2012 CSCMA Promotions and Projects Competition

This year’s competition features a new category for circulation department projects that have resulted in cost savings or new revenue streams.

Your participation is encouraged and may result in free entry into this year’s Spring Conference. Each entry submitted for the promotions and projects competition by March 26, 2012 will earn one chance in a drawing for free entry into the conference. More details are included with the entry rules.

Please use the provided Microsoft Power point layout as a template. Submit completed entries to CSCMA2012@Gmail.com not later than March 26, 2012.

Entry Deadline

Entry Categories

Paid Circulation* 1. Subscriber Acquisition or Retention2. Single Copy and Business TravelerVerified Circulation*1. Home Delivered – requested or targeted2. Other – NIE, University, or Retail/BusinessCirculation Operations1. Carrier Recruitment and Retention2. Cost Efficiency Projects – Initiatives that have reduced production, distribution, or

sales costs while maintaining or improving results and services.3. New business – New ideas that create revenue for your newspaper utilizing

circulation department resources.

*Paid and Verified circulation categories have been established based on the Audit Bureau of Circulation definitions for these categories. Please follow this link for additional details for help to define these categories: http://www.accessabc.com/resources/intheknow2010.htm

Rules for the Competition

1. Competition entry materials must have been developed and used during the past year.

2. You are not required to attend the conference to enter or win.3. Entries must be submitted in provided electronic template (Microsoft

Power Point). 4. All entries must be received in the correct format by March 26, 2012 .5. Newspaper circulation size will be determined by combined daily

circulation according to the most recent audit. 6. By entering into the competition, you provide CSCMA the authority to

share and distribute copies of your entry, without compensation, among any member of CSCMA, judges, or other industry organizations.

7. Entries received by the deadline will be judged. All judging decisions are final.

Prize Drawing Rules1. One Free Conference Entry will be awarded by drawing.2. Entry in the drawing is free but, requires participation in either the

Promotions and Projects competition or Carrier of the Year nomination.3. Each entry in the correct format and received by the March 26, 2012

deadline will earn one chance in the drawing, up to a maximum of five entries per newspaper.

4. The winning entry will be drawn not later than April 6, 2012. The winner will be notified by email or phone.

5. The prize is not transferable, may not be converted to cash, and is valid only for entry to the CSCMA CHANGE conference April 15 and 16, 2012.

6. The prize includes conference entry for one CSCMA member. The value of the award may not exceed $199. Transportation, membership fees, lodging and meals unless provided with the conference, are not included with the prize.

JudgingEntries should demonstrate results in the following areas of emphasis: Paid and Verified Circulation Promotionsa.Unit volume – Quantify how the project improved audience demand or penetration.b.Revenue – Demonstrate how the promotion supported circulation revenue (may not be applicable for verified circulation entries).c.Cost Efficiency – Demonstrate efficient investment of resources.d.Appeal – Visually attractive and/or interesting presentation to the intended audience. Circulation Operation Projectsa.Innovative – New ways to accomplish circulation goals.b.Simple – Concepts are easy to understand.c.Universal – Concept can be readily applied at other newspapers.d.Consumer Friendly (for cost efficiency projects) – Impact of the project did not erode quality of the product or services provided to the consumer.

How to Enter

1. Use the PowerPoint template to submit your entry. • An example of a completed entry may be found on the next two slides. The entry

template immediately follows the example.• A common template will ensure judging of entries is based on content and design of

your promotion. The layout will also provide the foundation for combined presentation of all entries.

2. First slide – enter text for the category, objective, and results• Enter details regarding the category, contact information at your newspaper, the

objective of the promotion, and results.

3. Second slide – insert visual presentation of the promotion• Insert images of the promotion as originally presented to the target audience via the

web, direct mail, free standing insert, or run of paper ad. Please import the images as a .pdf or .jpeg format. Use text as necessary to highlight key elements of the presentation.

4. Third slide – permitted for additional examples• More than one .pdf or .jpeg image may be included on each slide. Use the third slide for

additional examples. But, please limit your entry to not more than three slides. This will ensure equity in judging and continuity in the final presentation.

5. Submit your entry to: CSCMA2012@GMail.com• A confirmation email will be sent to acknowledge your entry.

Newspaper: Peoria Journal Star

City: Peoria IL

Circulation Group : 50 - 100 thousand (select from: <25; 25 – 50; 50 – 100; >100 thousand)

Category and Name: Subscriber Acquisition

Name of Entry: eJournal StarSubmitted By: Angie Lyons

Phone: 309-686-3174

E-Mail: alyons@pjstar.com

Title: Circulation Sales Manager

Objective: To increase readership and awareness our digital newspaper

Results: We did not start promoting our e-Journal Star until October of 2010. We have promoted it as an additional product for $1.00 per month to our current 7 day print subscribers

Final results: From October to December we acquired 510 e-Journal Star subscribers. This number of subscribers will give us an additional $6120 in revenue each year.

Sample Entry – Slide One

Ad runs 2-3 times per week ROP

Over 500 customers subscribed to it in the first 2 months available

These 510 subscribers will generate an additional $6120 in revenue

Sample of ROP ad ran promoting e-Journal Star

Sample Entry – Slide Two

Newspaper:

City and State:

Circulation Group : select from: <25; 25 – 50; 50 – 100; >100 thousand)

Entry Category and Name:

Name of Entry:

Submitted By:

Phone:

E-Mail:

Title:

Objective:

Summary:

Results:

Entry Template – Slide 1

Entry Example – Slide 2Enter Example of your promotional pieces here

Questions, Comments, Concerns?Promotions and Carrier of the Year Committee Chair

Mathew Johnsrud

Circulation Director

The Journal Times

262.631.1792

matt.johnsrud@lee.net