Bob "Big Dog" Satnan got more than he bargained for when he penned an "idea" memo to revamp the Neighbors section of the East Valley Tribune after its purchase by Freedom in 2000. Not only was he given the green light to rework the section, he was essentially commissioned by Publisher Karen Wittmer to create six new weekly community publications.
"I hired staff, set up an office, coordinated press time and ad deadlines, and handled a lot of logistics—essentially started a paper from scratch," said Satnan. "I've been a lifetime newsroom person and here I was learning about circulation and advertising. But I couldn't resist this chance to start up something like this."
"Something like this" is six weekly papers with four different nameplates: The Gilbert Guardian, The Chandler Connection, The South Tempe Voice and Scottsdale Views, which has three editions, each content-specific and zoned by zip code.
The feedback in the community has been overwhelmingly positive, seemingly from readers' sincere appreciation of tailored news that is specific and personal. "It's the return of hometown news," said Satnan. "The stuff that's below the radar of the big papers. It may be pie-in-the-sky thinking, but it's one way for people to connect."
Stories of Success Listing | Table of Contents | 2001 Annual Report | Freedom Communications, Inc.