Just one week left to enter NYNAME's Ad Contest
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There is still time to submit entries for NYNAME's 2016 Ad Contest.
The annual competition recognizes newspapers and their advertising staff for their hard work and talents in newspaper advertising, and is free to enter for members of NYNAME and NYNPA.
The deadline to submit entries is Friday, February 26 at 5:00 p.m.
Members with questions about the competition should contact Don Ferlazzo at (518) 449-1667 ext. 700 or dferlazzo@nynpa.com.
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Department of Labor's Overtime Rules will Unintentionally Harm Employees
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In June, the Department of Labor (DOL) proposed increasing the salaries test used to determine if an employee is eligible for overtime from the current threshold of $23,660 to $50,440 annually. This proposal, which more than doubles the current standard, would set the salary threshold at a level that is nearly $10,000 and $15,000 higher than what is mandated by the state laws in California and New York - states where the cost-of-living is relatively high compared to the rest of the country. What works in New York City or San Francisco doesn't necessarily work in Rapid City, South Dakota or Ames, Iowa.
Let me be clear, the current salaries test - which hasn't changed since 2004 - should be increased. But, addressing a decade of inaction with an immediate 102 percent increase in the salary threshold will result in unintended consequences that will ultimately hurt current employees.
A recent survey of NAA member newspapers found that the newspaper industry would have to spend more than $130 million annually to raise the salaries of exempt employees.
Read the full column
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The New York Times Company Declares Regular Quarterly Dividend
From Press Release
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The New York Times Company's Board of Directors on Thursday declared a regular quarterly dividend of $.04 per share on the Company's Class A and Class B common stock. The dividend is payable on April 21, 2016, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 6, 2016.
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Gannett Reports Fourth Quarter 2015 Results of Operations
From Press Release
Wednesday, February 17, Gannett reported fourth quarter 2015 results of operations.
Recent highlights include:
- National digital advertising revenue trends improved, increasing 31.9% in Q4.
- Declared dividend of $0.16 per share.
- Cash balance at December 27, 2015 of $196.7 million.
- Announced the acquisition of Journal Media Group, Inc. (JMG), expected to close in Q1 2016; forecast to add approximately $450 million in annual revenues and approximately $60 million in adjusted EBITDA in the first full year. Additional $25 million of synergies targeted for year two.
- Achieved over 100 million unique domestic digital visitors. Total digital revenues for the fourth quarter were $165.3 million. Digital-only subscriptions grew 39%.
- Announced the integration of Gannett's local and national media brands under the USA TODAY NETWORK brand.
- Elevated effective tax rate due to reduction in value of certain UK deferred tax assets of approximately $3.8 million, or approximately $0.02 per diluted share.
Robert J. Dickey, president and chief executive officer, said, "We are pleased to report that we ended 2015 on a strong note, continuing to grow our digital footprint while reporting solid earnings, despite an elevated tax rate. Our two most important strategic initiatives, consolidation of the local publishing industry and driving digital growth through organic and external investment, are both progressing favorably. The acquisition of JMG, which is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval, is expected to close in March and our digital presence continues to grow as we broke through the 100 million unique digital visitor barrier in the later part of the year, placing us squarely into a select group of leading news and information providers in the digital media space."
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From Ad Blockers to Wearables, What Newspapers Need to Know About Digital in 2016
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Newspapers have been preparing for digital in many ways, but in 2015, digital took center stage. As we begin a new year, topics like ad blocking and podcasting will still be in the front of every publisher's mind, but how concerned should they be about drones and connected car technology? To help, E&P has compiled a list on what you need to know about digital in 2016, right from the mouths of experts and your newspaper colleagues.
Ad Blocking Technology
Ad blocking dominated the news last year with mixed reactions. Ray Faust, vice president sales, emerging media for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, said they tested a "blocking the blockers" strategy for eight hours one day in October. The trial resulted in the Star Tribune's website being whitelisted by 50 percent of ad blockers. Whitelisting is when ad block users enable specific sites to not be blocked.
But Faust admitted that blocking the blockers isn't a long-term solution. It's more complicated than that, he said. Ad blockers were able to bypass the Star Tribune's code and re-block the ads. Faust explained there are three primary reasons users utilize ad blockers: intrusive ads, privacy concerns and the user experience.
Going forward, Faust said all eyes will be on mobile ad blocking. Although there hasn't been an issue with ad block on mobile yet, it can be prevented by mobile phone providers who regulate data usage fees for users.
Big Data
Big Data continues to make strides in 2016, and according to Andrew Lipsman, vice president, marketing and insights at comScore, he's never been more excited about the possibilities of data and the business of journalism.
"It seems like we're finally moving in the right direction," he said about monetizing online data metrics.
Last year, some feared that mobile was eating up the desktop audience, but Lipsman said that wasn't true. Desktop audiences have largely remained the same, but mobile audiences exploded, meaning digital audiences are growing, not being spread out over different platforms.
In 2016, Lipsman said the key to increasing costs-per-thousand impressions (CPM) prices is to have targeted ads with impact, good viewability and free from fraud, or non-human traffic. More
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Virginia Press Association Search for Executive Director
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The Virginia Press Association seeks a dynamic leader to chart our course for the future. Anticipating the retirement of our long-time executive director, we're searching for a trailblazer to build on past success, while addressing the challenges facing our members in the 21st century.
The next executive director will help define and implement VPA's mission in a changing business environment. The candidate will work with the board, full-time staff, members, and others to create new opportunities for growth. This position will require detailed business planning skills, goal-setting, establishing measurable objectives, accurate cost estimates, and task deadlines.
Duties include: member relations, engagement and development; government relations and lobbying; sales, marketing and fundraising; community and industry relations; public speaking; programming and event planning; staff, P&L and administrative management. Meaningful experience in each is a job requirement, as are strong communication skills, superior organizational ability, and professional polish.
We will show preference to candidates with a background in journalism and media issues, association management, or government relations.
If interested, please send cover letter, resume and salary history and expectations to Marisa Porto, president, VPA Board of Directors, at mporto@dailypress.com.
Applications must be received by Tuesday, March 15.
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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 mmiller@nynpa.com. For more on NYNPA please visit us on the web at www.nynpa.com.
Mary Miller Education Services Director
New York News Publishers Association
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Financial Literacy,
Learning to Budget
Free NIE 4 x 10 feature for February
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This month's feature highlights the importance of teaching Financial Literacy starting at a young age.
Contact Mary Miller at mmiller@nynpa.com or call 518-449-1667 x 701 for a high resolution copy of this feature.
March's feature will spotlight Sunshine Week
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