As Google and Yahoo form partnerships with traditional media like newspapers and radio, ad agencies are starting to get worried. Their biggest concern? "Google could end up automating so much of the ad-buying process that companies no longer see the need to pay much for media buyers," reports the New York Times.

Continue ReadingTraditional Ad Firms Spooked by Major Internet Sites

The AAN members collected honors in the 48th annual Katie Awards, handed out by the Press Club of Dallas to journalists and communications professionals in the Southwest. The Oklahoma Gazette landed laurels for Best Special Section and Best Writing Portfolio; The Fort Worth Weekly nabbed Best Series, Best Feature and Best Arts Feature; and the Dallas Observer was recognized for Best Humor and as the Best Major Market Special Interest Newspaper.

Continue ReadingThree Alt-Weeklies Among Best in Southwest (PDF)

Avalon Equity Partners pitched their Manhattan alt-weekly to at least one media company, according to the New York Observer. Jennifer Borg, general counsel for the North Jersey Media Group, told the Observer's Michael Calderon, "They did speak with one of our managers. The question was, 'Do you want to buy it?'"

Continue ReadingNew York Press Takes First Steps Toward Sale

The Toronto alt-weekly is the first newspaper in Canada to adopt an "Ancient Forest Friendly" paper policy, which includes their commitment to use more 100% post-consumer recycled paper and paper from alternative sources such as flax and wheat straw. The shift will spare 28,000 trees a year, according to a press release, and NOW assumes a leadership role in persuading the newspaper industry to follow suit.

Continue ReadingNOW Takes a Stand on Forest Conservation