March 2013

President’s Reportp2 p3 Executive Director’s Report Awards Short Listp8

Since 1980

The Connect rThe Road to Aylmer p5

The Quebec Community Newspapers Association NewsletterConnecting the English community press in Quebec for 33 years

Selling ads and shiny objects p13

Take Inventory of your newspapers p11

PlusQCNA news, Industry News, Ink & Beyond, CCNA

Canada’s Newspapers enduring, evolving p10

The Nation turns twenty p12

Steve Bonspiel, President, QCNA

Internships represent a potential wealth of talent

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STEVE BONSPIELPresident, CCNA representative

MARC LALONDEVice President

GEORGE BAKOYANNIS Secretary,Treasurer, CCNA representativeHEATHER DICKSON

DirectorFRED RYAN

DirectorMICHAEL SOCHACZEVSKI

DirectorNIKKI MANTELL

DirectorLILY RYAN

Director

QCNA STAFF

RICHARD TARDIFExecutive Director

CAROLYN KITZANUK Administrative Assistant

MARNIE OWSTONAdvertising Coordinator

& Bookkeeper

REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT

March 2013 - 2- www.qcna.org

QCNA newspaper publishers, myself included, like two things above all

else: Free labour. Extra help.It’s not that we’re penny-pinchers - though

some would beg to differ – it has to do with these tough economic times. We’re always looking for an extra edge, trying to find more and more ways to stay relevant and be successful.Let’s be honest even when we come out

of the recession a community newspaper is not a moneymaker by any means.However, one way to help us out and to

foster tomorrow’s journalists is through a unique internship program, in conjunction with Concordia University and the QCNA, that allows us to assess and evaluate new talent while providing important experi-ence to aspiring Woodwards and Bern-steins.They come from the four-year program,

trying to get their collective feet in the door, or from the one-year diploma pro-gram (where the students are known as Dips), and they come to the paper with life experience and varying levels of reporting and writing skills.The Eastern Door is one of the few news-

papers that takes advantage of this pro-gram, and more QCNA papers should push to incorporate it. For some it’s because of the distance to major cities and universities. The ones closest to Ottawa and Montreal, for example, have the best chance to take advantage of a program like this.Although it only exists in an organized

fashion at Concordia right now, there is always the possibility to include other uni-versities and newspapers further away from the Montreal area.Maybe that means rural areas can house

a student for an internship for a month instead of a week, which would provide a much more enriched experience for the student.

After all, from the internship program comes a host of new opportunities for Eng-lish-speaking students, and our job as an English-language association is to look to the future and lend a helping hand.If I look at our situation here at The East-

ern Door, one of our reporters, Daniel Rowe, came from the Dip program. He has quickly ascended and has become quite fa-miliar with the community in the year he’s been here. He started out as an intern and his work ethic and writing skills are a large part of what makes our paper strong.QCNA Executive Director Richard Tardif

was our Assistant Editor for years and he started out as an intern at The Eastern Door. He too quickly worked his way up the lad-der, becoming a fixture in the community at sporting events and other community func-tions.So the message for students out there is

there certainly is a chance to grow with us, sometimes at a quicker than usual pace.Whether it’s being in the right place at the

right time or simply showing an editor he/she cannot live without you as part of the staff, it is up to you, the student, to give us everything you have.The success of the internship program

demonstrates there is a golden opportunity for those who want to work hard in this field.Working at a community paper also gives

them a different outlook on the craft, away from the mainstream drone of fetching cof-fee and cold calling potentials for a story.It puts them in the middle of the action,

and it forces them to jump out of their com-fort zone, practicing a kind of journalism they won’t see in the mainstream.In fact many mainstream journalists got

their start at a community newspaper, so that shows there is a real potential for indi-vidual growth.

Time flies when you’re having fun

Executive Director’s Report QCNA MISSION STATEMENT

The Quebec Community Newspa-pers Association is dedicated to the professional and economic develop-ment of English community news-papers and their enterprises serving minority communities in Quebec.

About us.

Quebec Community Newspapers Association

400 Grand Boulevard, Suite 5Île-Perrot, QC, J7V 4X2

Tel. 514-453-6300 Fax 514-453-6330

Email: info@qcna.qc.ca Website: www.qcna.org

QCNA acknowledges the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage

March 2013 - 3 - www.qcna.org

Richard Tardif, Executive Director, QCNA

The Quebec Community News-papers Association is as unique as the members it serves. Our English and bilingual publications distribute weekly, monthly, biweekly and daily to some 700,000 readers across the province. These publications serve an exclu-

sive English and bilingual readership in their communities through their focus on relevant local news and high editorial-to-advertising ratio. The re-sults from ComBase, Canada’s most comprehensive media study, show that QCNA newspapers are embraced by Quebec’s unique population more than any other medium in every mar-ket they serve.

As I begin my outline to prepare to write my E.D. report the old saying, “where does the time

go,” crept into my thoughts. This is the fifth Connector report I’ve written as Executive Director of the QCNA, and frankly there isn’t enough space to fully write about our association and all its members. Previous reports have touched on what

our members are doing, where they are moving and what they are up to, and of course, our members have contributed to The Connector, for which we are eternally grateful.

When I was given the role of Execu-tive Director in February of 2012, I set out on different objectives. The incre-mental changes that have led up to this year – more on site meetings with mem-ber newspapers, an open and fostering line of communications, regional rep-resentation at the provincial and federal level - are the steps that have prepared us for moving ahead.

