MINNESOTANEWS MEDIAINSTITUTE

2014 Annual Report

2The Minnesota News Media Institute (MNI) is the 501(c)(3) training arm of the Minnesota Newspaper Association. Founded in 2010, our mission is to provide education, training and professional development opportunities for the more than 340 members of the Minnesota Newspaper Association, their employees, and news media professionals across the state.

We provide training programs, scholarship and internship opportunities to students and other programming to increase the publics understanding of the role and obligation of a free press in our society. We strive to reach news media professionals with high quality, accessible and affordable educational opportunities.

Message from the MNI President ................................................................................ 3

Message from the Executive Director ......................................................................... 4

Board of Directors and Staff ........................................................................................ 5

Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program ............................................... 6

2014 Training Programs ............................................................................................... 9

Pohlad Internship Program ........................................................................................ 12

MNI at Convention ...................................................................................................... 14

Donors ......................................................................................................................... 16

Financial Statement .................................................................................................... 18

Cover Photo byPost Bulletin, Rochester

The photos featured in this report were winners in the 2013-2014 Better Newspaper Contest.

About Us

MNI Annual Report printing donated by:

Table of Contents

Free Press, Mankato

3Its hard to pinpoint the exact time, but somehow, at some point in the past 20 years, I became the old guard at the office. I became the old dog needing to learn new tricks. As a self-taught journalist, I have always relied on MNA training to learn about this great industry, the role and responsibility of journalists, and the latest and greatest ideas affecting this profession.

As I have grown in the business, and taken more responsibilities, I have relied on more and more MNA training.

When you sign up for training in 2015 powered by MNI whether it is the latest in design ideas from Ed Henninger, the best new tricks of InDesign from Russell Viers or Kevin Slimp,

in-depth training such as Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program, or if you are new to our industry Ad Sales 101 or a crash course for new reporters, please remember that our support of the Minnesota News Media Institute (MNI) makes that training possible. MNI is the non-profit arm of MNA. Were one, indistinguishable. We have the same staff, we have one office, and we have one missionhelping Minnesota newspapers do their jobs as best they can. MNIs primary role is providing training to help publishers, editors, account reps, reporters, graphic artists, etc., learn new ways to do their jobs better.

We all can support MNI, in large ways and small ways, whether it is buying raffle tickets and bottles of wine at the convention whiskey and beer drinkers, I heard you! Well see what we can do to expand our offerings next year. Donating an additional 10 percent of your MNA dues, or joining the Founders Circle, Legacy Club, and Pages Program are ways you can support MNI, too. We appreciate, and need, your support!

Please take the time to learn about the Minnesota News Media Institute through our annual report. Then ask yourself: Who is going to teach the old dog in our office new tricks? I need MNA and MNI to help keep me informed about our challenging and changing industry, and they need my support to do that.

Michael Jacobson, Paynesville Press and Eden Valley-Watkins VoiceMNI President

Message from the President

South Washington Co. Bulletin, Cottage Grove

4The Minnesota News Media Institute had a great 2014. Rooted in the success of the Institutes first few years, we continued to expand offerings and strengthen the foundation of other programs like our Summer Youth Employment Program.MNI works hard to offer high quality, affordable training oppor-tunities at our more than 340 member newspapers, and media professionals across the state. More than 160 individuals from member newspapers attended MNI training sessions in person, and online via webinar, in 2014.

We celebrated the Editors & Publishers Community Leader-ship Programs 10th year in operation, welcoming 11 individu-

als from seven member newspapers as Cohort 10. During the months-long program, participants worked in the classroom, at their newspaper, and on the ground in their towns and cities to promote a healthy community. Over the past 10 years, more than 130 individuals from 76 newspapers across the state, and their communities, have benefitted from this program. The Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Pro-gram is funded through a generous grant from the Blandin Foundation, which works hard to strengthen rural Minnesota communities and develop and cultivate community leaders through its programming and grants.

Thanks to very generous support from the Pohlad Family Foundation, MNI provided funding for 65 high school internships in 2014 for the tenth year in a row! MNI works with MNA-member newspapers to place high-school aged interns in newsrooms for the summer. Since 2005 when the program began, nearly 800 high school students have taken advantage of this opportunity. Not only does this program provide very unique and meaningful work experiences for young people, it helps shape the future for some. Interns have reported getting more involved with their school newspapers, some signed up to take college courses in journalism and advertising, and others have continued on to careers in the journalism business.

