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Monday, September 28, 2020
We have found our way forward
We have found our way
forward
INI Board Chair
By creating more powerful websites at YourValley.net, SouthCentralFloridaLife.com and
the soon-to-arrive FromBayToBay.com, we are giving digital-oriented readers the
local journalism they want, plus a rich menu of extra features, regional,
state, national and world news.
A fresh publishing study argues that paid
digital subscriptions are the only avenue to growth
'Publishers who are not using digital subscriptions
should start'
Courtesy The Subscription Economy Index.
September 23, 2020 Rick Edmonds
Category:Business
& Work
The tech platform Zuora is
in the business of selling software for subscription billing — for a range of
industries, like telecommunications or manufacturing, not just publishing. It
also does an annual report with data drawn from a client base of 1,000.
The 2020
edition, released Wednesday, has a good news/bad news mix for the
publishing segment. Bottom line: Subscription volume continues to grow even
during the pandemic, but ads (as measured by other sources) are sinking even
faster than they were before and will continue to do so.
Hence, “publishers who are not using digital
subscriptions should start,” the report recommends. Those already well into
building that base have the data to more deeply engage audiences and upsell
them new services.
Other headline findings:
·
Subscription revenue has been rising at a
healthy pace for some years. The growth rate has slowed but is still trending
upward. Advertising, on the other hand, has been flat in recent years — falling
for newspapers while slightly better for social media and streaming TV. At the
end of last year and so far in 2020, however, advertising is now declining
sharply.
·
Churn — the loss of previous subscribers —
in publishing is higher than in some other industries, but, surprisingly, it
has not gotten worse during the pandemic. Some users, of course, dropped rather
than renewed as household budgets tightened, but they were generally replaced
by a higher-than-usual percentage who wanted to stay informed and were thus
willing to pay.
·
For legacy publications, the 5-to-1
preference of younger readers for digital to print underscores the case for
building that business (while keeping ad volume as high as possible), rather
than shoring up print subscriptions.
Another next step: “To avoid churn and demonstrate
value to customers, smaller or niche publications might consider creative
packaging or bundling; for instance, Bloomberg Media’s recent announcement to
partner with The Athletic.”
I spoke with Amy Konary, who oversees the Subscription
Economy Index study and is director of what she described as a “think tank to
help Zuora customers.”
Subscriptions to streaming entertainment services have
not fared as well as publishing in recent months, she said, and there is a
reason why.
“You subscribe with high expectations. If you find
after a few months that you are not using the service that much, you may drop …
Publications subscriptions tend to be for a longer time — a year or six months
for an introductory offer. So you have more time to assess how useful it is.”
Once the relationship is established, renewals are not
a hard sell. She offered an example in business-to-business publishing,
Standard and Poor’s, which after a year or two becomes part of a suite of
financial information services baked into a company’s operations.
Achieving that when a publication sells to consumers
rather than businesses is more difficult but far from impossible. She cites the
obvious case of The New York Times, which is still growing its
subscription base of 6 million and, according to the company, continues to
maintain its conversion rate on the newest discounted subs.
The Times also illustrates an opportunity available as
a subscription product matures, Konary said. It has enough data to segment the
audience and identify potential markets for add-on or freestanding services
like verticals for crosswords, cooking and now podcasts.
The same logic applies to the bundled offers
like Bloomberg
and The Athletic or the just-announced dual subscription offer
for The
Washington Post and Financial Times. These are successful, not
struggling, digital publishing outlets. They can keep growth momentum by
cross-selling.
The Post/FT combo makes more obvious sense than
Bloomberg and The Athletic. However, Konary said, Bloomberg can identify business
readers who would also like to check out in-depth sports coverage, and the two
can collaborate on sports business topics.
Konary agreed with my assessment that the many
attempts at offering access to a broad range of publications such as Apple News
or Tony Haile’s Scroll may be more problematic. A special feature like ad
blocking could prove appealing, but, she said, “it’s like the old days of cable
where you got 300 channels but only use four or five.” More tailored options
are more appealing — a choice among dozens or hundreds paid sites will seem
just too much to many.
The study also tracks subscription trends in
industries where the concept would seem less of a fit — healthcare, for
instance, where telemedicine systems were on the rise even before the pandemic,
or manufacturing, where remote digital monitoring of machine performance is
growing.
The same principle applies across industries, Konary
said. The newer, often much smaller, subscription segment grows faster than the
one-item-at-a-time legacy business.
