AAN News
Still More on the Creative Loafing Bankruptcy Filingnew
On Atlanta Magazine's blog, former Creative Loafing (Atlanta) staffer Steve Fennessy talks to Ben Eason -- who he calls "a tireless networker with a love of jargon" -- and a few worried staffers about this week's filing. Eason reiterates a few points he's been making to the press this week, and adds that, despite his web-first strategy, he doesn't envision a time when his publications don't produce actual newspapers. MORE: Read more from Creative Loafing's John Sugg, Washington City Paper's Angela Valdez, Gawker, and consultant Mark Potts.
Atlanta Magazine |
10-02-2008 12:31 pm |
Industry News
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Rising Cost of Newsprint Bedevils Papersnew
The production manager of the Santa Fe New Mexican says escalating paper prices are the result of last year's merger between major paper producers Abitibi and Bowater, the weak dollar and the increasing cost of the commodity used to make newsprint. Santa Fe Reporter publisher Andy Dudzik tells the New Mexican his paper is "absorbing" the price increases while "trying to be smarter about papers." (See Dudzik's comment by clicking on "Permalink/Comments" below.) He also says the Reporter recently started distributing in Albuquerque and the decision "has met with a favorable reception."
The Santa Fe New Mexican |
10-01-2008 12:26 pm |
Industry News
| Comments (2)
As Belts Tighten, Ad Execs Are Considering Fewer Outletsnew
Ad salespeople are expected to have to face increased competition for a dwindling number of media slots being planned by ad executives, according to a new report by Advertiser Perceptions Inc. "The study finds that the number of media brands being 'considered' by advertisers and agencies has declined precipitously, meaning individual media outlets will be facing their toughest competition ever when vying for a slice of what are also likely to be smaller advertising pies," Media Daily News reports. The two mediums facing the greatest reduction in consideration slots? Online and print, respectively.
Media Daily News |
10-01-2008 10:20 am |
Industry News
More on Creative Loafing's Bankruptcy Protection Filing
When Creative Loafing filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection yesterday, the news was widely reported. AAN News scoured the wires, separated the wheat from the chaff, and collected some of the pertinent information and opinion.
(FULL STORY)
AAN News |
09-30-2008 1:27 pm |
Industry News
Creative Loafing Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protectionnew
The company, which owns Creative Loafing papers in Atlanta, Charlotte, Sarasota and Tampa, as well as the Chicago Reader and Washington City Paper, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this morning, the St. Petersburg Times reports. City Paper editor Erik Wemple reports that CEO Ben Eason discussed the filing with top company officials in a conference call this morning, and said that the bankruptcy filing would allow CL's six papers to establish a greater online presence while the company reorganizes its operations. A corporate memo on the filing says it "has little to do with the acquisition" of the Reader and City Paper last year. Eason also said that the move entails no liquidation or layoffs. In fact, the Chapter 11 filing will roll back editorial staff cuts at the papers, Wemple writes. MORE: Read more about the move from Creative Loafing (Tampa), the Reader, Crain's and Bloomberg News.
The St. Petersburg Times | Washington City Paper |
09-29-2008 12:15 pm |
Industry News
Tags: Circulation, Classified Advertising, Design & Production, Editorial, Electronic Publishing, Financial, Management, Marketing, Retail Advertising, CL, Inc., Washington City Paper, Chicago Reader, Creative Loafing (Atlanta), Creative Loafing (Charlotte), Creative Loafing (Tampa), Creative Loafing (Sarasota), Ben Eason, Erik Wemple
Washington City Paper Shifting to More Web-Centric Approachnew
The Georgetown Voice's nearly 3,000-word story on the alt-weekly looks at how it is evolving under the ownership of Creative Loafing, and how the paper is fighting to maintain its identity -- and market share -- despite having fewer resources. "You want to create a rich environment and then bring it down into the print," says CL CEO Ben Eason, who is currently focused on uniting the company's six papers as a national web presence. "Without a doubt, the web is a far richer environment than print." Editor Erik Wemple says he sees the paper a year from now as being "very, very, very much a web machine." But publisher Amy Austin adds that, while online advertising revenue is quickly growing for City Paper, it still only makes up approximately 5 percent of the paper's total revenue, which has been in decline. By 2006, the paper's net revenue -- traditionally around 15 percent -- had fallen to 4.7 percent.
