Tag: newspaper advertising

On March 25, 2010, I delivered what I thought was a reasonably sensitive presentation on the current state and possible future of the regional newspaper, and the current utility of newspaper advertising, to the New York Capital Region Chapter of the American Marketing Association (NYCRAMA). The audience – which I found upon my arrival included 20 or so employees of the Albany Times Union, a Hearst product and our region’s regional newspaper – did not entirely enjoy my brusque prognosis, delivered (at least to their ears) with all the charm of Dr. House. Many challenged my assumptions and my data. Several approached me afterwards to suggest I didn’t know what was going on, or of all the efforts underway within the paper – blogging, youth outreach, new community focus, alternate revenue ideas (like charging for the weekly TV listing), online advertising efforts, etc. – that were working to slow the revenue slide and allow the “paper” to transition to a new era. Perhaps.

Declining circulation… Shrinking ad revenue… Rapidly increasing free online news sources… Are these the harbingers of death for newspapers? Many media speculators would say “yes” – newspapers are dying; while others argue that they’re evolving for the digital age. And what is the fate of newspaper advertising? These are just some of the questions that will be discussed at an upcoming breakfast roundtable hosted by the New York Capital Region Chapter of the American Marketing Association entitled, “Are Newspapers Dead? The Future of Print in a Digital Age.” The event featuring Media Logic’s Executive VP/Executive CD Ronald Ladouceur as a guest speaker will take place on Thursday, March 25 and is open to both AMA members and nonmembers. Registration is available online. What do you think? We welcome your thoughts and comments.