County Executive Robert P. Astorino today teamed up with the New York Press Association to get the word out about how important community newspapers are.
The association (NYPA), which has represented New York State's community newspapers for 157 years, today announced a statewide advertising and communications initiative to reinforce with New Yorkers the unique and professional localized news coverage available only through community newspapers and their websites. NYPA will be making these announcements in counties across the state in the coming weeks. An estimated 12 million New Yorkers currently read community newspapers each year.
The announcement was made at the offices of Astorino, who said,
The campaign, called "Your Community Newspaper. Told Ya." emphasizes:
- The benefits of local news coverage;
- The importance of professional news gathering in local politics, government, and business, and
- The economic impact of community newspapers across New York State.
The nine-week "Told Ya" campaign features eye-catching print ads, transit advertising (MTA, Amtrak and buses), and a comprehensive public relations campaign. Sample ads, which were produced by Korey Kay & Partners, can be seen at: http://www.newyorkpressassociation.com/whynewspapers/communitynewspaperbranding.aspx.
"The community newspaper is the heartbeat of New York towns, villages, and cities," said Michelle K. Rea, executive director of the New York Press Association. "Westchester County newspapers and their websites are chockfull of important information available nowhere else – information that has a direct impact on our lives and the lives of our children. The 'Told Ya' campaign serves to remind New Yorkers about these extraordinary community assets."
Rea also discussed the significant economic benefit of the 787 community newspapers across the state. It is estimated that these newspapers generate between $850 million and $1 billion in annual revenues; employ more than 10,000 New Yorkers; generate more than $500 million in payroll dollars; pay property taxes in hundreds of municipalities; provide health insurance for thousands of families; support local businesses, and spend more than $35 million annually at local post offices.
"The news industry is quickly evolving, but solid news reporting will never be replaced," Ms. Rea continued. "Nowhere is that more true than at the local level."
Established in 1853, the New York Press Association (NYPA) is the trade association representing more than 750 community newspapers in New York State, including weekly, small daily and culturally-specific papers. Whether covering events in rural farming communities or big-city neighborhoods, NYPA member newspapers are as unique and different as newspapers can be, yet they all profit from the benefits of membership in NYPA. The board of directors and staff work always to provide an ever-evolving array of services to help newspapers address the rapid-fire changes in technological innovation and their impact on the way news is delivered.