QCNA leaps into social mediaWe took the leap and created our own

Facebook page and Twitter account. We are slowly building our audience and looking ahead to the future. Future so-cial media may include a QCNA linke-dIn page.

A new websiteWe are working on it, and plans to un-

veil our interactive, hands on and easy

to navigate site is scheduled for May or September.

QCNA submits brief on Bill 14In February of this year, the QCNA

submitted to the National Assembly of Quebec’s Committee on Culture and Education outlining our opposition to the Quebec government’s proposed Bill 14, an Act to amend the Charter of the French language, the Charter of human rights and freedoms and other legisla-tive provisions.

Better Newspapers CompetitionThe excitement is already building.

Our newspapers have submitted their best work, our journalists and graphic designers have submitted and the judg-es have rendered their decisions. The short list of the top three nominations has been mass e-mailed, and the invites have gone out. All that is left is to show up at the Gala on May 31 in Aylmer, Quebec.

Not so fast! QCNA staff is hard at work preparing

and working out all the details, double checking and ensuring that all goes well.

Next time we meet? The QCNA Board of Directors and

myself will see you at the Awards and Gala on May 31 in Aylmer, Quebec.

My fedora is ready!

March 2013 - 4 - www.qcna.org

Cocktails 6-7 p.m. Gala ands Awards ceremony 7-9:30 p.m. 1170 Chemin d’Aylmer Gatineau, QC J9H 7L3

Tel: (800) 807-1088 www.qcna.org Tel: 514-453-6300

33rd AnnualBetter Newspapers Awards & Gala 2013

Quebec Community Newspapers AssociationL’Association des journaux régionaux du Québec

May 31, 2013Aylmer, Quebec, Chateau Cartier (10 minutes from Ottawa)

March 2013 - 5 - www.qcna.org

Q-NEWSQ-NEWS Inside the QCNA

QCNA’s annual general meeting and awards gala will be taking place on Friday, May 31, 2013, at the Chateau Cartier Hotel in Gatineau, Quebec. A morning AGM will take place at 10 a.m. followed by a 1 p.m. Publisher’s Roundtable. A

cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. banquet. And of course, the awards gala where QCNA members celebrate the best of the best! Keep checking QCNA’s

website http://www.qcna.org/index.php?page=awards More details coming in the new year.

The Road to Aylmer

Thirteen residents of the riding of Laval-Les Îles who have made important contributions to the community over the years received some recognition from NDP MP François Pilon at Laval City Hall on February 2, 2013, when he presented each of them with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Among those receiving one of the unique medallions struck for the 60th anniversary of the coronation of the Queen was George Bakoyannis, publisher of the Laval News and QCNA’s Treasurer and long-time Board member.

Bakoyannis, who co-founded The Laval News in 1993 with the newspaper’s co-owner and editor George Guzmas, said he was “humbled” and “I just don’t feel that I deserve it. I think I should have done more for this honour. It’s a great honour and I’m very thankful. This is definitely more than I expected. It gives me a warm feeling to know that people think I’m doing a decent job and recognizing me for it with this.”

GEORGE BAKOYANNIS HONOURED

QCNA wants to thank all those QCNA members who over the years have volunteered to judge for other regional associations across Canada for their respective better newspapers competitions, in particular:The Eastern Door’s Steve Bonspiel – OCNA; The Laval News’s George Guzmas – OCNA; The Low Down to Hull & Back News’s Lucy Scholey – CCNA; QCT’s Shirley Nadeau – Newspapers Atlantic; QCNA’s Marnie Owston – Newspapers Atlantic; QCNA’s Richard Tardif – OCNA; The Suburban’s Anthony Bonaparte -Newspapers Atlantic, MCNA; The Suburban’s Sari Medicoff – Newspapers Atlantic; Your Local Journal’s Carmen Marie Fabio – OCNA, Newspapers Atlantic.

Without the help of volunteer judges like you, there would not be any awards competitions. Thank you for keeping the awards competitions across the country alive and well!Our apologies if we’ve missed anyone – please contact the QCNA office and we’ll be sure to include you in a future issue of the Connector.

QCNA members judge for other Associations

QCT’S MARIE WHITE RECEIVES DIAMOND JUBILEE MEDALOn February 13, 2013, Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph’s senior writer, Marie White, received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal from Chief René Gros-Louis, the chief of family health and education of the Huron-Wendat nation at a private ceremony held at the Huron-Wendat Administrative Building. Marie received this

honour for her many years of contributing to the Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph and for her work promoting and honoring a community in Canada, notably the First Nations and especially the local Huron-Wendats in Wendake. Congratulations, Marie!

QAHN PROJECT USES FIRST EDITION COPY OF QUEBEC GAZETTE A photo of a copy of the first edition of the Quebec Gazette, published on June 21, 1764, the forerunner of the Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph, was selected by Rachel Garber of QAHN (Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network) as one of the 100 objects that mark the history of Quebec. The project, ‘Significant Objects for Telling Identity (SOFTI): English-speaking Quebec through 100 Cultural Artefacts, is supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage.Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph will be celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2014.

GREEK CANADIAN NEWS GOES WEEKLYThe Greek Canadian News, has gone

weekly (was previously bi-weekly) effective February 2, 2013, making it the

largest Greek publication published in Canada with 10,000 copies distributed throughout the metropolitan region of Montreal and its suburbs.

