MINNESOTA

NEWS MEDIA
INSTITUTE

2014 Annual
Report

Table of Contents
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

About Us

he 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.

MNI Annual Report printing

donated by:
Free Press, Mankato

Cover Photo by
Post Bulletin, Rochester
The photos featured in this report were winners in the
2013-2014 Better Newspaper Contest.

Message from the President

I

ts 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 selftaught 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 Voice
MNI President

South Washington Co. Bulletin, Cottage Grove

Message from the Executive Director

he 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 opportunities 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 Leadership Programs 10th year in operation, welcoming 11 individuals 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 Program 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 InDesign 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 accomplishments at MNI and value your support as we work hard to support a bright future for
the industry.
Lisa Hills
Executive Director,
Minnesota Newspaper Association

Board of Directors2014
Michael 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

Staff
Lisa HillsExecutive Director
Sarah BauerProgram Director
Free Press, Mankato

Debbie EvansAccounting Manager

LuAnn YattawProject Manager
Web: www.mna.org
Phone: 612-332-8844
Email: member@mna.org

St. Cloud Times

Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program

2014 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

he 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 Director
Minnesota Newspaper Association

Editors & Publishers Community Leadership Program

My 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

Training Programs2014
I

n 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 Programs
10 Ways to Build Reader Engagement: Easily integrate new technologies into your workflow
2014 Daily Newspaper Meeting
After the trauma: The challenges of covering traumatic events on and off the job
Circulation Professionals Workshop
Creating a Branding Image of Yourself
Film Screening of A Fragile Trust: Plagiarism, Power and Jayson Blair at the New York Times
Handling Objections, Follow-up & Optimizing Sales Performance
InDesign 101: Introduction to InDesign
InDesign 201: Become a Type Superhero
InDesign 301: Working with Images and Graphics
Just the Facts Obtaining and using the information you need to report accurately
Layout and Elements of Design
Mobile First News Strategy
Mobile Gadget Lab Creating Great Video
News Design with Ed Henninger
Pay Day: Top 5 Sales Strategies to Create More Revenue
Premium Editions: Reaching higher revenues
Preventing Competitors From Stealing Your Customers: Strategically building partnerships that
competitors cannot break
Prospecting Digitally: How to Warm-up Leads and Quit Cold-Calling
Qualifying Opportunities: Quit wasting time on deals that wont close
Sales by the numbers
Salesperson vs. Professional Visitor Breaking through the sales cycle
Selling the Digital Value Proposition
Short and Smart Mobile Video Storytelling
Skills for New Ad Reps 2014
Skills for New Reporters 2014
Story Organization Defining the pieces and assembling the product
Taming the Email Beast
The Art of the Interview: How talking to the right people can improve your storytelling
User-Generated Content: More Readers, More Revenue

Training Programs-Participating Members

10

Adams Publishing Group

Aitkin Independent Age
Albert Lea Tribune
Annandale Advocate
Askov American
Austin Daily Herald
Bemidji Pioneer
Bluff Country Newspaper Group, Spring Valley
Brainerd Dispatch
Bussler Publishing, Inc., Blooming Prairie
Clara City Herald
Cottonwood County Citizen, Windom
Daily Globe, Worthington
Detroit Lakes Newspapers
Duluth Budgeteer News
Duluth News Tribune
Echo Press, Alexandria
ECM Publishers, Inc., Coon Rapids
Eden Valley Watkins Voice
Faribault Daily News
Farmington Rosemount Independent Town Pages
Fergus Falls Daily Journal
Forum Communications Company, Fargo/Moorhead
Free Press, Mankato
Grand Rapids Herald Review
Hastings Star Gazette
Herald Journal Publishing, Howard Lake
Hills Crescent
Hutchinson Leader
Independent News Herald, Clarissa
Isanti-Chisago County Star, Cambridge
Kanabec County Times, Mora
Lakes Area Review, New London/Spicer
Madelia Times Messenger
Maple Lake Messenger
Marshall Independent
McLeod County Chronicle, Glencoe
Mesabi Daily News, Virginia
Mille Lacs Messenger, Isle
Minnesota Womens Press, St. Paul
Montgomery Messenger
Moose Lake Star-Gazette
Morris Sun Tribune
New Prague Times
Newsleaders of Sartell and St. Joseph
Northeaster/NorthNews, Minneapolis
Observer/Advocate, Mountain Lake
Ortonville Independent
Owatonna Peoples Press
Page 1 Publications, East Grand Forks

