor recreation and Broadway musicals, the “BIG GUIDE ” calendar of events in every issue has always been a cornerstone of City Pages – the most complete, comprehensive and user-friendly listing found anywhere in the area. No other media provides all this valuable information, and why? Because it’s not easy and a helluva lotta work. But we know it’s what people want.

City Pages also highlights certain events and writes in-depth stories about the arts & entertainment scene. A few times a year in special sections and magazines we offer a long-range calendar to help people plan well in advance.

All this makes each issue of City Pages a “keeper.” It’s not just the day’s news. It’s a reference people use all week long. It also explains why City Pages readers include the area’s most active and outgoing individuals—people seeking a great meal, nightlife, music, shopping experiences and community events. The City Pages mantra: Help readers work hard, play hard and get the most out of living in the Wausau area.

The State of the State Meanwhile in Madison, new legislative developments of vital interest to taxpayers, businesses, entrepreneurs, educators and other stakeholders are debated or enacted.

City Pages keeps you and your audience on top of the latest goings-on.

Emerging Trends Your audience is constantly changing—shopping differently, eating, decorating, gardening, recreating, getting around and living differently. The entire City Pages crew, from writers to advertising and circulation staff, keeps pace with how your audience is evolving.

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City Pages Advertising Guide

• Home contractors and services • Commercial retail • Non-profit organizations • Banks, credit unions, financial / retirement planners • Law firms • Churches • Travel planners • Salons, spas, boutiques • Pet and veterinary services • You name it!

SPECIAL

SECTIONS Following the flow of the seasons, school schedules and holidays, City Pages periodically devotes a section of the paper to a special interest topic. Certain advertisers might want to be sure they don’t miss one that fits their business.

Fine Arts Preview

Fall (early Sept.) and Winter (first week of Jan.) A long-range, highly descriptive feature on the major acts and events coming to the area.

Kids Corner

Quarterly: usually January, April, July, October A long-range calendar for families, plus related features to help parents plan!

Abode

Three weeks, every April Large, visually appealing stories, plus how-tos and local info about the home, gardening, food and good living.

Senior Moment

Twice a year, usually January and June Stories devoted to local issues of interest to older readers and the younger ones who love them. We also highlight important local resources and events that might otherwise be overlooked.

Choose Locally

Several weeks in summer To encourage shoppers to visit locally owned businesses, this advertising section appears based on neighborhood, for example, Rib Mountain, Wausau East, Wausau West, Everest.

Holiday-related sections

In our continuous spirit of “have fun out there!” we publish special sections for St. Paddy’s Day, Wausau’s Big Balloon Fest weekend (July), Halloween and Christmas.

Year-End Double Issue

Just before Christmas Last push for holiday shopping, plus gearing up for the New Year. Editorially, we “double up” because City Pages skips a publication in the week of Dec. 25–Jan. 1.

MAGAZINE

SUPPLEMENTS The Program

(Early September) The original yearround, indispensible native’s manual for Wausau and Central Wisconsin.

The highlight: Best of Wausau – the famous, irreverent and informative results of our annual reader survey.

Guide to the local arts & entertainment & nightlife scenes. Comprehensive info on politics and government, parks, restaurants, civic groups and more. At around 100 pages, nothing else is so full of local character!

Summer Fun Book (Late May/Early June) So many readers call this their summer bible. It’s a beloved, reader-friendly guide to everything happening around Wausau and Central Wisconsin! We fill the lively pages with well-researched, complete information for making the most of the season, including: adventure articles, guides to places, a kids section, and a complete calendar of events. Usually around 100 pages, it’s a go-to resource that readers use all summer long.

Winter Book (Week before Thanksgiving) This kicks off the long, snowy season. Shoppers love this publication, out in time for the Christmas rush—think of it as a catalog of Wausau-area shops and services. At around 90 pages, the editorial content is a go-to resource November–March: a charity wish list to encourage the giving spirit, a long-range events calendar, church service listings, tree farm info, sleigh ride excursions, a guide to outdoor fun, festivals and more.

Celebrations Love & Marriage (Late February) Way more than a wedding guide, this supplement is about creating any kind of celebration, party or event, with great LOCAL information for everyone, not just brides and grooms. Anniversary?

