The Oakland-based alt-weekly is sticking its toe into the beer and entertainment business with the launch of EBX Bleeding Heart Lager and Club X. The lager is brewed by the local Linden Street Brewery, and all of the proceeds will go to local nonprofits of the Express' choice. The venue is on the first floor of the Express' office building, and will book all-ages shows in a partnership with the Oakland Metro Operahouse.

Continue ReadingThe East Bay Express Launches a New Beer and Live Music Venue

The Burlington alt-weekly took home seven total awards in the Vermont Press Association's 2008 newspaper awards contest, including first prize in the non-daily newspapers General Excellence category. It marks the fourth time in five years the paper took home first in that category -- and the association didn't give awards one year. "At this point, it would be sort of embarrassing if we didn't win," associate publisher and online editor Cathy Resmer says. Seven Days also took home first place wins in the non-daily division for Best Local Story and Best Feature Story, and in combined competition for Arts Criticism.

Continue ReadingSeven Days Snags Seven State Press Awards

Village Voice Media says that revenues from its Voice Local Network have doubled month-over-month since the network's launch in June, while the number of advertisers has more than quadrupled. In addition, VVM reports that the network has been bringing in high CPM rates across the board, averaging $10 gross CPMs and higher.

Continue ReadingVVM’s Voice Local Network Grows Revenue in First Six Months

Stephen George is leaving the Louisville alt-weekly in January to become editor of the Nashville City Paper. Current LEO news editor Sarah Kelley will replace him, becoming the paper's first female editor. George, a Louisville native, has been with LEO since 2005 and has served as editor since May 2008. Both LEO and the City Paper are owned by SouthComm.

Continue ReadingLEO Weekly Editor Takes New Gig in Nashville, News Editor Will Take Over

Albuquerque's Weekly Alibi took a novel approach to the grind of holiday gift guides afflicting most alt-weeklies this time of year, interviewing local crafters and folks with fledgling cottage industries, most of them undiscovered in their own hometown, in an attempt to translate the locavore movement to holiday shopping. Check out the package here.

Continue ReadingWeekly Alibi Goes Local for Gift Guide

NewLiberian.com, a nonprofit human-rights news site co-founded by San Diego CityBeat's Dave Maass, is partnering with the NGO The Niapele Project in an effort to get American newsrooms to donate spare books and magazines for a "Journalists' Book Drive" to benefit reporters in Liberia. "Books are very expensive in Liberia and some reporters can't even afford a day's meal, let alone buy journalism books," NewLiberian.com editor Sematics King Jr. says. "Therefore, books will really be an added advantage to many Liberian journalists who did not get the opportunity to study journalism at all in college."

Continue ReadingAlt-Weekly Writer Helps Put Together Book Drive for Liberian Journos

"Voice Media Group's national network of 50 alternative print publications and more than 100 digital publications and Web sites reaches more than eight million newspaper readers, and receives more than 25 million unique digital visitors per month," says the newly named agency in its press release announcing the change. Voice Media also launched a new website targeting media buyers.

Continue ReadingRuxton Changes Name to Voice Media Group

Laura Marrich, who started at the Weekly Alibi as an intern in 2003, takes over the editor-in-chief role today, filling the shoes of Christie Chisholm, who is leaving the paper to pursue work as an independent journalist. Marrich will continue to edit the food section, while Jessica Cassyle Carr will take over the music section from her. Marisa Demarco, who is already the paper's news editor, will also take the title of managing editor. "Laura is a born leader with seemingly boundless reservoirs of energy, humor and creativity that energize everyone around her," Alibi publisher Carl Petersen says in a statement. "She will no doubt shine all the brighter as editor."

Continue ReadingWeekly Alibi Gets New Editor