AAN News
Should AAN Allow Online-Only Publications to Become Members?
At a town hall meeting during AAN's Toronto Convention, members will discuss the possibility of allowing online-only publications to apply for AAN membership and give them a chance to prove they can pass the same rigorous screening that print publication applicants go through.
Such a change would require only a minor tweak in the organization’s bylaws, but it would nevertheless be a dramatic move for AAN.
READ MORE (FULL STORY)
Such a change would require only a minor tweak in the organization’s bylaws, but it would nevertheless be a dramatic move for AAN.
READ MORE (FULL STORY)
AAN |
06-18-2010 11:07 am |
Association News
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Toronto Convention: Innovating in Hard Times
Costs have been cut. Page count is down. Morale could be better. How do we do more than survive? This is the focus of the annual convention in Toronto. The shakeup of the past two years has, in many ways, given alt-weeklies the chance of a lifetime -- an opportunity for rebirth and reinvention. This July, in one of the most beautiful cities in North America, industry leaders, big-picture thinkers and plenty of your smart peers will be explaining how to create a blueprint for financial success. You'll learn how to focus and rededicate your company to thrive for the next decades and longer.
(FULL STORY)
AAN |
06-14-2010 2:27 pm |
Association News
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) Undergoes Head-to-Toe Redesignnew
This week the paper debuted its drastically redesigned print publication and also rolled out changes to its website. Editor-in-chief Mara Shalhoup says the process began about nine months ago, with questions like "What if we turned the paper into the type of publication that existed only in our imaginations?" and "What was to stop us from rethinking ... everything?" The print overhaul was led by newspaper designer/art director Ron Reason, who goes into detail about the process and the thinking behind a number of decisions in a blog post.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
06-11-2010 2:15 pm |
Industry News
What's Next in SEO?
By now, most publishers have come to terms with the basics of search engine optimization, but don't get too comfortable. Mike Volpe, from web marketing company HubSpot, will be in Toronto to explain the changes to the way in which search engines work. Volpe will give conventioneers tips on how to adapt and optimize your website in order to remain competitive in the future.
As an example, he says, SEO is becoming more time-sensitive and more personal. Google's new search index, Caffeine, just announced this week, will use more "real-time" results, which means that timely news and blog posts, as well as social media status updates, will become increasingly important to maintaining high search visibility. In addition, Volpe says search engines are beginning to use your physical location and search history more, and will eventually move into social search, which adds what your connections like and use to the mix. Many of these developments could bode well for alt-weeklies, which have strong content based around a locality and often have robust social communities. But that won't do you much good if you are falling on the second or third search pages. After Volpe's talk, you should be ready to make changes to your site that will prepare you for the future of SEO.
As an example, he says, SEO is becoming more time-sensitive and more personal. Google's new search index, Caffeine, just announced this week, will use more "real-time" results, which means that timely news and blog posts, as well as social media status updates, will become increasingly important to maintaining high search visibility. In addition, Volpe says search engines are beginning to use your physical location and search history more, and will eventually move into social search, which adds what your connections like and use to the mix. Many of these developments could bode well for alt-weeklies, which have strong content based around a locality and often have robust social communities. But that won't do you much good if you are falling on the second or third search pages. After Volpe's talk, you should be ready to make changes to your site that will prepare you for the future of SEO.
AAN |
06-10-2010 12:37 pm |
Association News
Who is the Audience of the Alt-Weekly These Days?
When you have a president who not only admits he inhaled but confesses to having used cocaine, it’s time to redefine "alternative," according to Henry Scott. At the Toronto Convention, the newly named publisher of Creative Loafing (Atlanta) and chief marketing officer of all six Creative Loafing papers will discuss what the company is doing to redefine the traditional "alt-weekly" and make it meaningful to an audience that would rather be well employed and raise a family than drop out of society and rebel.
Scott -- a self-professed member of the Woodstock Generation -- says he had long ago quit reading alt-weeklies because he found them irrelevant. He says market research he did at previous jobs at the New York Times and Metro New York showed him that most young people agreed. So he and his Creative Loafing team have rethought their approach, using easily available market research and staff coaching. In Toronto, he'll talk about how they are doing and he'll detail both the research and business aspects of the strategy.
Scott -- a self-professed member of the Woodstock Generation -- says he had long ago quit reading alt-weeklies because he found them irrelevant. He says market research he did at previous jobs at the New York Times and Metro New York showed him that most young people agreed. So he and his Creative Loafing team have rethought their approach, using easily available market research and staff coaching. In Toronto, he'll talk about how they are doing and he'll detail both the research and business aspects of the strategy.
