Brad Keith, Stephenville sports editor
Earlier this month, ACM Newsroom received some feedback on how the weekly Prep Football Blitz section is being received from the Stephenville (Texas) community.
Our daily newspaper in Stephenville, Texas, the Empire-Tribune, was one of seven markets that launched Prep Football Blitz this fall. Not only has the response to the section been positive from the community, coaches and players, but it also generated plus-revenue for the operation.
Empire-Tribune sports editor Brad Keith shared these thoughts on the section with ACM Newsroom?
What has been the reaction of the readers to the weekly section?
Brad Keith: t I have seen (the Blitz) gain momentum from week to week. Recently hired ad exec Stephanie Gade – who sold the Blitz Bit – even volunteered to hand out copies at Stephenville’s season opener that had 8,000 fans in attendance, and at Tarleton’s that had 6,400. (Tarleton State University is based in Stephenville.) I vividly recall walking up the steps to Tarleton Memorial Stadium that night and seeing a college student at the top of the stairs, leaning on a rail, flipping through the Blitz. I was angry at myself for having left my cell phone in the press box and not being able to do a quick mobile upload.”
How are received any feedback from readers, coaches, fans, etc?
BK: Coach Cary Fowler at Tarleton LOVES the Blitz. I set some copies out in the lobby of TexasBank where his radio show is every Thursday, and each week he compliments us on it.
Do you think it has been a boost to your sports section, and readership? Also, can you talk about the video you are producing each week and posting on your website to promote the Blitz?
BK: The video is something we are learning as we go, and each week an idea of how to do it a little better is discovered (helps that I did radio for five years, and Nathan (sports reporter for the E-T and the Glen Rose (Texas) Reporter) has dabbled in radio as well). I think this is the case with all the new, extra coverage we are providing, and in time, I fully believe everyone will have a good handle on how to do it even more efficiently and successfully. Also, the Blitz has been a boost to the sports section because with football previews out of the way on Thursday/Friday, cross country/volleyball/youth sport kids are getting unprecedented ink on the regular sports pages. More kids equals more readers has always been my belief and I know for a fact my publishers and editors agree wholeheartedly.”
