Nebraska Press Association

Great to see everyone last week, when the Nebraska Press Association and the OnePress, powered by the NPA, Board of Directors came together in Broken Bow to continue their mission of supporting newspaper media and journalists. 📰

A special shoutout to the amazing team at Custer County Chief for their warm hospitality and for making our visit truly memorable.

We also had a fantastic time touring Kinkaider Brewing Company Broken Bow! Cheers to community, collaboration, and great local journalism! Nothing like Brews and News.🍻📰

And thanks to our great board members: Robert Dump, Peggy Year, Amy Johnson, Carrie Pitzer, Dennis DeRossett, Randy Sadd and more

🗞Circulation vs readership: What's the difference and why does it matter?

📣Dive into the nuances of readership, how it differs from circulation, and why this distinction is crucial for anyone involved in media planning and placement.

💡Understanding readership provides deeper insights into the audience’s engagement and behavior, which ultimately leads to more effective marketing strategies and better results for clients.

Understanding News Media Circulation vs Readership: Why It Matters Understanding the difference between newspaper circulation and readership is crucial for effective advertising campaigns. Learn why readership matters and how to leverage newspaper media for impactful marketing strategies.

+ MEMBER SPOTLIGHT +
Nuckolls County Locomotive-Gazette

On January 1, 2010, Bill and Rita Blauvelt bought the Lawrence Locomotive and the Nelson Gazette and combined the two papers into the Nuckolls County Locomotive-Gazette. The history of the two can be traced to the 19th century. There are still some copies of the 1884 Gazette. It is said that the former publisher, F. A. Scherzinger of the Gazette holds the record for having the longest tenure of any Nebraska publisher. Bill said he has been with The Express for 54 years but doesn’t think there is any way he could beat the record.

About the turn of the century an arsonist set a fire which destroyed the locomotive office. The Ostdiek family acquired the paper in the 1930s, They had 12 children and most learned the trade. Lee, a former NPA President, received Hall of Fame honors for a court case that now allows legal papers to be printed out of county. Allen Ostdiek, the last owner of both newspapers before the Blauvelts, continues to live in Lawrence and writes stories and take pictures for the newspaper.

The paper concentrates its coverage on the two northern Nuckolls County communities of Nelson and Lawrence. All subscribers are entitled to a e-sub and with it they can also read The Superior Express and the Jewell County Record. The paper serves as the official paper for the communities of Lawrence, Nelson and Ruskin and for the Lawrence-Nelson school district. However, the Superior Express is the official county paper.

Since the arrival of the pandemic, consolidation took place and the NCLG is now produced at the Superior Express office on a nearly 60-year-old press. Sophia Fullerton and Mary Sawyer are the two people responsible for laying out the paper the old-fashioned way with an art-waxer and Xacto knives, cutting and pasting, then shooting a negative.

* pictured are Owners Bill and Rita Blauvelt and employees Sophia Fullerton and Mary Sawyer.

💎 Press releases are often overlooked in today's digital marketing landscape, but their potential goes far beyond simply announcing news.

📈 From boosting SEO and establishing industry authority to enhancing media relations and managing crises, press releases offer a wealth of hidden benefits that can significantly enhance your marketing strategy.

7️⃣ Discover the seven surprising advantages of using press releases, including how they can increase your online visibility and reach a wider audience through print and online publications.

🎓 Dive into the full article to learn how to maximize the impact of your press releases and drive your business forward!

The Power of Press Releases: 7 Hidden Benefits for Your Business Discover the hidden benefits of using press releases to boost SEO, establish authority, enhance media relations, manage crises, and more. Maximize your marketing strategy today by working with OnePr

Starting the morning out right with a newspaper. 📰

We would be remiss if we did not give credit to the amazing sister duo, Susan and Shannon. They are a part of every aspect of the convention and run it with humor and grace.

Susan Watson will retire from her post at the Nebraska Press Association as Member Services & Press Release Manager in July. She has worked there for 15 years. Shannon Urbanovsky will retire at the end of May from her part-time administrative position.

Both were recognized at the Saturday night convention banquet for all of their hard work. And they were able to play a little too at the Thursday night co****le tournament Team Polish Posse.

THANK YOU!!

The List of our 2024 Nebraska Press Association Winners can be found by visiting this link on the NPA Website: https://nebpress.com/conventions/

(photos courtesy of Julie Koch)

*please submit award photos we may have missed in comments

The North Platte Telegraph
Stapleton News
Springview Herald
Rob Dump
The Wayne Herald
The Ord Quiz / Quiz Graphic Arts, Inc.
Norfolk Daily News
Fremont Tribune

The List of our 2024 Nebraska Press Association Winners can be found by visiting this link on the NPA Website:

Convention | Nebraska Press Association LINCOLN — Sweepstakes winners in the Nebraska Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest are the weekly Stanton Register and the daily Norfolk Daily News.

Our full list of 2024 Nebraska Press Association Winners available soon! 🥇

Aurora News-Register

Some highlights from Friday’s Banquet!

1. Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly

2. NPA President Rob Dump and NPA Immediate Past President Kevin Peterson with Dr. Paul Turman, Nebraska State College System Chancellor

3. Jenny Higgins, Harpst Leadership Award winner, managing editor of Antelope County News with presenters Shary Skiles, publisher of McCook Gazette and Don Harpst, Junior

4. Master Editor Publisher Award Winner Willis Craig Mahannah, Retired West Point News Editor

West Point News
Antelope County News
McCook Gazette
Peru State College
Chadron State College

Nebraska Press Association Sponsors help make this two-day event happen! A group dedicated to Nebraska Newspapers.