March 2013 - 6 - www.qcna.org

GIB McINNIS, NEW WRITER AT QCT

Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph recently announced that Gib McInnis had joined its paper as a writer. McInnis recently moved back to Quebec City from Sherbrooke, where

he had been writing for The Sherbrooke Record.

EASTERN DOOR’S SASHA DEER HAS BABY BOYCongratulations to The Eastern Door’s Sasha Deer and her partner, former

Eastern Door reporter, Jordan Standup on the birth of their first child, a little boy, Kingston, born on February 25, 2013

at a wonderful 7.3 pounds and 11:25 a.m. Everyone is doing well!

NORTH SHORE NEWS NOW IN 132 DISTRIBUTION POINTS

The North Shore News started distributing across the following North Shore mun ic ipa l i t i e s

through the Diffumag network in 132 distribution points: Deux Montagnes, Saint-Eustache, Bois des Filions, Sainte-Marthe sur le Lac, Pointe-Calumet, Blainville, Boisbriand, Rosemere, Lorraine and Sainte-Therese.

More Q-NEWS

Main Street launches Facebook page Start saving your ‘best 2013 work’ with SCRAPBOOKS

A handy free feature at the ‘betternewspapercontest’ website - http://betternewspaper-contest.com/ Just click on ‘Access Your Scrapbooks’ (right-hand side) to log in and cre-ate and manage your own scrapbook account. Simply follow the instructions/prompts.With this new tool you create and manage your own Scrapbooks, or cloud-based storage folders, where you can save contest-worthy material throughout the year. Both attach-ments and URL web addresses can be saved in Scrapbooks, and contestants can access their Scrapbooks during the entry process.Stay ahead of the game by saving your best articles / photos / ads throughout the year for QCNA’s Better Newspapers Competition 2014!Feel free to contact the QCNA office if you have any questions – 514-453-6300.

Emotions ran high, sometimes very high, on Febru-ary 21 Thursday night at NDG’s Crowley Centre during CBC’s Living English panel and public event over the future of Quebec, specifically the future of English in Quebec. PQ Minister Jean-François Lisée (Minister Respon-

sible for Anglophone Affairs), Anne-France Goldwa-ter (Canadian lawyer and television personality), Terry Mosher (Aislin of the Montreal Gazette), Tamy Emma Pepin (Huffington Post), John Stokes and Kevin Tierney (producer Bon Cop, Good Cop) gathered to speak about the core and diverse language issues over identity in the province.

QCNA attends CBC panel Living English

Kevin Tierney (left), Terry Mosher and PQ Minister Jean-François Lisée (right) at NDG’s Crowley Centre during CBC’s Living English panel. Photo by Richard Tardif

QCNA President and Eastern Door publisher Steve Bon-siel (left) and Vincent Larouche, La Presse, on March 23, 2013 spoke to students at the The Concordian PUCbeq Re-gional Spring 2013 Conference in Montreal.

Bonspiel and Larouche spoke about their experiences as investigative reporters, the ups and downs, and experiences related to uncovering the story.The annual series heard from reporters documenting his-

tory as it happens at the Charbonneau Commission, the backstory to articles that make us question the systems around us. Fashion reporters also shared their experiences from inside

the cut-throat world of the Montreal fashion industry.

March 2013 - 7 - www.qcna.org

More Q-NEWS

Photo by Richard Tardif

Local newspapers, Chateauguay help to reviveVision student newspaper

The student newspaper and QCNA member, Vision, of Howard S. Billings High School in Chateauguay re-ceived double reinforcement in December from two prom-

inent supporters. The City of Chateauguay and Le Soleil newspaper now host Vision on their websites following two separate agreements. The move will greatly increase visibility of the newspaper as it will

provide a direct link to the current issue, as well as to archived editions free of charge. With the new partnership Vision hopes to increase its audience and

advertising base and continue to provide English speaking citizens with original content in the community paper. In addition to providing a link to the virtual newspaper, Le Soleil will

also include occasional articles and photos from Billings’ journalism students on a blog at http://blogues.hebdosregionaux.ca/vision/ in com-ing weeks. After a meeting in January, Le Soleil’s Information Director Michel

Thibault stated in an article that the initiative is aimed at supporting the mission of the journalism class at the school, training the next genera-tion and providing a forum for teens.Vision Project Manager Mary Leblanc said she is thrilled with the sup-

port the Chateauguay community, both English and French speaking, has provided in the past year. With the paper slated to close last year, the involvement proves the

value that is put on English journalism, according to Leblanc.

