Front, left to right, Milford Chronicle News Editor Gwen Guerke, Milford Chronicle and The Journal Sports Editor Jamie-Leigh Bissett, and Managing News Editor Kitt Parker. Back, The Journal News Editor Logan Anderson, Ad Manager Donna Rice, Graphic Designer Olivia Littleton, Leader & State Register and Sussex Post News Editor Glenn Rolfe, Publisher Tammy Brittingham, Ad Manager Laura Owens, Ad Manager Jenny Keim, Leader & State Register and Sussex Post Sports Editor Bill Mitchell, and Ad Manager Lynne Maloy.
By Gwen Guerke
News editor, Milford Chronicle
MILFORD - Camaraderie and cost-effectiveness create a win-win scenario.
At least that’s the take on Independent Newspapers Inc. to combine Downstate weekly newspaper offices into one central location in downtown Milford.
A small space in the North Walnut Street business district is now command central for the Milford Chronicle, The (Harrington) Journal, Sussex Post and The Leader & State Register.
Most of the editorial staff work from home except on production days; advertising managers are in and out, while office manager/ graphics designer Olivia Littleton holds down the fort during business hours.
Publisher Tammy Brittingham explains.
“A major change in the way the Delaware weeklies operate took place in May when we merged our teams and our production under one roof. Not only did we reduce expenses (one electric bill instead of two, one rent payment instead of two etc.), the payoff is bigger: in that we’re truly doing more and better work with fewer people.”
Leader and Post sports editor Bill Mitchell said the concept made perfect sense to him.
Jamie Leigh Bissett, sports editor for The Journal and Milford Chronicle, agreed.” Consolidating the Milford and Sussex offices has been positive for multiple reasons, not least of which is the accessibility we all now have to each other. Sure technology makes communication that much easier, but it will never replace face-to-face interaction,” she said.
That’s what appeals to Kitt Parker, managing editor for the four weeklies.
“A bonus to having the entire editorial staff working out of one location is that at least once a week we are together in the office as one team working together to help each other build better papers. As one team, we can bounce ideas off each other in one relaxed setting instead of always via e-mail,” Kitt said.
Jamie elaborates on the process, and on the teamwork.
“For most of the editors, our days are spent running around our coverage areas, conducting interviews, taking pictures and conversing with our readers. We’re not always near a phone or laptop to be able to check messages and e-mails. However, we all know each one of us will be in the office first thing Tuesday morning to build the papers. This allows us to discuss the upcoming week’s worth of events and, if necessary, decide if help is needed in a particular area,” she said.
“For instance, from a sports standpoint, being able to discuss upcoming games with Bill Mitchell on a Tuesday has been an advantage for both of us. If Indian River is traveling to Milford for a game, but Lake Forest is heading down south to compete against Sussex Central, obviously Bill and I can’t be two places at once. But because we’re both in the office on Tuesday, we can decide that I will cover the game at Milford and Bill can cover the game at Sussex Central, thereby killing two birds with one stone. This alleviates any chances of miscommunication as well as allowing our team to take advantage of all of our resources,” she added.
Tammy also said team-building measures also helped reduced costs in a very tight economy.
“The idea of merging the Seaford and Milford offices into one downstate production operation made a lot of sense when we started looking at it last spring as a way to reduce expenses. It’s no secret that every business is looking for ways to improve efficiency and cut costs, especially during this economic downturn. INI’s technology and investment in state-of-the-art systems made for an easy transition. The move literally took only a matter of a few weeks. During that time we packed up the Seaford location, spruced up the Milford office with paint and “new” furniture (found in storage in Dover), upgraded the network and phone connections in Milford and met every deadline we set,” Tammy said.
She praised the staff, all of whom had a part in the transition.
“Sheila Clendaniel and Kitt Parker were the awesome ‘captains’ of this project, managing all the logistics for the team. But everyone pitched in to help with the move, packing up office equipment and supplies, unpacking in Milford and getting set up in time so as not to miss a single production deadline,” she said.
In addition to Olivia, Kitt, Jamie Leigh and Bill, other staff members include Gwen Guerke and Logan Anderson, community editors for the Chronicle and Journal, respectively, and Glenn Rolfe, Sussex Post and Leader editor, while Laura Owens, Jenny Keim, Donna Rice and Lynne Malloy are ad managers.
“This move to one office in Milford doesn’t mean we pulled people out of our western and central Sussex coverage areas. To the contrary! Our folks who cover western and central Sussex for us are still based in those areas. Laptops, cell phones and smart work habits mean they can stay right there and service advertising accounts and readers without missing a beat,” Tammy said.
She echoes the sentiments shared by Jamie Leigh and Kitt.
“But besides cost-savings, this merger has paid off in other ways. While still focused on their ‘home’ newspapers, our news editor are now also coordinating coverage and enterprise stories to benefit ALL the Delaware weeklies,” she said.
“The same collaboration is blossoming on the sales side. Our advertising managers are teaming up to bring in new business and we’re turning out great special sections that get rave reviews from the community and are profitable. Can’t beat that win-win scenario! Our planning and brainstorming sessions are focused much more on FUTURE projects rather than the next deadline and production cycle which will translate to continuous improvement in both sales and content. I’m very excited about the future of our weekly newspapers in downstate Delaware,” said Tammy.
That’s something Kitt agrees with.
“The Seaford and Milord teams are no longer just names on e-mails, but team members all working for the same goal, better newspapers."
Top, left to right, Tammy Brittingham, Lynne Maloy, Logan Anderson... Second row, left to right, Laura Owens, Olivia Littleton, Donna Rice, Jenny Keim, and, bottom center,
Gwen Guerke.
Pictured left to right, Toni Ayers, Wanda Ford-Waring and
