How are independent and family-owned local media firms navigating the current media environment? Do the economics threaten their independence? What are the critical strategic considerations that will determine their future? Mary Elworth, a Board Member with the Observer Publishing Company, will moderate a panel of highly-respected owners and business managers who will share how they plan to succeed today and for the long-term. Panelists include: Tom Shaw, VP/Group Publisher, Shaw Media Group Jay Seaton, Publisher, Seaton Publishing Company Cameron Nutting Williams, Regional Publisher, Ogden News Group

1. OGDEN NEWSPAPERS &
NUTTING COMPANY
Current state and go-
forward 2018-19
Cameron Williams,
Regional Publisher & family
owner

2. THE NUTTING COMPANY |ABOUT

3. OGDEN
NEWSPAPERS
- Core Legacy Family Business –
Founded 1890
- 46 Daily Newspapers
- 100+ Weekly Newspapers (paid &
unpaid)
- Increasingly grouped around printing
hubs
- CEO, Bob Nutting. G4 Family member
- Managed in four regions
- Works closely with EZtoUse
Directories, Ogden Publications
magazine group & SWC Realty

4. KEY INITIATIVES
2018-19
Entrepreneurial focus on growth
opportunities:
- Cross-Vertical integration
within TNC
- Events business
- National magazine group (Sunflower Pubs)
- Real Estate Brokerage (SWC Realty)
- Value driven circulation
promotion
- Higher order pitch: Maslow’s Hierarchy
- Loyal readers are revenue of future
- Membership programs
Disciplined focus on
fundamental strengths:
- Regional Consolidation
- Strategic Acquisitions
- Unified front to vendors,
national advertisers,
suppliers
- Reduce distractions

5. CHALLENGES
- Maintaining focus
- Keeping and recruiting
the right kind of talent
- Persistent revenue
declines
- Legacy programs that
undersell & undermine
product value

6. ROLE OF
TECHNOLOGY
Biggest Challenge:
Our technology is only as good
as our ability to consistently
deploy, monitor and use it to
improved results
Tools we’re deploying now:
- Commercial printing & specialty printing tech
Our biggest investments in technology have been related
to being able to serve our printing customers better
- Bolstering e-edition, digital subscription access
& membership portals
- Contest and audience engagement tools
Areas of improvement we are most interested in:
- Circulation, Member and Route management
technology that is truly data-base driven.
Looking outside of the newspaper industry for
solution. Will probably isolate routes from the
rest.
- Internal communication tools as staff is
increasingly responsible for multiple locations.