This issue marks the start of our sixth publishing year. When the first two Reporter editions in Sandy Springs and Buckhead rolled off the presses in January 2007, it was our intent to offer residents a credible and colorful source of local news. The papers’ mission from the start was to provide readers with fresh and engaging information about their communities. Based on your generous feedback over the past five years, we think those goals are being met.
Reporter Newspapers, which now reach more than 100,000 readers in four communities—the Brookhaven Reporter was added in 2009 and the Dunwoody Reporter in 2010—serve to inform residents about issues and actions affecting their homes, neighborhoods, schools, parks and business districts. Often these very local matters don’t make the headlines in a large daily metropolitan newspaper or fit the sound bites of radio and television news. Nor do they pop up in a Google search (although they can usually be found at our website, www.reporternewspapers.net). Yet they are the cornerstone of our content.
We know that readers appreciate this “hyperlocal” coverage. In fact, a recent study by the National Newspaper Association revealed that eight in ten readers rely on their community newspaper for local news and information.
Also, for our growing base of advertisers, the Reporter’s very local focus means that they can market cost-effectively to customers and prospects within a few miles of where their businesses are located. The same research noted above found that two-thirds of readers look for the ads in their local paper to find out about stores and services in the area. We are grateful to the hundreds of advertisers who have made Reporter Newspapers an integral part of their marketing efforts, especially at a time when smaller budgets have to do a bigger job. We encourage you to patronize them, which also helps to build economic stability in each community.
Our initial mission is still intact, fueled by the enthusiasm of a talented and experienced staff. We care very much about what goes into this newspaper — and what you think about it. Please let me know how we’re doing and what we can do better.
Email Steve Levene at publisher@reporternewspapers.net
