RHODE ISLAND
OUTSIDE NEW ENGLAND
Senators see Journalist Protection Act as a means of safeguarding Democracy
By John Voket – President, NENPA
As recently as a few days ago, The Washington Post reported that President Donald Trump’s pushback over being peppered with tough questions by members of the White House Press Corps resulted in newly installed Deputy Chief of Staff Bill Shine and press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders barring CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins from an open-media event in the Rose Garden.
The reason given, according to The Post, was because they objected to her questioning of the president earlier in the day. This represented the latest action (as of July 25) that Trump, his designees, and a growing number of his supporters across the country targeting a media representative in retaliation to them simply carrying out their constitutionally protected right and professional responsibility.
But long before Election Day 2016, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) felt growing concerns about how then-candidate Donald Trump was characterizing a growing number of mainstream newspaper and broadcast outlets, and responding to reporters with insults, insinuations, and countless references to their work as “fake news.”
Following the June 28 shooting at the Annapolis, Maryland Capital Gazette – which killed five and injured two other staffers – a growing number of Americans, members of the media, and political leaders including Senator Blumenthal have suggested that the constant berating and demonizing of the press by the president and legions of his supporters, “gives license” to those who might seek to do personal harm to journalists.
Scant weeks earlier, Blumenthal and Menendez introduced the Journalist Protection Act which, if passed, would make it a federal crime to intentionally cause bodily injury to a journalist affecting interstate or foreign commerce in the course of reporting or in a manner designed to intimidate him or her from newsgathering for a media organization.
A Clear Statement
The senators believe the proposal represented a clear statement that assaults against people engaged in reporting are unacceptable, while providing law enforcement the legal tools to pursue and punish those physically interfering with news gathering.
“A free, unfettered press has always been a hallmark of our democracy. At this extraordinary moment in our history, the press’s role in our democracy is more critical than ever – uncovering and reporting information, exposing wrongdoing, and holding public officials accountable,” Blumenthal said in a release after submitting the bill along with his colleague.
“Reporters face a near-daily barrage of verbal attacks from this administration, which has the very real consequence of casting the media as enemies of the American people, and possible targets of violence,” Sen. Blumenthal said. “This legislation makes clear that engaging in any kind of violence against members of the media will simply not be tolerated.”
Sen. Menendez pointed out that over 200 years ago, America’s founding fathers had the foresight to recognize the importance of a free press to a fledgling democracy.
“Today, that importance cannot be overstated,” he said “Despite the dangerous rhetoric coming from the Trump Administration, and the disturbing uptick in attacks on working reporters, the press is not the enemy of the people. A free, and independent press — a strong Fourth Estate — is essential to the American people and our democracy, ensuring an informed public and holding those in power accountable. We cannot condone any physical attacks on journalists or members of the media.”
Numerous Incidents
The senators’ release indicated the bill’s introduction coincided with attacks on the media by the Trump Administration, that included barring of other CNN and AP reporters from a public event in late May with then-EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, and forcibly removing an AP reporter from the building.
Earlier that same week, the senators saw 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl reported that President Trump explained his attacks on the press by saying, “I do it to discredit you all and demean you all so that when you write negative stories about me no one will believe you.”
President Trump has, the senators said, described mainstream media outlets as “a stain on America,” “trying to take away our history and our heritage,” and “the enemy of the American People.”
At the end of April, Blumenthal and Menendez learned the watchdog organization Reporters Without Borders dropped the United States by two places in its annual World Press Freedom Index. Four days later, they heard President Trump called the White House press corps “a bunch of fake news liberals who hate me.”
“President Donald Trump’s conduct invites violence against journalists. It’s not just about labelling reports of his constant falsehoods as #FakeNews – it’s his casting of media personalities and outlets as anti-American targets, and encouraging people to engage in violence,” said U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15) in the release.
Swalwell is the author of the bill in the House of Representatives.
“Most Americans know that our freedoms rely on an informed public,” he added. “Whether we appreciate the news or not, we must not let violence curb its gathering and dissemination — doing so is a calling card for dictatorship.”
In February, as Blumenthal and Menendez were in the early stages of researching for their bill, they learned that WPIX reporter Howard Thompson and photographer John Frasse were attacked by a bat-wielding man while working on a story in the Bronx, New York.