Graduation? Neighborhood block party? Non-traditional or traditional wedding? Relationship stuff? The content and advertisements guide readers to the right resources.

City Pages Advertising Guide

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PLACING

ADVERTISEMENTS Deadlines WEEKLY REGULAR ISSUES (published Thursday mornings)

Space reservations by FRIDAY 5PM Copy and content also by FRIDAY 5PM Press-ready files* by MONDAY 5PM

When City Pages creates your ad, it’s critical we have your content input and art (logo, photo, illustration) by Friday to provide time for production, your proofing/ final approval and troubleshooting. * Professionally created only, refer to electronic file format requirements.

Press-ready ad files are PDF documents created by a graphics professional who understands prepress technicalities.

MAGAZINE SUPPLEMENTS

(Summer Fun Book, The Program, Holiday & Winter Book)

Ad reservations due approx.

4 weeks prior to publication.

Details and rates provided separately.

WEB ADS are more flexible, but adhere to a similar timetable of three business days in advance of posting.

make a reservation or inquire CALL 715-845-5171 GENERAL EMAIL: advertising@thecitypages.com Or email your account rep directly If you’re a new customer or don’t know who your account rep is, call and ask for the advertising department, or use the general email address.

OTHER CONTACTS FOR BIGGER QUESTIONS: Tom Neal, Advertising Sales & Marketing Director Tom.Neal@thecitypages.com Ad graphic production Ad-Dept@thecitypages.com Tammy Stezenski, Publisher/Editor Tammy@thecitypages.com

Cost Ad rates are determined by size and rate (higher frequency commitment = lower cost across the board).

Sizes are an easy-to-understand modular system— 1/12-page, 1/4-page, 1/2-page, etc.

Your rate is determined by a contract or schedule commitment. On the rate sheet, determine a frequency commitment—for one year or 16-week period—then follow that column for individual ad costs. If you’re not committing to multiple placements, follow the Open rate.

High-frequency rates are given only with a signed contract with pre-screened advertisers.

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City Pages Advertising Guide

Special AD pages every week CLASSIFIEDS Apartment rentals, housing, employment ads, health & wellness services, and more. Our classifieds page falls on the same spread as our popular editorial feature, “The Buzz” about shopping, new and changing businesses, and economic news.

By the line or as a display ad.

Call or email advertising@thecitypages.com for a quote.

BIZ BOARD (back page) Always on the back cover of City Pages: This high-visibility collection of business card-type ads are an affordable option for small businesses and services to promote themselves with consistency. It’s been called our “shop local” page.

Size: 2.25” wide X 1.375” high.

Cost*: $59 per week, run three weeks get the fourth week free.

Add color for $5 (one color) or $20 (full color) per ad. Discounts available for year contract, and/or multiple spot reservations.

Banner Biz Board: Four-spot space horizontal, includes full color: $209, fourth week at ½ price. *Rates as of January 2018

ADVERTISING

SPECIFICATIONS & TIPS Electronic File Format Requirements 

Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format)



Microsoft Publisher files cannot be accepted.





 

Colors MUST be converted to CMYK and Blacks MUST be 100%. No RGB, Pantone or spot colors.

Minimum resolution for grayscale & CMYK images/photos: 300 dpi; line art: 600 dpi 7pt minimum font size is reccommended.

NOTE: Images will look different when viewed on a computer screen versus newsprint.

Can I choose where my ad appears?

Not usually. Some pages have strict editorial layout considerations. We try to accommodate general placement preference, but this is not always possible. The fee for guaranteed placement is 10% of the ad cost, available only for ¼-page ads or larger, and with restrictions. Discuss this option with your account representative.

Can I re-size or cancel my ad?

You may cancel no later than Monday 10 a.m.— sorry, no exceptions. If you were advertising a specific event or promotion that fell through, we’d use general information on your business to fulfill your order. Size changes can be accommodated up to Monday 10 a.m. as well.

What if I want to use a City Pages ad in another publication/media, or visa versa?

We often work with other publications to share files. We’re happy to pass along your ad files for another publication to adjust to their specifications. Conversely, you can request that another publication forward your files to us. Our graphics department will work this out. There is a nominal production charge if you’d like us to create a press-ready PDF of your ad for another publication. This is not unusual, don’t be shy about asking!

What discounts do you offer?

frequently asked questions Do I have to design my ad?