AAN |
06-08-2010 12:24 pm |
Association News
Gustavo Arellano, Maher Arar Tapped as Lunch Speakers for Convention
AAN has confirmed the guest speakers for its two lunches at this
year's Toronto Convention. Ask a Mexican's Gustavo Arellano will
reprise his role as host of the AltWeekly Awards banquet on
Friday, July 16. And at the next day's Free Speech Lunch, attendees
will hear from extraordinary rendition and torture victim Maher Arar,
who was arrested by American immigration officials in 2002 and later
deported to Syria. Despite being cleared of all ties to terrorism by
Canadian officials, Arar remains on a U.S. terrorist watchlist, so
you're not likely to see him speak in America any time soon.
AAN |
05-26-2010 1:07 pm |
Association News
Colorado Springs Independent Turning Readers into Headhunters
The Indy is hiring a new ad director, sales executive and news reporter, and "instead of turning to an expensive headhunter," the paper says it is offering cash rewards to readers who refer successful candidates.
(FULL STORY)
Colorado Springs Independent Press Release |
05-26-2010 9:03 am |
Press Releases
Sarah Billingsley Named AWN Communications Director
Sponsored post by Associate Member Alternative Weekly Network
Sarah Billingsley, an advertising executive whose experience at several alternative weeklies brought her to AWN two years ago as Ad Coordinator, has been named Communications Director for the Alternative Weekly Network.
In addition to becoming an AWN Director where she now coordinates the 95-member advertising cooperative’s national sales efforts, Sarah assumes additional responsibilities associated with the long-time position held by John Morrison who left the company in March.
(FULL STORY)
Alternative Weekly Network Press Release |
05-19-2010 6:46 am |
Press Releases
The Village Voice Announces Initial Lineup for 10th Annual Siren Festivalnew
The Village Voice |
05-06-2010 1:35 pm |
Press Releases
Sacramento News & Review Selling Lots of Medical Marijuana Adsnew
With medical marijuana dispensaries growing like pot plants in all areas of California, the business has become quite competitive in areas like Sacramento, KCRA-TV reports. To get ahead, many shops are advertising in the Sacramento News & Review, where the TV station reports there are many ads that include perks like free lighters and delivers, and even free grams. While the daily Sacramento Bee and more conservative Sacramento Magazine don't run dispensary ads, News & Review CEO Jeff von Kaenel says he's got no problem with doing so, adding that about 15 percent of the paper's ads are currently medical marijuana-related. "It reflects the values we have at the News & Review," he says. "We let our readers make up their own minds about things. They're mature enough, and we don't want to be a censor of business in Sacramento."
KCRA-TV |
05-05-2010 2:27 pm |
Industry News
Mark Your Calendars: AAN's 2010 Convention Hits Toronto This July
The 33rd annual AAN Convention is heading north to Toronto, where NOW
Magazine will host a three-day gathering of enlightening programming,
unforgettable parties and crucial networking with your AAN peers. The convention website, which launched today, has the details thus far on programming, registration deals, travel and accommodations, and more.
(FULL STORY)
AAN |
04-29-2010 5:16 pm |
Association News
Gambit Celebrates Its 22nd Annual Big Easy Music & Theater Awards
Each year, Gambit throws a party to announce the winners of its Big Easy Awards, which honor the best in New Orleans theater and music. This year's attendees included New Orleans actors Harry Shearer (The Simpsons), Bryan Batt (Mad Men) and John Goodman (Treme), along with local musicians including Dr. John, Kermit Ruffins, Phil Anselmo (Pantera, Down), Irma Thomas, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews and the Imagination Movers.
Gambit |
04-28-2010 9:48 am |
Industry News
East Bay Express & Others Pushing 'Bank Local' in Addition to 'Buy Local'new
Local sustainability advocate Stacy Mitchell writes that independent business groups across the nation have brought the "bank local" message into their already existing push to urge people to "buy local." She points to an campaign the Express was a part of last year that highlighted the benefits of using a local credit union or bank, and also produced a guide to community-conscious financial choices.
Huffington Post |
04-20-2010 12:37 pm |
Industry News
Free Webinar on Print Sales Set for Thursday
The latest installment of our Sales Webinar Series for AAN members will take place on Thursday, April 22. The topic will be "Return on Expectations - The Key to Print Sales Success," presented by AAN Vice President and Colorado Springs Independent CEO Fran Zankowski. Registration is free for AAN members, but limited to 25 people; click here to register.
(FULL STORY)
AAN |
04-19-2010 1:29 pm |
Association News
Independent Weekly Helps Local Animal Protection Group Raise Money
The Weekly recently donated to its graphic design skills to the Animal Protection Society of Durham (APS) in an effort that ended up raising money for the organization. The APS let folks bid on the chance to have their pets featured in public service ads designed by Weekly production manager Nathan Golub, and the bids brought $2,200 to the group. The completed ads will be sent to all of the local print media outlets, as well as news websites.
AAN News |
04-19-2010 12:16 pm |
Industry News
