The Falmouth Enterprise, Inquirer and Mirror and The New Haven Independent are just a few examples of publications with loyal local readers and successful financial models in the current media landscape. The right combination of print, digital and circulation revenue help support platforms that provide valuable news coverage at the community level.
“People will support local journalism that’s high quality,” said Bass. “I think we’re seeing the beginnings of the rebirth of local journalism.”
Newspapers reach an engaged audience of readers who respond to a variety of types of insurance products including dental, Medicare supplement & advantage products, pet insurance and more. Local newspapers provide a trusted platform to showcase different types of offerings.
*Source: Coda Ventures Newspaper Ad Effectiveness Service
Along the way we’ve worked with many associations who have helped provide valuable resources to news organizations and others in the publishing industry. Here’s a recently updated list of groups that we think support journalists, publishers, advertising staff and others involved in the media in an outstanding way:
National & Regional Resources
The News Media Alliance – Serves more than 2,000 members of news organizations across the US; formerly known as the Newspaper Association of America.
Local Media Association – Serves more than 3,000 local media companies across the US including newspapers, tv, radio and more.
American Press Institute – This institute conducts research, provides training and creates valuable tools for journalists
AFCP/IFPA – (Association of Free Community Publications & Independent Free Papers of America) – Joining forces, this group looks to support all members of the free community newspaper industry.
National Newspaper Association – The mission of the NNA is to protect, promote and enhance America’s community newspapers.
Poynter Institute – “Poynter champions freedom of expression, civil dialogue and compelling journalism that helps citizens participate in healthy democracies.”
Nieman Journalism Lab – “The Nieman Journalism Lab is an attempt to help journalism figure out its future in an Internet age.”
Pew Research Center – “Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world.”
Online News Association – The Online News Association is a nonprofit membership organization for digital journalists — connecting journalism, technology and innovation.
American Media Institute – American Media Institute is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) investigative news service that delivers original reporting to major news outlets across the country.
America’s Newspapers – From its very creation, America’s Newspapers proclaimed that a core mission would be advocacy on behalf of its members, the industry and the free press.
New England Press Association – The professional trade organization for newspapers in the six New England states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and Rhode Island, representing 450 newspapers in the region.
Investigative Reporters & Editors Association – IRE was formed to create a forum in which journalists throughout the world could help each other by sharing story ideas, newsgathering techniques and news sources.
Join media/advertising sales expert Ernest F. Oriente, the founder of PowerHour, LLC and Jedd Gould, CEO of MediaBids for a free MediaBids PowerHour on Thursday, January 28 at 1 p.m. Eastern/New York time focused on “Trees Are Obstacles Or Opportunities?”
Details are below for our 286th free educational PowerHour, since 1995.
Here is a short 90-second video to watch, tied to the upcoming teleseminar below:
During this 60-minute MediaBids PowerHour we will discuss the points below plus field your specific questions:
1. A = for your ATTITUDE. What shifts will you and your advertising sales team make/take, going into the new year?
2. A = for your APPROACH. What are the key advertising sales and marketing efforts vital for the first half of 2021?
3. A = for your ACCESS. What is your USP? What sets your ad platform apart from your direct competitors?
4. A = for your ANTICIPATION. Where is the optimism tied to the advertising trends we are tracking with our media clients around the world? Where are the best opportunities?
As prep for #2 above and to continue this discussion with ad sales leaders from around the world, please join our flagship LinkedIn group, Advertising Sales Success—with 4400+ leaders on this url: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2379105/
Registration Information ================= When: Thursday, Jan. 28. Please note, the above MediaBids PowerHour starts at 1:00 p.m. Eastern/New York/Toronto time, which is
12:00 p.m. Central/Dallas/Winnipeg time 11:00 a.m. Mountain/Denver/Calgary time 10:00 a.m. Pacific/San Francisco/Vancouver time 9:00 a.m. Alaska time 6:00 p.m. GMT/London time
Fee: No charge
Recording is available after the MediaBids PowerHour, but you must register below to receive it.
If you’re looking for heart-warming articles and delicious recipes, The Roxton Progress is the publication for you. This Texas publication, published twice monthly, provides local community news coverage with a unique voice. Publishing since 1976, they have a print edition, online edition, popular Facebook page, and readers can even subscribe to breaking-news text alerts.
The current publishers, Kris & Karen Rutherford, provided us with a great description of their paper –
“We are a small Northeast Texas publication in a rural county. Roxton is known as “Hometown U.S.A” to many, and we have subscribers, mostly connected to the area, in 20 states.
We are not a traditional newspaper. The founders of the paper wanted to provide a “good news” paper, and that traditional has been respected for over 40 years. We post breaking news on our Facebook page (over 1,100 likes and followers) and we have debuted a new website that is gaining in popularity — www.theroxtonprogress.com.
