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.

Continue ReadingStill More on the Creative Loafing Bankruptcy Filing

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."

Continue ReadingRising Cost of Newsprint Bedevils Papers

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.

Continue ReadingAs Belts Tighten, Ad Execs Are Considering Fewer Outlets

The Humboldt County alt-weekly provoked an angry response last week with a cover story revealing the names of citizens who have permits to carry concealed weapons in the county. The cover illustration of a handgun was composed of names supplied by the county sheriff's office of 641 individuals holding such a permit. The story has caused an "internet shitstorm," editor Hank Sims tells AAN News, as evidenced by the comments on the story itself and various online forums and blogs. Sims notes that the reaction online has been much harsher than his face-to-face encounters. "A number of local people called or came into the office last week a little bit angry, wondering how we got their name or why we should be allowed to publish the list. They were all very cool, and I had some great conversations," he says. "These out-of-town internet dudes are another matter."

Continue ReadingNorth Coast Journal Story on Weapons Permits Causes a Stir

Portland-based ad agency Borders Perrin Norrander has created a campaign urging people to vote this fall and is offering the ads for AAN members to run between now and election day. Much like the presidential campaign, the ad campaign's theme is change, with the tag line "Don't Vote. Things Are Just Fine the Way They Are," paired with striking visual representations of some of the country's most pressing problems. Willamette Week publisher Richard Meeker says the agency is OK with AAN members turning to other advertisers to help sponsor the advertisements and perhaps get them more prominently placed within the paper. Meeker adds that WW is trying to secure ad dollars from MoveOn.org so they can run the Borders ads on full pages, rather than on a space-available basis. To view the ads, visit ThingsAreFine.org.

Continue ReadingPro-Voting Public Service Ads Available for AAN Members