No, we can do it for you. Your sales rep works with you to determine the content, theme, etc., and our in-house designers create the ad. You might need to provide specific art such as a logo or photograph. For general images, we have a variety of stock photos and illustrations to draw from. Ad design is included in the cost, however there are extra charges for extraordinary requests such as photography or custom-created art.

Do I write the copy?

Most advertisers provide us with basic ideas and facts that we use to craft a succinct marketing message for you. If you’d like, you can write your own content that City Pages staff will proofread/edit.

Can I create my own press-ready ad?

Companies that have a graphics professional on staff, or work with one, are encouraged to submit a press-ready PDF file (see file format requirement).

Other advertisers may create something as a mock-up—due Friday!—that we’ll use to create the actual file. Creative dabblers beware: A myriad of technical logistics go into creating a press-ready PDF suitable for newsprint.

Using a “layman’s” application such as Microsoft Publisher or other office software usually will not produce a quality PDF.

What if I miss the Friday deadline?

Call and ask. We might be able to accommodate you on Monday. Be aware that we probably won’t have time to make changes to your ad proof, other than correcting typos or other minor text changes.

Remember: Even if you miss the print deadline, we can get your message out via a digital ad our website www.thecitypages.com.

Our rates are not padded — account reps in fact are not allowed to “bargain” with individual advertisers. We have built-in discounts that some advertisers can benefit from: • Contract rates: The more you advertise, the less your ads cost. It’s a discount based on frequency, not dollar amount.

Once you commit to a certain number of placements, follow the rate sheet’s corresponding frequency column (ex., 13x = 13 ads commitment per year) to determine your ad costs based on size. Non-contracted or non-scheduled advertisers follow the Open rate column.

• Repeated ads: Run the exact same ad multiple times at a reduced cost. For scheduled ads only within 4 weeks of the original ad (or by long-term scheduling): 10% off for 2nd and 3rd runs, 15% off 4th run, 20% off 5th run and above.

• Nonprofit: For eligible nonprofits only, 10% discount off the Open rate and 50% color discount, for non-contracted advertisers only. This is meant for local agencies that wish to promote programs and events, but normally can’t afford to advertise.

• Prepay: 10% discount when you pay at time of order with check/cash to your account rep, or through credit card. You later will receive the invoice marked as paid with the applicable discount.

Can you help me with other marketing efforts?

Absolutely! We easily can help you develop logos, create printed materials, create social media content, digital adsand more for a nominal production fee. Simple requests, such as designing a brochure, can go directly through your account rep. For a broader overview, ask for a meeting with our Advertising Sales and Marketing Director to discuss your options.

City Pages Advertising Guide

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ADVERTISING

MEASUREMENTS

Full page 9.75” x 12” (4 col. x 12)

3/4 page 7.25” x 12” (3 col. x 12)

2/3 page 9.75” x 7.875” (4 col. x 8)

Junior page 7.25” x 7.875” (3 col. x 8)

1/2 page-Horizontal 9.75” x 5.875” (4 col. x 6)

1/2 page-Vertical 4.75” x 12” (2 col. x 12)

1/3 page-Horizontal 9.75” x 3.875” (4 col. x 4)

1/3 page-Vertical 4.75” x 7.875” (2 col. x 8)

1/4 page-Horizontal 9.75” x 2.875” (4 col. x 3)

1/4 page-Square 4.75” x 5.875” (2 col. x 6)

1/4 page-Vertical 2.25” x 12” (1 col. x 12)

1/6 page-Square 4.75” x 3.875” (2 col. x 4)

1/6 page-Vertical 2.25” x 7.875” (1 col. x 8)

1/8 page-Horizontal 7.25” x 1.875” (3 col. x 2)

1/8 page-Vertical 2.25” x 5.875” (1 col. x 6)

COVER

BiZBOARD

S

info@thecitypages.com

1/12 page-Horizontal 4.75” x 1.875” (2 col. x 2)

1/12 page-Vertical 2.25” x 3.875” (1 col. x 4)

1/24 page-Square 2.25” x 1.875” (1 col. x 2)

D

Square 4.555” x 5.666”

Banner 9.75” x 1.375” Front banner 9.75” x 1.25” (4 col. x 1)

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Single: 2.25” x 1.375” Double: 2.25” x 2.812”