Returning to publishing, I asked Konary if she thought
building paid subscriptions and the potential of linking related services or
publications was workable for smaller metro and local newspapers and digital
sites.
“I hope so,” she said. “We need to reinvent publishing
… (to maintain local journalism) … Unfortunately, it takes a while.”
Rick Edmonds is Poynter’s media business analyst. He
can be reached at redmonds@poynter.org.
Friday, September 18, 2020
Florida Mission Stories for August 2020
In August, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to be the top story and
the INI Florida Group covered stories on related topics, giving the readers the
information they need to know to continue to survive the pandemic.
• A group of bar owners sued the governor over his executive order
forcing them to stay closed in order to slow the spread of the virus.
https://lakeokeechobeenews.com/coronavirus/governor-sued-by-bar-owners-over-executive-orders/
|
|
Governor sued by bar owners over executive orders - Lake
Okeechobee News | Lake Okeechobee News OKEECHOBEE COUNTY —
Bar, lounge, nightclub and tavern owners have joined up in a class-action
lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Halsey Beshears, chief of the
Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), over emergency
orders that kept these businesses closed from March through early June and
now, again, since June 26. Stuart lawyer […] lakeokeechobeenews.com |
• Local governments came up with grant programs to help those out
of work due to the pandemic.
• Grants were also available for those behind in their rent or
mortgage:
https://lakeokeechobeenews.com/government/help-available-for-those-behind-on-rent-and-mortgages/
• We kept readers up to date on information on how to kill the
virus.
https://lakeokeechobeenews.com/coronavirus/epa-website-has-list-of-cleaners-that-kill-covid-19/
• We documented the spread of COVID-19 in schools.
https://lakeokeechobeenews.com/schools/fifty-six-students-impacted-by-potential-covid-19-exposure/
A hot topic of debate in Florida homes in August: Should the kids
go back to school. Most of the schools in the INI Florida region gave parents
the choice of sending children back to the “brick and mortar” schools or
continuing “distance learning” at home. The INI Florida papers shared stories
about parents making that difficult decision.
https://lakeokeechobeenews.com/schools/important-lessons-ahead/
|
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Important lessons ahead - Lake Okeechobee News | Lake
Okeechobee News HENDRY COUNTY –
After a Florida judge granted a temporary injunction, on Monday, July 24,
against an order from Gov. Ron DeSantis requiring school districts to reopen
brick and mortar schools during the novel coronavirus pandemic many students,
parents, teachers, and school staff were hopeful that this might change plans
for their local schools. However, […] lakeokeechobeenews.com |
https://lakeokeechobeenews.com/schools/one-moms-story-homeschooling-is-overwhelming/
|
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One mom’s story: Homeschooling is overwhelming - Lake
Okeechobee News | Lake Okeechobee News PAHOKEE — Amanda
Ramos of Pahokee has been home-schooling her children since before the
COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench into education but says that for any parent
who chooses to try this, it is a nearly insurmountable challenge, especially
if you’re trying to work a full-time job simultaneously. In fact, nearly
impossible. “I homeschooled my […] lakeokeechobeenews.com |
A BIG Thanks
This is a BIG thank you to Jaclyn Fuller, Nichole Mukoda, Matt Grettenberger and Tom Bugbee for covering for me while I was out sick for the last two weeks. It’s greatly appreciated and nice to know you have fellow workers on your team you can depend on in a time of emergency. Again thank you all very much. Ps I never want to be this sick again.
Sincerely,
Toni Hewes
Delaware Printing Company
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Thank you , again!
From: Chris Tracy
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2020 7:05 AM
To: Rusty Bradshaw
Subject: Thank you, again!
Good Morning, Rusty,
Chris Tracy
Daily Independent August mission stories
Domestic violence trends upward during pandemic: With
people staying at home more often due to the pandemic, some people are not
necessarily safer there. Domestic violence has seen an increase during the
pandemic, and resources are out there for victims and survivors. Domestic
violence prevention organizations are also reporting an even dire situation –
that victims are not calling as much.
https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/domestic-violence-trends-upward-during-pandemic,179688
Arizona officials continue monitoring testing
capabilities: While Arizona’s case count and hospitalizations appear to be
headed in the right direction, state officials and companies are ensuring
testing capabilities are up to date should a second wave plague the state.
