AAN News
Honolulu Weekly Picks Up Two SPJ Awards
Honolulu Weekly walked away from the Hawaii Chapter SPJ's 2009 Excellence in Journalism Awards dinner with two honors. Ragnar Carlson won first place in the General News/Enterprise Reporting category for his article, "Malaekahana-ville," and Adrienne LaFrance was a finalist in the Feature Writing Category.
Hawaii Society of Professional Journalists |
07-07-2010 3:24 pm |
Honors & Achievements
Willamette Week Kicked Out of Press Conference for Missing Boynew
During a press conference held by the family of a missing Oregon boy, Willamette Week reporter James Pitkin -- who had earlier reported on the family's troubled history -- was asked to leave for failing to be a "team player." A reporter for the local daily, The Oregonian, was also escorted out. As Pitkin noted, the end result was that the two largest papers in Oregon had essentially been sidelined because the family didn't approve of the negative coverage.
Romenesko / Willamette Week |
07-02-2010 3:02 pm |
Industry News
Tags: Editorial, Willamette Week
East Bay Express Grabs Eleven Awards in East Bay Press Club Contest
East Bay Express went home with eleven awards at the East Bay Press Club’s 2009 Excellence in Print Journalism Contest last week. Five awards were for first place: Stephen Buel won for best page design, Kathleen Wentz took first in the investigative reporting category, Robert Gammon received two first place awards for best columnist and best analysis, and Rachel Swan won the top prize in the profile category.
East Bay Express |
06-30-2010 4:51 pm |
Honors & Achievements
How Does Your Editorial Department Stack Up?
For many years, AAN editors have traded information on the editorial listserv about staff sizes, freelance rates and other nitty gritty information. In Toronto, editorial staffers will really get down to brass tacks by reviewing the results of an editorial standards survey that will ultimately be collated to create a benchmark document for AAN editorial departments. The survey will be available following the convention in the AAN resource library.
Whether you are attending the convention or not, filling out the survey will only add to its usefulness. If you are heading to Toronto, be sure to attend the Editorial Standards session from 3:45-4:45 pm on Saturday, July 17, which will be moderated by Editorial Committee members Jimmy Boegle, editor of Tucson Weekly, and Hank Sims, editor of North Coast Journal. The session will consist of a lively free-wheeling discussion about how editors are using their budgets and staff -- and hopefully generate new ideas and inspiration.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SURVEY LINK (Must be logged in to your AAN account)
Whether you are attending the convention or not, filling out the survey will only add to its usefulness. If you are heading to Toronto, be sure to attend the Editorial Standards session from 3:45-4:45 pm on Saturday, July 17, which will be moderated by Editorial Committee members Jimmy Boegle, editor of Tucson Weekly, and Hank Sims, editor of North Coast Journal. The session will consist of a lively free-wheeling discussion about how editors are using their budgets and staff -- and hopefully generate new ideas and inspiration.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SURVEY LINK (Must be logged in to your AAN account)
AAN |
06-30-2010 2:56 pm |
Association News
Publisher Says Chicago Reader Will "Push" Line Between Editorial and Advertising
More details have come to light on the CL, Inc. decision to fire long-time Chicago Reader editor Alison True. Speaking to senior editor Michael Miner -- who on Friday described True's firing as a "tragic misjudgment" -- Reader publisher Alison Draper indicated that the paper's next editor will be expected to collaborate more often with the business side:
"The editor of the Reader," said Draper, "has to work closely with sales to find innovative ways to take our fair share of the dollars that are shrinking and shrinking quickly." She promised me that she wouldn't "blur" the line between editorial and advertising, but she would "push" it. The distinction was clearer to her than it was to me.Miner goes on to explain that True was fired at a Starbucks after the paper's Best of Chicago issue came out. It was, Miner says, the "fattest, most successful issue in years, a triumph True and Draper should have been sharing in." (FULL STORY)
Chicago Reader |
06-29-2010 5:53 pm |
Industry News
Fort Worth Weekly, Houston Press Are Big Winners in Lone Star Awards
Four AAN papers dominated the Houston Press Club's Lone Star Awards last week. The big winners were Fort Worth Weekly with eleven awards, five of them for first place; and Houston Press which received ten awards, four for first place. Dallas Observer also had a great showing, taking home four first place honors and seven total awards on the night. San Antonio Current picked up four awards, taking first place in the small-circ news or feature story category.
