Our new name:
Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA
Printing/Publications/Digital Media
Several months ago, we asked our company’s people for their suggestions about a possible corporate name change to Independent Newsmedia Inc. The old corporate name (since about 1970) had been Independent Newspapers, Inc., but we now do a LOT more than newspapers.
100% of the comments in response to the name change article in Press Lines (Your Reactions To A Possible New Name For INI?) were positive; even enthusiastic in most cases.
However…
• We had searched earlier and learned that there are other companies (overseas) that use “Independent News Media” but no “Independent Newsmedia” in the USA. Still, Linda Sabo (one of our systems techs in Delaware) was sharp enough to wonder if we should add something to the proposed name to further distinguish ourselves from the others. This stimulated the idea of adding “USA” to the proposed new corporate name. Our key people liked the patriotic message this sends, too!
• One of our publishers in Arizona, Charlene Bisson-Patti, astutely pointed out we don’t provide websites, so we’ve evolved toward using “Digital Media” instead of “Websites” in our positioning line.
So, our official name is now:
Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA
Printing/Publications/Digital Media
Key points to keep in mind:
1. The new corporate name is intended to better reflect what we have become since we now have digital products and services, special sections, other print products and printing operations in addition to newspapers. It should be helpful internally and in recruiting.
2. However, the names of our individual local products (like “the state capital daily” Delaware State News, the Dorchester Banner in Maryland, the Okeechobee News in Florida and the Independents in Arizona) and our subsidiaries (like newszap.com, Delaware Printing Company and Valley Newspapers) will NOT change. Promoting the names of our individual products to consumers will continue to take priority over promoting the corporate name.
3. The name of our non-profit holding company, “INI Holdings, Inc.” won’t change, either. Of course we don’t promote that name at all --- internally or externally.
4. When appropriate, we can continue to use “INI” or “Independent” as shortcuts for our full corporate name.
5. The first line --- Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA --- is now the official corporate name.
6. The second line --- Printing/Publications/Digital Media --- can continue to evolve as we see fit. We can also continue to use other positioning lines such as “Inspired by the First Amendment” when appropriate.
7. The change can be phased in gradually and without incurring added expenses. We will NOT change bank accounts, licenses, contracts, media kits, business cards, signs, etc. except when it is time for renewal or replacement. (After all, we will still be the same company; only the name will be changing --- and not changing very dramatically.)
8. We have registered “Independent Newspapers, Inc.” as a DBA (doing business as) affiliate of “Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA”, to make the gradual transition to the new name reasonably seamless.
Thanks to everybody who contributed to the name change decisions --- and especially to Charlene and Linda. Their good suggestions illustrate how important employee involvement has been to this company’s current and future success.
Thanks - Joe
