By Deb Shaw, for the SNA Foundation

Lois Tuffin

ScottRosenburgh

Do you think it’s a coincidence that both of the winning initiatives in the Innovator of The Year category in SNA’s 2010 Community Website Contest have to do with engaging audience via local events and happenings? Both the winner, Lois Tuffin from Metroland, and the runner-up, Scott Rosenburgh and team from Shaw Suburban Media, took honors for their events-oriented sites that primarily feature things to do and places to go for their respective regions.

Perhaps this is the space that is winning raves because judges recognize the sensibility in local newspapers parlaying their reputation as a source for this type of community information, as well as their pre-existing data collection resources. Combine these elements with the fundamentals of brand, technology and ability to promote, and local media companies definitely have a leg up for disseminating and marketing this useful and sought after information.

By Al Cupo, VP, Operations, SNA

Gordon Borrell

Sandy Martin

Gordon Borrell, CEO and Sandy Martin, Analyst, Borrell Associates, spent time last week with SNA members during a one-hour webinar titled: Mobile & eReader Opportunities.
Several important issues were addressed including content and revenue strategies for online (web sites), mobile phones, tablets and eReaders. Each of these digital options continues to present both challenges and opportunities for community publishers – different than those of major metro and national publications.

By Nancy Lane, SNA President

Roger Coover

In just the last two weeks, some great new speakers and topics have been added to the Fall Conference agenda. As always, all sessions at SNA Conferences strive to provide immediate ROI. This means covering actionable items (“show me the money” as Gordon Borrell or Mike Blinder would say). While we do throw in a few big picture items, these are few and far between.

New Sessions/Topics/Speakers Just Added Include:

• Roger Coover, Publisher, The Record (Stockton). We recently learned that Stockton is having success with pay walls. When we heard the news, we immediately contacted Roger and he graciously agreed to come and share his story. Many SNA daily members have called us over the last six months asking for case studies on this topic; now we will have one to share.

Harrison Cochran

SNA's Lifetime Achievement Award to Be Presented in Philadelphia This Fall

Perhaps no single individual has served SNA more in the last fifteen years than Harrison Cochran. His dedication and level of service to the organization has been extraordinary. He is the only person to have served twice as Chairman of the SNA Board of Directors, jumping in a second time when an unexpected vacancy occurred. In addition, he has continuously served on the SNA or SNA Foundation Board since 1995.

Back in April we reported on the amazing growth of zip2save.com in just its first 6 months of existence. Now, just three months later, we’re happy to tell a story that just keeps getting better and better. zip2save.com is a national and local shopping and advertising portal that features coupons (including grocery), advertising circulars, product search, direct shopping links to retailers' Web sites, travel specials and more.