Park Bugle, St. Paul

Paynesville Press
Pineandlakes Echo Journal, Pequot Lakes
Pine City Pioneer
Pine Journal, Cloquet
Pioneer Press, St. Paul
Pipestone Publishing Co., Inc.
Prairie Publishing Inc., Lafayette
Press Publications, White Bear Lake
Proctor Journal
Renville County Register, Olivia
Rivertown Multimedia, Red Wing
St. Cloud Times
Southwest Newspapers, Shakopee
Staples World-Devlin Newspapers, Inc.
Star Herald, Dodge Center
Star Publications, Sauk Centre
The Associated Press
The Journal, New Ulm
Tri-County News, Kimball
West Central Tribune, Willmar
Tri-County News, Kimball

From our Participants

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 Tribune
Attended 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-Review
Attended Skills for New Ad Reps, June 2014

Lakeshore Weekly News, Wayzata

North News, Minneapolis

11

Pohlad Internships2014
T

he 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 Newspapers

Aitkin Independent Age

Albert Lea Tribune
Echo Press, Alexandria
Osakis Review
Askov American
Austin Daily Herald
Barnesville Record-Review
Battle Lake Review/Ashby Post
Bemidji Pioneer
The Times, Blooming Prairie
Pineandlakes Echo Journal, Brainerd
Byron Review
Independent-News Herald, Clarrisa
Pine Journal, Cloquet
Crookston Daily Times
Star Herald, Dodge City
Duluth Budgeteer News
Eden Valley Watkins Voice
Standard Gazette & Messenger, Fairfax
Farmington Rosemount Independent Town Pages
Fergus Falls Daily
Leader Record, Gonvick
Grand Rapids Herald Review
Granite Falls Advocate Tribune
Grygla Eagle Newspaper
Kittson County Enterprise, Hallock
Hastings Star Gazette
Citizens Advocate, Henning
Tri-County News, Heron Lake
Hutchinson Leader
The Journal, International Falls
Tri-County News, Kimball
Mille Lacs Messenger, Isle
Maple Lake Messenger
Voyageur Press of McGregor
Middle River Honker
Montevideo American News
The Journal, New Ulm
New York Mills Dispatch
Lillie Suburban Newspapers
Oklee Herald
Parkers Prairie Independent
Paynesville Press
Proctor Journal
Post Bulletin, Rochester
ThreeSixty Journalism, St. Paul
Staples World
Tracy Headlight-Herald
Verndale Sun
News-Enterprise, West Concord
West Central Tribune, Willmar
Daily Globe, Worthington

12

Brainerd Dispatch

Renville County
Register, Olivia

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.

13

MNI Goes to Convention

E

veryone 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.

14

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.

15

Donors
MNI Founders Circle
Founders 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 Club
Legacy 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

Lake Region Life,

Waterville

16

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

Donors
Echo Press, Alexandria

Pages Program
Through 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, Delano
Herald Journal, Howard Lake
Isanti Chisago County Star, Cambridge
Kanabec County Times, Mora
Long Prairie Leader
Paynesville 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.

17

Financial Statement
Revenue
Contributions

Blandin Grant (Editors & Publishers Community
Leadership Program)

Pohlad Internship Grant
Convention

Training Registration

In-Kind Revenue
Interest/Dividend

Investment Gain/Loss (Net)
Total Revenue

00.00*
60,774.00
9,942.00
9,752.00
2,385.00
25,668.00
41,711.00
170,506.00

Expenses

Pohlad Internships

E&P Expenses
Administrative

Professional Services
Training
Convention
Total Expenses

55,249.00
31,987.00
46,881.00
9,672.00
9,485.00
1,160.00
154,434.00

$20,274.00

Change in net Assets 16,072.00

Net assets, beginning 1,110,508.00
Net assets, ending $1,126,580.00

Westbrook Sentinel Tribune

18

* $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.

The Exponent, East Grand Forks

Thank You
Faribault County Register, Blue Earth

St. Cloud Times

19

White Bear Press

Hastings Star Gazette

Morris Sun Tribune

Minnesota News Media Institute

10 South Fifth Street, Suite 1105
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: 612-332-8844