The Indiana Publisher

such a vital role in our com- munities and our democracy. At the end of the day, though, they are and they are a prime product for a special kind of treatment that a lot of dor- mant industries have been receiving as of late like the revival of the "craft" com- modity. A decade ago beer was dominated by national, mass produced cases of cans. There were two choices of bourbon on the shelf. Albums were collecting dust and no under the age of 70 touched an embroidery ring. All of these things have seen a resurgence in popular- ity after local brewers, distill- ers, album shops, and artists embraced traditions bygone and breathed life into each industry. All of those products, now local and craft, come at a premium too. Let me tell you — I'd gladly pay seven dol- lars for a freshly tapped local, hazy IPA over four dollars for a can of Coors. And I'm getting a record player for my new house so my daughter and I can enjoy the experi- ence of playing music from a tangible item. I think you can see where I'm going here. Newspapers are the original local, craft product. They're specific and special to their localities — a product that can be had no place else in quite the same way. Cracking open the paper over coffee and toast is an experience. Immersing your- self in a beautifully designed multi-media piece is a luxury. Local news deserves to be had at a premium, but we have to show our readers that and provide them with the content that makes them feel that spark of significance that a craft brand can. So I challenge you to think about what you can do to create the experience around your brand. I know I will be thinking about that for all of us. Page 2 October 2022 HSPA Board of Directors HSPA Foundation Board Members Bill Hackney, e La Porte County Herald-Dispatch (Michigan City) and e Rochester Sentinel Don Hurd, Hoosier Media Group Gillian Kelk, Sullivan Daily Times Brenda McLane, Hometown Media Group Mark Miller, e News-Banner (Bluon) Kathy Tretter, Ferdinand News and Spencer County Leader (Rockport) HSPA Board Members Nathan Feltman, Indianapolis Business Journal Bud Hunt, AIM Media Indiana Curt Kovener, e Crothersville Times Robert Shegog, Indianapolis Recorder Chris White, e Times Media Co. HSPA Board of Directors HSPA Officers President: Larry Hensley, e Hoosier Times HSPA Foundation Board of Directors HSPA Foundation Officers President: Robyn McCloskey, CNHI HSPA Staff Amelia McClure, executive director, general counsel admclure@hspa.com (317) 803-4772 Pamela Lego, director of operations plego@hspa.com (812) 350-7711 Shawn Goldsby, business manager sgoldsby@hspa.com (317) 803-4772 Ruth Witmer, communications specialist news@hspa.com (812) 855-5898 e Indiana Publisher is published monthly by the Hoosier State Press Association, 429 E. Vermont St. #206 Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 Looking for newspaper employee or job? Check out the HSPA job listings at hspa.com/jobs and every month in the Indiana Publisher. Questions? Email sgoldsby@hspa.com. in my community and what I can do to stay connected," wrote another. Newspapers, according to the respondents, are by far the most trusted source for news — 87% ranked newspapers and their asso- ciated websites at the top. Additionally, 77% of those surveyed said they look to their community's newspa- pers for information about their local government. Information about schools, entertainment and crime were among other coverage areas cited. Demographic information collected includes that 51% or readers are female, 49% male and 74% have lived in their community for five or more years. The majority of readers, 79%, are under the age of 65. The survey information provides insight on who the state's newspaper readers are and what's important to them. The numbers reflect that people view local newspa- pers as the preferred way to stay informed about their communities. One participant wrote: "I think that the only real place to trust anymore is the newspapers, especially local newspapers, because they care about their community." Survey Continued from Page 1 Dispatch Continued from Page 1 "I believe that notices should be in independent newspapers as a way to keep the government accountable." — Survey participant, The Indiana Market Study: Consumer Insights from the Hoosier State Press Association "I think that the only real place to trust anymore is the newspapers, especially local newspapers, because they care about their community." — Survey participant, The Indiana Market Study: Consumer Insights from the Hoosier State Press Association

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