Online programming, provided by our partners at the Online Media Campus and the Local Media Association also continued to grow in popularity in 2014. MNA members took advantage of more than a dozen webinars that covered topics from Adobe InDe-sign to reader engagement.

If you havent had the opportunity to support the Institute, please consider joining us this year. Your support through program participation, and financial contributions, make the Institutes work possible. We are excited and proud of our accomplish-ments at MNI and value your support as we work hard to support a bright future for the industry.

Lisa HillsExecutive Director,

Minnesota Newspaper Association

Message from the Executive Director

5Michael Jacobson, Paynesville Press Chair

Pete Mohs, Pineandlakes Echo Journal, Pequot Lakes Vice-Chair

Karin Ramige-Cornwell, McLeod County Chronicle, Glencoe Treasurer

Rollin Bergman, Page 1 Publications, East Grand Forks

Mike Dalton, Cannon Falls Beacon

Chris Knight, APG Media of Minnesota

Joni Harms, Daily Globe, Worthington

Keith Moyer, School of Journalism & Mass Communications, University of MN

Jim Pumarlo, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

Chris Schultz, Herald Journal, Howard Lake

Marge Winkelman, ECM Publishers, Coon Rapids

Lisa HillsExecutive Director

Sarah BauerProgram Director

Debbie EvansAccounting Manager

LuAnn YattawProject Manager

Web: www.mna.orgPhone: 612-332-8844Email: member@mna.org

Staff

Board of Directors2014

St. Cloud Times

Free Press, Mankato

62014 Participants Aitkin Independent Age

Cook County News Herald, Grand Marais

Floodwood Forum

Kenyon Leader

Mille Lacs Messenger, Isle

St. Peter Herald

Zenith City Weekly, Duluth

Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program

7The Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program celebrated its 10th year in 2014. The program empowers editor-publisher teams to develop their community leadership and vision skills. Participants hailed from Grand Marais to St. Peter and were all focused on making their communities more healthy, prosperous and inclusive places to live.

In particular, Cohort 10 tackled issues of diversity and inclusion in their communities. Participating newspapers looked at ways to improve communication among diverse communities within their small towns. They looked at ways to better reflect the diversity of the towns residents in the pages of their newspapers. Participants recognized their newspapers as a powerful tool to make people feel welcome and included in their communities through the photos and stories they publish, through conversations they convene, and through other ways behind the scenes.

The group of 11 individuals from seven newspapers took the skills they learned in several intensive leadership workshops and went enthusiastically back into their communities to put these new skills and resources to good use. Not only does the program help editors and publishers realize their potential as newspaper professionals, it allows individuals to hone personal leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.

Thanks to generous support by the Blandin Foundation, the Editors & Publishers Community is funded through 2016.

Sarah Bauer, Program DirectorMinnesota Newspaper Association

8My husband jokes that I am a big fish in a small pond, and hes probably right. I joined the Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program to make the most of my role in the community. Like many rural towns in Minnesota we are struggling to define our identity and keep the business district active. At E&P, I found affirmation that small towns are not dying, just redefining. It made me realize the different dimensions of my community and helped me identify people who want to make things happen. Additionally, it has given me the confidence to start new programs and find ways to link groups together for common causes. We now have a

community garden and a newly-remodeled youth center, and our business association is much more than just a monthly meeting. Big or small, its cohesion that makes communities effective.

Terri Lenz, Editor/Publisher Kenyon Leader

Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program

9Training Programs2014In 2014, training programs offered by the Minnesota News Media Institute continued to expand. Thanks to our partners at the Online Media Campus and the Local Media Association, we are able to offer several different training options, in person and online, to MNA members at discounted rates.

We know that the media industry is constantly changing, and with that, your needs for training. MNI is always looking for new program ideas. If you have suggestions, or specific needs, please let us know! MNI can also develop individualized programs for your staff or special group training programs, based on your requests.

Reach out to MNA Program Director Sarah Bauer by email (sarah@mna.org) or phone (612-278-0250) with programming ideas and suggestions.