Sonora Quest and the Arizona Department of Health Services are also steadfast
in getting results to people faster, which as of now is quicker than months
before due to less demand.
https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/arizona-officials-continue-monitoring-testing-capabilities,182811
Dorchester Banner August, 2020 mission story
It’s said all politics is local – well, there’s plenty of
local politics going on in Cambridge, and the Banner is keeping an eye on
things. City Council Commissioner LaShon Foster has a contentious relationship
with other officials, as she runs for mayor and questions the validity of the
election process.
So when the council held a public hearing on her residency
compliance, which could have resulted in her removal as a commissioner from
Ward 3, we watched the live stream and wrote a story, while building pages on
deadline for that week’s edition. The crew got the paper done at the last
minute, featuring a front-page story on the hearing.
That was an important service to our readers, many of whom
were anxiously following the hearing and its possible results for a candidate
some strongly support, and others just as strongly oppose. A special shout-out
goes to Matt Grettenberger from the CTP Team, who rolled with the changes that
Monday and gave the Banner a few extra minutes to get the story completed.
Excellent teamwork from an excellent team!
Commissioner Foster’s residency confirmed, 3-2
Aug 25th, 2020 ·
by Dave Ryan · Comments: 0
Dorchester Banner/Dave Ryan
This screenshot of Monday’s public hearing during a Cambridge City Council meeting shows Commissioner LaShon Foster at bottom right with her attorney. At top from the left are Commissioners Steve Rideout and Donald Sydnor.
CAMBRIDGE — Members of the Cambridge City Council voted 3-2
Monday night that Commissioner LaShon Foster had adhered to the City Charter’s
stipulations that she be a bona fide resident of Ward 3 during her term. Voting
for a motion stating she had not followed rules regarding moving while in
office were council members Steve Rideout (Ward 1), and Robert Hanson (Ward 5).
Members Donald Sydnor (Ward 2), Dave Cannon (Ward 4) and
Commissioner Foster were opposed.
Before the hearing began, Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley
voluntarily excused herself, saying she saw a conflict of interest, as she and
Commissioner Foster are both running for mayor.
Commissioner Rideout, who is mayor pro-tem, took over the
hearing, which was held to determine Commissioner Foster’s eligibility to
remain in office, after discrepancies developed in recent months regarding her
addresses. One, at 2527 Southside Ave., in Ward 4, is where her husband was
recovering from operations.
Another, at 501A Elm St., is in Ward 3.
Assistant City Attorney Thomas recounted a series of emails from Commissioner
Foster regarding her addresses, and said that Commissioner Foster had not
submitted all the documentation required when a commissioner moves. She had
made sworn statements referring to the Southside Avenue home as her address.
Witnesses, who had been waiting outside, were allowed into
council chambers for the public hearing. Several citizens spoke favorably of
Commissioner Foster’s community involvement and said they had visited her at
the 501 addresses over the years and recently.
Commissioner Foster said she had not moved, and therefore she
was not required to submit papers. “I am a bona fide resident,” she said. “This
is an illegal public hearing.”
“We have gone back to ’63 now,” Commissioner Sydnor said, adding that he
believed it was an issue related to one group trying to maintain superiority
over another. “This is ridiculous,” he said.
Commissioner Rideout played a recording of a radio show, in
which Commissioner Foster announced her intention to run for office in Ward 4.
She said her announcement on the radio was meant to mislead opponents in the
city, because she had no intention of running for that seat, having decided to
run for mayor.
All council proceedings are streamed online. To see Monday’s
hearing, visit townhallstreams.com/cambridge. The hearing occurs in the final
hour of the four-hour meeting.
Mr. Cannon also is employed as advertising manager
for the Dorchester Banner.
Salisbury Independent August mission story
When County Executive Bob Culver died of liver cancer on
July 26, the Wicomico County Council had – under the County Charter – 45 days
to name a successor. The charter is intentionally vague on how the selection
process should work, but the council posted a notice that it would accept
applications from interested and qualified candidates. Citing personnel rules
and desiring to protect the privacy of the applicants, council members decided
to hold their interviews and deliberations in closed session. The Salisbury
Independent decided immediately to file a FOI request for the candidates’
names. Less than 30 minutes after receiving the newspaper’s FOIA documentation,
county leaders decided to open the process entirely and not keep it private
– naming the applicants and conducting the interviews in private.
Web and social media traffic for this story – as well as the
many stories that have since documented the process – has been record-setting
for county government coverage and further established the newspaper as an
authoritative source for watchdog reporting.
Mission story for the Crisfield-Somerset County Times....
Mission story for the Crisfield-Somerset County Times....
