Sarasota Herald-Tribune Is Final Paper to Join Learning Newsroom Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RESTON, VA--The Sarasota Herald-Tribune, an industry leader in newsroom convergence and innovation, rounds out the list of 10 participants in the Learning Newsroom Project. This unique training program, sponsored by the American Press Institute and the American Society of Newspaper Editors and funded through a $1 million grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, helps newspapers develop a more open and collaborative newsroom culture.

The Herald-Tribune will begin its yearlong, on-site training program in January, followed by a second year of follow-up monitoring. Anticipated outcomes for the newsroom include improved business literacy, better communication, training plans more closely aligned with strategic goals and more efficient processes.

The Learning Newsroom builds on findings of the Readership Institute's Impact Study, which found that the majority of the newsrooms surveyed exhibited a defensive culture. In these environments, teamwork is low and the organization generally does not adapt well to change. Constructive cultures tend to have employees that are more engaged and reader-oriented.

"The Herald-Tribune brings a number of attributes that make it an appealing Learning Newsroom partner," said Learning Newsroom Director Vickey Williams. The newsroom staff provides coverage for the newspaper, heraldtribune.com, and SNN News 6, a 24-hour cable news station. The staff also has made an effort to increase the number of enterprise stories and to develop innovative products to attract new readers. "They're investing in the best of what we do today yet also showing a willingness to take risks to find what will be needed to remain vital tomorrow," said Williams.

The Herald-Tribune was part of the Readership Institute's original Impact Study in 2000. At the time of the study, the Herald-Tribune was among only a handful of papers to report a constructive culture.

"The Herald-Tribune's work since then in improving its news content, branding and marketing have made it an industry leader," said Andrew B. Davis, president and executive director of API. "The paper is often cited as an example in conversations about ways to ensure newspapers remain relevant to the next generation of news consumers."

Since Executive Editor Mike Connelly joined the Herald-Tribune in January 2004 he has focused on increasing the newspaper's enterprise offerings and improving its storytelling techniques. Going forward, Connelly and Publisher Diane McFarlin have organizational goals that mirror the goals of the Learning Newsroom, including workflow analysis, greater collaboration among departments and improved communication.

"Mike and Diane's vision for the organization fits perfectly with the aims sought by the Learning Newsroom," said J. Scott Bosley, ASNE executive director. "Ideally, this experience will only help the newsroom achieve its goals faster."

Connelly also sees great potential in the partnership. "The Learning Newsroom will make us smarter and even better at our most fundamental job: Creating a newspaper that people can't put down," he said.

The San Jose Mercury News also will begin the program in January. Newsrooms already participating in the program are The Bakersfield Californian; The Citizen-Times in Asheville, N.C.; the Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller-Times; The Hamilton Spectator in Ontario, Canada; The Herald-Times in Bloomington, Ind.; The Journal Star in Lincoln, Neb.; The News Tribune in Tacoma, Wash.; and The Telegraph in Nashua, N.H. Lessons learned will be shared by ASNE and built into API's core curriculum when the pilot programs end in 2007.

The Learning Newsroom is part of Knight's $11 million Newsroom Training Initiative. The initiative began in 2003 after 50 journalism groups nationwide called for a unified effort to increase both the amount of training available and the news industry's investment in it. For details, see www.learningnewsroom.org.

About the American Press Institute

The American Press Institute is an independent educational center for providing skills-training and leadership development in the news industry, offering myriad seminars for newspaper professionals. API houses the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism, which offers a nationwide forum and educational opportunities for improving the quality of American business journalism. API is also the home of the Media Center, which conducts research, educational programs and symposia and facilitates strategic conversations and planning on issues shaping the future of news, information and media. Visit API online at www.americanpressinstitute.org, or call (703) 620-3611.

About the American Society of Newspaper Editors

With about 750 members, ASNE is the principal organization of American newspaper editors. It is active in a number of areas, including open government, freedom of the press, journalism credibility and ethics, newsroom management, diversity and readership. Visit ASNE online at www.ASNE.org

About Knight Foundation

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation promotes journalism excellence worldwide and invests in the vitality of 26 U.S. communities. Since 1950, when Knight Foundation was created, the foundation has approved more than $260 million in journalism grants. Learn more online at www.knightfdn.org.

Media Contacts:

Larry Meyer
Vice President of Communications
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Wachovia Financial Center, Suite 3300
200 S. Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33131-2349
(305) 908-2610
meyer@knightfdn.org

Lisa Rabasca
Communications Manager
American Press Institute
11690 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1498
(703) 715-3322
lrabasca@americanpressinstitute.org