MAPS Sees Good Second Quarter

It’s hard to believe we just wrapped up the second quarter of 2001!

I have to admit during these past six months our MDDC Ad Placement Service’s (MAPS) Monday morning meetings feel a little like a Jerry Lewis Labor Day Tel-a-thon. You can almost hear the drum roll as we look at our weekly sales reports, much like the all-telling token board, we look with anticipation at the bottom of the report giving us the "latest numbers."

I’m relieved to say so far so good. MAPS has had a good second quarter in advertising sales. Much of this success comes from additional Maryland Public Service Commission Deregulation ads, which increased, in both gross and net sales from previous years.

As we complete the first half of 2001, we keep our focus on moving MAPS forward as we enter the second half of the year.

We have had a good response from member newspapers for our free Beginning Ad Sales Workshop scheduled for July 11 at The Star Democrat in Easton. All available space for this workshop has been filled.

We are planning the next one sometime in late fall, along with an Intermediate Ad Sales Workshop. The latter will be geared to newspaper ad sales representatives with two to five years selling experience. Topics will include how to sell against other mediums, (such as radio, television and direct mail), prospecting and giving presentations to advertising agencies, along with taking PowerPoint presentations to the next level.

Speaking about workshops, the MDDC Classified Advertising Network (CAN) will host it’s next classified workshop and luncheon Dec. 6 in Crofton. For more information of these advertising programs, check upcoming newsletters and our Web site, www.mddcpress.com.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for MDDC Summer Convention, Sept. 6-8 at the Tidewater Inn in Easton, Maryland. The convention will include an advertising program on the 7th, plus other sessions on managing newspapers in tough times.