The Concordian PUCbeq Regional Spring 2013 Conference

The Suburban, Low Down from Hull & Back News, The East-ern Door and a former Eastern Door intern were honoured in their respective categories at this year’s Canadian Community Newspa-pers Association (CCNA) awards.Beryl Wajsman of The Suburban in Montreal won top award in

the Best National Editorial, circulation 10,000 and over. For Best Editorial Page, General Excellence, circulation 25,000 and over,

The Suburban fin-ished second, be-hind Stoney Creek News from Ontario. Anthony Bonaparte from The Suburban

placed third for Best Local Cartoon, circulation 10,000 and over.For Best Feature Series, circulation up to 3,999 The Low Down

to Hull & Back News, Wakefield/Gatineau Hills in Quebec nailed top prize. The Eastern Door won second place in the General Excellence,

circulation 1,250 to 1999 for Best All-Round Newspaper. Former Eastern Door intern Meagan Wohlberg from the North-

ern Journal in Fort Smith/Fort Chipewyan placed second in Best Environmental Writing, circulation up to 9,999The annual awards program features 33 unique categories hon-

ouring outstanding editorial, photography, multimedia and overall excellence in community newspaper publishing. The 2013 com-petition saw over 250 non-daily publications from coast-to-coast submit 2,222 entries representing their best work from 2012. This year’s new category for News Feature Photography received 110 entries. To view all the entries click CCNA

QCNA newspapers rank high in CCNA awards

March 2013 - 8 - www.qcna.org

B1 Best News Story (28 entries)Greenway, Trevor – The Low Down to Hull & Back NewsParry, James – Your Local JournalScholey, Lucy – The Low Down to Hull & Back News

B2 Best Feature Story (26 entries)Bonspiel, Steve – The Eastern DoorGerman, Amy – The NationRennie, Sarah – The Gleaner

B3 Best Business Story (22 entries)Greenway, Trevor – The Low Down to Hull & Back NewsScholey, Lucy – The Low Down to Hull & Back NewsStaniforth, Jesse – The NationHonourable Mention: Della Posta, Mark - The Nation

B4 Best Investigative or In-Depth Reporting (14 entries)Bonspiel, Steve; Norton, Timmy - The Eastern DoorGreenway, Trevor; Scholey, Lucy - The Low Down to Hull & Back NewsStitt, Julielee - The Equity

B5 Best Sports Story (14 entries)Cranfield, Andrea - The EquityMerkle, Bethann G. - Quebec Chronicle-TelegraphScholey, Lucy - The Low Down to Hull & Back News

B6 Best Arts and Entertainment Story (32 entries)Jantak, John - Your Local JournalSiberok, Martin - The NationStitt, Julielee - The EquityHonourable Mention: Rennie, Sarah -The Gleaner & Barry, Martin C. -The Laval News

B7 Best Column Writing (16 entries)Greenway, Trevor - The Low Down to Hull & Back NewsKataquapit, Xavier - The NationStewart, Lyle - The Nation

B8 Best Business Column or Feature (6 entries)Campbell, Scott - Pontiac Journal du PontiacRennie, Sarah - The GleanerScholey, Lucy - The Low Down to Hull & Back News

B9 Best Editorial (local affairs) (16 entries)David, Daniel - The NationNicholls, Will - The NationRyan, Fred – The West Quebec Post

B10 Bob Phillips Award for the Best Editorial (general) (13 entries)Nicholls, Will - The NationRyan, Fred - The West Quebec PostWajsman, Beryl - The Suburban

B11 Best Headline Writing (8 entries)Cranfield, Andrea - The EquityFabio, Carmen Marie - Your Local JournalLahtinen, Martti - The Low Downto Hull & Back News

B12 Best French-language News Story (5 entries)Filion, Sylvie - Bulletin d’AylmerLaflamme, Patrice - The GleanerLevy, Elias - The Canadian Jewish News

B13 Best French-language Editorial /Column (5 entries)Bertrand, Carolle - Bulletin d’AylmerFilion, Sylvie - Bulletin d’AylmerMacron, André - Pontiac Journal du Pontiac

B14 Best Education Story (23 entries)Lemieux, François - The ChronicleStaniforth, Jesse - The NationStitt, Julielee - The Equity

B15 Best Agricultural Story (14 entries)Fourneaux, Alyssa - Quebec Farmers’ AdvocateScholey, Lucy - The Low Down to Hull & Back NewsVillemaire, Claudia - Quebec Farmers’ Advocate

B16 Best Environmental Story (18 entries)Cabana, Marie-Claude - Westmount ExaminerCranfield, Andrea - The EquityScholey, Lucy - The Low Down to Hull & Back News

B17 Best Municipal / Civic Affairs Story (22 entries)Barry, Martin C. – The Laval NewsGreenway, Trevor - The Low Down to Hull & Back NewsLowrie, Morgan – Westmount Examiner

B18 Best Community HealthStory (19 entries)Cranfield, Andrea – The EquityGreenway, Trevor – The Low Down to Hull & Back NewsNadeau, Shirley – Quebec Chronicle-Telegraph

QCNA BETTER NEWSPAPERS COMPETITION AWARD WINNERS (2012 entries)

(Alphabetical List)

Writer’s Awards

Continued on page 9

March 2013 - 9 - www.qcna.org

Al Best Overall Newspaper (13 entries)The Eastern DoorThe Low Down to Hull & Back NewsThe Suburban

A2 Best Front Page (9 entries)The EquityThe Low Down to Hull & Back NewsWestmount Examiner

A3 Best Editorial Page (10 entries)The Eastern DoorPontiac Journal du PontiacThe Suburban

A4 Best Feature Page (9 entries)The Eastern DoorThe EquityThe Low Down to Hull & Back News

A5 Best Sports Page(s) (6 entries)The Eastern DoorThe Low Down to Hull & Back NewsThe Suburban

A6 Best Special Section (12 entries)The Canadian Jewish NewsThe NationPontiac Journal du PontiacHonorable Mention: Bulletin d’Aylmer

