I attended the luncheon meeting of the Florida Public Relations Association in Lakeland today to hear Armand Nardi the new publisher of the News Chief speak. This was the first event that Armand had been invited to speak at since he started two weeks ago. Armand admitted that he was not a seasoned public speaker but I think he did a great job and had a great sense of humor.

In his initial remarks he talked a bit about his background and thoughts on the newspaper industry as a whole. In his opinion there is no other news medium like the newspaper industry. Armand said, "The editorial process creates a superior product that still can't be matched by other mediums."

The News Chief is a smaller community newspaper, but Armand feels that local newspapers are the backbone of a local community. A local paper serves as a watchdog and a cheerleader at the same time. Armand went on to say that the local paper prints a daily historical document about the community it serves.

Armand said his primary goals at the News Chief are to increase readership and be the number one source of local news and entertainment information. Part of that is forming a symbiotic relationship with the community. The News Chief will work to support organizations that work to improve the quality of life in Winter Haven.

After his introductory remarks Armand took a few questions from the audience. One of the initial questions dealt with the high turnover the News Chief has had in their editorial positions. Armand said that was something he would be working on. In his previous positions he has always taken an active role in the development of the younger staff members. However, he recognized the fact that community newspapers are often the springboard for many young journalists.

The next question asked dealt with the relationship between print readers and internet readers of the paper. Armand said that like many community newspapers they are one of the most highly trafficked sites in the area. Winter Haven is unique in that many of their local readers leave the market (Snowbirds) and that a high percentage of those that do leave still visit the 'local' paper site (my note: I know my mother who left WH 3 years ago still reads both local web sites)

Lori Edwards asked whether a large number of the New Chiefs' subscriber were dual subscribers, that is they read the both News Chief and The Ledger. Armand didn't have any data on that, but it's something they're researching.

The last question dealt with a closely guarded secret, that is up until now. What is the paid print circulation of the News Chief. According to Armand it 6,800. (If you remember I asked the News Chief this back in May but never received a response)

I think Armand did a great job. Any interaction with the local community on the part of the publisher is always good, and an improvement over his predecessor.