2014 Programs10 Ways to Build Reader Engagement: Easily integrate new technologies into your workflow2014 Daily Newspaper MeetingAfter the trauma: The challenges of covering traumatic events on and off the jobCirculation Professionals WorkshopCreating a Branding Image of YourselfFilm Screening of A Fragile Trust: Plagiarism, Power and Jayson Blair at the New York TimesHandling Objections, Follow-up & Optimizing Sales PerformanceInDesign 101: Introduction to InDesignInDesign 201: Become a Type SuperheroInDesign 301: Working with Images and GraphicsJust the Facts Obtaining and using the information you need to report accuratelyLayout and Elements of DesignMobile First News StrategyMobile Gadget Lab Creating Great VideoNews Design with Ed HenningerPay Day: Top 5 Sales Strategies to Create More RevenuePremium Editions: Reaching higher revenuesPreventing Competitors From Stealing Your Customers: Strategically building partnerships that competitors cannot breakProspecting Digitally: How to Warm-up Leads and Quit Cold-CallingQualifying Opportunities: Quit wasting time on deals that wont closeSales by the numbersSalesperson vs. Professional Visitor Breaking through the sales cycleSelling the Digital Value PropositionShort and Smart Mobile Video StorytellingSkills for New Ad Reps 2014Skills for New Reporters 2014Story Organization Defining the pieces and assembling the productTaming the Email BeastThe Art of the Interview: How talking to the right people can improve your storytellingUser-Generated Content: More Readers, More Revenue

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Training Programs-Participating MembersAdams Publishing GroupAitkin Independent AgeAlbert Lea TribuneAnnandale AdvocateAskov AmericanAustin Daily HeraldBemidji PioneerBluff Country Newspaper Group, Spring ValleyBrainerd DispatchBussler Publishing, Inc., Blooming PrairieClara City HeraldCottonwood County Citizen, WindomDaily Globe, WorthingtonDetroit Lakes NewspapersDuluth Budgeteer NewsDuluth News TribuneEcho Press, AlexandriaECM Publishers, Inc., Coon RapidsEden Valley Watkins VoiceFaribault Daily NewsFarmington Rosemount Independent Town PagesFergus Falls Daily JournalForum Communications Company, Fargo/MoorheadFree Press, MankatoGrand Rapids Herald ReviewHastings Star GazetteHerald Journal Publishing, Howard LakeHills CrescentHutchinson LeaderIndependent News Herald, ClarissaIsanti-Chisago County Star, CambridgeKanabec County Times, MoraLakes Area Review, New London/SpicerMadelia Times MessengerMaple Lake MessengerMarshall IndependentMcLeod County Chronicle, GlencoeMesabi Daily News, VirginiaMille Lacs Messenger, IsleMinnesota Womens Press, St. PaulMontgomery MessengerMoose Lake Star-GazetteMorris Sun TribuneNew Prague TimesNewsleaders of Sartell and St. JosephNortheaster/NorthNews, MinneapolisObserver/Advocate, Mountain LakeOrtonville IndependentOwatonna Peoples PressPage 1 Publications, East Grand Forks

Park Bugle, St. PaulPaynesville PressPineandlakes Echo Journal, Pequot LakesPine City PioneerPine Journal, CloquetPioneer Press, St. PaulPipestone Publishing Co., Inc.Prairie Publishing Inc., LafayettePress Publications, White Bear Lake Proctor JournalRenville County Register, OliviaRivertown Multimedia, Red WingSt. Cloud TimesSouthwest Newspapers, ShakopeeStaples World-Devlin Newspapers, Inc.Star Herald, Dodge CenterStar Publications, Sauk CentreThe Associated PressThe Journal, New UlmTri-County News, KimballWest Central Tribune, Willmar

Tri-County News, Kimball

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Ed Henninger had good energy. Not only is he easy to listen to and funny! - he provided useful, practical information that can actually be implemented when I get back to my paper. Eds page critiques were useful and I took away lots of ideas for page design and improvements.

Tamara Gruhot, Duluth News TribuneAttended News Design with Ed Henninger, August 2014

Marilyn Birkland and Tara Brandl really know what they are presenting about! They were really helpful in answering any questions we had and the module on overcoming objections to newspaper advertising was the most important piece I took away from the day.