A7 Best Community Newspaper Promotion (6 entries)The Eastern DoorQuebec Chronicle-TelegraphThe Suburban

A8 Best Ad (10 entries)The Eastern DoorThe SuburbanYour Local Journal

A9 Best Website (5 entries)The Canadian Jewish NewsThe Laval NewsThe Low Down to Hull & Back News

Best Overall Newspapers Awards

B19Best News Photo (18 entries)Fabio, Carmen Marie - Your Local JournalMerkle, Bethann G. - Quebec Chronicle-TelegraphStewart, Lyle - The Nation

B20 Best Feature Photo (19 entries)Greenway, Trevor - Low Down toHull & Back NewsNicholls, Will - The NationStitt, Julielee - The Equity

B21 Best Sports Photo (13 entries)Amyot, Rob - The ChronicleMerkle, Bethann G. - Quebec Chronicle-TelegraphSoong, Andrew - The SuburbanHonourable Mention: Cranfield, Andrea

-The Equity & Lafleur, Kaigh-Anne - Pontiac Journal du Pontiac

B22 Best Photo Essay (16 entries)Macron, André; Morrisson, Rhonda; Clouthier, Jess; Zimmerling, Bonnie - Pontiac Journal du PontiacPapadopoulos, Dimitri - The Laval NewsRennie, Sarah; Larue, Genevieve - The Gleaner

Photography AwardsB23 Best Editorial Cartoon (3 entries)Bonaparte, Anthony - The SuburbanElie, Pascal - The Westmount ExaminerRoach, Stan - The Chronicle

B24 Best Advertising Creation (16 entries)Athanasatos, Louis – The ChronicleViau, Charles – Bulletin d’AylmerViau, Charles – The West Quebec Post

Best Editorial Cartoon

Best Graphic Design

QCNA Better Newspapers Awards & Gala

Friday, May 31, 2013Aylmer, Quebec at the Chateau Cartier Hotel

March 2013 -10 - www.qcna.org

Following his $140 million purchase of a group of US daily and commu-nity newspapers, American billion-

aire Warren Buffet heralded the enduring importance of newspapers in local com-munities. “In towns and cities where there is a strong sense of community, there is no more important institution than the local paper,” he said. And while this might be true, newspapers are not only continuing to serve communities, but we are also creat-ing them. In their digital forms, newspa-pers have the capacity to extend their reach beyond the mailbox or newsstand and con-nect with readers far and wide by deliver-ing content directly into their homes and pockets. Increasingly readers are coming to newspapers not because of geography, but because of compelling content and a desire for high-quality, intelligent journalism.

Buffet isn’t ignoring the opportunities presented by newspaper brands and, at the same time, we aren’t ignoring the chal-lenges of a changing industry. As competi-tion from online news sources grows, some individuals have prophesized about the impending death of so-called “traditional” newspapers. But of course, there is a rea-son why moving pictures didn’t replace theatre, why television didn’t kill the radio and why online news will never eradicate print. One medium--no matter how fast or free it might be--does not replace another. Newspapers welcome competition from other media—it is this competition that forces us to get better. More news sources improve the level of discourse across a va-riety of platforms and encourage all news outlets to become more accountable in our reporting, more nimble in our management strategies and ultimately, inspire us to pro-vide more relevant and engaging content to our readers.

Newspapers aren’t disappearing; they’re evolving. And part of our ongoing evolu-tion means getting a makeover. In print, newspapers are borrowing design ideas from magazines and blogs to create excit-ing new visual experienc-es. We’re improving paper stock, getting brighter, glossier and bolder in our design. The ubiquity and immediacy of digital news means that newspapers are rethinking the nature of the printed product and the possibilities it holds. With so much opportunity for creativity, print publi-cations are becoming tan-gible, beautiful pieces of artwork that not only inform, but also look attractive on a coffee table.

Not only are newspapers improving the way we look, but also the way we act. Pub-lications are experimenting with new forms of reporting and embracing digital content platforms to bring our journalism to life and create even more value for our online audiences. Online curation platforms and live-blogging services help us to test out new interactive methods of storytelling and package news in an entirely new way. Not only are we putting out better, more in depth journalism, but social network-ing sites have radically altered the way we share these news stories. Sites like Twitter and Facebook allow us to collect valuable feedback on our content and are helping us to create a dynamic dialogue between our readers and our journalists. We are more accountable, more engaging and more comprehensive in our news delivery than ever before.

As with any transformational period,

newspapers are encountering obstacles along the way. With exciting innovation and growth comes moments of uncertainty. These challenges are being met head on with new revenue generating strategies,

restructuring indicatives and cost-cutting measures. But while media organi-zations may be reducing legacy costs and streamlin-ing newsroom operations, good journalism from a re-liable source is more price-less than ever before. From small-town news to global event coverage, newspa-pers—in their many shapes and forms—continue to

deliver for our readers. Research shows that 77 percent of Canadians read a daily or a community paper every week (in print or online).

Strong national brands and trusted com-munity publications will thrive as long as we continue to deliver authentic and rel-evant journalism to our readers and pro-vide unique and creative solutions for our advertisers. The devices might change the way we exchange information, but the foundations upon which newspapers are built remain solid. The desire to share in-formation and stories with one another will always be there. Is it any wonder that we now access our news of the day on a “tab-let,” a name that harkens back to an age in which humans communicated their stories through stone engravings?

