The New Zealand Community Newspapers Association has increased membership and participation its annual conference set down for May 22-23 in Queenstown.
Simon Ellis, president of the New Zealand Community Newspapers Association
Simon Ellis, president of the Association, says, “Last year we decided to focus on growth, with a membership campaign promoted to lift participation from Independent Newspaper companies.”
Numbers have increased to over 71 mastheads represented in the Association with over 100 attending the upcoming conference. Ellis says, “We have a good story to tell readers and advertisers in each of our markets, as most of our newspapers are free weekly titles with 100 per cent coverage; something that a continuing fracturing digital and radio market finds hard to compete with at a very local level. Members strive to keep a local focus, with unique content, and that has to be the point of difference.”
The conference runs over two days. The first day culminates with the Annual Awards evening, covering best journalism, photography, and front page design among 21 categories. After feedback from last year, the association has included a number of sales and innovation awards. Judging has almost concluded with a record number of entries received.
Simon Ellis is also chief executive officer of Beacon Media Group, which publishes newspapers, operates commercial sheetfed and digital printing companies, and two web newspaper offset plants , Beacon Print Hastings and Whakatane.