They also got wind of an incident in July 2017, where OC Weekly photographers Julie Leopo and Brian Feinzimer along with intern Frank Tristan were assaulted by demonstrators at a Make America Great Again rally in Huntington Beach, Calif.
In an August confrontation, they said a reporter was punched in the face for filming anti-racism counter-protestors in Charlottesville, Virginia. And a few weeks later, Joplin, Missouri blogger Randy Turner was similarly attacked after reporting about a federal sexual harassment lawsuit against managers of a Joplin Sonic restaurant.
Industry Support
The Journalist Protection Act is supported by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and by News Media for Open Government, a broad coalition of news media and journalism organizations working to ensure that laws, policies and practices preserve and protect freedom of the press, open government and the free flow of information in our democratic society.
“This is a dangerous time to be a journalist,” said Bernie Lunzer, president of The NewsGuild, a division of the CWA in the release. “At least 44 reporters were physically attacked in the U.S. last year and angry rhetoric that demonizes reporters persists. The threatening atmosphere is palpable. The Journalist Protection Act deserves the support of everyone who believes our democracy depends on a free and vibrant press.”
“Broadcast employees assigned to newsgathering in the field often work alone, or in two-person crews,” said Charlie Braico, president of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians, also a CWA division. “With their expensive and cumbersome equipment, they are easy and tempting prey for anti-media extremists and thieves. The Journalist Protection Act will permit the authorities to properly punish people who attempt to interfere with our members as they work in dynamic and challenging situations.”
Joining Rep. Swalwell, Journalist Protection Act co-sponsors in the House of Representatives include U.S. Representatives Steve Cohen (TN-09), David Cicilline (RI-01), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Andre Carson (IN-07), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Darren Soto (FL-09), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Jose Serrano (NY-15), Bobby Rush (IL-01), Maxine Waters (CA-43), and Gwen Moore (WI-04).
The NENPA Bulletin recently interviewed Senators Blumenthal and Menendez on their efforts to better protect journalists and the freedom to which they are constitutionally entitled. Blumenthal took the opportunity to respond to the following questions in person. Due to scheduling challenges on deadline, Menendez opted to respond via email.
Sen. Menendez: Even as a candidate Donald Trump’s rhetoric towards the press was alarming. Branding any negative story as ‘fake news’ is designed to undermine the public’s faith in the press, and is a page out of the authoritarian playbook.
Sen. Blumenthal: I too, became concerned about this issue – significantly – before he became president when I observed assaults and threats to journalists. In fact, I spoke with some members of the press. Reporters, producers and editors who were increasingly concerned, especially after the incident in Virginia. And of course, under President Trump, calling the press the enemy of the people…giving license to the increasing intensity of criticism. When the history of this era is written, the heroes will be the judiciary who stood against the president, and the free press, which has told us so much about what the president is doing that he doesn’t want us to know. The difficult thing about assaults on journalists is, they may not always be covered because reporters are reluctant to be part of a story themselves.
Sen. Blumenthal: I began life as a low level summer reporter for the Washington Post, and generally have respect for the integrity of reporters. I have never sought, as far as I can recall, to persuade a reporter about doing a story. I’ve tried to correct facts I thought were mis-stated, and provide truthful responses. I view reporters as performing a very important independent function, underscoring independent is important.
Sen. Menendez: Members of Congress have a love-hate relationship with the press and I certainly haven’t been thrilled with everything written about me. Nonetheless, I cherish the rights set forth in the First Amendment to our Constitution. A free press is integral to our Democracy and way of life, ensuring that public officials and other individuals are held accountable for their actions. Journalists need to be able to report the news without fear of reprisals, so I would never retaliate, criticize, or admonish a journalist for ensuring the facts are reported.
Sen. Menendez: The attacks on the press over the past few years have been steadily building. Moreover the rhetoric coming out of the White House that seeks to discredit journalists is extremely troubling and only serves to embolden our enemies abroad and divide us here at home. When I learned about the Journalist Protection Act I thought it would be a good opportunity to shine light onto the issue.
Sen. Blumenthal: There was a general series of incidents. I wouldn’t say one was defining.