Today’s newspapers possess the strength and endurance of stone combined with the infinite possibilities of digital communica-tions.

Source: Newspapers Canada

by Jessica Napier

Canada’s Newspapers: Enduring and Evolving

Not only are news-papers improving the way we look, but also the way we act...

March 2013 - 11 - www.qcna.org

By Jim Pumarlo

Here’s an action item for your next news-room meeting: Ask reporters to identify the community newsmakers. Better yet, bring a stack of newspapers from the last couple of months and circle the newsmakers re-ceiving attention in words and photos.

Several individuals are likely to be on the list, no matter the community: for example, the mayor and city council president; the superintendent and school board chair; the county’s chief administrator and the county board chair; local legislators; the heads of key local commissions and task forces. And these folks probably appear with some regularity.

You get the drift. Newsrooms by and large do a com-mendable job of writing for the source, es-pecially when it comes to public affairs report-ing. Public offi-cials speak, and their statements are recorded. Their comments should be given proper notice.

At the same time, newspa-pers are short-changing their readers – their customers – if they do not expand their definition of and explore the range of newsmakers. In other words, spend time to identify the players at the core of community conversations.

For example:A city council debates the merits of

building a skateboard park. Reporters capture the flavour of the public hearings where proponents and opponents step to the microphone. The comments of the plan-ning commission and city council members are recorded as they cast their final votes. But have you gone beyond the meetings? Have you taken the time to observe youths doing skateboard tricks on the downtown sidewalks, navigating their way among pe-destrians? Have you asked business own-ers and pedestrians – some who may be annoyed by the youths, some who sympa-thize with the lack of a park – on the pluses and minuses of creating a park? Have you talked with the parents of the kids?

Today’s challenging media landscape demands that editors and reporters thor-oughly examine their coverage and ask the question: Are we relevant to our readers? Are our news columns dominated by the same set of newsmakers, or are we dig-ging beneath the surface to identify the full cast of characters? Are we writing our

stories for the individuals at the top, or tail end, of the news pyramid without giv-ing proper attention to ev-eryone else in the pyramid whose actions collectively represent the full dynamics of a story?

This exercise of scruti-nizing coverage goes be-yond examining the meet-ings of local governing bodies. Editors and report-ers should regularly brain-storm all aspects of every-day coverage. It can be as easy as tracking down and inserting other voices be-

yond what is forwarded in a press release or presented at an event.

Consider a big-box retailer that opens as the anchor of a new strip mall on the edge of town. What’s the anticipated impact on the downtown shopping district? Will the discount store strengthen the city as a re-

gional retail center? Gaining these perspec-tives is just as important as recording the welcoming comments of the mayor at the grand opening. In addition, the stories pro-vide many new faces and names beyond the traditional newsmakers.

Here’s a challenge the next time your staff is brainstorming coverage for a story of community significance. Reporters are certain to rattle off the usual lineup of in-dividuals to solicit perspectives. Some may be appropriate and, indeed, mandatory to contact. But don’t adjourn your session un-til you’ve come up with at least a handful of individuals who rarely, if ever, are men-tioned in your newspaper. Make it a prior-ity to seek their opinions and you’ll likely pick up some new readers.

Jim Pumarlo writes, speaks and provides training on Community Newsroom Success Strategies. His newest book is “Journal-ism Primer: A Guide to Community News Coverage for Beginning and Veteran Jour-nalists.” He also is author of “Votes and Quotes: A Guide to Outstanding Election Coverage” and “Bad News and Good Judgment: A Guide to Reporting on Sen-sitive Issues in a Small-Town Newspaper.” He can be contacted at www.pumarlo.com and welcomes comments and questions at jim@pumarlo.com.

Take inventory of your newspapers

March 2013 -12 - www.qcna.org

To commemorate this historic occa-sion, The Nation has embarked on a retrospective countdown to its 20th

Anniversary in November 2013. From the first issue of the Volume 20 series until is-sue No. 26, the Nation Flashbacks feature some of the Nation’s stories, photos and award winning coverage throughout the years, and will be compiled in a special 20th collector’s edition issue.

The concept behind The Nation Flash-backs is to promote and remind our readers and advertisers of the impact that the Na-tion has had on the Cree communities and James Bay Territory throughout the years. It is also a cost effective way of commemo-rating the occasion and to get readers and advertisers involved and energized about our publication.

The Nation Flashbacks are presented as a centre spread, on glossy paper, and each are sponsored by various companies. The Flashback features are also promoted on the Nation’s website and Facebook page.

The website and Facebook posts add a dynamic element to this print initiative as they link directly to the sponsors’ websites. A quarter of the spread is dedicated to our sponsor, offering them the opportunity to promote their organization in 150 words, with their logo, web address and a QR code leading to their website. The centre spreads are easy to remove from the print issue and to collect as mini booklets.

The Nation is also taking this opportu-nity to engage the readers contest in the 20th Anniversary festivities. In the com-ing months, we will be holding a ‘Are you a Nation collector?” where we will invite our readers to send us images or videos of their collections via our website, Facebook page and email. Having seen and heard of our avid readers’ collections (we know of a collector whose basement walls are com-pletely plastered with The Nation’s cov-ers… surely there are more) this promotion promises to be interactive and dynamic.

As of now, we have received a lot of positive feedback from our readers and ad-vertisers. We have increased the number of hits on our website by an average of 500 a month, and increased our number of Face-book fans by over 180.

