April 25, 2023
To build a culture of recruitment, teach your staff to become talent ambassadors for your paper
From the 2023 Mega-Conference
The keys to modernizing your newspaper's recruiting efforts include three important steps, recruitment expert Julian Placino told attendees at the Mega-Conference.

Always be recruiting, even when you're not actively hiring.

Know your Employment Value Proposition (EVP) and believe in it.

Cultivate a culture of recruitment.

Coverage of the Mega-Conference will continue in Friday's newsletter.
Honor your editorial writers and columnists with a Carmage Walls Commentary Prize nomination
Separate judging categories for small and large papers
$15,000 in cash prizes to be awarded
Honor your best editorial writers and columnists by nominating them for this year’s Carmage Walls Commentary Prize.
 
This contest is open to all members of America’s Newspapers both daily and non-daily papers and with circulation breakouts for smaller newspapers (under 35,000 circulation) and larger papers (over 35,000 circulation).

Editorials and columns will be judged separately — with one set of awards presented for excellence in editorial writing (representing the view of the newspaper) and another set of awards for excellence in column writing (columns written by one or more individuals).

In each of those contests, entries will be judged in two circulation brackets: over 35,000 circulation and under 35,000 circulation. And, three cash prizes will be included in each bracket — giving 12 individuals the opportunity to win cash prizes in 2023 (up from four cash prizes in 2022).

Cash prizes will be awarded in the following brackets:
  • Editorials (over 35,000 circulation)
  • Editorials (under 35,000 circulation)
  • Columns (over 35,000 circulation)
  • Columns (under 35,000 circulation)

Cash awards will be as follows in each of the four contest brackets: first-place, $2,250; second-place, $1,000; and third-place, $500. This puts total cash prizes at $15,000 — thanks to the generous support of Lissa Walls Cribb and Southern Newspapers, Inc.

In addition to the top three in each bracket, America's Newspapers also will be recognizing additional finalists.

This contest has always sought to recognize strong, courageous and positive editorial page leadership. Judges will be taking the courage it took to write the editorials or columns into highest consideration.

Industry news
Georges Media Group announces the launch of the Shreveport-Bossier Advocate
Georges Media Group, Louisiana’s largest locally owned media organization and publisher of The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com, The Advocate, The Acadiana Advocate and Gambit, has announced a full expansion of its news coverage into the Shreveport-Bossier City market.

Industry people
Natalie Acra named Daily News publisher in Greensburg, Indiana
Natalie Acra has been promoted from general manager to publisher of the Daily News in Greensburg, Indiana.

Acra began at the Daily News in 2004, working in the advertising and graphics department. Prior to being named general manager, she served as an assistant to the publisher.

Natacha Pisarenko named Southern Cone news director with The Associated Press
In a memo to staff on April 24, News Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Eduardo Castillo announced that Natacha Pisarenko will oversee all news coverage in Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Family and independent owners to hold summer meeting this July in Pittsburgh
The Family and Independent Owners Meeting is designed for the senior executives, owners and family members who are directly involved in their company’s operations.  The meeting provides these executives the opportunity to network and share successful strategies to move their business forward.  From issues related to basic operations, business structures or familial transitions, the Family and Independent Owners Meeting fosters a spirit of partnership and innovation.

The 2023 Summer Meeting will be held at the PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — home of the Pittsburgh Pirates! Sessions will begin Tuesday, July 18, at 2 p.m. EDT, followed by a reception and Pirates baseball game that evening. On Wednesday, July 19, sessions will run from 9 a.m to 12:30 p.m., followed by an optional Pirates game that afternoon.

Share your news with us for the next issue of our newsletter — executive and staff appointments, as well as news about innovations, new print or digital products, etc. We want to highlight the good things your newspaper is doing!

Items for upcoming newsletters should be sent to cdurham@newspapers.org.
America's Newspapers calendar
July 18-19 - Family & Independent Owners Summer Meeting, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

October 8-10 - Senior Leadership Conference, Chicago, Illinois
Get Involved. Be Heard. Invest In Your Future.   
Keep up with the latest news, schedule of upcoming events and other information specifically for the newspaper industry. Learn more about America’s Newspapers at www.newspapers.org. And connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.