Sen. Blumenthal: When Senator Menendez first introduced it, there was virtually no attention given to it. But a number of my colleagues are now looking at it, wanting to know how it will work, is it necessary? Good questions – there has certainly been more interest.
Sen. Menendez: Unfortunately it did not. That may be due to the constant barrage of news we find ourselves under. I was pleased to see the public rally around the Capital Gazette and I think that speaks volumes. Americans value a free press and they especially value their local journalists.
How did you and your senate colleague first coalesce around proposing the Journalist Protection Act?
Sen. Menendez: This bill was first introduced in the House by Congressman Swalwell. Senator Blumenthal and I became interested in the bill following its House introduction and our staffs worked together to introduce the Senate companion.
Sen. Blumenthal: We were talking about it on the floor of the senate, introducing this idea, and I said I was already pretty far along in drafting it and if he had any ideas about how to do it.
Sen. Blumenthal: I’m looking for Republicans to support it, as Bob Menendez and I are Democrats and we want to expand the level of support. So I’d say we’re at a preliminary stage. This one would go to the Judiciary Committee. It’s a long process. Very few bills go through the Congress in weeks, most often take months, and not uncommonly years.
Sen. Menendez: The bill has been referred to the Judiciary Committee on which Senator Blumenthal sits. He and I will continue to work to garner support for the bill.
Sen. Menendez: I encourage the American people to call their Member of Congress and express support for the bill. They could also write letters to the editor of their local papers expressing support for the bill which would help build awareness.
Sen. Blumenthal: Creating more awareness and attention is very important. Which is why I welcome journalists themselves being interested in it. The world has never been more dangerous for journalists, here at home and abroad. The incidents in this country are unfortunately and intolerably high. The President has given license to the worst instincts of some of the hate groups in this country. So bringing attention to the need for protection – the idea of making it a federal felony means the FBI investigating it – and raising the severity of the offense. I think it’s important to enlist federal resources in an investigation, the forensic evidence that federal agencies can examine. And sending the signal that journalists deserve and need protection.
Sen. Blumenthal: The longer I am in elected office and the longer I live, the more I appreciate the unique and precious importance of the free press in this country. The old saying ‘sunlight is the best disinfectant’ is more true than ever before when it comes to impropriety and wrongdoing in the government – at the highest levels. The press has uncovered conflicts of interests, improprieties involving violations of the emoluments clause of the constitution, we would have none of the facts without the reporting of the press. I guarantee much that we’ll learn about this Supreme Court nominee will come from the press doing the digging that is necessary. I firmly believe this measure, even if nobody is ever prosecuted under it, sends a message that we believe the free press should be protected against any threats, intimidation, any sort of physical assault that prevents them from doing their job. They have a job that has to be done or we will lose our democracy.
Sen. Menendez: The work of the free press has never been more important. The Fourth Estate remains a symbol of freedom throughout the world. From the tiny newspaper in a rural community to major news networks to investigative reporters, the American people rely on the press to tell them the truth. Keep up the good work and do not be discouraged by the rhetoric coming from some of those who seek to discredit you.
Four journalists, 19th century publisher honored with 2018 Yankee Quill awards
Four New England journalists will receive the Yankee Quill award this fall for their career contributions to the betterment of journalism in the six-state region. The founder of a newspaper that operated atop Mount Washington from 1831 to 1899 will be posthumously honored as well.
The 2018 honorees are David Randall Moats, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorialist and former editorial page editor of the Rutland (Vermont) Herald; Wayne Phaneuf, executive editor of the Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; Ken Squier, sportscaster and former longtime owner of the Radio Vermont Group of four local radio stations; and Lou Ureneck, professor of journalism at Boston University and former editor of the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram.
In addition, the Academy of New England Journalists awarded its historic figure Yankee Quill to Henry Martyn Burt, the founder, publisher and editor of the 19th century newspaper Among the Clouds, published at the summit of Mount Washington. Burt was once jailed by a sheriff for criminal libel for accusing the proprietor of a popular mountain hotel of overcharging to remove the body of a young boy killed in the collapse of a snow arch. Burt also founded the Massachusetts-based New England Homestead, an important farm newspaper, and the Northampton Free Press, a champion of the anti-slavery movement.