We are excited and hopeful that the mo-mentum will keep building and that we will achieve all of our goals in terms of increas-ing our visibility, and creating a dynamic and interactive exchange with our readers and advertisers.

Stay tuned for all of the developments, and if you or any organization you know would like to support this initiative, please contact news@beesum-communications.com .

Meegwetch!

20 years at The Nation

We’re on Facebook and Twitter.

How do I find QCNA on Facebook?

If you’re already set up with a Facebook account, simply head to our Facebook page, click the ‘like’ button to become a fan of the Que-bec Community Newspapers As-sociation and, if you like, leave us a comment on the wall. Make sure you check back to the page often, as we’ll be posting news about our newspapers, events and industry news.

Want to follow us on Twitter vis-it @QCNA.

If you have an ac-count, all you need to do is follow us by clicking the ‘fol-low’ button. If you don’t have an ac-count, they’re free and quick to set up; just visit Twit-ter’s website and follow the in-structions. You’ll be tweeting to us in no time.

The Nation Staff

March 2013 - 13 - www.qcna.org

Selling ads in a world of bright shiny objects

Meet Erica, a veteran of many years of sales presentations. “There’s a lot of talk these days

about people who are drawn to Bright Shiny Objects,” she told me. “In most cas-es, that’s a reference to consumers rush-ing to purchase the newest technical gad-get, even if their older version works just fine. But in reality, Bright Shiny Objects can refer to anything new and different. “One of the lessons I’ve learned over the years,” she said, “is that some people are restless. For whatever reason – desire for novelty, competition with peer groups, or plain old boredom – they are always on the lookout for new things.

In the business world, they are constantly trying new procedures, new initiatives, new vendors – even new employees. If the new thing works, fine. If not, there’s always an-other new thing around the corner.” Erica explained that she looks for evi-dence of the Bright Shiny Object syn-drome. For example, is an advertiser al-ways considering new themes or media plans? Are marketing proposals request-ed frequently? Has he or she ever tried to shorten a long-term ad contract? Does the account seem to have a new ad agency – and a tweaked brand identity – every year? “These are signs of someone who likes Bright Shiny Objects,” she said. “So I build my presentations around new-ness. Of course, I mention my pa-per’s stability in being around for a long time, but I put a lot of emphasis on the new things we have to offer.” That’s a solid sales strategy.

Let’s take a closer look: New information

“Like any good sales person, I ask a lot of questions, Erica said. “There’s a lot of truth in the old saying, ‘knowledge is power.’ The only thing I can learn by talk-

ing is that I might be talking too much.” She is consistently looking for new in-formation about her advertisers. What are their thoughts on their current marketing? What are they consider-ing for the future? What information can she provide that might be of help? New products

A new product – whether it’s a special section, a snazzy addition to your web site, or a social media feature – is an au-thentic Bright Shiny Object.

Existing products.Does your paper have a new print-

ing process? (That can mean better color and faster turnaround.) Do you have access to new market research? (Better targeting.) Have creative capa-bilities been improved? (Additional de-sign staff, recent creative awards, etc.)

John Foust has conducted training programs for thousands of newspaper advertising professionals. Many ad de-partments are using his training videos to save time and get quick results from in-house training. E-mail for informa-tion: jfoust@mindspring.com

www.qcna.org

Simplify your next advertsing campaign with

one call to the

35 English newspapers across Quebec

514-453-6300

700,000 readers One Order, One Bill

Quebec Community Newspapers Association

By John Foust, Raleigh, NC

March 2013 - 14 - www.qcna.org

INDUSTRY

NEWS

The latest research shows that Ca-nadians love newspapers and are reading news media six times a day across multiple platforms: print, on-line, tablet and smartphone devices. Newspapers Canada’s latest Newspa-pers Work fact sheet highlights some of the compelling research about the strength of the newspaper industry. The one-page document provides a variety of fast facts about Canadian newspaper readership and can down-loaded and circulated.See Fact Sheet

New fact sheet: The Strength of Canadian Newspapers

OCNA launches new Digital Media Study for community newspapers

The Ontario Com-munity Newspa-pers Association

(OCNA) has released a new Digital Media Study concerned with com-munity newspaper publishing in Can-ada and the United States. The report identifies various ways in which inde-pendent community newspapers can achieve significant growth in their on-line advertising revenues. The study also includes a best practices over-view in the areas of contests, coupon-ing and co-op advertising, as well as a digital dashboard to assist community newspapers measure their progress in growing their digital venturesThe Digital Media Study, which was conducted by Borrell Associates and partially funded by the Collective Ini-tiatives program at Canadian Heritage, is the first phase in a two phase project being undertaken by the OCNA. Data from the study will be utilized by the association in the development of the second phase – the creation of a web-site template that will be offered to OCNA member newspapers.

http://www.newspaperscanada.ca/sites/default/files/Digital%20Mar-ket%20Study%20OCNA.pdf

On May 1-3, 2013, Newspapers Canada will partner with the Canadian Association of Journalists to host Canada’s Canada’s 94th annual newspaper conference at the Westin Hotel in Ot-

tawa. Hundreds of delegates from daily and community newspapers will congregate in the nation’s capital to enjoy two full days of inspiring speakers, educational workshops, networking opportunities and award presentations. The 2013 conference program will cover every aspect of the newspaper business with sessions designed for all departments including editorial, advertising, circulation and management. Exhibitors from around the world will show off the latest tools and products for publishers at a robust industry trade show as part of the INK+BEYOND conference programming.