Individuals receiving multiple awards included Betty Brink (Fort Worth Weekly), Peter Gorman (Fort Worth Weekly), Eric Griffey (Fort Worth Weekly), Greg Harman (San Antonio Current), Paul Knight (Houston Press), Craig Malisow (Houston Press), Sam Merten (Dallas Observer), Jim Schutze (Dallas Observer), Chris Vogel (Houston Press), and Richie Whitt (Dallas Observer). (FULL STORY)
Individuals receiving multiple awards included Betty Brink (Fort Worth Weekly), Peter Gorman (Fort Worth Weekly), Eric Griffey (Fort Worth Weekly), Greg Harman (San Antonio Current), Paul Knight (Houston Press), Craig Malisow (Houston Press), Sam Merten (Dallas Observer), Jim Schutze (Dallas Observer), Chris Vogel (Houston Press), and Richie Whitt (Dallas Observer). (FULL STORY)
Houston Press Club |
06-29-2010 4:52 pm |
Honors & Achievements
Tags: Editorial, Electronic Publishing
Four Alt-Weeklies Among SoCal Journalism Awards Winners
The Los Angeles Press Club held its annual SoCal Journalism Awards last night and four AAN papers went home with honors.
(FULL STORY)
Los Angeles Press Club |
06-28-2010 5:48 pm |
Honors & Achievements
Former District Weekly Writers Launch New Websitenew
Former writers of the District Weekly, which shut down in March, have launched the website GreaterLongBeach.com. Dave Wielenga, former writer for OC Weekly and the now-defunct New Times Los Angeles, is the publisher of the new site.
LBPost.com |
06-25-2010 6:16 pm |
Industry News
Tags: Editorial, Electronic Publishing
Alison True Out as Editor of Chicago Reader
Alison True has been fired as editor of the Chicago Reader after twenty-six years with the paper. According to senior editor Michael Miner, the decision was announced during a staff meeting this morning by Reader publisher Alison Draper. Said Miner, "I consider this act unfathomable — a tragic misjudgment by two people, Draper and [Creative Loafing CEO Marty] Petty, whom I respect. I suppose they have a vision of tomorrow's Reader they think True is wrong for."
According to Chicago Business, True was caught completely off guard by the move.
According to Chicago Business, True was caught completely off guard by the move.
Chicago Reader / Chicago Business |
06-25-2010 5:55 pm |
Industry News
Early Registration Deadline for Toronto Approaches
Members and non-members have until the end of the day tomorrow, Friday, June 25 to receive the early registration discount for AAN's 33rd Annual Convention in Toronto. The discounted rate for members and associate members is $325 per person, and the discounted rate for non-members is $425 per person. Both rates will increase by $50 per person after Friday night.
In addition, when three representatives from the same member paper sign up, that paper will get a fourth registration free of charge. This offer will remain valid after the early registration deadline.
Click here to register online.
As of today, June 24, the Hilton Toronto still has a very limited number of rooms available at AAN's discounted rate of $139.00 (CAD) per night. Click here to reserve a room at AAN's group rate and contact the AAN office if you encounter any difficulty obtaining the group rate through their site.
READ MORE (FULL STORY)
In addition, when three representatives from the same member paper sign up, that paper will get a fourth registration free of charge. This offer will remain valid after the early registration deadline.
Click here to register online.
As of today, June 24, the Hilton Toronto still has a very limited number of rooms available at AAN's discounted rate of $139.00 (CAD) per night. Click here to reserve a room at AAN's group rate and contact the AAN office if you encounter any difficulty obtaining the group rate through their site.
READ MORE (FULL STORY)
AAN |
06-24-2010 7:28 pm |
Association News
Can a Redesign Boost the Bottom Line?
Ron Reason's recent redesign of Creative Loafing (Atlanta) was a bold articulation of the notion that any redesign effort should consider the question of revenue. His fresh treatment of alt-weekly mainstays such as the adult classifieds -- rebranded as "wink*" in Atlanta -- and use of creative advertising concepts like peel-away ads are just two examples of how a redesign can "give advertisers a reason to be excited about print again."
Can a similar approach work for your paper?
Reason will be in Toronto to provide a peek into the Atlanta alt-weekly's makeover and share tips on how to approach the overhaul of your print product, including the often overlooked task of incorporating your sales team into the process. Ron Reason is a visiting faculty member at The Poynter Institute and a design consultant who has assisted a variety of newspapers and magazines across the globe in rethinking the visual aspects of advertising.
"I always advise clients: why just switch fonts? Why not redesign for growth?" Reason explained on his blog. His session will leave you with plenty of ideas on how to lure in new clients with innovative marketing offerings that blend seamlessly with editorial content to create a finished product that advertisers will want to be a part of.