The Yankee Quill is presented annually by the Academy of New England Journalists through the auspices of the New England Society of News Editors. It is considered the highest individual honor awarded by fellow journalists in the region. Selection for the award is not based on any single achievement but rather on the broad influence for good in serving the public welfare over the course of a career.
The Yankee Quill awards will be presented as part of the annual conferences of the New England Society of News Editors and the New England Newspaper and Press Association on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Natick, Mass.
This year’s honorees
Contact:
Bill Ketter, chairman, Academy of New England Journalists, (978) 946-2233 wketter@cnhi.com
George Geers, clerk, Academy of New England Journalists, (603) 785-4811 gnews@empire.net
2018 Yankee Quill Awards Dinner
The Academy of New England Journalists, founded by Sigma Delta Chi in 1960, honors
extraordinary newspaper men and women for their lifetime of achievement and distinction in
New England journalism. Please join us as we pay tribute to this year’s Yankee Quill Award
winners for their exceptional contributions to their communities and our industry.
Thursday, October 11, 2018 | Crowne Plaza Hotel | 1360 Worcester St., Natick, MA 01760
Registration is now closed. For more information please contact NENPA at 781.281.2053 or info@nenpa.com.
5 p.m. Cocktail Reception (cash bar)
6 p.m. Dinner and Awards Presentation
Yankee Quill Awards Dinner: $89 per person
For more information please call NENPA at 781-281-7284 or email Christine Panek at c.panek@nenpa.com.
David Moats receives the Quill for his profound impact on journalism in Vermont and beyond with his thoughtful editorial writing and frequent public appearances on the value of a free press and the First Amendment to American liberty. His compassion as a journalist for the human rights of others earned him a Pulitzer Prize for his thoughtful and influential series of editorials commenting on the divisive issues arising from civil unions for same-sex couples.
Wayne Phaneuf is presented the Quill for his passionate commitment to journalism and community. From reporter to editor, from historian to historical writer, his broad experiences are demonstrative of someone who has taken his personal growth and experiences as a journalist to guide at least two generations of new journalists into careers of serving their readers. As a historian, he works steadfastly to ensure today’s readers are able to put the news events of their lives in perspective of the past.
Lou Ureneck is honored for his work in journalism as a teacher, mentor, writer and editor whose professional career ranges from cub reporter at the Providence Journal to executive editor at the Portland Press Herald. He is now a professor at Boston University’s College of Communication and author of two memoirs and an acclaimed non-fiction history book about the final violent episode of the 20th century’s first genocide.
Ken Squier receives the Yankee Quill for his strong commitment to sportscasting and community journalism that has made an impact on the local, regional and national level. He is credited with being the first person in getting flag-to-flag coverage of auto racing on television when CBS aired the Daytona 500 in 1979. Auto racing took off as both a national spectator and active sport following that national telecast, and it created countless jobs within the journalism world.
Henry Martyn Burt (posthumously) During his tenure as publisher and editor of the mountain-top newspaper Among the Clouds, Henry Martyn Burt (1831-1899) was struck by lightning, arrested and jailed for libel, developed a way to beat his competitors by “sliding” his newspaper down a mountain railroad track to readers, but most important, Henry Burt’s mission was to share his enthusiasm of, and draw people to, the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Common Traits
What do successful newspapers have in common?
I really didn’t expect to do much traveling this summer but plans don’t always work out as expected and that certainly has been the case for me. The truth is I really love working with newspapers and when I get a call from a paper within a few hours asking for help it’s hard for me to say “no.”
Thus was the case when I left my lonely writer’s nook and made the 70-mile drive to Cleveland, Tennessee five days ago.
The assignment was simple: The daily newspaper in Cleveland was upgrading all their hardware, software and editorial systems for shiny new, albeit unfamiliar, toys.
My two-day charge turned into a three-day mission when I was asked to return on Monday to help oversee the first day producing a paper with the new system. Fortunately, I wasn’t on my own. Don Foy, technology specialist at Walls Newspapers, was on hand to make sure the paper went out as close to deadline as possible.
In two of my previous columns, I’ve mentioned other newspapers I’ve visited recently, and I can’t help but notice a trend. Every paper I’ve visited over the past few months seems to be doing well.
It’s not because of me. They were all doing well before I came along. Some of these papers were weeklies, some dailies, and a couple of others were somewhere in-between.
