Community Newspapers Using New Media to Generate Revenue

More than ever, community newspapers throughout BC and Yukon are making use of new media to supplement their traditional revenue streams.  Blogs rich with local content are a great way for community newspapers to connect with their readers on an even more timely basis than their print editions or even their online editions.  Immediate, relevant information can be conveyed to readers through a blog or Twitter in a matter of seconds, rather than hours or days.

BC Blogs, powered by BCLocalNews.com, a Black Press project, is a source for a variety of different locally-based blogs from throughout the province.

Yukon News makes use of RSS feeds to allow their online readers to subscribe to any new content in three different categories.  This guarantees their readers will return to their site, generating traffic.  They also use Facebook and Twitter to connect with their readers on an ongoing basis.

Another great source for locally-based blogs is the Canwest Communities site.

Alfie Lau of the Burnaby Now runs a highly entertaining local blog called “Cheap Shots” that generates traffic, advertising revenue, and lots of laughs.

BCYCNA members recognized at 2010 Better Newspapers Competition

Earlier this week the winners of the 2010 Better Newspapers Competition were announced. We couldn’t help but notice the several BCYCNA members who were selected as finalists and winners. At the BCYCNA office we wanted to congratulate our members for the hard work that helped them receive this recognition. Well done on each of your accomplishments!

The Better Newspapers Competition recognizes the best in editorial, photography, advertising, promotional and overall excellence in community newspaper publishing. This year, 255 newspapers submitted 2,551 entries encompassing 31 community newspaper categories. Eighty-one peer judges reviewed the submissions. Blue ribbons were also awarded by judges in the General Excellence classes to newspapers deserving honourable mention.

To view the complete list of winners and Blue Ribbon recipients, visit the Better Newspapers Competition website.

For more excitement within the world of community newspapers, keep reading our blog for more updates of the 2010 Ma Murray Awards set to take place on April 10 at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, BC.

MA MURRAY AWARDS – FINALISTS ANNOUNCED!

Now that the world is heading home, and our city is starting to readjust to normal day-to-day life, those of us in the downtown BCYCNA office are able to begin refocusing on the all-important upcoming Ma Murray Awards!

Thank you to all our members for your incredible patience as we have worked to process all the judges’ decisions.

At long last, we are delighted to announce the finalists for the 2010 Ma Murray Awards. Click Finalists for the list.

Winners will be announced at the spectacular Ma Murray Awards Gala on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at the River Rock Casino Resort. Get all the details on our website: http://www.bccommunitynews.com.

Torch relay brightens Canada’s Olympic spirit

The Olympic Torch has made its way back to British Columbia on the final leg of its 106-day journey across our beautiful nation. Along the way many proud Canadians had the opportunity to carry the flame or witness it pass through their communities, as documented by many community newspapers highlighting the Olympic spirit and positive experiences associated with this once-in-a-lifetime event.

On Thursday, February 11 the Torch will arrive in Vancouver for bell lap of the relay with many notable Canadians such as astronaut Julie Payette, singer/songwriter Jann Arden, singer/songwriter Michael Bublé, hockey-dad Walter Gretzky and former BC Lions kicker Luis Passaglia, carrying this Olympic symbol through the host city.

Although Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler host venues for the winter sports, this will truly be Canada’s Games. We wanted to highlight a few of the memorable torch relay stories featured in the BCYCNA member newspapers. As these stories show, the Olympic spirit across BC and Yukon was certainly on display – it all leading up to February 12 where the world will witness the Torch Lighting Ceremony opening the 2010 Winter Olympics.

For an interactive map of the Torch relay click HERE.

Your Guide for Getting around in February 2010

Speculation over what Vancouver is going to look like during the imminent 2010 Olympics Games has become a regional past time over the last few years.  From real estate to restaurants, rentals to road closure: no one seems to know exactly what to expect.

With the BCYCNA offices in downtown Vancouver these things weigh pretty heavily on our minds. We therefore thought we would share some of the information that is helping us formulate our commuting plans during “the big show.”

The first is from the City of Vancouver and details the locations and timing of Olympic-related road closures:

Vancouver 2010 Road Closures

The second comes is a Vancouver Sun editorial discussing what commuters can expect from Translink during the run of the Games:

Vancouver Sun: Expect waits up to two hours for transit

Entries for the 2010 Ma Murray Community Newspaper Awards

The deadline for entries for the 2010 Ma Murray Community Newspaper Awards has already come and gone. We thank you all for your diligence in sending us your submissions, and are happy to report that we received entries from 87 of our members, which gives us a steady 74 per cent participation rate. Now that you have done your work in submitting your entries, we have the job of preparing them all for the judges.

Finalists will be announced at the end of February or early March, and the awards themselves will be handed out at a spectacular Gala at the River Rock Casino Resort on Saturday, April 10, 2010. We hope to see you all there.

Good luck and stay tuned for the 2010 Ma Murray updates.

Edgar Dunning on CBC

As was blogged on January 7th, Delta Optimist columnist Edgar Dunning turned 100. To read more about this BC icon, our member paper, the Delta Optimist has archives of material. Another place to turn is CBC, reporter Alan Waterman recently featured a story on Edgar celebrating his 100 year mark. To view this story, click HERE.

