Masthead
Issue: #357                                                                   
December 11, 2015
New York Times Runs Front Page Editorial for the First Time Since 1920  
The New York Times ran an editorial on its front page on Saturday, December 4, the first time the paper has done so since 1920, calling for greater regulation on guns in the aftermath of a spate of mass shootings.

The editorial, headlined "The Gun Epidemic," describes it as "a moral outrage and a national disgrace that people can legally purchase weapons designed specifically to kill with brutal speed and efficiency." It suggests drastically reducing the number of firearms, and "eliminating some large categories of weapons and ammunition."

"It is not necessary to debate the peculiar wording of the Second Amendment," it reads. "No right is unlimited and immune from reasonable regulation."

In a statement, the publisher of The Times, Arthur Sulzberger Jr., said the paper was placing an editorial on Page 1 for the first time in many decades "to deliver a strong and visible statement of frustration and anguish about our country's inability to come to terms with the scourge of guns."

"Even in this digital age, the front page remains an incredibly strong and powerful way to surface issues that demand attention," Mr. Sulzberger said. "And, what issue is more important than our nation's failure to protect its citizens?" More   
Lee Enterprises said Thursday that operating revenue was down 4.3% for the fourth quarter, though digital revenue was up almost 24% and now comprises almost 20% of its total operating revenue.

 
Subscription revenue increased 5.4%. Excluding the impact of the subscription-related expense reclassification, subscription revenue increased 6.1%.

Average daily newspaper circulation, including TNI and MNI and digital subscribers, totaled 0.9 million in the 13 weeks ended September 27, 2015. Sunday circulation totaled 1.3 million.

Total digital revenue, including advertising, marketing services, subscriptions and digital businesses, totaled $31.1 million in the quarter, up 23.9%, and represents 19.9% of total operating revenue. 
More 
Twelve news, opinion and lifestyle podcasts expand the Wall Street Journal's On-demand digital news offerings
Your Money Matters logo The Wall Street Journal today introduced WSJ Podcasts, expanding its on-demand digital news offerings with 12 podcasts highlighting award-winning reporting from the Journal, Barron's and MarketWatch. The podcasts range from daily updates with What's News, Your Money Matters and Tech News Briefing to the weekly Opinion: Potomac Watch and Free for All with Jason Gay.

The WSJ Podcasts provide need-to-know information by delving into markets, world and political news, with briefings on tech, money and top headlines. The shows include three daily and nine weekly podcasts and showcase popular columns, writers and sections from the Journal, MarketWatch and Barron's.

Starting on December 11, the WSJ Podcasts will be distributed in partnership with The Slate Group's Panoply podcast network.
WSJ Podcasts are available for listening at WSJ.com/podcasts and via download at iTunes, Stitcher, Deezer, and SoundCloud.

"WSJ Podcasts give voice to the Journal's world class reporting, creating new opportunities for audiences to engage with our news, analysis and commentary," said John Wordock, Executive Producer, WSJ Podcasts. 
Newspapers may be rebounding: Ad spending rises 16 percent in November, biggest gain in six months
From MediaLifeMagazine.com
This article is part of a Media Life series "Reinventing the American Newspaper." Click here to read other stories in the series.
 
It's a question that's long plagued newspapers: When will advertising finally bottom out? Media Life Series logo

What was once a $50 billion industry has seen ad spending shrink to under $20 billion, and many forecasters are predicting further contraction, to $15 billion by 2018.

But what if those forecasts are wrong. What if newspaper ad spending has not just stabilized but is actually growing?

That's the suggestion of new numbers from Sysorex, a big data company that looks at trends in advertising through its Shoom analytics.
It finds that in November newspapers saw a 16 percent gain in ad spending over October, the biggest month-to-month gain in six months.

Moreover, it was the third time in the past five months that ad spending rose month to month, and it was driven by a 38 percent gain in retail, which up until October had been cutting back on newspaper spending.

Sysorex notes the big November gain could be tied to retailer optimism about the holiday season. The category usually ramps up newspaper spending in November and December, and forecasters were calling for better holiday sales this year, which always perks up advertising.

Even so, the November gains were uncharacteristically high. More 
The New York Times' new VR project is for a movie studio
From digiday.com
The New York Times and the Weinstein Company have launched "Carol: Dearest..." the first virtual reality project from the publisher's native advertising unit for a movie studio - and the first one of its kind that lets viewers control the action. The ad is for the studio's upcoming movie, "Carol."

The Times' T Brand Studio launched the experience today. It's the fourth VR advertiser film from the publisher since its November launch of NYT VR, a mobile app that uses Google Cardboard and headphones to create immersive experiences.

Editorially, the Times has used VR to tell stories of "The Displaced," about three refugee kids in South Sudan, Ukraine and Lebanon; and "Vigils in Paris," following the Paris terror attacks. More 
In a New York Minute is the weekly electronic newsletter of  NYNPA, providing you with member news, money-saving and money-generating ideas, and upcoming events. If you would like to contribute to this newsletter please reply to this e-mail or contact [email protected]. For more on NYNPA please visit us on the web at www.nynpa.com.

Mary Miller
Education Services Director
New York News Publishers Association
Also In This Issue
Lee Enterprises Revenues Down for 4Q, Shows Strong Digital Growth
Podcasts at WSJ Expands On-demand Digital News
Newspapers May Be Rebounding
NYT's Virtual Reality for Movie Studio Advertiser
Quicklinks 
UPCOMING WEBINARS AND EVENTS

12/14 - Creating New Revenue Streams With Events and Niche Products - Inland Press - $25

1/7 -  How to Cover Housing Stories in your Community - Poynter NewsU - Free

1/8 -  Covering a Presidential Campaign from Outside the Beltway - Poynter NewsU - Free

1/13 -  Covering the U.S. Visa System and its Flaws - Poynter NewsU - Free

1/14 - Instant Sales: Six-Step Proven Process - Online Media Campus - $35

1/15 - A Crash Course to Fact-Checking Journalism: Just in time for election season - Online Media Campus - $35
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6/12-6/14 - Ninth Annual Sales & Marketing Joint Conference, Saratoga Springs - NYNAME/NYSCMA, Inc. - $175/$125

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Contact Mary Miller at [email protected] or call 518-449-1667 x 701 for a full resolution PDF version