I took a few extra days to write this column because I wanted to finish the job in Cleveland and share some observations I’ve gleaned during my recent newspaper visits.
The $64,000 question is this: Why are some papers successful, while others seem destined to eventual failure? Why are some papers profitable, with healthy readership and growing ad revenue, while others seem to base their future revenue on reduced expenses and personnel reductions?
I’ve made the decision to focus on the positive today. The following are some of the common practices I’ve noticed during my recent visits to successful newspaper operations:
1. Successful newspapers have publishers who are engaged. Someone asked me last week what a newspaper publisher does. My an-swer was simple, “Anything from nothing to everything.”Two months ago, I received a message from a young, new publisher. Her question, “What does a publisher actually do?” made me chuckle. I jokingly answered, “Work on your golf game.”True enough, I’ve seen more than my share of publishers who seem to spend more time away from their newspapers than on-site. Not lately, though. In my recent trips, I’ve found publishers who are engaged with their staffs, working side-by-side with their writers, editors, ad reps and production staffs to improve every aspect of their newspapers.
2. Successful newspapers have staffs that are happy. In every paper I’ve visited over the past few months, it was obvious the staffs loved their work. In Cleveland, I listened as staff members cheerfully explained how much they appreciate working at the newspaper. Some had worked at other papers who weren’t as appreciative of their efforts. It’s been my experience that happy workers are harder workers. Let’s face it, I put in long hours because I love what I do. You may do the same, or you may do as little as possible because you hate your job. Successful newspapers have staffs who are happy.
3. Successful newspapers plan for growth. None of the papers I’ve visited this year have been cutting staff, reducing print cycles or moaning about impending death. They expect to be healthy because they are used to being healthy, and plan accordingly.
4. Successful newspapers don’t believe all the hype. When I visit dying papers (whether they realize they are dying or not), there always seems to be a lot of talk about what others are saying about the eventual death of newspapers. They’ve read it all, from metro CEOs to digital experts, concerning the death of print.
Maybe successful papers are just too ignorant to know better, but they don’t believe they are dying and they act as if they are going to be around for a long time.
As a young college student, I remember studying a popular theory in sociology called “the looking glass-self theory.” Basically, the theory states that people become what they think they will become. Therefore, happiness and success are largely based on the perceptions we have about ourselves.
I was recently “cornered” at a newspaper convention by a group of managers from a national newspaper group. Their basic premise was, “You have no idea what you’re talking about. Print is dead. Newspapers are dying.”
As I walked away from the group, I was convinced their papers will achieve just what they are predicting, and from what I see, that is the case.
Successful newspapers believe they are, and will continue to be, successful. They don’t believe all the hype.
I know that some will read this column and say, “What an idiot. He’s dreaming.”That’s their prerogative. I’ve been hearing that for at least 10 years.
But I’ll leave you with this. I’ve visited a lot of newspapers, probably thousands, over 25 years. And it only takes a few minutes after entering a newspaper office to get a good idea of what the future holds for that paper.
I’m sincerely thankful these papers asked me to visit them this summer. This writer’s nook can get a little lonely sometimes.
Tecnavia announces new digital ad network
While readers browse, publishers earn digital ad revenue.
Burnsville, MN — Tecnavia announced the Tecnavia Ad Network (TAN), a new service exclusively for Tecnavia clients. Developed with leading digital advertising exchanges, TAN provides publishers with select digital ads for placement in their Tecnavia print replica eEditions and 2-in-One Total Media Apps. TAN is an opportunity for publishers to generate ad revenue without adding additional ad sales or marketing resources by simply taking advantage of ad impressions already available.
“TAN supplies curated, quality national and regional display advertisements to run in the various digital ad positions available in Tecnavia’s eEdition and Total Media Apps,” said Diane Amato, VP of Sales at Tecnavia. “Publishers may combine locally sold ads with TAN ads for flexibility and maximize impressions. Tecnavia’s network targets higherlevel news reader demographics to maintain an excellent reader experience. Rates paid to publishers from TAN are more than competitive, and benefit from the scale of Tecnavia’s client base of some 2000 publications. It’s
something our clients can simply plug in and start generating revenue using a network that would be difficult for them to develop on their own,” said Amato.
