MPA/MPS e-Bulletin

The Dieringer Research Group’s American Interactive Consumer Survey has been in the forefront of exploring the Internet’s impact on shopping behavior in the U.S. Yet, until now, the impact of print and online newspapers hasn’t been quantified.Thanks to NAA’s participation as a sponsor in the 2005 survey, we now know that even as the Internet grows in importance for discerning shoppers, local print newspapers remain top of mind for local purchases by a wide margin.

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Southern Circulation Managers Association Holds 78th annual Conference
By Steve Learn
Publicity Chairman SCMA

The Southern Circulation Managers Association (SCMA) held their annual conference in Chattanooga, Tenn. with the Chattanooga Times Free Press acting as the host newspaper. More than 200-circulation executives met at the majestic Sheraton Read House Hotel April 30 for the four-day conference where the latest ideas and innovations in distribution, marketing and newspaper management were shared from notable experts in the industry. President Dan Nausley, Circulation Director David Enoch and Circulation Manager Barry Pearcy from the host newspaper made sure that every attendee experienced the true southern charm that Chattanooga has to offer.

For the past 77 years, SCMA has continued to provide a network of support to newspaper circulation managers. SCMA is a non-profit association of more than 450 executives and top circulation managers from six states: Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana.

At the conference outgoing Chairman of the Board Dennis Dunn, circulation director for the Anniston Star in Anniston, Ala., turned his position over to out going President Jeff Deloach. Jeff is vice president of circulation for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and also holds the title of circulation compliance director for the E.W. Scripps Co. Dale Long moved up to president of SCMA. Dale is a 12-year newspaper veteran from The Greeneville Sun in Greeneville, Tenn.

Guest speakers included Zack Wamp, U.S. Congressman gave the opening remarks: Commander Scott Waddle (Ret.) of the USS Greeneville Topic:
“Failure Is Not Final”; Al Smith, vice president of circulation for Cox Newspapers was a panelist on a round table discussion focused on
“Circulation – Are We on the Right Track?” and spoke himself on “The Future of Circulation”; Gregg Jones, Jones Media Inc. Round Table Discussion “Circulation – Are We on the Right Track?”, ”Dan Nausley, Chattanooga Times Free Press Round Table Discussion “Circulation – Are We on the Right Track?”, John Mellott from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was a panelist on a round table discussion focused on “Circulation – Are We on the Right Track?”, John Murray, Newspaper Association of America was the round table moderator for a round table discussion focused on “Circulation – Are We on the Right Track?” and gave an update on N.A.A; Joe Salomone from the Audit Bureau of Circulation updated everyone about rule changes for ABC; JoAnn Reed, CNHI was a panelist on a round table discussion focused on
“Circulation – Are We on the Right Track? ”Dan Nausley Round Table Discussion “Circulation – Are We on the Right Track?”, Jessee Ashby and
Kristy Pippin of the Chattanooga Times Free Press Topic: ”Sales Training – Door-to-door and Kiosk”; Mark Hunt from King & Ballow “Keeping the Independence; LuShep Baldwin from Jones Media Inc. Topic: “How Can NIE most Benefit Our Newspaper”; Gene Campbell, G & V Campbell Inc. was the “Master of Procession” for the Parade of Advertisers; Keith Petty Winston Salem Journal, Topic: “Real Value of Acquisition and Retention”; Don Gulick Topic: “Home Delivery Sales – Quality vs. Quantity” from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; John Aramini, Aramini Management Topic: “Effective Project Team Planning to Meet Customer Needs”; and Doug Davis, Daytona Beach News Journal Coordinated the “Hot Idea Breakfast.”

The prestigious William C. Green Jr. award was given posthumously to James McDonald, former circulation director of the Huntsville Times, and was accepted by his wife and daughter Bonnie and Amy McDonald Harper. McDonald was a loyal, longtime member of SCMA, who was struck down with Lou Gerhig’s disease in 2001.

Also honored for his years of dedicated service to SCMA was Frank Maier, circulation director of the Huntsville Times in Huntsville, Ala. He was awarded the Clarence W. Bevinger award.

Former SCMA presidents in attendance included Tommy Knowles, Frank Maier, Glen Tabor, Dennis Dunn, Darrell Jones, Tom Sheppard, Don Cunningham, Marshall Andrews, Doug Davis, Vadis Wylds, Bob Dobson, and Tom Sherrill.

It was announced that the 2007 conference will be held in Daytona, Fla. with Circulation Director Doug Davis of the Daytona Beach News Journal, serving as the host newspaper. Next year’s conference will be held at the Hilton Daytona Beach Ocean Front Resort from May 20 -May 23, 2007.

by John Heys | Illustration by Ben Garvie

Long coveted as a potential source of new readers, 18-to-34-year-olds largely remain an enigma to the newspaper industry. Prized by many advertisers, marketers and media companies as a demographic gold mine, these elusive young adults continue to read the daily paper at rates lagging behind their elders.

The problem, according to audience development experts, is that many newspaper executives are asking themselves the wrong question. Reaching young adults isn’t only a matter of “how,” they say, but, more importantly, a question of “which.”

“Eighteen to 34 is just way too broad a demographic,” says Barbara G. Cohen, president and founder of Kannon Consulting in Chicago. “Which 18-to-34-year-olds?”

To be sure, the “young adult” group is as diverse as it is attractive, with everyone from high school seniors to young working couples to those starting families falling within the often-cited 18-to-34-year-old mix. As a result, newspapers must employ equal parts art and science in figuring out which groups to target and which media platforms to invest in. [More…]

Eighth Consecutive Quarter of Double Digit Online Increases;
Print and Online Newspaper Advertising Up 1.8 Percent;
Real Estate advertising climbs more than 26 percent
Vienna, Va. - Advertising expenditures for newspaper Web sites increased by 34.9 percent to $613 million in the first quarter versus the same period a year ago, according to preliminary estimates from the Newspaper Association of America. Print and online expenditures together totaled $11.1 billion for the first quarter of 2006, a 1.8 percent year-over-year increase. Spending for print ads in newspapers totaled $10.5 billion, up 0.3 percent versus the same period a year earlier led by strong gains in real estate advertising. [..More]