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November 22, 2016 - Issue 47
The MNA office will be closed this Thursday and Friday
for the Thanksgiving holiday. We wish you and yours a happy holiday weekend. We will be back at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, November 28. 

Jury rejects lawsuit over reporting on Decker case

By: Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — A jury ruled against a Cold Spring man who said he was defamed by two media companies that reported on his arrest following November 2012 shooting death of a police officer.

Ryan M. Larson sought a multimillion dollar award against KARE 11 and the St. Cloud Times, which he sued arguing that their reporting in the death of Cold Spring officer Tom Decker was unfair and wrongly labeled him as the killer. Larson was released from jail a few days later without charges, then cleared several months later by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for any involvement in the case. The man later identified as the suspect in Decker’s death committed suicide.

In its verdict, the jury concluded that the reporting by KARE and the St. Cloud Times was defamatory — that it presented him in a negative light — but said it was still accurate, and did not award damages.

“This is all about the public’s right to know,” KARE General Manager John Remes said after the hearing.

Neither Larson nor his attorney, Stephen Fiebiger, were in the courtroom for the verdict.

Larson has also sued WCCO and KSTP for their reporting on the case. Both of those lawsuits have settled.

Click to read story in St Cloud Times
Click to read story in Star Tribune

2017 MNA Advertising Rate Questionnaire Was Due November 18


If you have not provided MNA with an updated Advertising Rate Questionnaire please do so ASAP!

The advertising rates you provide are used by our Media Buyers to generate quotes and place insertion orders with your publication. To ensure we have current information for your newspaper, please fill our 2017 Advertising Rate Questionnaire completely and return it to MNA ASAP via email as directed.

Please contact Dan at 612-278-0223 or dan@mna.org if you have any questions.
 
CLICK HERE to download the 2017 Advertising Rate Questionnaire

MNA ADVERTISING NOTICE: ORDERS AND CONFIRMATIONS BY EMAIL ONLY


As of January 1st, all MNA advertising orders will be sent to newspapers via EMAIL ONLY to the email address that is listed on your 2017 Advertising Rate Questionnaire.

Additionally, we ask that all advertising orders be confirmed by sending an email to advertising@mna.org so that confirmations can be archived digitally. 

Please contact Dan at 612-278-0223 or dan@mna.org if you have any questions.
 

Nominations Open for 2017 Half Century Club

Is there someone on your staff who has worked in the newspaper industry for 50 years or more? Nominate them for membership in the Half Century Club! Nominees must have worked in the newspaper industry for 50 years or more.  New members will be inducted into the Half Century Club at the 2016 MNA Convention during a special ceremony at the Friday, January 27 luncheon.  Members receive a certificate commemorating their 50 years of service to the newspaper industry

Click here to fill out the nomination form.

Nominations are due on Wednesday, December 31 and should be submitted online.

Questions? Call 612-332-8844 or email member@mna.org.

Henninger: Typefaces to toss

Some typefaces are just downright strange. Like Curlz. I just can’t bring myself to believe that someone was serious about designing that one.

And there’s Dom Casual. And Hobo. And (of course!) Comic Sans.

You never…ever…use any of those typefaces. Right?

Ah…but I’ll bet some of you are still using Times. Or Helvetica. Maybe New Century Schoolbook. Or Franklin Gothic. If so, you really need to toss those and find something else.

Here’s a list of 20 typefaces (actually, 16 typefaces and 4 complete groups) I’d toss, along with a few words why:

Arial: Basically, it’s a Helvetica (more in a moment) knockoff. Looks like a genuine simulated imitation faux Helvetica.

Avant Garde: Designed in the 1960s. That was more than 50 years ago. Not so avant garde now.

Brush Script: No one ever writes like that.

Chancery: Is there any place in your newspaper were Chancery is appropriate?

Comic Sans: The target of a lot of jokes. Deservedly so.

Continue reading...

Sales & Editorial Sessions Coming Up!


Check out the upcoming webinar from Online Media Campus!


Selling Strategically: How to Manage Your Time and Territory

Friday, December 9
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

  • Do you have too much work and not enough time in the day to get it done?
  • Do you find yourself changing the date on your to-do-list? 
  • Are you doing more driving than selling?

If you answered yes to these questions, then this practical, real–life situational seminar is for you!

We will help you clarify your territory goals are as well as you own, start the goal setting process from the end to the beginning, prioritize what is really important vs. what someone else thinks is “ASAP”. You will learn how to get the most out of your weeks and days, organize your work environment, deal with interruptions, and the people that stop by to say “hi” and never seem to leave.

More information and register...


Clean Up Your Copy

Thursday, December 15
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

AP style — it’s the industry standard, and an ever-evolving set of rules that journalists need to understand and follow. Amber Krosel, a member of the American Copy Editors Society, will get you caught up on recent changes to the stylebook, as well as old standards that routinely trip up reporters and editors.

More information and register...

How the way companies break news is changing. “The news release is dead.”