World Press Freedom Day

World Press Freedom Day recognizes the sacrifices made in the struggle for freedom of the press and to pressure governments that continue to deny their citizens this basic human right.

The May 3 message is that journalists everywhere must be granted the right to report freely and without fear.The date marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of principles drawn up by African jour-nalists in 1991 calling for a free, inde-pendent and pluralistic media on that continent and throughout the world. The Declaration affirms that a free press is essential to the existence of democracy and a fundamental human goal. The Declaration is a milestone in the struggle for a free press in all regions of the world.

Canadian Association of Journalists’ 2013 conferenceThe conference is scheduled to run from Friday, May 3, to Sunday, May 5, at the Westin Hotel Ottawa. A conference rate has also been set with the Westin. The hotel web page also has information on other options for accommodation near the conference venue. “The annual con-ference is our premiere event, providing an opportunity for professional devel-opment and networking at a reasonable cost,” CAJ president Hugo Rodrigues said. “The conference is capped by our annual CAJ Awards gala where we honour the best in Canadian journalism and hand out Canada’s top investigative journalism prize, the Don McGillivray Award.”

Reporters Without Borders is one of the world’s leading independent or-ganisations dedicated to promoting and defending freedom of information. Thanks to its network of active corre-spondents in over 150 countries, Re-porters Without Borders strives daily to maintain a free press in every corner of the globe.

New Fact Sheet: Newspapers work for government advertisingEngaged Citizens Read NewspapersNewspaper readers vote, and voters read news-

papers. Moore Information conducted research that shows 86% of registered voters read newspapers in print or online.1Other key findings include:

• Engagement is high even with younger voters: 79% of voters aged 18 to 34 read newspapers in print or online.• Newspapers and their sites outscore other media on reliability,

accuracy and in-depth reporting about local civic and political issues.• Among voters who plan to use

mobile devices for campaign or elec-tion news, 58% plan to turn to news-papers. Among those 18-to-34 years old, this number pops up to 62%.• 91% of voters who contribute to

campaigns read newspapers in print or online.Newspapers Effectively Deliver Federal Government Ad Mes-

sages. Federal government ad messages in printed newspapers and on TV are deemed most appropriate by Canadians. Each me-dia earned support from more than half of Canadians.2But among high income earners and other demographics--such

as moms and boomer (45-to-64 years old) women--print news-papers take the lead!While newspaper websites, direct mail and radio are ranked be-

low these top two mediums, each one garnered agreement from about a third of Canadians in terms of their appropriateness for ads. This highlights that newspapers in combination with their sites are even more powerful for federal government messaging.The federal government advertisement shown was part of a

campaign that ran in newspapers, websites, magazines and radio. The success of the ad was tracked by the government:*Percentage of survey subjects who indicated they did not use

online CRA business-transaction services in the last 12 months, but would likely do so in the next 12 monthsThese results prove that newspapers are an effective element in

federal government campaigns.

http://www.newspaperscanada.ca/news/marketing/new-fact-sheet-newspapers-work-government-advertising

INDUSTRY

NEWS

Montreal-based daily La Presse is launching a new daily digital edition of the newspaper on April 18.

The La Press+ app will be made available free-of-charge for digital tablet devices. In explanation as to why La Presse has decided to go with this subscription model, president and publisher Guy Cre-vier said, “Making the news available free is now a well-entrenched practice in the digital universe and indeed, we believe, an irrevers-ible phenomenon.”The print version of La Presse has a readership of 800,000 and the

lapresse.ca site attracts 2.7 million unique visitors per month.

La Presse to launch free digital edition this April

The conference is scheduled to run from Friday, May 3, to Sun-day, May 5, at the Westin Hotel Ottawa. “The annual conference is our premiere event, providing an

opportunity for professional development and networking at a reasonable cost,” CAJ president Hugo Rodrigues said. “The conference is capped by our annual CAJ Awards gala where we honour the best in Canadian journalism and hand out Canada’s top investigative journalism prize, the Don McGillivray Award.”

Canadian Association of JournalistsConference

The Globe and Mail leads all newspapers in Canada with 15 final-ists in the 64th National Newspaper Awards competition, followed by La Presse of Montreal with 12 and the Toronto Star with nine.The Canadian Press finished with five finalists, followed by the

Edmonton Journal, The Vancouver Sun and Winnipeg Free Press with three each.The Hamilton Spectator, National Post, Ottawa Citizen and Post-

media News had two each.Single nominations went to Barrie Examiner, Brandon Sun, Brant-

ford Expositor, Huffington Post, Kamloops Daily News, Le Jour-nal de Montreal, London Free Press, Montreal Gazette, Reuters, St. John’s Telegram, St. Catharines Standard, Saskatoon StarPhoenix, Waterloo Region Record, Victoria Times Colonist.The 72 finalists in the 22 categories were announced on March

13, 2013, from the National Newspaper Awards office in Toronto. There were 1,430 entries in this year’s competition for works that appeared in the year 2012. In all, 26 news organizations have been nominated.

Finalists announced for 2012 National Newspaper Awards

March 2013 - 15 - www.qcna.org

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March 2013 - 16 - www.qcna.org