Valeria Lopz Corts, Grand Rapids Herald-ReviewAttended Skills for New Ad Reps, June 2014

From our Participants

Lakeshore Weekly News, Wayzata

North News, Minneapolis

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The Pohlad Internship Program, funded for MNA members since 2005, is designed to provide a wage subsidy to newspapers that hire high school-aged interns over the course of the summer months. This program was created to provide a meaningful employment experience for youth in their communities. This special opportunity is available exclusively to MNA member newspapers and funded generously by the Pohlad Family Foundation. MNA member newspapers have hired nearly 800 interns over the past ten years thanks to this program! Many interns have gone on to seek degrees and find careers in journalism, advertising and related fields.

If you would like to participate in the Pohlad Family Foundation Summer Youth Employment Program, contact LuAnn Yattaw by calling 612-278-0235 or by email (luann@mna.org).

2014 Participating NewspapersAitkin Independent Age Albert Lea TribuneEcho Press, Alexandria Osakis ReviewAskov American Austin Daily HeraldBarnesville Record-Review Battle Lake Review/Ashby PostBemidji Pioneer The Times, Blooming PrairiePineandlakes Echo Journal, Brainerd Byron Review Independent-News Herald, Clarrisa Pine Journal, CloquetCrookston Daily Times Star Herald, Dodge CityDuluth Budgeteer News Eden Valley Watkins VoiceStandard Gazette & Messenger, Fairfax Farmington Rosemount Independent Town PagesFergus Falls Daily Leader Record, GonvickGrand Rapids Herald Review Granite Falls Advocate TribuneGrygla Eagle Newspaper Kittson County Enterprise, Hallock Hastings Star Gazette Citizens Advocate, HenningTri-County News, Heron Lake Hutchinson LeaderThe Journal, International Falls Tri-County News, KimballMille Lacs Messenger, Isle Maple Lake MessengerVoyageur Press of McGregor Middle River Honker Montevideo American News The Journal, New UlmNew York Mills Dispatch Lillie Suburban NewspapersOklee Herald Parkers Prairie IndependentPaynesville Press Proctor JournalPost Bulletin, Rochester ThreeSixty Journalism, St. PaulStaples World Tracy Headlight-HeraldVerndale Sun News-Enterprise, West ConcordWest Central Tribune, Willmar Daily Globe, Worthington

Pohlad Internships2014

Brainerd Dispatch

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From our newspapers . . .

KC brought a teenagers viewpoint to the paper, which we needed. She also had contacts with individuals the newspaper did not have prior to her arrival.We cant say enough about this program. They help us in so many ways in the small offices that we have in Northern Minnesota. We appreciate the opportunity of having these students and they stop in to visit us even after they

are long gone onto their careers.

The Pohlad Internship helped our newspaper provide real world publishing industry experience to our intern. The newspaper utilized our intern to photograph community events and happenings, distribute publicity material to promote community events and write smaller feature stories. He was helpful in assisting the staff with daily routine duties, such as typesetting, proofing and pagination.

Thanks so much to the Pohlad Family for offering this opportunity to students and newspapers. It is a valued experience on both ends. From our Interns . . .

Ive learned so much about journalism and putting together a newspaper, said one intern in a letter to her supervisor. You all helped me see what an interesting place a newsroom is. You made it a place where all my qualities that had previously seemed annoying, such as my inquisitiveness and constant need to be in the know, were applauded. I love the balance between sitting in the office and being out in the field snapping pictures or talking to people. There was something new to learn every day and I know there always will be in this profession. In addition to journalism, I learned a lot about people.

One of the things I have learned with this job is you really need to have good time management skills. Also, writing my weekly column was sort of like writing in a diary and as much as I enjoyed writing before, I enjoy it even more after this 10-week internship.

Renville County Register, Olivia

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Everyone knows that the Minnesota Newspaper Association Convention provides great programming, training, speakers, networking and more. But, there are also great opportunities to support and contribute to the Institutes work at the MNA convention.

The Silent Auction features an excellent selection of items of all types and price points that catch the eye of most every attendee at the convention. Auction items are donated to MNI from local vendors, sports teams, hotels, theatres, board members, MNA members and staff. Proceeds directly benefit MNI programs.