It’s a headline we’ve all read before. And, for all intents and purposes, we know it’s not 100 percent true. But, are PR-savvy companies shying away from tried-and-true strategies in favor of new social and digitally-driven approaches? The news release may not be dead, but it also isn’t nearly the standout tool it once was in the PR toolbox. 

In this installment of the Talking Points Speaker Series, Kevin Hunt, manager of corporate content and channels at General Mills, and Katherine Grayson, senior report with The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, will sit down with Arik Hanson and talk about how the way companies break news is changing—and also, how the way the media interacts with companies is changing, too. Kevin will talk about how General Mills has used its popular “Taste of General Mills Blog” as a tool to spur media interest (including placements with The New York Times), while Katherine will discuss the different and varied ways she’s worked with organizations over the last few years when developing stories. All with a healthy dose of audience interaction along the way.

Date/Time: Dec 7, 2016, 5:30-7:30pm
Where: Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota West Bank
Fee: $25
Register at z.umn.edu/talkingpoints.

Don't forget: Upload your public notices today!

 
In 2014, MNA successfully launched its online clearinghouse of Minnesota public notices. Since then, 120 MNA member newspapers have posted more than 35,000 public notices on the site. 

Now, MNA has developed a series of house ads you can use to promote MNPublicnotice.com in your newspaper and on your website. 
 
If you haven't started posting your public notices yet, and are interested in getting started, MNA will provide training and support. We are available to answer questions and walk you through the process of posting your notices. Please contact Sarah Jackson to sign up and also set up training for you or your staff - there are a variety of options, in person, by phone or Google Hangout. 


Our goal is to have 100% participation by MNA member newspapers and we're getting closer every day. Please sign up today, or give us a call to learn more about the site.

Click here for more info and to view/download ads!

If you have news to share in the MNA Tradewinds,
please email us: member@mna.org.
 
 
Member Classifieds:

Looking for Freelance Photo Work
Lou “The Photo Guy” Michaels is looking for freelance photo work in the seven county area or outside the seven county are as well. More...

Looking for used Canon gear
Any EOS1 D Mark 11 or Mark 11N as well as any used Canon lens from wide angle to telephoto lens or used flashes for Canon. More...

Reporter Wanted
Can you write clearly and accurately? Do you have excellent grammar skills? Can you take digital photos? Herald Journal is seeking a full-time or part-time reporter to create content for its three weekly newspapers based in Winsted. More...

Managing Editor
The River Valley Media Group is looking for a hands-on editor to coordinate and direct all editorial activities for our weekly publications. More...

Editor – Marshall
Looking for an excellent and rewarding opportunity? The Marshall Independent, which is one of the best small daily newspapers in Minnesota, has an immediate opening for its managing editor. More...

General Reporter
The Austin Daily Herald, a daily newspaper in southern Minnesota, is seeking a journalist with strong writing skills. This position will be a general assignment reporting position. More...

Business Manager
The Free Press in Mankato, MN, seeks a business manager to oversee accounting and human resources functions for its operation. More...

News Editor - Kasson
The news editor will know how to generate leads, write stories, layout pages in InDesign and have a solid journalism background. More... 

Ad Production Coordinator/Graphic Designer
Minnesota Premier Publications is searching for an ambitious, hardworking Ad Production Coordinator/Graphic Designer to join our small, fast-paced design team in Downtown Minneapolis. More... 

Reporter – Ellsworth and River Falls
RiverTown Multimedia, a subsidiary of Forum Communications Co., has an immediate opening for a full-time reporter at the Pierce County Herald/River Falls Journal, reporting for both locations. More...

Superb Weekly in Prime Lakes Country in Minnesota
Gross revenue app. $400,000 with nice profit margin. Perfect companion to your existing business! More...

Photographer/Visual Content Producer, Mankato
The visual content producer will work with the chief photographer/visual content manager and other editors to create a compelling visual content report in print and online in a goal-oriented, reader-driven, creatively critical environment. More...

Full Time News Reporter, Mankato
Looking for an experienced reporter with a college degree who digs for information, excels at writing and knows how to use social media as well as digital journalism tools. More...

Access to the MNA Member Classifieds Page is free to MNA members.  To submit an ad, please click the “Submit a Job Posting” or “Submit a For Sale/Wanted Posting” buttons on the Member Classifieds page.  MNA Members are also encouraged to post ads for available internships (submit as a Job Posting).  Non-members may send an ad by e-mail to: member@mna.org.  The charge for non-members to place ads is $25 per week (payable by check or credit card).  If you have any questions, please email or call MNA: member@mna.org or 612-332-8844.

NOTE:  Once jobs are filled, or For sale/Wanted postings expired, please ask MNA to remove your post from the Member Classifieds. You can send an e-mail to member@mna.org.
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Upcoming Events


Check out upcoming training events from the Local Media Association
Discounted rates for MNA Members!

MNA Board Meeting
December 1-2

Selling Strategically: How to Manage Your Time and Territory
December 9

Clean Up Your Copy
December 15

150th Annual MNA Convention
January 26-27
MNA/MNI Event Calendar
MNA Member Classifieds
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Recent Press Releases
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