“eEdition and App ad impressions represent a significant revenue opportunity that is often overlooked. Analytics from our clients show that daily eEdition sessions run from 15-20 minutes or longer depending on publication page counts. Apps with live news, multi-media and push notifications encourage return visits to read story updates. Even just browsing, readers generate a considerable number of pageviews and, with it, many potential ad impressions from one or multiple ad locations. The Tecnavia ad network lets clients passively earn revenue from these valuable
ad impressions,” said Amato.
TAN is running now at pilot publications to help establish best practices and business models in a real-world environment. General availability for Tecnavia clients is expected in late Q3/2018.
About Tecnavia
Tecnavia has over 20 years’ experience in e-publishing and was a pioneer in the concept of digital print editions. Today, Tecnavia manages over 2,000 titles and processes over 8 million pages per year. Services now include Total Media Apps for live news, eEditions, website meters, digital archives, eTearsheets and the new Tecnavia Ad Network. We aim to continue offering high-performance, innovative and cost-effective solutions relying on hard work, bright ideas, and continuous research and development.
Contact:
Diane Amato, VP Sales
Tecnavia Press Inc.
13965 W. Preserve Blvd., Burnsville, MN 55337
330-646-1889 • damato@tecnavia.com
Vermont Standard building destroyed by fire
On Monday, July 16, an early morning fire destroyed the building that houses The Vermont Standard newspaper, in Woodstock, VT.
In addition to the Standard offices, the historic building also contained two additional businesses and two apartments. Fortunately everyone was able to get out of the building safely and there weren’t any injuries.
The oldest weekly newspaper in Vermont has seen its share of struggles. The 160+-year-old Standard lost its previous home to flooding from Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. According to newspaper owner and publisher Phil Camp, the newspaper has overcome both floods and fires – and has never missed printing an issue. This latest fire will be no exception.
Although some of the Standard’s offices were totally destroyed, firefighters were
able to retrieve computers from the newsroom, along with a fire safe that contained important back up files for the newspaper.
Camp says the paper will absolutely be coming out this week. If you know Phil, you know this is true.
Temporary offices have already been set up at the Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock, and the staff is hard at work on this week’s issue.
Please keep our friends at The Vermont Standard in your thoughts and prayers. If you’d like to reach out to them please send them emails until their phones are working. Their email addresses can be found on their website www.thevermontstandard.com.
Obituaries July 2018
NEW HAMPSHIRE
RHODE ISLAND
None reported
A strategy for organizing your advertisers’ information
I was talking to Greg, a veteran sales manager “Our sales team knows the importance of asking questions and gathering the right information,” he said. “But the key is to write it down accurately and keep it organized. When sales people review their notes later, they need to be able to move as quickly as possible to the next step in the process, whether that’s a proposal or the first ad in a new campaign.
“To deal with the challenge, I put together a simple format for note-taking,” he explained. “It has evolved over time, and I’m sure it comes from a combination of ideas I’ve seen in training programs and books over the years. Our team likes this approach, because it saves time and gives them a track to follow.”
Greg’s format can be used by anyone who takes notes in a meeting where several topics are covered. Although a sales person goes through a progression of questions, a conversation sometimes veers into other areas, and an important point can get lost in a sea of notes. “Simply use a legal pad and divide it into four sections,” he said. “Draw a line from top to bottom and another line from left to right. Label each quadrant with the titles you want – and you’re all set. On the next page, you can continue the same four categories or use four new ones.
Here’s a look at Greg’s favorite quadrants:
- Put audience information in the top left quadrant. “This is for notes about the advertiser’s target audience,” Greg said. “Their demographics, their interests, their age ranges, and especially their buying motives. What about the similarities and differences between their existing customers and the customers they want to attract?”
- Put information about products and services in the upper right quadrant. “This tightens their focus,” Greg explained. “Don’t let the advertiser get away with puffed up generalities like ‘fantastic’ or ‘incredible.’ Dig for specific features and benefits. When you review the notes, you’ll see some connections between audience motivators and product benefits.”
- Write history notes in the bottom left quadrant. According to Greg, this is the place for the advertiser’s previous marketing experiences. What worked? What didn’t work? What media vehicles were used? What kind of budget did they allocate? In their opinion, what could they have done differently to generate better results?”