The Wall of Wine has been a staple at the MNA convention for several years, offering great wines. A small contribution gets you two bottles of wine at a great value (for a great cause) and also provides a generous donation to MNI. All bottles of wine and funds to purchase wine, are donated to MNI. Wall of Wine donors include board and committee members, past presidents, members, friends of MNA and staff.

MNI Goes to Convention

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The Raffle is another fundraiser for MNI. This is a fun and easy way for all convention attendees to support MNI and buy a chance to win a great prize. In the past, raffle winners have taken home iPads, tablets and cash prizes. All of the funds raised in the Raffle are donated to MNI.

The annual Minnesota Newspaper Association Convention is one of many great ways that generous MNA members support the Minnesota News Media Institute.

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DonorsMNI Founders CircleFounders Circle members pledge $10,000 or more to support the training and resources provided to all MNA members by the Minnesota News Media Institute.

Forum Communications Co.

Legacy ClubLegacy Club members pledge $1,500 or more to support the training and resources provided to all MNA members by the Minnesota News Media Institute.

Page 1 Publications, East Grand Forks Bruce Fenske, New Ulm Joni Harms, Worthington Lisa Hills & Rick Fiman Mike Jacobson, Paynesville Peter & Lynn Jacobson Don & Carole Larson Don & Nancy Smith Marge Winkelman, Coon Rapids

MNI Donors The following individuals and organizations donated in 2014.

Blandin Foundation Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation Kevin Anderson Linda & Kurt Falkman Jody Hanson Joni Harms Mike Jacobson Matt McMillian Pete Mohs Lori Nauman Dick Norlander William Ramige Karin Ramige-Cornwell Connie Reinert Chris Schultz John Stone Wade Weber Tom West Marge Winkelman Dennis Winskowski

Lake Region Life, Waterville

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Pages ProgramThrough the Minnesota News Media Institute Pages Program participants contribute the net proceeds of one page of advertising at the general rate, once per year.

Enterprise Dispatch, Cokato Herald Journal, DelanoHerald Journal, Howard LakeIsanti Chisago County Star, CambridgeKanabec County Times, MoraLong Prairie LeaderPaynesville Press Pine City Pioneer

2014 Memorials:Donations to MNI in memory of those weve lost.

Kevin Anderson in memory of Deb Anderson Peter & Lynn Jacobson in memory of Deb Anderson Mike & Geri Jacobson in memory of Deb Anderson Chuck & Janis Wann in memory of Deb Anderson Chuck Warner in memory of Deb Anderson MNA Past Presidents in memory of Deb Anderson Northeast Minneapolis Community in memory of Kerry Ashmore MN Newspaper Foundation in memory of Kerry Ashmore

In-Kind Donations: Forum Communications Printing HJ Marketing / Herald Journal St. Cloud Times

Thank you to our many member newspapers that have donated ten percent (10%) of their annual dues to MNI. For a complete list of donors, please visit the MNA Institute tab at www.mna.org.

There are many ways that you can contribute to MNI. Contact LuAnn Yattaw (luann@mna.org or 612-278-0235) to learn more.

DonorsEcho Press, Alexandria

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Revenue Contributions $20,274.00 Blandin Grant (Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program) 00.00* Pohlad Internship Grant 60,774.00 Convention 9,942.00 Training Registration 9,752.00 In-Kind Revenue 2,385.00 Interest/Dividend 25,668.00 Investment Gain/Loss (Net) 41,711.00Total Revenue 170,506.00 Expenses Pohlad Internships 55,249.00 E&P Expenses 31,987.00 Administrative 46,881.00 Professional Services 9,672.00 Training 9,485.00 Convention 1,160.00Total Expenses 154,434.00

Change in net Assets 16,072.00

Net assets, beginning 1,110,508.00

Net assets, ending $1,126,580.00

* $126,000 in revenue from a three year grant was recorded in 2013 and provides revenue for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 E&P programs.

Financial Statement

Westbrook Sentinel Tribune

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The Exponent, East Grand Forks

St. Cloud Times

Faribault County Register, Blue Earth

Thank You

Minnesota News Media Institute10 South Fifth Street, Suite 1105

Minneapolis, MN 55402Phone: 612-332-8844

White Bear Press

Hastings Star Gazette

Morris Sun Tribune