Happy 100th Edgar!

The BC & Yukon Newspapers Association would like to extend warm wishes to honourary life member Edgar Dunning and his family, as he celebrates his 100^th Birthday. Happy Birthday Edgar!

Born in Elbow, Sask., Edgar is the BCYCNA’s first centenarian. He moved to British Columbia at the age of 12, where his father, a printer, founded the Delta Optimist in 1922. The newspaper was first housed in the Delta Hotel’s former saloon and Edgar recalls helping set type — by hand.

The quick-witted Edgar continues write a weekly newspaper column for the Delta Optimist, which he’s been writing for over 58 years.

Classifieds Holiday deadlines & 2010 Rates

As 2010 is just around the corner, we wanted to notify everyone of important holiday deadlines and rate increases for the Community Classifieds.

HOLIDAY DEADLINES
Please note that due to holiday closures in some offices and newspapers across the country, regular deadlines will change over the next couple of weeks. Please send all ads to the BCYCNA office as usual.

You can fax ads to us at 604-684-4713
or email them to classifieds@bccommunitynews.com.

For ads running the week of December 21:

• In BC & Yukon – please have ads in by Wed.Dec.16 at 12 noon
• In Alberta & NWT – please have ads in by Tue.Dec.15 at 12 noon
• In Saskatchewan – please have ads in by Tue.Dec.15 at 4pm
• In Manitoba – please have ads in by Mon.Dec.14 at 12 noon
• In Ontario – please have ads in by Tue.Dec.15 at 4pm (note Dec.21 and Dec.28 are combined weeks – ads will run in one or the other week, but not both)
• In Quebec – please have ads in by Mon.Dec.14 at 4pm (note Dec.21 and Dec.28 are combined weeks – ads will run in one or the other week, but not both)
• In Atlantic – please have ads in by Mon. Dec.14 at 4pm

For ads running the week of December 28:

• In BC & Yukon – please have ads in by Wed.Dec.23 at 10am
• In Alberta & NWT – please have ads in by Thu.Dec.17 at 12 noon
• In Saskatchewan – please have ads in by Mon.Dec.21 at 4pm (note Dec.28 and Jan.4 are combined weeks – ads will run in one or the other week, but not both)
• In Manitoba – please have ads in by Mon.Dec.21 at 12 noon
• In Ontario – please have ads in by Tue.Dec.15 at 4pm (note Dec.21 and Dec.28 are combined weeks – ads will run in one or the other week, but not both)
• In Quebec – please have ads in by Mon.Dec.14 at 4pm (note Dec.21 and Dec.28 are combined weeks – ads will run in one or the other week, but not both)
• In Atlantic – please have ads in by Mon.Dec.21 at 12 noon

For ads running the week of January 4:

• In BC & Yukon – please have ads in by Wed.Dec.30 at 10am
• In Alberta & NWT – please have ads in by Tue.Dec.29 at 12 noon
• In Saskatchewan – please have ads in by Mon.Dec.21 at 4pm (note Dec.28 and Jan.4 are combined weeks – ads will run in one or the other week, but not both)
• In Manitoba – please have ads in by Tue.Dec.29 at 12 noon
• In Ontario – please have ads in by Tue.Dec.22 at 12 noon
• In Quebec – please have ads in by Thu. Dec.17 at 4pm
• In Atlantic – please have ads in by Mon.Dec.28 at 4pm

RATE INCREASES
All ads booked province-wide into Manitoba will now cost your customers $189 for a 25-word ad (up from $179).

All ads booked province-wide into Ontario will now cost your customers $449 for a 25-word ad (up from $429).

All other rates for 25-word ads will remain the same. National rates are thus as follows:

• BC & Yukon: $395 (+$9 per extra word)
• Alberta & NWT: $259 (+$8 per extra word)
• Saskatchewan: $209 (+$5 per extra word)
• Manitoba: $189 (+$5 per extra word)
• Ontario: $449 (+$6 per extra word)
• Quebec: $160 (+$6 per extra word)
• Atlantic: $159 (+$5 per extra word)

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the BCYCNA office toll-free at
1-866-669-9222 or email us at classifieds@bccommunitynews.com.

Thank you and Happy Holidays!

Bringing Olympic light to Powell River

In lead up to the 2010 Winter Games our province hosted the launch of the 106-day nation-wide Olympic Torch Relay. Since October 30 the torch has showcased some of Canada’s diverse culture, accomplishments, beautiful landscapes and has been passed from one influential Canadian to another.

When the torch makes its way back to British Columbia one of our own British Columbia & Yukon Community Newspapers Association members Joyce Carlson, Publisher of the Powell River Peak, will have the honour of carrying the Olympic Torch through Powell River.

Throughout the years Joyce has contributed a great deal to the Powel River community and not just through the newspaper. Earlier this year she was a recipient of the BC Community Achievement Award. Due to her desire to build the community, she has contributed to Powell River hosting many events and festivals that have broadened and developed the city’s outlook and progress.

Watch out for Joyce with Olympic Torch in hand February 3, 2010. To view video footage and updates visit, www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-torch-relay.