We focus on human interest, history and culture, local events, agriculture/rural news of note, school district news (essentially we serve as the district’s school newspaper), items likes recipes and one of our most popular features, The Texas Crossword. With the exception of one columnist, we pay for no content as we have found many people with ties to the area more than willing to write a column for each issue.”
Recipes are one of the most popular features.
Even if you’re not in their local area, we’d encourage you to subscribe to a free 7-day online trial. Their publication is full of thoughtful, interesting, and positive articles that will provide some light in these challenging times.
Local newspapers not only offer citizens of the communities they cover unique insights into important issues and events in the area, but some go above and beyond to add a smile to their readers faces.
The Winston County Journal does just that, especially during the holidays. In their annual Christmas sections, they not only feature the classic “Letters to Santa”, but they also publish “Letters of Gratitude”, where local children share stories about the people and things they’re grateful for in life. This feature may be appreciated more than ever this year.
Here’s a brief snapshot of this community newspaper:
History: The Winston County Journal was founded in 1892 by William C. Hight and covers Winston County, Mississippi community. The newspaper is presently owned by Emmerich Newspapers, a third-generation newspaper company.
Coverage: The Journal serves Winston County with news, upcoming events, sports and all community happenings, each Wednesday.
Readership & Advertising Opportunities The Winston County Journal has a paid circulation of 3,000+ print subscribers. With every print ad purchase, The Winston County Journal will also place ads on its website and promote the advertiser on its social media channels. For additional advertising opportunities in surrounding areas, ads may be purchased in conjunction with its sister newspapers – the Choctaw Plaindealer (1,700 print subscribers) and Webster Progress Times (2,300 print subscribers).
MediaBids is working on a series of short posts spotlighting notable community publications across the U.S. If you’d like to submit your publication for consideration, please email Jessica Greiner – jgreiner@mediabids.com
For over a decade, MediaBids has been driving print advertising revenue to newspaper publishers through its unique performance-based print advertising program. Every time a reader makes a qualified phone call, online inquiry, or purchase in response to a print ad placed on behalf one of MediaBids’ impressive roster of direct-response advertisers, the publication driving the response earns revenue. To date, August of 2020 has been the program’s most successful month ever, generating hundreds of thousands of ad dollars for newspapers large and small across the country. A daily newspaper in NY earned $40K during this record-breaking month from running a wide array MediaBids’ ads that were a perfect fit for their readership .
“MediaBids’ print ads have been a lucrative tool for our publication month-after-month. The revenue has been substantial and is increasing over time; 2020 has been a tough year in many respects, but MediaBids’ ads have been a bright spot. We can always count on receiving classified liner ads from top national brands, right when we need them. It’s easy to participate, and the team is great to work with.” – Janelle Anderson, Wisconsin Community Papers
“We have always believed in the power of newspapers and appreciate the crucial role they play in society – perhaps now more than ever before. We are proud to be an ally of the publishing industry and continue to strive to drive as much revenue as possible to print media brands to support their journalistic efforts.” – Jedd Gould, President, MediaBids Inc.
Newspapers can create a free profile on the MediaBids’ website (www.mediabids.com) to view a full list of available advertisers and payout information. Each ad has a unique phone number or URL that tracks response specifically to each publisher, and earnings are paid out monthly. There is no cost for newspapers or magazines to use MediaBids.
About MediaBids MediaBids brings together newspapers and large consumer brands to leverage the power of print advertising to generate new customers for clients and additional revenue for publications.
For more information, contact MediaBids at 800-545-1135 or visit www.mediabids.com
Our local news media businesses and organizations sit at the crossroads of pretty much everything that make our communities work.
Small businesses
Residents/citizens
Local government
Our local newspapers provide a place for local business to advertise to their local customers. Our papers cover local government and politics and help to keep citizens informed. Without our local papers there’s almost no transparency, citizenship is stymied, the credibility and authority of our local governments is undermined. This all means healthy local news organizations are a necessary prerequisite for strong local economies, thriving communities and local democracy.
Local news was struggling with competitive pressures well before the pandemic. But since March and the sudden and massive decline in local advertising dollars, many local newspapers are barely hanging on. This is why the ”Local Journalism Sustainability Act” is an important attempt at supporting local news orgs and better local journalism. Please link to more info about this proposed legislation here. Also, call the U.S. Congress switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Congressperson. Don’t know who represents you? Click this lookup page. Then make the call. Do it today!
Local newspapers not only offer citizens of the communities they cover unique insights into important issues and events in the area, but some go above and beyond to add a smile to their readers faces. 
The Print Observer - Newspaper & Magazine Advertising Insights 