- Put notes on ad plans in the bottom right quadrant. This is the spot to write ideas for new ads. Do some special tactics come to mind? What about testimonials? Or tie-ins between print and digital promotions?
“The system works like a charm,” Greg said. “If the advertiser mentions a product fact while history is being discussed, there’s no problem. Just put that product note in the proper section. We use this format in other meetings, too. For example, in creative strategy conversations, we may label the sections Offer, Headline, Illustration, and Schedule.”
It’s all about writing it down the right way. Worth a try, isn’t it?
(c) Copyright 2018 by John Foust. All rights reserved.
What’s the ‘true threat’ to American journalism and democracy?
Threats to the survival of a free press seem much in the air these days, from the near daily online insults hurled from the White House podium to the lunatic who opened fire on an innocent group of news people in Annapolis, Md., on June 28.
But the greatest danger facing our shared freedom of the press and to journalists’ role in our democracy is not so much either of those factors, as important and tragic as both are.
Perhaps the greatest — and just as immediate — threat is the ongoing decline in the sheer numbers of those involved in the operating and staffing of newsrooms, for now felt most strongly in the “print” sector.
Here’s the most recent example: The owner of The New York Daily News — for decades the blue collar, saucy and salty tabloid voice of one of the planet’s largest cities — just days ago cut already weakened newsroom numbers from less than 100 to a reported 45 or so.
The paper’s Editor Jim Rich, and Managing Editor Kristen Lee, were bounced as part the mass layoff by an out of town entity that now owns the paper, Tronc — responsible for similarly slashing staffs in other newsrooms it controls, from Chicago to Los Angeles.
No doubt the those who bark “fake news” on command will clap their hands over the news. But as Rich so eloquently wrote hours before the Tronc travesty: “If you hate democracy and think local government should operate in the dark, then today is a good day for you.”
Recently, writer Ross Barkam of The Guardian noted that the U.S. Labor Department reports that since 2001, more than one half of all jobs in the news industry have disappeared, a decline from 411,800 to 173,709.
For newspapers in particular the situation is even more grim: a 2018 industry survey showed news department staffing nationwide is about 25,000 — for the first time less than the 27,000 employed in perennially understaffed local TV news operations. In the 1990s, surveys put those newsroom numbers at around 65,000.
Yes there is hope that online news operations will outgrow in size, scope, numbers, and the trivial fascinations that grab eyeballs if not intellects. But how long will that take? Will it ever happen?
It’s difficult to sustain a nation’s commitment to a “free press” if there’s little-to-no press around to operate freely and demonstrate its worth to an ever-skeptical public.
Do not fool yourself that our freedom of the press — and other freedoms of the First Amendment — are invulnerable. A tumble in the once virtually guaranteed revenue and the web disruption of previously limited access to news trashed in little more than a decade the economic model and news consumption habits of a century and more.
Combine a court decision (perhaps in the area of public figures and libel) with the White House’s moves on trade (raising the cost of newsprint) and mega media mergers approved by the government and “poof” — the vibrant, multifaceted news media envisioned by the nation’s founders as a “watchdog” on government turns into a lapdog with neither bark nor bite.
Yes, The New York Daily News newsroom cuts do not automatically mean it cannot replicate a 2017 Pulitzer Prize winning investigation — with nonprofit partner ProPublica — of wrongs in the city’s eviction laws. But effectively tracking down evildoers and keeping a watchful eye in a city of 8.5 million with a staff of about 40 will be nearly impossible, even with the help of Superman — and yes, the Daily News was the model for the comic book’s “Daily Planet” where alter-ego, mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent found a home.
We need not be mild-mannered or helpless in the face of the all too real challenges facing our watchdogs. But we do have to join in the fight to sustain a strong and free press — which, to acknowledge the factual critics of the press we have now, does not mean accepting shallow or inaccurate reporting, or opinionated talk as a substitute for journalism that matters.
In fact, there’s plenty of the latter around, but it gets caught up in the bluster and brimstone of those who see political benefit in the now meaningless blurts about “fake news” and such.
Focus on finding and supporting good journalism — which no doubt will at times tell you things you don’t want to hear, regardless of your political views — and ignore the rest.
If enough of us do that, we too “can save the day” for a free press — and help preserve democracy as well.