Can a similar approach work for your paper?
Reason will be in Toronto to provide a peek into the Atlanta alt-weekly's makeover and share tips on how to approach the overhaul of your print product, including the often overlooked task of incorporating your sales team into the process. Ron Reason is a visiting faculty member at The Poynter Institute and a design consultant who has assisted a variety of newspapers and magazines across the globe in rethinking the visual aspects of advertising.
"I always advise clients: why just switch fonts? Why not redesign for growth?" Reason explained on his blog. His session will leave you with plenty of ideas on how to lure in new clients with innovative marketing offerings that blend seamlessly with editorial content to create a finished product that advertisers will want to be a part of.
AAN |
06-23-2010 5:38 pm |
Association News
Jersey Shore Boys 'Tricked' Into Posing For Village Voice Queer Issue?
Three male cast members of MTV's hit show 'Jersey Shore' grace the cover of Village Voice's annual Queer Issue, which hits the streets today. The New York Post reports that the cast members weren't told how their pictures would be used. In a tweet responding to critics of the Voice's decision to run the photos, editor Tony Ortega said, "It's only unethical if you think being a gay icon -- or gayness itself -- is somehow bad."
New York Post / Village Voice |
06-23-2010 5:22 pm |
Industry News
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Three SF Bay Area AAN Papers Pick Up Awardsnew
Palo Alto Weekly was a big winner at the San Francisco Peninsula Press Club's annual awards dinner on Saturday. Competing in the Non-Daily division, the paper took home three first-place awards (General Excellence, Technology Story, Entertainment Review) and received nine honors overall. San Francisco Bay Guardian picked up two first-place awards (Editorial, News/Political Column) and four overall; and SF Weekly was also a first-place winner in two categories (Light Feature Story, Serious Feature Story).
San Francisco Peninsula Press Club |
06-22-2010 1:10 pm |
Honors & Achievements
C.J. Janovy Says Goodbye to The Pitchnew
In a farewell column cloaked as a "Memo to Self," outgoing editor-in-chief of The Pitch C.J. Janovy tells readers (and herself):
Part of the reason you're handing over The Pitch to a new editor is because, after nearly 20 years as a journalist in this town, you've pretty much said everything about the city that you want to say -- for now, anyway.Janovy will be replaced by Westword web editor Joe Tone, who starts on June 28.
. . . it's time for me to do something else — and it's time for me to see what someone else can do with The Pitch.
The Pitch |
06-22-2010 12:28 pm |
Industry News
What is the 'Secret Weapon' of Alt-Weeklies?
Culture maven Patricia Martin says that in addition to being technologically savvy, the next generation of consumers is politically aware, hungry for knowledge, and are attracted towards brands that project authenticity.
All of this, Martin says, augurs well for alt-weeklies, which -- unlike mainstream media -- are uniquely positioned to capitalize on these trends.
"Some media outlets are doomed if they don't read the cultural trends," Martin says. "But independents have a secret weapon, they just need to optimize it."
The highly sought after keynote speaker and author of Renaissance Generation: The Rise of the Cultural Consumer and What it Means to Your Business, Patricia Martin will explain why she's bullish on the future of alt-media during an afternoon session at AAN's convention next month. Her award-winning consulting firm LitLamp Communications uses culture to connect brands with communities of consumers; and in Toronto she will demonstrate how alt-weeklies can use the lessons she's learned to create "emotional bonds" with their readers that will translate back to advertising dollars.
Martin's spot-on appraisal of the current cultural transition will be the final session on Friday, July 16, and is guaranteed to give convention attendees plenty to talk about as the evening's festivities commence.
All of this, Martin says, augurs well for alt-weeklies, which -- unlike mainstream media -- are uniquely positioned to capitalize on these trends.
"Some media outlets are doomed if they don't read the cultural trends," Martin says. "But independents have a secret weapon, they just need to optimize it."
The highly sought after keynote speaker and author of Renaissance Generation: The Rise of the Cultural Consumer and What it Means to Your Business, Patricia Martin will explain why she's bullish on the future of alt-media during an afternoon session at AAN's convention next month. Her award-winning consulting firm LitLamp Communications uses culture to connect brands with communities of consumers; and in Toronto she will demonstrate how alt-weeklies can use the lessons she's learned to create "emotional bonds" with their readers that will translate back to advertising dollars.
Martin's spot-on appraisal of the current cultural transition will be the final session on Friday, July 16, and is guaranteed to give convention attendees plenty to talk about as the evening's festivities commence.
AAN |
06-21-2010 8:41 pm |
Association News