PICTURED:
Nebraska Public Power District
TheLEADER
White Wolf Web & Design
Publication Printers Corp.
Cherry Road Media

🥇 Co****le Winners: Paul & Shane

🥈 Runners-Up: Ryan & Whitney

CONGRATULATIONS! What a fun Fundraising Night! 🌽

More pictures & videos to come!

Paul J. Swanson
Ryan Dettman

Moving Digital 🎥 Remember these two classes are available for you and your newspaper to take that plunge and understand more!

PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISING: MAXIMIZING DIGITAL AD REVENUE IN THE ERA OF AI -
Friday, April 26 (2 Classes)
9:50-10:40 am & 1:45-2:45 p.m.

- Dive into how programmatic advertising works and ways to optimize ad placements and revenue through automation and targeted advertising. We'll also explore how best to integrate programmatic into your print sales programs.

Prior to founding In the Green Marketing, Tara spent the last 20 years coaching sales teams to sell digital advertising for a publicly traded company in multiple market sizes.

A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2002), Tara earned a degree in Advertising and started her career at the Lincoln Journal Star.

In the Green Marketing is a digital consulting and marketing firm offering consulting, managed services and fractional marketing to companies of all sizes.

In the Green Marketing

This weekend, we have the honor of speaking at the Nebraska Press Association's 2024 Annual Convention in Lincoln, NE! We are thrilled to have the opportunity to connect with fellow industry experts and provide actionable digital sales and marketing insights to Nebraska's impressive press professionals!

We will be covering the topic of digital transformation and the use of AI and marketing technology to:
📊 grow leads,
📈 increase retention,
💸 and improve ROI.

We'll see you soon, Lincoln!

✨ Highlighted Convention Session! ✨

CREATIVE WAYS TO COVER YOUR COMMUNITY:
Friday, April 26, 9:50-10:40 a.m.

Joey & Lindsey (Kansas Publishing Ventures) publishes three newspapers in south-central Kansas, and also created the online journalism course, “Earn Your Press Pass.” In this session, learn how change up your weekly routine with new story ideas they’ve implemented, to help freshen your newspaper content.

Homegrown Headlines returns next week!

🌟Convention Highlighted Sessions! 🌟

DIGITAL/PRINT AD SALES & MARKETING -
Friday, April 26 (2 Classes)
9:50-10:40 am & 1:45-2:45 p.m.

- Tara Seible founded In the Green Marketing
with three key principles: creativity, transparency & results. With over 20 years of strong media sales & marketing background, Tara will discuss digital ad sales & marketing, including video, text, email and banner ad sales for small to medium sized businesses.

In the Green Marketing

REGISTER BY TOMORROW 🌟 04.17.24

Follow link to register: https://nna.formstack.com/forms/npa2024

As we gear up for the convention, we are going to highlight some inspirational and energizing sessions to take note and to INVITE colleagues!

* EARN YOUR PRESS PASS
Friday, April 26 - 9:50-10:40 a.m. -
Creative Ways to Cover Your Community!
Joey & Lindsey (Kansas Publishing Ventures) publishes three newspapers in south-central Kansas, and also created the online journalism course, “Earn Your Press Pass.” In this session, learn how change up your weekly routine with new story ideas they’ve implemented, to help freshen your newspaper content.

* REVIVING RURAL NEWS
Friday, April 26 - 1:45-2:45 p.m.
Teri Finneman is a journalism professor at the University of Kansas, and she’s leading a project to test a new business model based on research with publishers and readers to help rural newspapers adapt, survive and thrive.

I walked into the ballroom, a very formal setting, a lit up stage. I wore my best dress. There were black table-clothed tables with shiny glasses and sparkly drinks. I heard mingling and laughter. I saw comfortable networking with warm handshakes and hugs. It was a marvelous moment and it was my first Nebraska Press Association Convention.

I came there by way of the Clipper-Herald and I watched my elegant boss command attention. I always admired her and knew she was special but when she entered that convention hall, she owned it.

I watched a seasoned writer, who I’ve gotten to know even better as the years have gone on, win all my categories it seemed. I’d come in third usually. I would go home a little disappointed and read her winning stories she wrote so effortlessly, and then I always understood why she won. I learned from her.

And when the night wound down, I and several others sat down with the director himself after all the awards were handed out. We listened to his stories with laughter while he told them with a glimmer in his eye. Of course he rode in on a helicopter to present a flag on a high school track. Why would he not?

Terrie. Ellen. Allen.

They made my NPA convention experience unforgettable.

Now, 2024 convention is coming up in two weeks and I can’t wait to come back after more than 15 years later and see all of the familiar faces and new ones alike.

The awards are nice and the food is great, but it is truly about the people. Nebraska Press has some of the best.

Make your own memories and get involved in the breakout sessions! There are many great, informative opportunities during this weekend so register soon for the convention April 25-27 at the Lincoln Cornhusker Marriott. Link is below for your convenience.

https://nna.formstack.com/forms/npa2024



Terrie Baker
Ellen Mortensen

Register! Co****le! Invite!

You can sign up on our website or message us: lindsey@nebpress for any registration links.

We are so excited to see you!
Connect. Be Inspired. Get Re-Energized.

We’d love to have you at our
First-Ever Nebraska Press
Association Foundation’s
🌽 CO****LE TOURNAMENT 🌽

Proceeds from the event go to our scholarship program:
$40/person
$80/team

🦹🏼‍♀️TEAM COSTUMES optional but recommended!
💰 FUNdraising is a must!
🫵🏻 EVERYONE is invited!

SIGN UP:
https://nebpress.com/nebraska-press-association-payment-form/
(mark “other” and write co****le tournament)

CONVENTION IS ONE MONTH AWAY!

You can sign up on our website www.nebpress.com or message us for any registration links.

We are so excited to see you!
Connect. Be Inspired. Get Re-Energized.