AAN News

Circulation at Daily Papers Continues its Slidenew

Audit Bureau of Circulation figures released yesterday show weekday newspaper circulation down more than 10 percent since last year. "The figures join a list of indicators of the industry’s health -- like advertising and newsroom headcounts -- that, after years of slipping, have accelerated sharply downward, as newspapers face the greatest threats since the Depression," the New York Times reports.
The New York Times  |  10-27-2009  8:50 am  |  Industry News

AAN's Executive Director Stepping Down

Richard Karpel, who joined the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies as its executive director in July 1995, is leaving AAN for the same position at the American Society of News Editors. His last day will be Nov. 25, although he has agreed to help the association in an unofficial capacity after that date to assist in the transition to a new staff chief executive. "I have been at AAN for the better part of my adult life, and it has been an incredible ride," he says. "I want to thank all of the AAN members past and present who have made my time here such a rich and rewarding experience." MORE: Here's ASNE's announcement. (FULL STORY)
AAN  |  10-26-2009  1:14 pm  |  Association News

Newspapers May Miss Out on Online Advertising's Growthnew

The New York Times reports that newspaper websites "are not holding on to ad dollars, even while overall internet advertising is creeping back." The reasons why are complicated, but a number of industry folks tell the Times that more ads are going to ad networks, niche sites and low-cost alternatives to newspaper websites.
The New York Times  |  10-26-2009  9:01 am  |  Industry News

CVC: Circ at Alt-Weeklies Flat from Q1 to Q2new

The latest audit data for the first six months of 2009 from Circulation Verification Council (CVC) finds that alt-weeklies' circulation rose 0.1 percent from Q1 to Q2, with 54 percent of alt-weeklies saying circulation rose in Q2.
Editor & Publisher  |  10-26-2009  8:29 am  |  Industry News

How I Got That Story Live Chat: Patrick Michels Talks About His Award-Winning Feature Story

Patrick Michels, who won first place in the 50,000 and under circulation category for his Texas Observer feature "Private Trauma," discussed the story with his editor on the piece, Jake Bernstein, in a chat moderated by North Coast Journal editor Hank Sims. (FULL STORY)
AAN  |  10-23-2009  2:48 pm  |  Association News

Monterey County Weekly Redesigns Website, Launches Mobile App

The Weekly has completely redesigned its website and launched a corresponding mobile application. Among the cool new features on the site are a local business guide, a local song of the day on the site jukebox and feeds from local blogs and local, state and national news sources. "[The site] will be a boon to our community, expanding our content and how our readers can obtain and interface with it," Weekly CEO Bradley Zeve says. "It offers more in every way -- more accessibility and more content." The site and the mobile app were both designed in-house by longtime Weekly staffer Kevin Smith, who says he's happy to roll out the project to the public. "Plus," he adds, "maybe now I can have time to read my kids a good-night story." (FULL STORY)
Monterey County Weekly Press Release  |  10-23-2009  10:50 am  |  Press Releases

Robert Newman Highlights Some 'Mind-Blowing' Flagpole Coversnew

Last month, Robert Newman Design took a trip back through the Village Voice's cover archive to highlight some great design work; now he's trained his spotlight on Athens, Ga., alt-weekly Flagpole in a new collection posted to his Facebook page. "The Flagpole cover is a visual hybrid somewhere between the New Yorker and Seattle's The Stranger," Newman writes. "Flagpole's choice of illustrations (and the occasional photo) embrace a wide array of styles, but they are all cool."
Robert Newman Design on Facebook  |  10-23-2009  10:30 am  |  Industry News

Judge Tosses Defamation Suit Against Facebooknew

A New York judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit against the social networking giant, ruling that the site isn't responsible for false posts by users. In her ruling, Judge Debra James said that "Facebook is entitled to the liability shield conferred by the Communications Decency Act," which protects websites from defamation suits based on user-generated content.
Online Media Daily  |  10-23-2009  9:23 am  |  Legal News

Juliana Hatfield Appoints New Boston Phoenix Music Editornew

The Phoenix was surprised to learn -- via a press release -- that the liner notes to Juliana Hatfield's new album Peace and Love were written by "Boston Phoenix music editor James Parker." Problem is, while Parker does contribute to the alt-weekly, he "spends most of his hours these days toiling for the Atlantic Monthly" and definitely is not the paper's music editor, Carly Carioli notes. "I was wondering why my chair felt a little tight," music editor Michael Brodeur says when asked about Parker's sudden promotion.
Boston Phoenix  |  10-23-2009  9:13 am  |  Industry News

AAN Partners with Poynter's NewsU for Discounted Editorial Webinar

As part of the Editorial Committee's long-range plans to make affordable online training available to its members, AAN is collaborating with Poynter's News University to provide members a discounted rate for an upcoming seminar on navigating online comments to foster community and civic dialogue. The webinar, which is scheduled for Nov. 5 at 2 pm Eastern Time, will be just $9.95 for the first 25 AAN registrants. (Get the discount code here.) (FULL STORY)
AAN  |  10-22-2009  2:07 pm  |  Association News

Alt-Weekly Editor Asks Downie and Schudson: What About Us?new

This week's release of Leonard Downie Jr. and Michael Schudson's report "The Reconstruction of American Journalism" has the journalism world buzzing. "The report takes a particular interest in local accountability and enterprise reporting," Washington City Paper editor Erik Wemple notes, "which is the commodity most at stake as newspapers pare down their editorial staffs." After searching the report for any mention of the alt-weekly's role in journalism's future and finding none, Wemple says he understands. "After all, alt-weeklies ... only channel all of their editorial resources toward local reporting; only conduct long-form investigations of key local agencies and authorities all the time; only monitor city halls like no one's business; only do all kinds of arts reporting that no other outlets care to do; and have been at it only for about half a century now," he writes. "Why mention those news organizations?"
Washington City Paper  |  10-22-2009  12:14 pm  |  Industry News

Political Ad Spend Expected to Surge in 2010new

A new Wells Fargo Securities report says political advertising will hit $3.3 billion in 2010, an 11 percent increase over 2008, but a 4 percent decrease from 2006. The bump in spending "will be fueled by the election of 37 governors, 38 senators, the entire House of Representatives and issue advertising (which could approach $1 billion) on hot-button topics such as healthcare," Adweek reports. While most of that $3.3 billion is expected to go to TV, the forecast predicts that newspapers will get $95 million, and internet will get $50 million.
Adweek  |  10-22-2009  11:57 am  |  Industry News

Westword No Longer Accepting Pot Critic Applicationsnew

The Denver alt-weekly received a total of more than 200 applications for a gig reviewing the region's medical marijuana dispensaries. Editor Patricia Calhoun says the flood of interested critics, applying from all over the globe, was likely correlated to the worldwide media coverage Westword's unusual opening has received.
Westword  |  10-22-2009  11:30 am  |  Industry News

Federal Judge Tosses Sheriff's Suit Against Craigslistnew

A federal judge this week threw out Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart's lawsuit seeking to force Craigslist to pull its "adult services" ads, ruling that the ads aren't explicitly offering sex. The judge said the online classifieds site is merely an "intermediary" that is not legally "culpable for aiding and abetting" folks who may commit illegal acts. "Sheriff Dart may continue to use Craigslist's website to identify and pursue individuals who post allegedly unlawful content," the judge wrote in his ruling. "But he cannot sue Craigslist for their conduct."
Chicago Sun-Times  |  10-22-2009  10:03 am  |  Legal News

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