NEWS
Need Some New Ideas to Drive Gains in Circulation?
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Steve Learn
Steve Learn, a well-respected circulation professional, will lead a fast-paced session on "Ideas That Drive Gains in Circulation," at the upcoming SNPA Workshop for Smaller Newspapers, to be held Sept. 15-17 in Atlanta.
Until recently, Learn spent almost five years as the circulation director of the TimesDaily in Florence, Ala., before his position was eliminated. The paper, at that time, was part of the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group.
In addition to being an active member of several newspaper associations, Learn works with LEARNing More Circulation Idea Service, where his wife Christie is publisher.
During a Thursday afternoon segment during the Workshop for Smaller Newspapers, Learn will offer attendees dozens of ideas that he has picked up from successful newspaper promotions in the U.S. and Canada. He says many of the ideas have never been seen in the U.S., and will help newspapers add to their bottom line.
He'll focus on:
- Ideas to grow circulation without increasing expenses.
- Ideas to increase revenue using innovative promotions.
- Ideas to lower expenses without compromising quality.
About Our Presenter
Learn started his newspaper career at the now defunct Knoxville Journal in Knoxville, Tenn., in 1983.
In the 1990s, Learn was circulation director or manager of some of the fastest-growing newspapers in the South at three different Tennessee newspapers: Maryville, Murfreesboro and Chattanooga.
Learn started his newspaper career at the now defunct Knoxville Journal in Knoxville, Tenn., in 1983.
In the 1990s, Learn was circulation director or manager of some of the fastest-growing newspapers in the South at three different Tennessee newspapers: Maryville, Murfreesboro and Chattanooga.
He also successfully managed circulation departments in Ohio and South Carolina. He has also worked for The E.W. Scripps Company, McClatchy Newspapers, Waco Media, Horvitz Newspapers, Morris Newspaper Corporation, Cox Newspapers and the New York Times Regional Media Group.
The annual Workshop for Smaller Newspapers is known for its emphasis on practical information and robust idea-sharing. It will focus this year on successful print ventures, new online revenue models, and innovative methods for building business and readership in community newspaper markets.
The annual Workshop for Smaller Newspapers is known for its emphasis on practical information and robust idea-sharing. It will focus this year on successful print ventures, new online revenue models, and innovative methods for building business and readership in community newspaper markets.
The program begins at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 15, with a program on “The Role and the Future of Community Newspapers,” led by Port Charlotte (Fla.) Sun publisher David Dunn-Rankin. It concludes at noon on Friday, Sept. 17, with a segment led by industry consultant Mike Blinder called “What I Would Do on Monday if I Were Your Sales Manager.”
It features idea-sharing/problem-solving sessions that have been traditional highlights of this workshop.
Other program topics include:
- How to build local content without increasing costs.
- Social networks and reader-generated content.
- Local content that really matters.
- E-mail marketing.
- Pay walls and other online payment systems.
- Innovations for growing classifieds.
- Mobile applications.
Space is available at the meeting for six companies to demonstrate their innovative products and services.
Participants who register before Aug. 24 will save $100.
