CNN presents a video report on M. E. Sprengelmeyer, a former reporter at the Rocky Mountain News who, after the News folded, bought the Guadalupe County (NM) Communicator and turned the small community newspaper into a growing success.
See the related story at A reporter with a ‘Tom Sawyer business plan’ buys a newspaper.
From CNN.com, May 17, 2010
John P. Garrett says he worries he sounds like someone from the early 1990s who predicted there would never be a computer in every home. Garrett’s the Texas publisher of seven neighborhood editions of a monthly newspaper called Community Impact Newspaper. And he’s not looking online to grow his business. The difference between him and the Luddite computer naysayer is that, so far at least, he’s been right. His business is profitable, and he’s expanding. His secret to success: attract local advertisers by giving readers relevant content through targeted distribution. And that content is often focused on the sort of local government coverage that newspaper doomsayers say is at the greatest risk.
From Nieman Journalism Lab, April 7, 2010
On Deadline: Is time running out for the press? is an original documentary produced by Connecticut Public Television. Co-produced by John and Rosemary Keogh O’Neill and Jeff Young, On Deadline focuses on the near-demise of the Bristol Press — and to a lesser extent, the New Britain Herald — in 2008, with an update regarding the papers’ present situations.
From Connecticut Public Television, March 24, 2010
In these times of newspaper closings and sales, the Silverton Standard & the Miner has gotten a reprieve. When the owner of the Colorado newspaper, which has been part of the community for more than a century, decided to close it, the editor came up with an unusual idea: Ask the local historical society to take over the paper. And the society did, saving the Standards rich history and connection to the people it serves. (Video)
From AARP Bulletin Today, March 17, 2010
Recently I met an old friend when I was shopping in the city. We hadn't had a face to face for many years. I inquired how she has been and she replied life has been okay. She asked the same of me. In answer to her question I asked if she reads my articles in the paper and does she know that Ethel Farmer and myself are one and the same? She said, "Oh, I know it is you writing and sometimes I read it, sometimes I don't. Mostly I don't."
From As the Crow Flies, March 5, 2010
The economy and the Internet are being blamed for killing big-city newspapers, but community publications are doing a pretty darn good job of surviving, thank you very much.
From Portfolio.com, March 1, 2010
At a time when many cities struggle to support one newspaper, Palo Alto has three: The Daily Post, The Daily News, which began publishing in 1995, and The Palo Alto Weekly, which has a daily online edition and has been around since 1979.
From New York Times, February 26, 2010
When someone walks in the Wamego Times office to place an advertisement for a business, it could very well be a neighbor of a newspaper staff person.
Which is why publisher Mark Portell says advertising hasn't dipped too much for his publication during the slumping economy.
From CJonline.com, December 21, 2009
Beth Wenzel, granddaughter of former WNA President Elliot Zander, and a fourth-generation manager of Zander Press, Inc. recently contacted WNA with some good news to share: The Brillion News is growing.
Since 2008, the northeast Wisconsin weekly boosted its circulation from 1,430 to 1,600 (an increase of nearly 14 percent) and has hired a second full-time reporter to its staff.
From the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Bulletin, November 17, 2009
While many daily newspapers are struggling to survive, a local news group feels a weekly paper will fill a needed void in Appleton.
"What can't the readers get off the internet or 24 hour television? This stuff," Times-Villager Newspaper Group General Manager Bart Landsverk said pointing to his new paper.
From Fox11Online.com, October 27, 2009
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