The Georgetown Voice |
09-26-2008 4:27 pm |
Industry News
Boise Weekly Eliminates Ad Director Position
Longtime ad director Nancy E. Spittle is leaving the Weekly after seven years "to pursue new professional adventures," according to a press release. Her position will not be filled -- instead, the Weekly has hired two additional account executives. "Even though Boise Weekly still has positive revenue growth over last year, the economy requires all companies to tighten ship and work hard to increase revenue and improve performance in sales," the press release notes.
(FULL STORY)
Boise Weekly Press Release |
09-26-2008 8:00 am |
Press Releases
Yahoo Overhauls System for Selling Display Adsnew
The New York Times |
09-25-2008 9:14 am |
Industry News
Ad Spending Falls At Steepest Rate Since 2001new
Spending across the major U.S. media fell 3.7 percent during the second quarter of 2008, and 1.6 percent during the first half of the year, according to new data released this morning by ad tracking service TNS Media Intelligence. Media Daily News reports the decline, the steepest since 2001, reflects the worsening of the U.S. economy, and a slackening of demand from major marketers for most major media. TNS senior vice president for research Jon Swallen notes that spending in 2008's second half is likely to be "bolstered by the Summer Olympics and political elections," but warns that "sustained improvement will most likely depend on a turnaround in consumer spending that rejuvenates corporate profits and encourages marketers to expand their advertising efforts." The newspaper sector was the hardest hit, with total newspaper ad spending down 7.4 percent year-over-year, and local newspapers down 7.1 percent.
Media Daily News |
09-24-2008 8:47 am |
Industry News
Washington City Paper Has a 'New-Found Promotional Intensity'new
That's according to managing editor Andrew Beaujon, who notes that the paper recently produced new promotional magnets and pens, on top of making promo hats earlier in the month. "As you may have read, we are facing budget cuts," Beaujon writes. "So I guess I'm wondering whether the hats are a tactic to comfort or maybe confuse us -- perhaps if our heads are warm, we may not worry so much about our newsroom possibly going kablooey?"
Washington City Paper |
09-23-2008 8:37 am |
Industry News
4Q Ad Spend: Holiday Numbers Expected To Plummetnew
Media Daily News |
09-23-2008 8:45 am |
Industry News
Media Owners Brace for Tougher '09new
Advertising Age |
09-22-2008 11:26 am |
Industry News
Report: Growth in Online Display Market Stallednew
Online Media Daily |
09-19-2008 12:38 pm |
Industry News
The Valley Advocate Celebrates 35th Anniversarynew
To mark the occasion, the paper has put together a package reflecting not only its 35th anniversary, but its purchase last winter by Newspapers of New England Inc. During "seven-plus years of corporate ownership" under the Hartford Courant and the Tribune Company, the Advocate "found itself in the hands of a corporation that prized uniformity over individuality, that worried more about its shareholders than its readers, that bought into a world view that has become endemic in mainstream publishing," editor Tom Vannah writes. "More than a simple marking of time, then, this 35th anniversary is part of the Valley Advocate's rediscovery of the virtues of being an independent alternative to the corporate brand of media we were born to challenge."
The Valley Advocate |
09-18-2008 9:38 am |
Industry News
Missoula Independent Wants City's Legal Noticesnew
At the Monday meeting of Missoula's city council, Independent owner and publisher Matt Gibson said he wants the city to be able to place its mandatory legal notices in the alt-weekly, rather than in a paid newspaper, the Missoulian reports. Gibson told the council that Missoula County places such ads in the Independent, and saves about $20,000 a year by doing so. The problem is that Montana law says cities must run the legal notices in a paid newspaper. Gibson told the council he'd like the Montana League of Cities and Towns to take up the matter during the upcoming legislative session.
The Missoulian |
09-17-2008 9:57 am |
Industry News
