Sumter Item to premier Weekend Edition paper in August
In order to provide timely high school football results and same-day mail delivery for print subscribers, as well as to improve value for advertising customers, The Sumter Item will premier its new Weekend Edition paper beginning Saturday, Aug. 3.
"When we began thinking about this possibility, it became a no-brainer," Publisher Vince Johnson said. "It's better for our readers, better for our advertisers, better for our mail delivery customers. We're trying to create the best local news experience we can for our community in print and online, and this is certainly a step in that direction."
MOREPost and Courier publisher to lead state press association
PJ Browning, president and publisher of The Post and Courier in Charleston, was elected president of the South Carolina Press Association at the group's Annual Meeting Saturday at The Marriott in Columbia.
MOREKeys to success with video
"Newspapers have been trying to play defense for a long time. From classifieds to inserts to our core users migrating to digital, our industry has been in protection mode," says Vince Johnson, publisher of The Item in Sumter, S.C. "Video allows us to play offense."
MOREThe Sumter Item has new publisher
The Sumter Item has named its first non-family publisher in the newspaper's 123-year history.
William Vincent "Vince" Johnson Jr., former publisher of the Forsyth County News in Cumming, Ga., is the fifth publisher of the locally owned, independent South Carolina newspaper.
MOREKeeping the lines of communication open
Think of this as a manifesto for the future involving your local community newspaper.
Not all communities have dependable, trusted local media these days, and that's a dangerous problem across the country.
Too many people and communities are isolated, creating what are called "news deserts."
Sumter is fortunate in that regard, and we're proud to be part of an institution that has served this area since 1894.
The larger question – given the disruption of media and just about everything else in the world – is how does a local newspaper continue to serve the public, protect democracy, share history, promote advertisers and keep communities together amidst such information overload?
MOREBuy an ad, get one free
The Sumter Item's new TV book sold out of advertising before its first issue, making Editor and Publisher Jack Osteen a believer in the concept.
"If you don't have it, and you don't already have a good TV product on the weekends, then it's worth doing," Osteen said.
MORESumter paper publishes final Saturday edition
The Sumter (S.C.) Item has published its final Saturday print edition. The paper is now officially printing five days a week, and has a wide range of plans for expanding its growing digital services …
MOREOsteen Publishing launches digital agency
Osteen Publishing Company (Sumter, S.C.) has created the new Iris Digital Agency to help local businesses reinvigorate their digital strategy and meet the growing needs in the tri-county area that the newspaper serves. The agency is helping local merchants leverage their digital products to improve their presence through their website and social media.
Jack Osteen, editor and publisher of The Sumter Item, owned by Osteen Publishing, said that while the newspaper continues to serve as a strong marketing tool for local businesses and services, the newspaper wants to expand its services by serving as a one-stop shop for all its customers' marketing needs.
"We've always been very focused on producing results for our clients," he said. "The launch of Iris Digital ensures we'll be able to extend that tradition with a full suite of digital products that current and future clients really need."
MOREKiss the six-column grid goodbye
The Sumter Item has introduced a new look that features two nameplates (for vertical and horizontal layout options on the front page), as well as a five-column grid for ads and editorial. In a few weeks, a new look is coming to its website, as well.
MORE
We have a new website:
www.newspapers.org
America's Newspapers – the association formed from the merger of the Inland Press Association and Southern Newspaper Publishers Association – was ceremonially launched October 6 at its inaugural annual meeting in Chicago.
Dean Ridings will be its chief executive officer, effective Nov. 11.
America's Newspapers unites two of the oldest press associations to form one of the industry's largest advocates for newspapers and the many benefits to their communities, civil life, freedom of expression and democracy.
"Newspaper journalism provides a voice for the voiceless, challenges elected officials, shines a light on government, calls for change when change is needed, and exposes corruption and injustice," said Chris Reen, the president and publisher of The Gazette in Colorado Springs who will serve as the first president of America's Newspapers.
More
New association launches today;
SNPA-Inland merger is complete
A new association formed by the consolidation of SNPA and the Inland Press Association was officially launched today. The name of the new association will be announced on Oct. 6 at the association's first annual meeting in Chicago.
Edward VanHorn, SNPA's executive director, said that the merger unites two of the country's oldest press associations into a progressive new organization that will use its bigger and more powerful voice to be an unapologetic advocate for newspapers.
More