Princess Anne Commissioners want public opinion on policy
that would allow them to use a town car
As a
policy it requires one reading, and that is expected to be at the Sept. 8 town
meeting with public comment accepted at that time.
“It’s
the public’s ultimate decision on what they want us to do,” said Commissioner
President Lionel Frederick. “So if there’s any concern that the public has, our
job to work for them and show them we work for them.”
“[B]ring your constituents out so that everyone’s input can be voiced.”
The
“modest policy” was based on what the state and other municipalities do, said
attorney Paul Wilber, who is also the acting town manager. A vehicle would be
available to all commissioners “to be used to conduct the business of the
town.”
Expenses
for the vehicle would be paid by the town, the driver — whether a commissioner
or an employee — must have a valid license, obey all laws and report any
accidents.
Vice
President Garland Hayward said except for when Princess Anne is the host, the
Lower Eastern Shore Mayor’s Association (LESMA) meets at different
municipalities each month. There may also be times when a commissioner must
drive to Salisbury or elsewhere to conduct business on behalf of the town.
If the
policy is abused, Mr. Wilber said “if you had a town manager” that person could
“keep an eye on the log book.” Otherwise, “to a degree, I think the
commissioners need to self-police.” And if the elected officials believe it
isn’t working, “you can modify or stop the policy.”
Mr.
Hayward felt something stronger than self-policing was necessary, and on that
Mr. Frederick said the commissioners could invoke the code of conduct and
reprimand a commissioner. And if it’s criminal, “that why we have law
enforcement” which would be settled by the courts, the president said.
By
consensus at the Aug. 17 work session it will be written in the policy that it
can be amended or ended by a majority vote of the commissioners.
Commissioner
Joey Gardner voiced his opposition to a car use policy, stating if there is a
meeting or circumstance requiring travel, “We would save a lot of money for the
town by simply reimbursing mileage.” That would be less costly, he said, than
to insure and maintain a car for attending a monthly
LESMA meeting and the annual Maryland Municipal League meeting.
“I
can’t think of other things that are outside of town, and require driving,” he
said, saying the town could eliminate one vehicle and “use that money for
better purposes.”
Mr.
Frederick disagreed, saying “There is a need for this, whether or not you need
it for town business is an individual’s problem. The more you broaden your
horizon and work for the town of Princess Anne you come to a point where these
things are necessary, a resource to do the actual job.”
One
additional concern by Mr. Gardner was the potential for a violation of the
Opens Meeting Act if three or more commissioners travel together and discuss
town business. Mr. Wilber said it shouldn’t happen but, “It’s difficult to
police.”
A line
in the draft policy that there be a limit on miles each week will not be
included when the policy goes forward for a vote. As Commissioner Marshall
Corbin said, from week to week there’s no way to know if miles traveled will be
zero or 30.
If
adopted, an administrative detail to be worked out would be where to get the
key to a vehicle after hours. Commissioner Orlondo Taylor suggested it could be
left at the police station.
Consideration
of a car use policy comes at the heels of the reinstatement of the cell phone
stipend for commissioners, which Mr. Gardner also opposed. It was expressly
deleted from the fiscal year 2021 budget as a cost-saving measure but on Aug. 3
was restored retroactively to July 1 by a majority vote.
Written
comments on the car use policy may be sent to the commissioners at Town Hall, 30489
Broad Street, Princess Anne, Md., 21853.
Delaware State News August Mission story
A
special story this month looked at how health care systems downstate have met
the unique demands that COVID-19 created for those whose primary language isn’t
English in a critical time of need. While many hospitals in our region already
employed translators or computerized translation services, Noah Zucker reported
how those health care agencies ramped up efforts when the virus brought a surge
of sick patients who spoke Spanish, Haitian Creole and other languages.
The Sunday, Aug. 9, story brought to light an issue readers may not consider or ever encounter, and it continued our coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on our Hispanic communities, which the state was challenged to reach as hot spots developed in Georgetown and Milford.
Noah interviewed nurses whose primary job was translation and those who landed in the role because they had the native language skills necessary to communicate with sick patients. Those interviewed shared personal stories of how the work fulfilled them and what motivated them every day.
Enma Rodriguez told Noah about one of her first times translating for a COVID-19 patient. He wrote: As she held the man’s hand and interpreted for him, she saw his vitals begin to shift. “I felt like that touch — that we have you, we got you,” Enma said, “that calmed him down and helped him a lot.”
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